Why Thousands of B.C. Families Are Choosing Alberta: Inside Canada’s New Cost-of-Living Migration

British Columbia has always been a sought-after place to live, but the increasing costs of housing are giving rise to a subtle but important trend of moving east.

Families from places like Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland are packing up their lives and heading to Alberta and other low cost Prairie Provinces for cheaper prices and more room.

MiniMove, a 43-year-old franchised moving company with trucks throughout B.C. and Alberta, has watched these families take the leap up close.

The Numbers Bear It Out

Statistics Canada data indicates there has been a steady output of people leaving B.C. for Alberta for three years. This could be understood as simply numbers but consider this:

Average price of a detached house in Greater Vancouver is stuck over CAD $1,200,000 while Calgary and Edmonton list similar homes for just under half ($550,000). The difference is key to migrating families, especially younger families and retiring families who soon want downsize.

These families who move say the reason is not solely for house purchase.

Lesser taxes, cheaper gas and utilities and booming tech and energy jobs in Calgary and Edmonton make the decision to migrate so much easier.

Timing Is Everything

To MiniMove’s founder John Anthony, and the industry running mentor, pick the right season can save you thousands on a long haul.

John suggests booking during the “shoulder seasons” which is generally late fall and early spring, which are periods of low activity and demand for moving.

Less bookings means better availability of trucks and the rates are lower. Anthony mentions that, if you can arrange deadhead loads, those times when a truck will be heading back empty, this can bring costs down even lower. Oftentimes, flexible dates allow you to take advantage of these options.

When To Budget For The Big Move

Regardless if you are upsizing from a one-bedroom condo or a four-bedroom house, proper pre-planning ensures that you stay within your budget.

Suggested by the MiniMove team is a full inventory in order to avoid surprise extras and for you to decide if you want to pay by the pound versus by the cubic foot.

It can all depend on factors of what your mix of furniture and boxes are: heaviest versus bulky and light. Heavy but compact loads lend themselves to paying by weight. Lighter bulky items could lead to paying by volume, or cubic foot.

Find Local Context

For local context, you can check the MiniMove Guide to Vancouver’s Neighbourhoods section.

It demonstrates how trends in square footage vary across the city, which should help you to gauge your estimation of how much you will take, especially what you will leave behind to move east.

Choosing the Right Path

MiniMove utilizes a long-distance route of “triangle route”, the Vancouver/Victoria ↔ Calgary/Edmonton route, so the B.C. to Alberta jump would make sense.

You can utilize Vancouver movers from MiniMove for everything from moves in downtown condos with limited access to full house moves in the suburbs. They have Calgary movers from MiniMove with years of experience to unload and move families into new communities ready to go.

In this scenario, co-ordinators are set up at both ends to move you back and forth with the same company for total start to finish simplicity to avoid third party transfers and surprise fees.

Simple Checklist for the Process

MiniMove suggests these uncomplicated steps to anyone who is interested in leaving B.C. for Alberta.

Clear the clutter: De-cluttering in advance ahead of moving reduces your load weight and volume, make a donation or sell items that you no longer use.

Book well in advance: They fill up quickly, even during shoulder seasons.

Clearly label boxes: labelling boxes by room and priority should assist in the ease of unpacking.

Make Sure You Have Coverage: Reputable moving insurance to offer full coverage should protect you from an unusual occurrence of damage on a long haul.

Utility & Mail at your new address: prepare your utilities transfer, mail forwarding address, before the day of the move.

What Does This Mean for B.C. and Alberta

Economists suggest that this trend of migration will effect housing markets on both sides of the Rockies. B.C. has been facing and will continue to face diminishing supply in rental housing because families move down from ownership, either finding location closer for work or transitioning out of ownership. Alberta is seeing net population growth as a accelerated movement as it creates need to buy local goods and services and new infrastructure development. Ever simulated for movers like MiniMove to expand size of fleets and hire staff to caravan.

Final Thoughts

Migrating from B.C. to Alberta is less the financial element - more the change of lifestyle. Lower taxes, larger homes, shorter commutes are attractive elements for families migrating, but logistical plan must be validated.

With combined decades of experience transporting long-distance (national and international) and dedicated crews across both provinces fit.

MiniMove gets your family transported cost effectivity, majorly reduces stress of family relocations, know and represent all move preparations that people might have questions about.

Have you thought to move? Take a look at their Vancouver neighborhood guide, connect with their Vancouver or Calgary branch, and find the best rate for a shoulder season book move. You may find your future dreams lives, and budget, waiting for you on the other side of the Rockies.