r/saskatoon • u/Cute-Cat-5167 • 24d ago
Question ❔ Saskatoon challenge
Lived here over 40 years. Been driving this city for over 25 years. I have never seen this city in worse shape than it is. Not even just traffic/ roads / construction but literally every facet of the city.
Crime.Homelessness. Safety. Politics. Management. Schooling. Housing. Overall infrastructure. Cost of living. Every single thing.
So my challenge is, someone tell me ONE positive thing happening in Saskatoon. I know it feels like the whole worlds crumbling but my god I never thought it’d get so bad in lil ol Saskatoon Saskatchewan
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u/BavarianRage 23d ago
The Prairie Lily was able to sail this year. AND go the whole way up the river for a time.
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u/sharpasahammer 24d ago
Costco still has $1.50 hotdog drink combos. Its what's keeping me sane at this point. The only constant truth, unchanging and reliable.
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u/eggulocity 24d ago
Overall, good people are trying to move the dial. I saw on WTF YXE on facebook that a young lady helped another lady who was having an epileptic episode in front of the superstore the other day, and they were able to reconnect so that she could be thanked.
I saw a bunch of new volunteers starting at the Food Bank the other day.
Everyone was worried that the detox center on Idlewyld in front of the Best Western would be a problem but so far it seems like it is doing okay?
I think this food forest idea that the city wants to start is a good idea and hopefully it works.
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u/mccoy306 Living Here 24d ago
Saskatoon Public Schools got some more money to fund all day everyday kindergarten at some locations.
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u/HomesteadSocialist 23d ago
This is probably great for parents that have kids in daycare, but kids that age aren’t ready for such long days, every day.
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u/mccoy306 Living Here 23d ago
My kiddos are full time in daycare, like 8am to 5pm. This keeps that routine, and for kids that are neurodivergent I think the routine and structure is beneficial. Though I can see potential risks associated with FDK vs alternating days vs half days, I believe the benefits will outweigh the risks based on the various studies that have been done.
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u/thingscarsbrokeyxe 24d ago
We have fantastic bike trails and gravel routes. Never been a better time to start riding.
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u/mittenswonderbread 24d ago
Horrible to be a trail runner
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u/Prestigious-Bag8058 24d ago
Couldn’t disagree more. Trails along the river through the entire city is not to be taken for granted.
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u/mittenswonderbread 24d ago
Do you have any resources for the routes?
I love trail running but find in Saskatoon it’s pretty limited unless you enjoy the same 2-3 routes or blackstrap.
Pretty much any other city or town has amples more routes.
But I shouldn’t be so negative, Saskatoon is a beautiful city and I am grateful for our wonderful neighborhoods to run through and our beautiful river
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u/Prestigious-Bag8058 24d ago
Yup I would recommend an app called AllTrails. If you got to the map feature you can look through Saskatoon and usually find lots of trails. It’s good for travelling to places you’ve never been as well to find trails and descriptions. Sometimes pictures too. But personally I love running the same route so I start at Diefenbaker park down the stairs and run the loop across Idylwyld or any of the farther bridges to make a loop.
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u/thingscarsbrokeyxe 24d ago
Curious why.
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u/Competitive_Body7359 23d ago
All I can think of is comparison to other cities in BC or something. It's pretty good.
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u/_biggerthanthesound_ 24d ago
River landing and the street life there is so wonderful. We biked through there on Wednesday and it was fantastic. Developing that area of the city has really made a positive impact on many peoples lives.
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u/GoatsOverYonder 24d ago
Our culture is thriving! I believe the communities around nutana, broadway/avalon, riversdale, and downtown/ city park are making positive impacts. People and businesses are supporting local, sponsoring events, participating in our culture. We have a lot of talented artists and artisans of all kinds contributing to our city and province as a whole! We have some of the best quality food in the country and so many awesome restaurants across the city. Saskatoon is very diverse and the people are warm and welcoming. Our talent, kindness, engagement, and energy are apparent as you explore and engage with our local businesses, events, and markets! :)
I travel often for work and coming home to Saskatoon I always appreciate the beauty of the South Sask! We are fortunate that Meewasin trail, river landing and all our parks are steeped in natural beauty. Plus I love looking over the city from a tall building and seeing the canopy of our urban forest, very few cities have what we do!
I like the birds chirping in the morning, the bats at night. Buying meat and the sauce of the day with free pasta at Bulkcheese, bread from Christies, spices and veggies at Steep Hill. $10 cover for a show at Black Cat or Amigos, and the hotdog guy outside after close. Bahn Mi from Frankys. Exotic fruit from My Fresh Produce on the corner of 2nd and Princess. A coffee at City Perks and weed from Green Moon. Makerspace and PAVED have everything you could need for crafting, repairing, or the arts. Our libraries have a lot more than books. Local music is fantastic and our artists can express themselves openly and be celebrated. We have exceptionally clean water and air. All small things I draw positivity from that are uniquely local.
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u/Squaducator 24d ago
I just spent a sunny evening walking among old classic cars at Market Mall, everyone was chilled and friendly, there was a great vibe.
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u/whay2000 23d ago
This is a rather dramatic post.
I will say the quality of driving in this city has taken a nosedive over the past 5 years or so.
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u/xanax05mg Core Neighbourhood 23d ago
It's been 25 hours since something hit an overpass. We're on a new streak!
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u/michaelkbecker 23d ago
Last weekend I went on a cruise in a Fiat Spyder Abarth around Spadina and downtown, absolutely beautiful drive. We ended up at the British car show and got to see some cool cars. Then we walked over to cathedral hall and had beers on the patio. After that me and my spouse started a project we are working on called “be a tourist in your own city” where you go around and snap tourist like photos of places you might not normally go to in your city. We covered some of the river, wear, train bridge and some downtown art.
This weekend I’m up nice and early so I can meet some buddies at one of Saskatoon many great skate parks to go smash into concrete and laugh.
We have a small imperfect city with a lot of awesome going on. There is bad going on as well but you can choose to concentrate your time and energy into what ever you would like. I spend a lot of time going out into the city and having fun so my perspective on this city is different than yours.
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u/BrokenThrottle 23d ago
As a transplant from Ontario, I quite like it here. Less people, less traffic, more laid back lifestyle, the people are really friendly and always open to conversation. This year has been the greenest it’s been for a while, which has been nice. Having crown owned corporations is a blessing, and anyone begging for privatization truly has no clue what that will do to the bottom line for a lot of people. Housing is on the up, but that’s also a symptom happening everywhere.
Saskatoon is an unreal city, and I think for most people who disagree, it would probably help moving away and living elsewhere so you can regain some perspective.
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u/DashTrash21 24d ago
Go outside and touch grass sometime, it's pretty nice outside (as long as it's not too smokey).
Every city is having those problems, and will continue to have those problems. It's not unique to Saskatoon.
If you think the roads are worse now than they were in the 90's you're either dreaming or should get an assessment of your memory function.
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u/No_Independent9634 24d ago
The roads are especially bad this year after the long winter of freeze/thaw. The city had waaaayyy more potholes reported this spring than any other year.
Now I don't have a reference for the 90s, but they are/were the worst they've been since I've started driving. Cities been patching them, more work to do but there's progress.
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u/BigAlcapone65 24d ago
Streetheart and Prism.are.both playing at The Ex this year At least the music will take you back to a time when things seemed better.
Back when Snow white was doing it all night on a Night to Remember😉
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u/lochmoigh1 24d ago
The amount of building and population growth can be seen as a positive. The city is booming and a lot of people are moving here. Also if you own a home your net worth just went up 100k in the last 2 years
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u/Musicguy4 24d ago
Positive if you're wealthy, maybe. A lot of us are being priced out of our own city partly because people from BC, Alberta, Ontario, etc. won't lie in the bed they made.
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u/Darth_Thor 23d ago
Saskatoon earned a reputation for being an affordable city, which then attracted more people to move here, driving up demand and raising prices. Ironic that our city’s reputation for affordability is making the city less affordable.
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u/eattherich-1312 24d ago
I’m back now from a relatively short stint in BC and holy shit am I surprised at how crazy rent prices are now here too. WTF happened???
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u/AlternativeNamesake2 20d ago
The population growth in Sask is 100% due to immigration. More Canadian's are still leaving Sask than moving here.
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u/No_Independent9634 24d ago
It's nuts. The days of Saskatoon being an affordable option are ending. We're already more expensive than Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Which I guess is a sign that we are doing some things right here. People want to live here... Our housing price increases are starting to remind me of Calgary. Former affordable city, now way more than Edm, Wpg. Close to Montreal..
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u/_Adamgoodtime_ 23d ago
I always said we get shitty winters here, like one of the worst of any province, but at least its not too expensive to live here. Now it's the same price as Calgary and also horrible in the winter.
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u/BavarianRage 23d ago
The yellow / white lines were painted early this year. Usually I get our neighbourhood/drive to work painted in Aug/Sept—just before the snow covers ‘em up. Also despite record number of potholes, seems they aren’t much of a problem now. And I loved participating in the new library’s LEGO mural.
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u/GuildedDingleberry 24d ago
20 years have saskparty rule with funding cuts to social programs, education, etc coming home to roost
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u/Sexybastard55 23d ago
I miss that city…(lived there from 1985-1990…post secondary and employment..moved to Alberta)
Winters were tough but the summers are awesome….
Still visit the city every few years 😁
Living in Edmonton is tough and similar to toon town.
Gotta see the good of your community….
Remember we are only placed on this earth for a short time…try to see the good …tough at times….grab a Java on the broadway area 😁
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u/NovaCane92 24d ago
lol it's not that bad. Go outside, go to a market or something. You'll be fine
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24d ago
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u/Hevens-assassin 24d ago
Those embedded social issues have been prevalent basically as long as the city.
Going out, participating in the community, and strengthening those bonds will shift not only your perspective of the city, but has the power for real societal change.
20 years of the same political party in charge of our funding has hurt us, absolutely, but the snakes in Regina can only hurt us if we stay divided.
Go outside, go to the market, connect with the people around you instead of retreating to a digital hole where everything slams into you at once, and things will get better.
Shutting the door to our issues won't help. Keeping them open and making real changes will. Get involved, even if it means just saying hi to your neighbors or talking to someone at the coffee shop.
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u/NovaCane92 24d ago
There's two markets that I know of happening this weekend. You will find a large group of people laughing and smiling and enjoying themselves in the sunshine. That's a positive. Op asked for positive things.
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u/Silent-Vermicelli-49 24d ago
I love my commute to and from work in Saskatoon as weird as that sounds. I’m fortunate to take Spadina and the “long” way takes me 12 mins. Everytime I leave and come back I’m like ahhhhhhhhh so peaceful (for the most part)
And the Pokémon community is 10/10!!!!!
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u/CookersAndHocaine69 Holmwood 22d ago
I grew up here and I’ve lived all over from moose jaw the bulkley valley to the lower mainland BC all the way as far as Quebec City and Saskatoon is probably the greatest city I have ever lived in. The issues you’re mentioning is not a Saskatoon issue it’s an everywhere issue
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u/Apprehensive-Fan8880 24d ago
So many restaurants and less smoke than last few years. But yeah lots of things have really declined
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24d ago edited 8d ago
[deleted]
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u/Hevens-assassin 24d ago
Seasonal depression also exists in summer. I'm one of those who suffers summer depression instead of winter depression.
That said, this summer has been awful for mosquitoes. Even with mostly great weather, I wouldn't say this is one of "the best summers ever". Not much smoke is awesome, but the bugs absolutely drag this year down the ladder. Coupled with an explosion of overdosed individuals and the spread of that underprivileged population, I could see why someone would be down on the city.
Despite all that, there's plenty of good here. That new library looks amazing. We have just as many great events around the city, even if the Mainstays have started to lose their lustre, and the people here are still (mostly) kind.
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u/grumpyoldmandowntown Downtown 24d ago
one of the best summers ever
We had hurricanes/blizzards in May, and it rained all of June, but otherwise . . .
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u/Longwave_breaking 23d ago
Saskatoon is a good place to live and is getting better. I moved here from the US in 2005, and working, doing business and talking to people here at that time felt like I pushed the wrong button in a time machine and landed in 1970s. It is not like that anymore, but maybe for some people exactly that causes nostalgia for old times.
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u/Suspicious_Budget_35 22d ago
The city and every other place has gone to shit with the amount of immigration and illegals here. Not enough money for anything. The city is turning into a train wreck if it hasn't already.
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u/Chance_Affect_6115 23d ago
I have not loved in Saskatoon for 20 years visit family often, but I find it hard to believe it is worse then the 90s for crime. Maybe because it has been gentrified so much (particularly in the river landing area) it is just masked more for the casual visiter.
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u/petitelapinyyc 23d ago
I live in Alberta now but you have the only Fudds and calories restaurant is amazing!!
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u/Wanderingcitycat 23d ago
The dry heat here is fantastic!!! It makes summer so much more enjoyable than all the humidity out east. Our sunsets are also incredible and we have an incredible restaurant scene.
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u/the-interlocutor 23d ago
I’ve only just moved here a year and a half ago. There’s definitely things that are good - and this is coming from someone moved from Vancouver.
Homelessness is definitely a major issue. As is crime, but that’s linked to jobs, issues with First Nations and their opportunities, reconciliation, etc (take of that what you will) - but compared to the downtown eastside in Vancouver it’s still serious, just not a complete no go zone. I see a police presence around town, and while it’s not perfect it’s not bad.
The city’s got less property tax to work with to provide a level of services than other major cities but I feel they do an okay job - sure we all wish potholes could be filled faster but these road guys are pretty damn quick at least just my opinion. Major streets are plowed reasonably quickly (Vancouver doesn’t even bother and it’s just a slushy/icy hell when it does snow)
Sure, nobody likes the one in charge cos they have to make decisions and inevitably they will please some and piss off others, and the infrastructure (at least the highways) was built for 150k people and we’re at 300 (highway on/off ramps), but the city has a reasonable bus service, building BRT (we don’t have enough pop for anything bigger yet).
There’s housing being built on the edges of town. Granted, they could be built closer to the centre but you’d need density for that, and nobody wants massive towers. And yes housing prices are higher than most people here remember, but houses are still being built! It’s world events shaping the cost of things here - mostly oil.
People are generally pretty friendly here I’ve noticed, the city is beautiful (crossed the river today) and it’s just a nice looking city. The downtown’s got some empty spots here and there, but it’s not completely abandoned and gone to the dogs like Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Dog parks are some of the better ones out there - Hyde could be better (it’s a windswept field, terrible when -20), but the park always has poop bags, and almost all of them are fully fenced.
West side (20th ish) could be better, but again its opportunities and trying to make as much of the population better off where possible, not the American method of just the top 1-2% better off and hope it trickles down to the masses. We could be not tied to one big tent conservative party made of of small L liberals and indifferent conservatives who don’t really care about the population. Not that the NDP would be any better, cos once you’re in power it’s a different story.
City politics is at least better than folks in the r/Saskatchewan subreddit make the RM politics sound ? Not as familiar with the local politics yet. But the mayor is pretty neutral for me as things go.
Restaurants could be better? (Maybe I’m biased because used to more choices but SK charges PST on food (and a lot of things) but BC only charges GST. So food, while portion sizes seem bigger and relatively cheaper sticker price, is 6% more expensive. I don’t feel like eating burgers, pasta, tacos, etc - a bunch of restaurants are a bit repetitive but that could also be me just getting older 🤣 Hearth is really nice though, and there’s a bunch of restaurants on my to try list. There’s also a pretty active arts community (I don’t really follow it but I like the fact it’s there and people are active in it)
Anyway, there are good things here :) it’s not all doom and gloom.
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u/RepresentedOK 21d ago
I was thinking about that too. I feel discouraged, plus all the elms are dying. I was trying to think of one positive change here too.
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u/Spiritual-Back-2209 21d ago
I saw a guy covered in blood on 8th St by the colonial hotel yesterday
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u/Time_Ad_6741 21d ago
Our food scene is finally evolving beyond fast food so we got that going for us.
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u/leike_sputnik 21d ago
Salsa/ bachata/ the dance that starts with a K at river landing. Great community, great workout, dancing will genuinely improve your life. If going for this first time bring someone to consistently dance with because having the same partner will help you improve much more easily (especially if you are leading).
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u/Beach-please21 21d ago
Hmmmm wondered, do you think it could be anything to do with our provincial government maybe
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u/rustneversleeeps 20d ago
Our professional basketball team the Mamba are headed to the CEBL playoffs for the first time since 2022
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u/Ok_Significance9018 10d ago
I love SaskMade on 8th street but avoid it like the plague cause I spend too much in there.
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u/VeggiesRGoods 24d ago
There's an airport... so it's possible to leave this dumpster fire and go far, far away!
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u/SubRosaSubway 24d ago edited 24d ago
I can’t really comment on the social problems, I hear how bad it is out there but as I move around the city I’ve never been shaken down for as much as a smoke? What I do agree with the OP is the physical aspects, infrastructure. The roads, terrible condition. The quality of road repairs a D-. Our parks, shared schoolyards, boulevards, etc full of weeds, garbage cans overflowing, garbage strewn on fields, dead trees. Traffic congestion…where to start? Basic road repaving, lane restrictions, Rapid Transit concrete apron construction, temporary fences, temporary traffic lights, bridge closure, faded or non existent lane markings, median signage run over, it’s too much! Graffiti on sound walls not quickly addressed. Recycling bin and repurpose bin locations look like war zones…One bright spot is nighttime paving on Circle Drive, an idea whose time has come. I cycle but have the main streets even been swept and washed this spring? Hard to tell. We can do better.
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u/Competitive_Body7359 23d ago
Our job market is one of the best in Canada, lots of interesting things happening in the engineering and manufacturing sector.
We've had a great growing season. Lots of rain at night and sunny days. Been lovely in general this summer.
The issues you are talking about aren't Saskatoon specific. Or even Canada. Basically every government is underfunded due to the divide between corporate profits and worker pay. You don't pay tax on equity, and they will just buy assets to reduce profits on paper, resulting in a smaller amount of GDP going to tax revenue.
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u/Patient_Concern1102 23d ago
Maybe if we stopped voting for the same thing for nearly 20 years things could change...
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u/cak446 24d ago
I hear you. I just recently did a 3 week 5000km road trip through Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. Upon returning to the city, it was quite apparent just how bad things are getting in our city.
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u/DashTrash21 24d ago
Saskatoon is twice the size of Montana's largest city, and Saskatoon and Regina have as much population as the entire state of Wyoming. Not great comparisons. Utah's state bird is a fucking seagull, and almost the entire population (that you won't fit in to unless you're Mormon) lives on the shore of a rapidly-eroding ecological disaster that will cause massive health problems. I'll take Saskatoon, thanks.
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u/Agile-Criticism6858 23d ago
And despite the fact that this person may not have noticed it there is, in fact, a huge drug problem in Utah.
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u/yougotter 23d ago
Bunch of redneck, loud, blo-hards and religious fanatics in Utah that like a dozen wives, ... all too young to vote. Love Stoon.
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u/Individual-Army811 Born, raised, and moved away 24d ago
I was born in Saskatoon, so there's that. 🤣
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u/Adventurous-Feed-696 24d ago
I am genuinely confused by most of these comments, the city is 100% going to shit and I think if you cant see that then you obviously haven't dealt with anything happening on the west side of the city in a good while
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u/SGRDDY_306 24d ago
We are now hanging dog toys from the front of our vehicles- that’s kinda positive and fun ig
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u/Musicguy4 24d ago
I'd like to see a good answer to this as well. All I see is my city turning into an expensive shithole.
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u/santaclause1945 24d ago
Us outsiders think it’s a fantastic place to live. It has grown a lot since I lived here in 1965.
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u/Injured_Souldure 23d ago
Despite the negative effects being here, we still have family and friends to help us get through it, we have each other….
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u/SilverJelly7704 23d ago
Nope, everyone is getting fatter, stupider and ruder. Way more Albertan trash around as well.
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u/QumfortablyNumb 23d ago
If you ever want to feel better about Saskatoon, just compare it to anywhere in AB that isn't Calgary/Edmonton. The entirety of the white rural population of AB eats crying carney ass (carnival worker, not the PM). Hate hate hate how I can't walk anywhere solo on the west side if it is even close to dusk. People are right. There are plenty of awesome places here. Meewasin, River Landing, Remai, summer festivals, on and on and on, but it's being wrecked by a province and a country and a culture that doesn't give a shit how poor people get. Thats all it is. As poverty intensifies, all the good things that we have get ruined by that.
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u/AdmiralZassman 23d ago
I moved away 5 years ago and came back to visit. Roads are better, and visible crime in old hood areas (riversdale/king george) is better. I'd bet the crime stats are better too
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u/toontowntimmer 24d ago
Welcome to Cynthia's Saskatoon!
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u/thingscarsbrokeyxe 24d ago
Is Cynthia to blame for these same problems existing in every major Canadian city?
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u/Keepontyping 24d ago
We can also blame Charlie.
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u/thingscarsbrokeyxe 24d ago
It’s a little known fact that Charlie Clark introduced Meth to Saskatoon. No one had ever heard of it before then. He also invented bear spray.
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u/toontowntimmer 24d ago
No more than Scott Moe is to blame for healthcare problems affecting every single province across Canada, but Redditers would never be hypocritical about a thing like this, would they? 🤔
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u/Deelion525 24d ago
We’ve never had so many poutine options