Calgary moving companies say more and more people are packing up and heading to Saskatchewan.
Doug Jasper of AMJ movers in Calgary says the number of clients heading to Saskatchewan is up about 40 per cent since Christmas.
"I look at the moves that come across my desk and [it's] Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan. My goodness, what's the big draw?"
Jasper says most of his customers tell him their move is all about quality of life.
"They are going back to no mortgage. They have pocketed money from their house here and they have bought bigger pieces of property."
Rob Montgomery works for Tippet-Richardson, another Calgary moving firm. He also says more and more of his customers are moving to Saskatoon and Regina.
"That's a popular place. We get two or three phone calls a day asking for quotes on moving to Saskatchewan. Most of the people who are leaving are heading home."
Harry Janzen, the head of the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors, said Albertans with no ties to Saskatchewan are also snapping up properties in the neighbouring province, looking for investments or an early retirement home.
Janzen says Albertans have created a mini real estate boom in Saskatoon.
"It's exceptionally hot. We are looking at average house prices up by 42 per cent over last year and we are seeing unit sales numbers increasing by 70 per cent."
Janzen says despite the increases, Saskatoon is still a bargain compared to Calgary. The average price for a home in Saskatoon is just over $220,000, while in Calgary it's $420,000.
