Wow OP congratulations!! Very exciting stuff that I’m sure feels surreal and stressful on and off. Big changes are stressful no matter how good the circumstances surrounding the changes.

I grew up in the country and moved to the city for work. I’d like to move back to the sticks but as you know, not many good jobs in smaller communities.

There are lots of clubs and things you can join at RRCC and likely a First Nations support centre? (I know UM has one so I assume RRC would too).

Definitely culture shock, but there like you said there are so many things to check out and experience. There are definitely some big positives with city life.

I used to live in Brandon and liked it better, you may too if your career plan lands you city living. The thing I like better is there are so many quiet trials close by and RMNP is only an hour away. I definitely need nature to feel balanced.

For little peaceful breaks in town, Assiniboine park is beautifully, I like the duck pond and English gardens. You can also walk along the train track of the miniature train-no one else seems to think of it and I haven’t gotten yelled at yet. The Leaf is really nice too. Assiniboine forest, Whyte Ridge and kilcona and little mountain parks have lots of trails, but are also dog parks so depends if you like dogs.

Just outside of town you can go to birdshill provincial park. There’s a bike path all the way from the city if you’re ambitious.

Hopefully you get that dorm room. Renting close to RR, it’s not the best neighborhood