With Saskatchewan’s strong economy and endless opportunities, it’s no wonder more and more people are calling the prairie province their home. Whether it’s for university, a new job or new experiences, people from around the world, and right here in Canada, are packing up and exploring Saskatchewan — and many of them are here to stay.

Here are why three people chose to move to Saskatchewan, how they’re finding it, and why they plan on staying.

Name: Lee Fitzpatrick
Age: 23
Moved from: County Offaly, Ireland
Living in: Saskatoon
Moved to Saskatchewan: April 2013
Works in: Broadcast

Why did you move to Saskatchewan? “There’s no jobs left in Ireland and my parents were coming here.”

What was your first impression? “The day I arrived here it was -45 degrees and I nearly died. I only wore a t-shirt. … But, it took me less than two weeks to find a really good job that I’d been training in for the last few years. I was in contact with the company prior to arriving in Saskatchewan.”

Do you plan on staying? “Oh yeah, I love it here. I’ve got a solid job now that I love and am learning new stuff every day, and hopefully I get residency here. I’m currently in the middle of the application.”

What’s the best thing about living in the province? “I think that it’s all these opportunities coming up. Even if I couldn’t stay in the current job I’m in now, I’d be able to find and move on to another one very quickly.”

Name: Milad Alishai
Age: 25
Moved from: Toronto, Ontario
Living in: Regina
Moved to Saskatchewan: August 2010
Works in: Law

Why did you move to Saskatchewan? “I moved here because I got into law school in Saskatchewan.”

What was your first impression? “How friendly the people are.”

Do you plan on staying? “Yes, absolutely. There’s a significant amount of opportunity here. The type of work I’m doing at the law firm is exactly the type of work that I envisioned myself doing. Saskatchewan is experiencing an economic boom, and that definitely trickles down into the legal field. The legal market has been extremely busy, and the types of opportunities in Saskatchewan have been really vast and exciting.”

What’s the best thing about living in the province? “The sense of community combined with the economic opportunities.”

Name: Showket Hossain
Age: 49
Moved from: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Living in: Saskatoon
Moved to Saskatchewan: April 2014
Works in: “To be determined, but perhaps starting a business.”
Why did you move to Saskatchewan? “I found people are very nice and it’s a calm and safe environment. This is very important because my kids will grow up here.”

What was your first impression? “It’s really, really nice. Everybody is very co-operative, very helpful and willing to do work for the community. I like all of those things.”

Do you plan on staying? “Yes, because of the friendly people, the good schools for my daughter and son, and the impressive University of Saskatchewan. Although I’m still settling in before finding a job, I’ve heard there are good opportunities in the province.”

What’s the best thing about living in the province? “The people. I’m so glad I’m surrounded by good people.”

Angelina Irinici is an award-winning journalist from Saskatoon, Sask. She recently moved back to her home city and is working as a television reporter. She is a graduate of Ryerson University’s journalism school. You can find her on Twitter at @angelinairinici.