Living in Saskatoon

We moved to Saskatoon from Cork Ireland in April of this year — “we” being me, hubbie Ger, and dog Rocky. We are coming up on nine months of living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

It was a big move, one we never thought we would have to make as we move towards middle age. But with the uncertainty of the economy and continual struggle at home, when Ger got offered a job here in Saskatoon we felt it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We are both grateful for the opportunities that have opened up for us here.

Being an immigrant is not easy and everyone says the first year is the toughest, but it is also very exciting, a chance to begin life all over again, make new friends and change careers. “Saskatoon”, lots of Canadians have asked me, “why did you pick Saskatoon?” And I always answer, “we didn’t, it picked us!”

The job Ger came to didn’t work out but thankfully he is now working and enjoying it. so we will be staying in Saskatoon for the foreseeable future.

Arriving here in April, it was still snowing yet there was dust everywhere from snow melting. It wasn’t the most beautiful and I was very homesick. I missed my family and friends, but then summer came and it was like a bud opening. It turned into something beautiful, with endless blue skies and heat — just blissful, apart from the mosquitoes. Saskatoon slowly grew on me and I realised I was happy. I made some friends and looked forward to discovering Saskatoon and the surrounding areas.

I am a qualified, experienced photographer, having spent almost 10 years being self-employed at home in Cork. It always amazes me how our perceptions are so different to the reality. What I had imagined Saskatoon to be like and what it is really like are completely different — yes, I had seen photos and YouTube clips, yet nothing prepares you for the reality of living and adjusting to living in a new city, a new culture so different to what we are used to. This is why I started my blog conniecroninphotos to record my reaction to Saskatoon through my photographs, and to provide a link to my family and friends at home so they could share my journey and get a feel for the place I now call home.

I have included my favourite photos from my blog posts since being here.

Connie, originally from Cork, Ireland, moved to Saskatoon in 2013 with her husband and dog, Rocky. She is a photographer with a particular interest in fine art photography. See Connie Cronin Photography for more of her work.