Living in Banff | Life update and Q&A 🏔

[@SaadRoams]

Thank you so much for this. From you, I got to know about staff accommodation, an then I applied for jobs, now I have got a job right at moraine lake for this summers. Thanks a lot!!!

[@caitlinlaurent]

Wonderful! Moraine Lake is such a stunnnnnning place to work and have great employee perks from what I hear! Have the best summer!

[@debuthunter5389]

Banff is an alright place to dabble in the mountain lifestyle. It has a lot of outdoor activity and sights on offer, but not somewhere to stay long term. There is a massive housing crisis due to the restrictions on development as it is in a world heritage listed national park. This means paying a lot of money for sharehousing with others in poor conditions. The town is also full of young people on working holiday visas, which might sound nice, but it also means that people are partying every single night. You will have neighbours consistantly coming home with friends, yelling, playing loud music, doing lines of coke etc. It is a great town on the surface, to travel to, or get a small dose of different mountain life, but is a weird place to stay longer than a season or two.

[@caitlinlaurent]

Hello and thanks for your insight! While I do see where you are coming from, I don't agree wholly and just wanted to give my perspective for others watching this video! Firstly, Banff is not for everyone, that's just a fact and that's the same with many places around the world. We have lived here for two years now and while there may be housing issues etc, nowhere is perfect and I think Banff is a pretty amazing place despite those things. As with anything in life, you can choose whether you want to join in on particular things or not, yes there is a party atmosphere for sure but you don't need to be a part of it if you don't want to be. I have personally never had issues with neighbours partying or being disruptive and I certainly don't know anyone who parties every single night. On top of that, while housing is hard to get, there are plenty of good places around and once you have something steady it is great! There are definitely places in town with horrible conditions and overpriced rooms but that's not everywhere and I don't want to generalise that. Finally, I agree that Banff is a somewhat difficult place to stay long term but I feel that way simply because it's such a transient town and having friends leave all the time is hard. I know plenty of people who have lived here for years and years, they have solid friendship groups and even children now so even though it is that way, it's also definitely possible to have a stable life here as well. I know it's not for everyone but I love it and my goal is just to give people the info so they can decide if it's right for them or not. As a working holiday destination, it's amazing in my opinion! :)

[@debuthunter5389]

@@caitlinlaurent - You are correct in pretty much all the things you mentioned in general in your video(s). I just wanted to offer some counterpoints as one of the biggest issues I have found is people moving for the idea of a fairytale, and being disappointed with the reality, or being under-prepared. Banff is a good place for sure, and the experience of living there is so different to anywhere else.

[@caitlinlaurent]

@@debuthunter5389 100%, life here is not always easy but I do think mountain life is worth it (for now anyway!). I appreciate your input and I'm sure others do too :)

[@debuthunter5389]

​@@caitlinlaurent - I will say to elaborate on that, in case people want to know... I lived in Banff for 3.5 years (so far Canada in total about 5.5). In the time there I enjoyed a bunch of skiing/snowboarding, did some mountain biking, hiking, backcountry hiking (multiple days), rock climbing, paddle boarding, ice skating on frozen lakes... all of it. The outdoor access and experience opportunities are great. Over a couple of years, especially being a bit stuck (due to PR application) the town and culture and work and all those things started to become a bit more annoying/burdensome. Being unable to go for a beer after work with colleagues because there is a 1 hour waiting list to get into your own local places, being priced out by tourism, trying to go get groceries but being stuck in a 50 minute queue of traffic to cross the bridge... Being a manager of unreliable staff that just want to party and didn't care for the work, making life harder for those who are actually trying... All these things started to become more obvious, and the actual joys of living in the place started to slowly fade (taking it all for granted a bit, sure). I would say that shift started to take place as I entered my 3rd year in Banff. I will always consider myself a mountain guy, but didn't feel that dynamic really sustained, especially since I much prefer to work in sectors unrelated to customer service. Most people, especially those who come for the temporary experience (up to the 24 month IEC) usually leave with a ton of great memories and experiences. In general, I think it's best to move on while things are still good, rather than letting it eventually turn sour :) I would say Banff is great for people in their 20's. For people in their 30's (and older), Canmore would be a better option.

[@destinyharrison_]

truely thankful for your guys videos, your guys videos help a whole lot 🧡 very in dept and well said. thank you 😋

[@caitlinlaurent]

Im so happy they are helpful! Good luck with your trip

[@Scrapbooking.CreativeMemories]

I believe Chatr also has a similar nationwide plan only it's a bit cheaper at only $15.00 a month. As of last year, it was $10.00 for a nationwide plan and then it went up to $15.00.

[@correllegarrity385]

Thanks for the videos guys really helpful !

[@caitlinlaurent]

You're welcome!

[@hayleymitchelllll]

My friend and I are moving to Canada in September, hoping to get some jobs in Banff! Glad I have found your channel to look for advice!

[@caitlinlaurent]

So glad its helping! If you have any questions we are always happy to help :)

[@bethrobinson8948]

Im also moving to Canada in September!!

[@hayleymitchelllll]

@@bethrobinson8948 no way! Where abouts are you planning to get a job?

[@caitlinlaurent]

@@bethrobinson8948 you’ll have the best time! Good luck ❣️

[@bethrobinson8948]

@@hayleymitchelllll Banff Lodging Co 😊

[@maxsterling9908]

What about Whistler, BC? I thought Whistler would be the top tier destination for snowboarders and skiers ?

[@caitlinlaurent]

We have only travelled through whistler as you will see in our earlier videos and have not lived there. It is definitely a top destination as well but for us Banff was our dream! Being a costal resort the snow at Whistler is a lot different to the snow in the Rockies as well. Just two difference experiences and people will choose whats best for them :)

[@Nomad.Gazelle]

hi i am about to either move to ontario(oshwa) or north of sydney (gosford), which one would you recommend in terms of quality of life?thanks 🙂

[@debuthunter5389]

Those have to the 2 of the randomest options I have ever seen. Haha. In terms of specific place, not much difference. You're honestly looking at a Canada vs Australia difference at that point imo.

[@meshikatomecko1599]

Does the visa allow you to travel to the United states without any restrictions?

[@caitlinlaurent]

I dont believe this visa has any association with the states unfortunately. :(

[@meshikatomecko1599]

@@caitlinlaurent how have you been able to travel the states? I've been following on your Instagram.

[@caitlinlaurent]

@@meshikatomecko1599 aw i hope thats been helpful to inspire some of your own travel! I entered the states on a J1 visa because I was working there over the summer. Tristan was able to travel it with me on an ESTA, a quick online visa waiver (I believe thats what its called but I may be wrong) and it was all pretty simple for him. In terms of the actual restrictions on us, we aren't exactly sure but are hoping to see more of the states so will keep you updated if we find anything out. :)

[@meshikatomecko1599]

@@caitlinlaurent Ah ok, I see thank you for th help.

[@yadissareynoso8383]

I like visit

[@Scrapbooking.CreativeMemories]

Hi. Regarding a phone plan, if you're still on the one you mentioned in your video above perhaps you may want to consider a plan with Telus. Right now I'm paying a flat rate of $30.00 a month for unlimited calls inbound and outbound nationwide. Nancy

[@caitlinlaurent]

Thanks Nancy! How much data do you get with that though?

[@Scrapbooking.CreativeMemories]

@@caitlinlaurent Oh sorry about that. Currently, my phone plan gives me 1G a month.

[@caitlinlaurent]

Thanks for the info! We need much more data than that though :)

[@Scrapbooking.CreativeMemories]

@@caitlinlaurent Oh, okay. And you're most welcome. 🌻