Moving to Edmonton

saskguy · 28-07-2012, 01:36 AM

Hey all. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I`m moving to Edmonton in the near future. I am looking for suggestions on some safe neighborhoods to rent an apartment in, which is also reasonable close to my workplace.(10229 127 Ave).

Also, is the LRT system wheelchair accessible´and also how wold you rate the accessibility of Edmonton..

Thanks!

HUGE OILERS FAN!

piglet · 28-07-2012, 10:55 AM

The closer to the Downtown core the more easily it is to get around. I would say everything the ETS has to offer is wheelchair accessible. Though one issue would to know the station layouts using the Lrt.(especially downtown) The elevators seem far and few between and maybe hard to find if not familiar.http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...Pedway_Map.pdf

&http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...ystem-ets.aspx

saskguy · 28-07-2012, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the info. I guess another question I have is about drivers license and insurance... I have read that I have 90 days before having to switch insurance and license. What happens if I don't change them within 90 days, and how will someone know? What are the consequenses?

piglet · 28-07-2012, 11:49 AM

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/1305.cfm . This here might get you started in the right direction. Getting in touch with someone there could help more specifically to your needs. I would think if the coppers stopped you and you had no warrants they would give you a warning letting you go, providing the requirements were met ASAP.

Gemini · 28-07-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saskguy

Thanks for the info. I guess another question I have is about drivers license and insurance... I have read that I have 90 days before having to switch insurance and license. What happens if I don't change them within 90 days, and how will someone know? What are the consequenses?

For sure get in touch with the government department the previous poster mentioned. There are consequences if you do not change your drivers licence etc: over. You could get away with it but if you are pulled over for any reason and asked how long you have lived in Alberta and it's over the alloted time you will get a fine. I know some people do not change their MV info over as they think MV insurance is more expensive in Alberta.

edmonton daily photo · 28-07-2012, 08:07 PM

^ if you are breaking the law your insurance company may habe the right to sue you for money they loose as breaking the law may void your insurance contract.

Cal76 · 29-07-2012, 08:30 PM

If you want to use transit for work, check out this map to see what bus routes passby your workplace.
http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...April_2012.pdf
Then you can plan to rent along the applicable bus route/s.
I did that when I first moved to E-town.
Welcome to our fair city!

saskguy · 29-07-2012, 10:46 PM

Thanks for the tips everyone! It's not that I want to break the law I just don't think i'll be able to afford insurance in Alberta for the first 6-12 months. I'm 23 and have had a few tickets in the past. People have told me at my age insurance is expensive in AB.

Dusty Bear · 30-07-2012, 10:39 AM

saskguy, I believe the fine for driving without insurance is nearly $2,900. Probably more expensive than insurance. And if you cause an accident, you would be personally liable.

Auto insurance premiums for mandatory coverage in Alberta are based on experience, not age. Please get insurance. For the sake of other drivers as much as it is for yours.

Gemini · 30-07-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saskguy

Hey all. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I`m moving to Edmonton in the near future. I am looking for suggestions on some safe neighborhoods to rent an apartment in, which is also reasonable close to my workplace.(10229 127 Ave).

Also, is the LRT system wheelchair accessible´and also how wold you rate the accessibility of Edmonton..

Thanks!

HUGE OILERS FAN!

Yes, the LRT system is wheelchair accessible. There are also buses that are equipped for wheelchairs. If you require a bus that is wheelchair accessible you could phone the city Help Line 311 as see if there is one on your route.

EveB · 30-07-2012, 10:57 AM

I believe that all buses are now wheelchair accessible. It's bike racks that vary from bus to bus.

Eve

halocore · 30-07-2012, 09:49 PM

Yep, EveB is right. All of ETS' buses and LRTs are wheelchair accessible. Overall I'd rate Edmonton's accessibility as "good". It's not perfect. Like any city, some older infrastructure and facilities were not built with everyone's needs in mind. But the city is making considerable effort to fix these, such as the curb ramp program to remove all unramped pedestrian crossings in older neighbourhoods. All city rec centres are also being upgraded with specialized exercise equipment for those in wheelchairs. The city has an accessibility rating for all of their facilities online.
http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...-faciliti.aspx

As for your second question, I personally really wouldn't risk breaking the 90 day rule. While you're likely never going to get pulled over by a cop for it while your current plates are valid (even then they'd probably just give you a warning), you could face some major trouble if you were to get into an accident. Aside from the fines for not having a valid license, the big risk (as some have already mentioned) is your insurance. By driving in Alberta without a valid license, you'd essentially be defrauding your insurance company. If they found out, they are well within their rights to cancel your policy and seek damages from you. Aside from the initial costs/pain this would cause, it would make it very difficult and expensive to get auto insurance for the rest of your life. Worse yet, if they found out as the result of an at-fault accident, they would likely also deny coverage. Potentially leaving you with hundreds of thousands of dollars of expenses for a large accident and a criminal record. As much of an expense as it is to get an out of province vehicle inspection, Alberta registration, and insurance, it's a huge personal risk to assume if you don't follow the law.

One exception you should know though (if this applies) is that if you're going to school while working here, or are working as part of co-op or student work program, you are exempt from the 90 day rule as long as your license and plates are valid. Maybe doesn't apply to you, but something to know. Also, if insurance premiums are a concern, your employer may have a discount rate with a certain insurance company. Something to look into.

28-07-2012, 01:36 AM	#1
saskguy First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2012	Moving to Edmonton Hey all. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I`m moving to Edmonton in the near future. I am looking for suggestions on some safe neighborhoods to rent an apartment in, which is also reasonable close to my workplace.(10229 127 Ave). Also, is the LRT system wheelchair accessible´and also how wold you rate the accessibility of Edmonton.. Thanks! HUGE OILERS FAN!

28-07-2012, 10:55 AM	#2
piglet Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2012 Location: Downtown	The closer to the Downtown core the more easily it is to get around. I would say everything the ETS has to offer is wheelchair accessible. Though one issue would to know the station layouts using the Lrt.(especially downtown) The elevators seem far and few between and maybe hard to find if not familiar.http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...Pedway_Map.pdf &http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...ystem-ets.aspx Last edited by piglet; 28-07-2012 at 11:14 AM..

28-07-2012, 08:07 PM	#6
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	^ if you are breaking the law your insurance company may habe the right to sue you for money they loose as breaking the law may void your insurance contract. __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

30-07-2012, 09:49 PM	#12
halocore Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Edmonton	Yep, EveB is right. All of ETS' buses and LRTs are wheelchair accessible. Overall I'd rate Edmonton's accessibility as "good". It's not perfect. Like any city, some older infrastructure and facilities were not built with everyone's needs in mind. But the city is making considerable effort to fix these, such as the curb ramp program to remove all unramped pedestrian crossings in older neighbourhoods. All city rec centres are also being upgraded with specialized exercise equipment for those in wheelchairs. The city has an accessibility rating for all of their facilities online. http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...-faciliti.aspx As for your second question, I personally really wouldn't risk breaking the 90 day rule. While you're likely never going to get pulled over by a cop for it while your current plates are valid (even then they'd probably just give you a warning), you could face some major trouble if you were to get into an accident. Aside from the fines for not having a valid license, the big risk (as some have already mentioned) is your insurance. By driving in Alberta without a valid license, you'd essentially be defrauding your insurance company. If they found out, they are well within their rights to cancel your policy and seek damages from you. Aside from the initial costs/pain this would cause, it would make it very difficult and expensive to get auto insurance for the rest of your life. Worse yet, if they found out as the result of an at-fault accident, they would likely also deny coverage. Potentially leaving you with hundreds of thousands of dollars of expenses for a large accident and a criminal record. As much of an expense as it is to get an out of province vehicle inspection, Alberta registration, and insurance, it's a huge personal risk to assume if you don't follow the law. One exception you should know though (if this applies) is that if you're going to school while working here, or are working as part of co-op or student work program, you are exempt from the 90 day rule as long as your license and plates are valid. Maybe doesn't apply to you, but something to know. Also, if insurance premiums are a concern, your employer may have a discount rate with a certain insurance company. Something to look into. Last edited by halocore; 30-07-2012 at 10:00 PM..

28-07-2012, 11:18 AM	#3
saskguy First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2012	Thanks for the info. I guess another question I have is about drivers license and insurance... I have read that I have 90 days before having to switch insurance and license. What happens if I don't change them within 90 days, and how will someone know? What are the consequenses?

28-07-2012, 11:49 AM	#4
piglet Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2012 Location: Downtown	http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/1305.cfm . This here might get you started in the right direction. Getting in touch with someone there could help more specifically to your needs. I would think if the coppers stopped you and you had no warrants they would give you a warning letting you go, providing the requirements were met ASAP.

29-07-2012, 08:30 PM	#7
Cal76 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edmonton	If you want to use transit for work, check out this map to see what bus routes passby your workplace. http://www.edmonton.ca/transportatio...April_2012.pdf Then you can plan to rent along the applicable bus route/s. I did that when I first moved to E-town. Welcome to our fair city!

29-07-2012, 10:46 PM	#8
saskguy First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2012	Thanks for the tips everyone! It's not that I want to break the law I just don't think i'll be able to afford insurance in Alberta for the first 6-12 months. I'm 23 and have had a few tickets in the past. People have told me at my age insurance is expensive in AB.

30-07-2012, 10:39 AM	#9
Dusty Bear Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	saskguy, I believe the fine for driving without insurance is nearly $2,900. Probably more expensive than insurance. And if you cause an accident, you would be personally liable. Auto insurance premiums for mandatory coverage in Alberta are based on experience, not age. Please get insurance. For the sake of other drivers as much as it is for yours.

30-07-2012, 10:57 AM	#11
EveB Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Garneau (previously North Downtown) Edmonton	I believe that all buses are now wheelchair accessible. It's bike racks that vary from bus to bus. Eve