When a military member gets a posting message, (and the shock has warn off a bit), the next thing to think about is housing. After lots of discussion and looking at real estate prices in Yellowknife, (and the price of heating those houses), we decided that we were going to life in Gov't housing during our posting. They are basically PMQ's, but called gov't housing because anyone who works for the gov't are entitled to live in them.
We were still entitled to go on a HHT, even though we would be renting. We were allowed to see a few places available, and hopefully find something. We picked a date in the second week of June, and decided 4 days would be enough time to see the few places that were available.
The trip up was fine. We travelled on Air Canada and had a stop in Calgary on the way up, and we would be stopping in Edmonton on the way back. The flight to Calgary took about 5 hours and then we transfered to a small 50 seat aircraft to Yellowknife.
Arriving at the Yellowknife airport, the first thing you notice is that it isn't
very big or busy. You get off on the runway and walk to the building. I imagine it would be a cold walk in the winter. Walking into the building the first thing you see is a huge taxidermy of a polar bear chasing a seal. I'll attach a picture.
We were met by Glenn, (he and Rick will be working together in 440 sqn which is located in another hanger really close to the airport). Certainly easier to find your way around this airport conpared to Toronto Pearson. During the process of getting our rental car, I met the first person I had ever talked to that hated Yellowknife. A young girl who had lived there all her life and couldn' t wait to leave! Still to this date the only person I've met who lived there and didn't like it.
Leaving the airport, the view is spectacular! Blue lakes, trees, rocks. Beautiful. The city is small, and not too hard to figure out, (after a few days). That first night Glenn and his wife Charlene took us for a drive and out for supper. They were great answering questions. It was a long day and Rick and I were glad to get back to the hotel. We quickly noticed that it wasn't even beginning to get dark even at midnight! It kind of throws you off a bit. You know it's late, but the sun is still bright. Of course all of the hotels have black-out curtains so you can create the illusion of darkness.
The next morning we met with a lady who was going to show us some gov't housing. We quickly learned from her, that there were places we could look at to get an idea of where we wanted to live, but we would not be taking possesion of any place on this trip, as there were none available. We would be going on a waiting list, hoping that something becomes available before we move.
There are basically 3 locations were we might be living. Rat Lake, Sisson, and Lanky Court. We were able to see places in Rat Lake and Sisson. Glenn and Charlene live in Lanky and were nice enough to invite us for supper on the night before we left, so we could check out their place. They are honestly not much to look at. Older townhouse like homes. Not much space. No basement, little storage. Only one parking spot per home. We are planning to bring 2 vechicles. When we asked where people park a 2nd car we were told, you had to move it around from the visitor spots to the roadside and hope you don't get towed away. We decided we liked Rat Lake (seemed to be more spots for parking and quieter). That was our first choice, but who knows, we will probably end up wherever one becomes available.
We had a great evening out with some members of 440 sqn, and their wives one night. Everyone told us that you have to "get over" the housing and remember you are there for the experience, and enjoy all that Yellowknife has to offer. Great advice. Everyone there that night loves living there. It is a very close knit group and they plan many activities that include spouses and families. The families posted out of Yellowknife are upset to be leaving. It is certainly going to be an adventure!
I got a chance to check out a grocery store. Prices are higher than in ON, but not too bad. Everything costs a bit more, (even a double, double at Timmys was about .20 cents more). But it is nice they don't have provincial sales tax. They only pay gst. There is 1 Tim Hortons, 2 McDonalds, a small Wal-Mart, a nice big new Canadian Tire, The Brick, Sears appliance store with a catalogue outlet, and a few more stores. More than what I was expecting.
Before we knew it, it was time to head for home. We are now on a waiting list for a house. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that we will get one before we head out at the end of July. The moving adventure continues! The next blog will probably be from the road.
