The other day, some Toon towners and Queen City lovers got into a tiny spat about which Saskatchewan metropolis is finer than the other. Some harsh words like “poo” and “bad” were tossed around, and I wonder if anyone has a concrete (or completely funny) reason why one city is better than the other?
I live in Regina, but I’ve also lived in Saskatoon, and while each city has its perks, I think Regina can’t be beat for its overall atmosphere and features. Go Riders/Rams!
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![[EFC Blue Ribbon - Free Speech Online]](http://www.efc.ca/images/efcfreet.gif)
Todd | 22-Jun-07 at 9:28 am | Permalink
Well, maybe it’s time for me to make a plug for my blog Saskatoon Live - What Makes Saskatoon Great. (http://www.saskatoonlive.com)
I’m not really into comparing the two cities that much. I’ve been to Regina and there are some things I like about it — cool casino, sky scrapers, Wascana Park.
But I think Saskatoon’s river valley is amazing and we have just as many amenities as Regina does. I also like that Saskatoon has a more entrepreneurial spirit than Regina and that we’re built on generating wealth, not sucking it out of the province.
(ooh… low blow there ;-) ).
Prairie Fire | 22-Jun-07 at 10:50 am | Permalink
Hmmm….my original responce I added to the wrong post…my thoughts below:
Being a Saskatoon boy, I have to defend my home town.
There is a special energy to Saskatoon. The University is completely top notch, with one of the largest high-tech research parks in Canada attached. Some amazing work going on there, including the flagship VIDO and Synchrotron facilities which are attracting top minds from around the world. That coupled with over $100 million of investment into the University in the past decade above and beyond those two facilities. The UofS has really become the crown jewel of Saskatoon.
There is no better cultural district in Saskatchewan than the Broadway/Nutana district, with great street festivals in the summer. The best nightlife, cultural festivals, and performances in Saskatchewan bar none in terms of quality and variety. And the best restaurants in the province, again in terms of variety and quality.
The Riverbank really makes downtown amazing, with the Bessborough hotel a true architectural landmark. A huge development project (finally!) taking place on the south end of downtown river landing and some high-end loft-style condo buildings going up in downtown which will really make a big boost to the urban lifestyle in the core of the city.
Many KMs of river trails which is wonderful for those interested in outdoor activities. And some great neighbourhoods along the river including City Park, North Park, and River Heights which break away from the ’suburban cookie-cutter’ syndrome and take advantage of Saskatoon’s natural beauty.
But don’t listen to me - people are voting with their feet. Some of the traffic issue people point out are because of the major construction going on to accommodate the huge boom happening right now in Saskatoon. The population is exploding as people from across the country are re-discovering the “Paris of the Prairies”.
I shall not be petty and tear down Regina (I will leave that to others), though I will say that the one redeeming feature of Regina is the Wascana Park area. And there are better radio stations in Regina. Having traveled quite extensively in Canada, I can say without doubt that Saskatoon has the worst radio stations in the country. Thanks god for the IPod!
Nicole | 22-Jun-07 at 10:51 am | Permalink
I love Regina and I love living here. Especially if you have a family…you can just hop on a Ring RD ( Ok, I know they changed the name, habit) and get anywhere in the city within 15 minutes.
The people are friendly, our city is clean, Wascana Centre trumps any old river, we have Regina Beach and Craven withing 30 minutes, plus the Rolling Stones spent Thanksgiving weekend with us…didn’t see Mick and the boys heading to Stoon for any turkey now did we?? ;-)
To me Regina has many big city amenities but still has a smaller city feel.
Plus…I live here. lol
Nicole | 22-Jun-07 at 10:53 am | Permalink
I too will say, both are grand cities…they are both in saskatchewan, the best province in all of Canada!
Prairie Fire | 22-Jun-07 at 10:55 am | Permalink
Great website Todd!
Lance | 22-Jun-07 at 6:56 pm | Permalink
I’ve lived in both. Saskatoon beats Regina hands down, although I do envy you the Riders.
Sorry.
lance
Amanda | 23-Jun-07 at 8:25 am | Permalink
Saskatoon kicks Regina’s butt.
Saskatoon, like any other honest, functional city, is built on some sort of waterway or actual draw. Regina is plopped squarely in the middle of nowhere, completely arbitrarily, because some rich dude owned land right there and wanted the provincial capital on his property :)
When I lived there, Saskatoon also had way less of a crime problem, and way less “North Central” type area. Its also way prettier than Regina, which has that stagnant swamp in the middle of it, trying to fabricate an actual waterway :)
Sorry…. but Regina is this kind of portal into another world that I don’t enjoy travelling thru much, even if I did go to school there.
Saskboy | 23-Jun-07 at 11:47 am | Permalink
Amanda, have you been to the lake since it was deepened years ago?
Leighton Tebay | 24-Jun-07 at 9:43 am | Permalink
Saskboy:
I think that you have consumed just a little too much Regina water. I know they “fixed” it years ago…but I’m pretty sure that fix involved some mind altering chemicals. ;)
What I like about Saskatoon?
The Regina skyline is more impressive but the downtown isn’t as a attractive as Saskatoon’s. The new River Landing project will only make the gap wider.
Your average residential area seems a little better kept in Saskatoon.
I like the river more than the lake, but the area around U of R is very pretty.
Closer to northern lakes.
U of S offers more than the U of R.
Saskatoon has a larger concert venue.
Saskatoon has less blizzards and is centrally located between Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and Regina.
The tap water in Saskatoon is still better.
What I think Regina has on Saskatoon?
The Riders, I still make the trek a least once a year but being able to drive just 10 minutes to the game would be cool.
The science center and the Imax.
I’ve heard from more than one people that Regina has better restaurants…I can’t speak to this either way.
Regina’s mayor is less “crazy” than Saskatoon’s.
Both cities are easy to get around, at least when we aren’t doing bridge construction in Saskatoon…compared to Winnipeg both cities are light years ahead.
One more comment about Regina…somebody needs to build a 24h gas station just north of the city on Hwy 11. A great many Saskatonians park in Exhibition Park for Rider games and take Lewan/Pasqua out of the city. There are almost no gas stations! Those that you can find like the Superstore are closed. Somebody should build a huge truck stop or something.
Darren | 26-Jun-07 at 12:55 am | Permalink
Junos were hosted in Saskatoon. We get all of the big concerts here. You can’t see beyonce in Regina.
Saskboy | 26-Jun-07 at 7:18 am | Permalink
And for that I’m thankful ;-)
Rolling Stones anyone? ;-)
Darren | 26-Jun-07 at 1:42 pm | Permalink
Plus we have our own kijiji for Saskatoon. Regina does not have one yet…
http://www.kijiji.ca/
Saskatoon rocks | 03-Jan-08 at 12:11 am | Permalink
I lived in both as well and I couldn’t stand regina my car got broken into twice and the police said they always get complaints and have no time to investigate..also I would be greeted with people digging in my garbage and stealing our pets.. I think regina is dirty and if saskatoon was the capitol of Saskatchewan who knows how regina would be..maybe Im bias because of my car but I’ve lived in stoon for 3 years now and lived in 3 different places in the city and my car wasn’t touched and over all people are really nice except 50 percent of the people here couldn’t signal and make a lane change to save their life….all this being said I have lived in Calgary and Medicine Hat and nothing feels better then being in Saskatoon
Saskboy | 03-Jan-08 at 7:54 am | Permalink
Although, I’ve not had my car touched in Regina all these years, aside from my neighbour hitting it and confessing, which was better than Yorkton when that happened. And I suspected someone was siphoning gas, but now I just think it was a wonky gauge and winter cold eating gas when I run my car. And two Marches ago to Saskatoon, my girlfriend’s license plate was stolen from her car.
Obviously mileage may vary.
Zask | 16-May-08 at 4:32 pm | Permalink
What happened to Saskatoon? It is arrogant. I can’t begin to count the times I am cut off in traffic or have been witness to someones bad behaviour here? It is a daily occurence. I find there is not sense of resect or compassion towards our fellow Saskies anymore. Further to that the house boom here and left many people homeless and the greedy seem to be getting greedier? What has happened to the values here, or is this just another place where every man is for himself? I find Regina to be a much more friendly city and do not encounter any such hositility there daily. It is quite shocking that such a small city could be so smug and thoughtless. I am from the Maritimes and while people will be people no matter where you go, a person does not need to be so thoughtless. I attended a symphony in Saskatoon on March 8th and was basically told to get out of my seat I had paid for by another visitor just because she wanted her same chair. It was the most appauling behaviour I have ever seen and the most inhospitable treatment. Anyone wanting to move to Saskatoon, think again. Snooty, rude, and pushy,…. and they totally diss people who do not have a lot,.. like the entire west side of their city. It is shameful!
Saskboy | 16-May-08 at 4:42 pm | Permalink
Sorry to hear you’ve had such bad daily experiences there. I’ve never enjoyed driving in Saskatoon either, but haven’t had someone try to take my seat (especially one paid for), that’s quite unusual. This is all probably a growing pain from the boom.
james | 23-Aug-08 at 5:26 pm | Permalink
I used to love Saskatoon I still live here but would rather move to Calgary where people are more polite know how to drive punk kids driving around with crooked hats and baggy hoodys when its plus 40 outside trying to look thug makes me laugh every time but you don’t want to say anything to them because they might follow you home and steal your bike or key your car also saskatoon is really getting dirty and no one seems to mind thank god they built the casino out of town smartest move saskatoon has ever made but I really can’t defend either city they both are good but I would get out of this place as fast as possible if my job wasn’t holding me back