Bonnyville????

interceptor · #1 02-08-2009

G' Day All,

I am still working on coming to live in AB and have just been offered a position in Bonnyville. It is a little further north than I had planned on living but I guess I will see.

I am wondering if anyone can pass on some info about life in and around Bonnyville, what is the country like, much wilderness to explore, hunting, fishing, camping, any archery / hunting clubs etc.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cheers Noel

Fish Feathers Game · #2 02-08-2009

Hey interceptor, I don't know if I can help too much, but heres what I know! I've gone up a couple of times to hunt Whitetail deer. I was generally south and east of town on Provincial crown land. It was great hunting. Lots of deer, moose and bear. I know some people in the Beaver River Fish and Game club. They talk a lot about the pike and Walleye fishing up there too. I would start at the club and introduce yourself. Great country and I would go up there again if I had the chance! Welcome to Alberta!!

sparky660 · #3 02-09-2009

I lived in Bonnyville for a couple of years and if I were to do it again I would live in Cold Lake instead.

As for outdoor life you are surrounded by many lakes that offer great fishing on both the Alberta and Sask. side as well as great hunting opportunities. I would move to the area without hesitation.

str8shooter · #4 02-09-2009

I worked in the area for a couple years also. I would take Cold Lake over Bonnyville for living as well. More to offer in the town and like sparky said, even more fishing and hunting opps. It's nice country for an outdoorsman. Be careful as things have slowed substantially in the area over the last couple months. If you do make the move, all the best.

Dmay · #5 02-09-2009

I live nearby....
Lots of wilderness to explore, good hunting, fair fishing, several nice campgrounds in the area... Bonnyville Shooting Sports Assn. has a good gun range south of town if you're interested....

What kind of work are you coming to do?

Let me know if you need any contacts, or resources....

silverado7 · #6 02-09-2009

I've been in Cold Lake for 18 years... I agree with the others about living in Cold Lake vice B'Ville. Since things have slowed down a bit houses have come down a little in price. What are you looking for (acerage or in town)?
Fishing here is good,,, Marie Lake has produced some 10 lb walleye for me and Cold Lake hold some nice lakers. If you need anything else just shout... I have a good friend that is a realator here if you need one.

Rigg dogg · #7 02-09-2009

I live between Bonnyville & Cold Lake, I have most of my life.
Like the others have mentioned there is some great hunting and fishing out here.
Work in the area has slowed down some but I don't think it will be a permanent thing. I work away from home so it hasn't really effected me.

Real estate has levelled out some, it was crazy about 2 yrs ago.

If your looking to buy an acreage I just happen to have a 10 acre piece for sale. 15 minutes to Cold Lake or Bonnyville. It's all tree's with power and gas at the road side.

Jeromeo · #8 02-09-2009

A majority of my family lives in Bonnyville and I spent alot of time there my entire life. My parents own a lot in Cold Lake. I used to work in Bonnyville every summer. The summers are hot and winters are cold. The hunting is awesome and the fishing is great too. Cold lake is awesome if you are into catching big lake trout. There are lakes everywhere. Lots of trails if you enjoy ATV's. It's pretty much the only area where I hunt and fish.

interceptor · #9 02-09-2009

G' Day Lads,

Thanks for the info, I am into all things outside, Hunting, Fishing, ATV's & I really want to have a crack at a Sled (they just look like far too much fun).

Sounds like my decision may be made

. One question, how long to drive from Cold Lake to Bonnyville, Summer vs Winter time?

I'm in Indusrial Coatings, Sand-Blasting, Hydro-Blasting & Painting, I hope to secure a job based in Bonnyville as apposed to travelling but either way I would be happy. My plan would be to try for 3 to 15 acs not to far from Bonnyville.

I am selling my Home here and hope to be on the first plane over after the money comes in. I will keep you all posted as it all gets closer.

Thanks again for the info Lads.

Cheers Noel

Jeromeo · #10 02-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by interceptor

G' Day Lads,

Sounds like my decision may be made

. One question, how long to drive from Cold Lake to Bonnyville, Summer vs Winter time?

About 40 minutes. depends on how fast you drive

spudislander · #11 02-09-2009

If you are buying a house in Cold Lake you'll get your ass taxed off. Our taxes went up 20% last year, 9% this year and a projected 23% next year. All that and sweet FA for services. My road had 6 inches of packed snow on it most of the winter. We pay more in property tax here than the last two cities we lived in. I'm kicking my ass for not buying a house outside on the city in MD of Bonnyville.

interceptor · #12 02-09-2009

OK,,,, Dumb Question.

What does this mean exactly?

"buying a house outside on the city in MD of Bonnyville. "

Cheers Noel

spudislander · #13 02-09-2009

Sorry for being vague. The MD (Municipal District) is like a county. The city of Cold Lake lies within the MD of Bonnyville (not to be confused with the city of Bonnyville). The tax rate in the MD is lower than in the city. A lot of new homes are popping up in subdivisions outside of the city.

interceptor · #14 02-09-2009

Thanks Spudislander,

We don't have Municipals or County's here but now I get the idea.

Do any of you Lads have an idea of the costs for a house to rent around Cold Lake, Bonnyville, or a web site that lists rentals for that part of Alberta, I tried a few but no luck so far.

Cheers Noel

Tredeb · #15 02-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by interceptor

Thanks Spudislander,

We don't have Municipals or County's here but now I get the idea.

Do any of you Lads have an idea of the costs for a house to rent around Cold Lake, Bonnyville, or a web site that lists rentals for that part of Alberta, I tried a few but no luck so far.

Cheers Noel

www.infomall.ca

Or maybe the local papers

Bonnyville nouvelle and Cold Lake sun. I am not sure how much will be online.

www.mls.ca for real estate

spudislander · #16 02-10-2009

http://www.infomall.ca

This website has a few rentals listed. I heard on the radio today Cold Lake residents are paying the second highest property taxes in the province after Calgary.

deerhunter · #17 02-10-2009

Not to scare you off but make sure your job is secure. There seems to be a lot of lay offs all over this province including the Bonnyville area
GOOD LUCK

jtoews80 · #18 02-10-2009

The sign leaving Bonnyville says 41 km to Cold Lake and the taxes inside the town limits of Bonnyville are not fun either. I was paying about $3600 a year in 2008 for property taxes which isn't as bad as Edmonton or Calgary, but I own a quarter section out of town and only pay $1100 a year. The taxes went up big time when they built the sports complex in town.

JT.

interceptor · #19 02-10-2009

G' Day lads,

Thanks for the info re property's etc, I will check out the web sites to see what is around.

Thanks for the heads up Deerhunter,

Lay offs are happening over here as well, I had to let 15 Lads go this past week and will probably have to drop another 20 odd before the end of March? I have spoken with this Albertian company at length and I am working on getting assurances to cover me should things go south.

Things are looking up Lads so I may be over in time for April Fools Day.

Cheers Noel

spudislander · #20 02-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by interceptor

Things are looking up Lads so I may be over in time for April Fools Day.

Cheers Noel

Just in time for the last 3 months of winter.

Matt L. · #21 02-10-2009

Don't scare him off now spud!

Don't listen to him Noel, there'll only be two months of winter left.

interceptor · #22 02-11-2009

G' Day Lads,

Haha very good .

To be honest two or three months of winter left doesn't matter, I usually don't see more than a couple of weeks with temps under 15c a year and never under 10c so it will be interesting, and cold I reckon.

I recieved some pics today from the plant at Bonnyville where I would be based,,,,,,,,,,,,,, there was all this white stuff everywhere,,,,,,,,,wierd.....

Cheers Noel

Matt L. · #23 02-11-2009

Yeah, it'll be quite an education for ya. before and during Christams we had about three weeks of -20 to -40 degrees celius excluding the windchill. Then, for about the past three weeks it's warmed up and I don't think it's even gone to -20, some days highs of +12! But that's Alberta and you'll get used to it eventually.

interceptor · #24 02-15-2009

G' Day Matt,

That does sound mighty cold, how do you guys work in those temps, even driving to work sounds like a challenge.

Also, define "eventually"

Cheers Noel

Matt L. · #25 02-15-2009

Lol, I guess it's just acclimatization. You do what ya gotta do! Personally I'd rather put up with -30 temps than +30. I can handle cold a lot better than heat. As to "eventually", that depends on you and how quickly and well you adapt to a different climate. I was also referring to the masive weather changes that this province is prone to. We have a saying that if you don't like the weather wait five minutes and it will change, and it's not much of an exaggeration!

interceptor · #26 02-15-2009

G' Day Matt,

Quote:

We have a saying that if you don't like the weather wait five minutes and it will change, and it's not much of an exaggeration!

HAHA thats good, I noticed that when we drove around BC & Alberta last year, warm and sunny in a valley and 15 minutes later on top of the mountains there is snow everywhere.

It will be very challenging to get used to the weather for sure but like everything else it is what you make of it eh.

Cheers Noel