ARCTIC: A completely different way of life that offers plenty of upside to those willing to embrace it
lesson and was hooked from the get-go.
As most people who move to the north of the country can attest to, the beauty of the scenery is a major draw.
“Getting to see and experience a part of the country that most people will never see or get to visit, that’s been fun . ... The scenery is very beautiful, the lakes, the trees. The bigger thing I think for me and my wife right now is the pace of life is so much nicer up here. We find that it’s not so fast, it’s not so busy,” Oberle said.
They also enjoy the quality of outdoor activities the area offers like fishing and boating, all in a much more quiet setting than they’d experience in southern Ontario.
Coming from Elmira, you might not expect it, but he’s found there’s more of a sense of community in Pickle Lake, even than back home. It’s something they’ve embraced.
“I think a lot of people have a hard time maybe at first up here, but I’ve noticed people from the cities have a lot harder time settling in. And on their time off they’re always travelling home and so they never really make it their home for the short while that they’re probably going to be up here. But I think coming from a small town that equips you a little better to get involved with the community,” Oberle said.
They’ve made sure to immerse themselves in the area, including taking in two foster children.
Adjusting to northern life meant getting used to the cold, but even more so than that, the abundance of bugs and black flies, which are in high supply right now. Lately he’s been working in two week shifts, staying in Red Lake while he’s working.
“Being a pilot I’m gone a lot, so being away from each other, we’ve had to get used to that. As well as for groceries, there’s a little grocery store in town here, but it’s really expensive so we drive four and a half hours once a month to get groceries down in Dryden. Fuel is more expensive. Things are a lot more expensive, but you don’t spend near as much money because it’s just what you do for entertainment and activities is different than what you’d do down south,” Oberle said.
He spent two weeks in Yellowknife last December for the first time and notes it was very dark, but an interesting city. Living in Iqaluit for a short time is on his to-do list.
“My wife and I have talked about it before. One of my uncles, he works for the government and he was up there for a few years and really enjoyed it. But I think that would be quite a bit different from Pickle Lake, quite a bit more remote,” Oberle said.
He recommends those jumping into the working world to consider starting their careers in a northern community, if given the opportunity.
“There’s a lot of different professions that you can get a start working in the north and I think a lot of people shrug it off, but it is a great place to be and to get to experience it if people have a chance,” Oberle said.