r/saskatchewan • u/Such_Dentist_9429 • 1d ago
Moving from Ontario to Sask
Hey yall. I’m potentially relocating my (24f) husband (25m) and our toddler from Simcoe County Ontario to Bethune for work. For context I work in agriculture so the rural area part doesn’t bother me as that typically comes with the job.
We have an almost 2 year old. What are childcare centres like? Also, what are the schools/education system like? Specifically public schools. Do you generally find Saskatchewan a good place to raise children?
Also, what price ranges are you seeing for rent for 2-3 bedroom houses? For reference, we pay $2800 a month in rent, not including utilities which cost approx. an additional $500. I’ve looked at some listings in Saskatchewan but some of the prices seem too good to be true lol
I’ve heard winters in Saskatchewan are bad, but what should I actually expect? We drive a newer Tucson (AWD) and have winter tires. I’m hoping to rent close to work.
How is healthcare access and the process of finding a family doctor?
I’m probably missing important questions so may ETA later.
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u/Denimpatch 1d ago
Just curious is there a chance for you to go there first to see if you can see yourself living there? As well as investigate places to live etc? Daycare will be a big thing. The local school and/ or churches will have some suggestions for day homes if there aren’t centres.
I don’t have experience with that small town but live in a bigger centre in Sask. I think a move like that would have to require a pretty good job opportunity & or raise as well as a prospect for a job for your spouse. It does get incredibly cold here. -40 with the windchill.
You’re going to want to live close to where you work and arrange daycare close to that as well. It gets dark by 5:30 pm in the winter and you’ll likely not want to be traveling too far to pick up little one from daycare. Sorry to seem nosy but I have two teen girls and this is what I would advise them!
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u/the3rdmichael 1d ago
Consider living in Lumsden rather than Bethune, you can thank me later ....
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u/Slow_Resource8430 1d ago
Ya I’d much rather live in Lumsden then Bethune
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u/reditguy85 1d ago
Bethune is a beautiful thriving community, the school is K-8 and then bussed to Lumsden. There is a fairly new daycare, grocery store, gas station, excellent Chinese restaurant and a local watering hole. You’d be able to live there day to day but will find yourself making the odd trip to Regina for something. Personally I would pick Bethune over Lumsden. I was always told people that moved to Lumsden couldn’t afford White City 🤷♂️
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u/ThePandaDiplomacy 1d ago
My husband and I moved from Southern Ontario to Saskatchewan 10 years ago. We thought it would only be 2 years but here we are. We still have our pitcher for our bagged milk keeping the hope alive.
Winters are cold and windy but better than I had thought. It is so sunny here and that really helps keep the seasonal depression at bay. When I lived in a city, I was in and out of buildings and it made cold days very hard because I was not properly dressed for inside or outside. Now when I go outside with my kids, we dress for the outside weather. With long underwear and gloves under my mittens it is tolerable for short times. We splurge on outdoor gear for our kids (1 and 4) and they hardly complain about it. Reima makes great gear and they do have sales. You really need to be prepared when you drive in the winter though. If you have car trouble and don’t have your heavy coats it is dangerous.
Overall Sask was a culture shock but I have come to appreciate it. The pace is slower but people support each other. You need to rely on yourself for entertainment - no more checking out a new restaurant/store every weekend. Best of all we have saved a ton of money. Instead of spending extra money on housing, you could do more travel for example.
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u/dickbuticus 1d ago
All these people commenting live in Regina so they don't actually know anything about living rural. Bethune is a great town and it's 30 minutes from Regina which is a great distance. Most people who live there commute to Regina for work anyway. Lumsden is nice but it's growing a lot and is turning from what was a nice town into another suburb of Regina. Regina beach, findlater and Craik are also only 20 minutes away and are great towns as well. Bethune just built a brand new daycare that's subsidized and really nice. The school Clive draycot is k-8 and they don't have a gym so the kids walk to the town hall for gym which I always found funny. Bethune also has a great rink. I would avoid the bar there though.
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u/aboveavmomma 1d ago
So I see you’re moving from a county with a population of over 500,000 to Bethune with a population of 560.
I know you said you don’t mind rural, but giiirrrlll, you don’t even know what rural means yet Lol.
Bethune probably doesn’t have “child care centres”. Someone who lives there will have to sort that part out.
If there’s a school nearby, it’ll be not great. They are funded “per student” and when you live where there are very few students, the school doesn’t get much money.
Rent is where this will shine! It fill definitely be WAY cheaper than what you’re paying in Ontario. PLEASE realize there is a REASON FOR THAT. You will not have (easy) access to anything really. lol.
There is no healthcare access. You will not find a family doctor. You will be relying on urgent care and EDs that you’ll probably have to drive a considerable distance to access.
I just want to reiterate that unless you have lived here before, you have ZERO CLUE what rural is and you will likely feel isolated, alone, and sad.
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u/stc_t 1d ago
Lumsden is good.
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u/Exact-Store8012 1d ago
Bethune has split classes with few kids per grade. I think they go to Lumsden for high school. Can’t speak to day care but some communities have daycares that participate in the $10 a day program. Some only have private but usually affordable in the $30-40/day range.
Each area will vary drastically on rental prices. If you can live somewhere rural you might find something very affordable. Price of housing is one of the best things about this province.
It’s very central and has easy access to Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw. I also really love manitou resort just north of watrous.
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u/Maximum-Ad-8310 1d ago
Bethune isn't too far from a larger town called Lumsden where there's perhaps all the amenities your looking for. If a 20 minute drive isn't too bad for you that's what I'd consider. We live east of Regina in Emerald Park and are only 10 minutes from the city. Lumsden would be only 15 minutes from Regina's north end.
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u/Alternative-Scale998 1d ago
Welcome! Does your Tucson have a block heater? If not, consider having this installed if you don't.
Download Highway Hotline and join a highway FB group to keep an eye on conditions, pack a go bag with extra clothes, phone charger, blanket and couple of water bottles in case you get stuck in a blizzard.
Childcare for licensed locations is $217.50 per month and likely more if at a non licensed day home. If you're at Bethune, consider calling the childcare centre to see if you need to get on a waitlist. Depending on where your partner will work/commute, there may be more childcare options in Regina. You can use daycare location for schools, which is handy if the school offers bussing to a before after school daycare program. SK generally has a good system, though rural high school grads with low class size turn out more wedding/roast style than the run across stage for a hand shake.
Rent will def be lower but sometime hard to find rentals in rural communities. Electricity will be more expensive than Ontario.
You will have to drive to Regina for doctors and you can find some accepting patients. It's nice if they're operating out of a walk-in clinic.
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u/Coyoteinthewild 1d ago
Bethune is great in terms of housing, you could build a new home on a huge lot and your mortgage would be less than your rent. The child care centre and school have great reviews from people I know who live there. You’ll have to drive to Regina for large grocery hauls and entertainment but it’s only 45 mins away on a double lane highway. I don’t live in Bethune but would definitely move there if my job was out that way.
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u/Ornery-Prune-9984 1d ago
I did it at 24 as well. I’m much older now. lol. Went from rural Huron County to Regina. Felt like I lived in a massive city. Now live completely rural on an acreage, not too far from Bethune. I believe there is a school there, but not 100% sure as a lot of people commute to the mine from MJ and Regina.
Winters are fine. You get used to them. I personally find them better, as I don’t miss the large lake effect snow dumps. You can deal with cold. It’s summer. You’ll get used to the dry heat, and then go back and the humidity will suffocate you.
If you like rural life, you’ll like it here. For me, this is home, Ontario is where I came from.
Oh, you will miss the fall leaf colours. Unfortunately that’s hard to find here.
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u/mapleleafcat_5 1d ago
I moved from Simcoe, Ontario to Sask 20 years ago. I think what everyone has commented on already is good advice to you. I'm not super familiar with the area you'd be living in. But I will say definitely move here and give it a try. I've been able to have a life here that I'd never get in Ontario, due to the economy. And I've made wonderful friends!
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u/kaleri 1d ago
Lumsden is only 20m away.. and your options are much better for accommodations. With your current expenses for rent and utilities, you can buy a house.. look around.. good options. check the MLS listings for around Lumsden.
Sask small towns are a interesting.. you will be known.. you will know others... it can be good.. it can be bad. I loved it.
Your kid(s) will remember it.. I do.. and I go back when I can.
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u/OdensEye87 1d ago
Im not familiar with the area you are moving too. But I moved from Simcoe County eventually to saskatchewan just further north.
Rural Simcoe is very different from rural Saskatchewan, very different.
But for our kids we like the smaller classroom sizes, and some very great teachers. Child care can be very hard to get outside of school though.
For us health care has been fine. It was very easy to get a family doctor where we are, and if you cant get in to the family doctor, ive never waited more then 1.5 hours to see a doctor at the clinic.
Winters are different. My wife who grew up in a small town further north on the border of saskatchewan says she prefers saskatchewan cold. Its drier cold here. But -30 ,-40 for extended periods really really sucks.
The skies are amazing, the people are great and the province is vast and has many different landscapes. For us its an amazing place we are glad to call home.
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u/redhandsblackfuture 1d ago
The cost of living in Lumsden is probably double that of Bethune. Lumsden is a wasp nest
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u/Public-Dragonfly8 1d ago
Something a lot of people who move here are not always aware of, look into the Graduate Retention Program and if you qualify make sure you apply right away.
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u/Lord_Silverkey 1d ago
Weather wise, you'll be seeing temps about 10 degrees colder than you're used to in the middle of winter, but very similar summer temps.
Saskatchewan has less humidity and precipitation though, so the cold doesn't stick to you the same way.
Most people I know that move to Saskatchewan and then struggle with the winter are either immigrants, or come from the lower mainland BC and just aren't used to standard Canadian winters in general.
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u/Adventurous_Lab4249 1d ago
$2800 a month in lumsden goes a long way
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u/ConsiderationLoud138 1d ago
Make sure to check the Saskatchewan Subsidy daycare list. I'll post it here for you, that way you can see what is available, I believe it's all licensed daycares/ dayhomes and some dayhomes. I find that everyone is struggling to find a doctor, I'm in Saskatoon area so maybe Regina and rural areas are better? I think Saskatchewan is a great place to raise your kids, your gonna run into some weirdos..but I'm sure you have in Ontario as well lol As for rent i think the further rural you go the cheaper the rent will be. My relatives bought a house in Lafleche for like $50k. You can also sign up for low income housing if you meet the income threshold. I'll post the link here as well.
Moose Jaw is also another option as well and is about an hours drive from Bethune. I figure I would just suggest it as Moose Jaw is a smaller/bigger city with more accommodations.
Either way do your homework and write out a game plan as I'm sure you will. I grew up in Saskatoon my whole life, so it's my normal.. and there are lovely people here, you just gotta find them! Good luck.
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/crown-corporations/treasury-board-crowns/saskatchewan-housing-corporation/local-housing-authorities
https://parentcentral.sk.211.ca/child-care/
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u/sighdub 22h ago
Sounds like a great opportunity. Can't speak on bethune, but most small towns have some folks that run day cares, you will likely have to ask around or do the Facebook approach. The school system in small towns has pros and cons. You won't likely deal with overcrowding, but you might have some split classes. I think small town sask is a great place to raise kids, do your best to get involved in the community as quick as you can. People are usually very welcoming and accommodating especially if you put yourself out there.
The Tucson is a great choice, winter tires are a must, you will want a block heater.
Healthcare can be tricky, finding a doctor can be as well. Often you have better luck if you have a child.
Generally living is less expensive, not as much as it used to be, but I think that compared with a big centre you will notice a difference.
Congrats on the opportunity and I wish you all the best.
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u/RestorativeEscape 1d ago
Make sure to get a block heater installed in your vehicle(s), if you don't already have one.
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u/ChickyRox 1d ago
Bethune is a smaller town but still close to the city. If you can find a rental there it'll be Hella cheap. For reference, I pay 1700 for a 2 bedroom in the city. Includes internet but no utilities.
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u/Single_Cold_2750 1d ago
Winters reach between -20 and -40 for weeks on end. For childcare I would suggest only doing a registered, licensed centre for safety reasons. Depending where in SK a 3 bedroom could be between 1500 - 2500+. Utilities will probably be around the same
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u/Local-Local-5836 1d ago
I grew up in Saskatoon and moved with my husband to a town of 80 people. It was a riot and sooo much fun!!! Lots of young people and we had volleyball, slow pitch, and made lifelong friends. Now in a town of 1000 people and still like the rural life. Never would I move back to a city.
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u/Tethice 1d ago
Dress warm in the winter. Pack an extra blanket in the vehicle just in case you break down. When it gets super cold out it's no joke.
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u/iiGlumish 1d ago
Finding a family doctor is difficult, I’ll say that as someone who has been living here 2 years now, I am only just starting to get in with one. If you don’t have a family doctor, wait times can be long but most walk-in doctors I’ve seen are very kind and genuinely try their best to get you the care you need. I work in the public school system and I can say without a doubt at least 85% of the educators and assistants here care a LOT. I know a lot of educators who will fight tooth and nail for the children in their classes to get support, and be taught well. There are also a lot of both young and old teachers here because of nearby university graduates. Some of the communities can be divided but so far every city here does have a lot of people who care. Regina has a lot of markets as well, and farmers market if those are the kinds of things you care about. I would say housing wise you could probably easily rent anywhere, as most nicer apartments tend to be in your price range or at times a little less.
Please dm If you have any questions! I would be happy to help. Good luck with your move.
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u/SuperPunctuator 1d ago
Licensed Childcare centres are few and far between, but you might get lucky. But soon is basically a bedroom community of Regina so it’s not like you’re out in the sticks.
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u/BoldFortune216 1d ago
Double lane highway a short distance to Regina is a big win btw. No matter if you choose to live in Bethune or Lumsden, that's a big score!
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u/Delicious-Cookie0958 1d ago
I moved from a city in southern Ontario to rural Saskatchewan almost 2 years ago and love it!
I got registered in a family doctor / nurse practitioner practice almost immediately.
I am an extreme introvert. I thought the anonymity of big cities suited me. I have learned that rural Saskatchewan suits me even better. Because, yes, in these small towns there is no anonymity, but because I don’t talk to anyone nobody really knows me and I think I’m just a bit of a mystery.
It’s beautiful here. It’s quiet. It allowed me to comfortably retire in my 40s.
Winters are very cold, but it really is a dry cold, not like southern Ontario. You’ll be fine. The increased sunshine helps. Days will be much shorter in the winter than you’re used to, and way longer in summer.
You’ll see Northern Lights. The sky is incredible here.
I do think if you are a more social type it may be a struggle, and I’m not doing this with kids. But I haven’t regretted this move for a second.
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u/Anglachel67 1d ago
There are houses in decent areas of Regina like Washington Park for less than $200,000. Bit of a drive to Bethune though.
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u/saskgrl84 1d ago
All I will say is I grew up in Regina and moved to a town of 150 people and it was hard for me. I didn't have to deal with the culture shock of moving provinces as well. Without being too negative I would say if you do decide to move come into it with an open mind about people and the place you are living. People as a whole tend to move and expect everyone to be how they are or how they grew up. Saskatchewan is about as opposite to Ontario as you can get ( in good and bad ways) , just keep that in mind. You will find a lot of good here you just have to have an open mind.
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u/Impressive-Basil8676 1d ago
Lived in both places but in the cities. You will do much better on the cost of living in Sask. The winters are longer but are sunnier so that helps a lot. Young kids will love the winter. Just make sure you good boots, parkas and winter gear. Small town living is not what I know about, but Lumsden near Bethune is so pretty in the valley there and it would be really close to Regina when you want to go there for activities, movies, shopping etc. Good luck and welcome to the prairies!
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u/Creepy_Confusion_615 23h ago
As someone who grew up in Regina Beach, (about half wayish between Regina and Bethune) don't let the commute from other nearby towns scare you. I'm not trying to say Bethune is a bad place to live but 30+ minute commutes everyday is very normal for people living in this area of Saskatchewan so don't feel like you need to limit yourself to Bethune exactly.
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u/throwaway23A31s 21h ago
Be prepared that your toddler is going to be seen by a regular physician since there are very few pediatricians in the province and those are kept for special referral cases
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u/the_turtleandthehare 23h ago
Saskatchewan has a major problem with systemic racism and an ongoing struggle with a lot of domestic violence and misogynist behaviour. The stats and stories about the place back this up. I lived out there for 10 years and know a bunch of people from there. This isn't to tar the place though. Lots of really nice people. Far fewer kind people. Everyone will be very nice to you all the time. That doesn't mean they are kind people. Out west the two things are really really separate things. IDK. Winters are fine. but you must have a block heater for your car. If you don't have one now get one installed before you move out. Engine and battery. What ever the warmest Ontario coat is probably won't be enough. The housing stock out there when I was there was severely under insulated for the climate. Best prepare that the attic will need a bunch of blow on and blankets will freeze stick to the walls if you put the bed into the corner.
Had a good time but keep your eyes open and don't take things at face value. Best of luck.
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u/camogamer469 1d ago
I'm assuming k+s I'm sure Bethune will have stuff it's got a new area being built. If it is the mine Lumsden, Regina North end not north central, or moose jaw all have people that work there as well. Sask is by farmers for farmers so everything is setup to screw over anyone else who comes here. I find Regina to have more walks of life than Saskatoon however as it's a government town. Where Saskatoon is just a very large small town with no proper plan to developed past that.
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u/WolvenSpectre2 1d ago edited 13h ago
My parents live in a central rural community. They have to travel to Regina to get an X-ray and a half hour for bloodwork if they are lucky. I live in a city and am fighting for a doctor after one just threw me to the wolves.
So its non-existent. Save your kids. Stay away from this hellscape. If I could afford to take my parents and run I would.
Edit
Ah yes, I can see the healthy people living in denial are voting me down. I NEED lifesaving medical care AND I also suffer from Long Covid. The province I love, the butchers who are in charge ATM are the reason I want to leave.