Stories

About a year ago, Celina Philpot packed up her life and moved from Winnipeg to Regina for a Chief Executive Officer position at Conexus Credit Union. As she settled into her new surroundings, she was quickly captivated by the city’s warmth and inclusiveness. 

“Saskatchewan, from an outsider’s perspective, is very progressive, especially for women in leadership,” says Celina. A great example is her new employer, Conexus, whose senior leadership team has five women out of the eight people total. Celina also immediately saw the strong sense of community cooperation and engagement in Regina. She noticed that these qualities mirrored her own values, saying, “it was an environment that created the opportunity for me to perform at a high level.” 

Alongside Regina’s progressive nature, Celina discovered a welcoming community environment. Looking back on her experience, she pinpoints how the people around her helped her feel at home. 

“My first day moving into my place last fall, both my neighbours popped by to introduce themselves. Down the street, the neighbours were offering their leaf blower and snowblower – if you need something, we’re there to help you,” she recalls.    

One thing that makes Regina stand out is how everyone comes together for each other. Small gestures like the one Celina experienced, mixed with the overall attitude of supporting one another’s success, shape Regina’s warm and welcoming environment. With room to grow and flourish, Celina feels more than ready to take on this next chapter, both in life and her career. 

Haden and Victoria Johnson are proof that sometimes all you have to do is trust the process and the place. Before moving their family to Regina, their understanding of the area was limited to what they saw driving through on family vacations. Even though they didn’t know much, they can both now look back and say that moving to Regina was an incredible choice for their family.     

“It didn’t take us long to feel right at home,” Haden says. “Living in Regina is like being part of a close-knit community. It’s not overwhelmingly big – it’s easy to get around, with groceries, banks and schools all close to each other – and you get to know people.”  

Victoria has the same affection for their new home, saying, “I really love it here – it’s a progressive place. It’s growing, and it’s got something for everyone.” 

Affordability was a huge factor for the couple when the opportunity to move to Regina came up with Haden’s job. With four young children and one income – Victoria is a stay-at-home mom – finding a home that wouldn’t break their budget was definitely key. Luckily, they didn’t have to look too far or too long.  

“We saw this two-story house on four acres of land with about 5,000 sq ft of living space, and it was still quite new – just two or three years old,” recalls Victoria. “We paid about $650,000 for it.”  

For the Johnsons’, life has changed for the better. The kids have settled nicely into life in Regina, making the family’s transition feel natural and smooth. They both love their school’s small classroom sizes and variety of sports activities which have helped them find their place in a completely new environment. In the summer, the family explores the villages along the nearby lakes and on “date nights” Victoria and Haden love to try all the different restaurants around the city.

Regina has given the Johnsons’ more time to spend as a family and has expanded their horizons for adventure and community. The couple agrees that they wouldn’t have been as lucky finding a place that feels so much like home in another city. In Regina, they can enjoy their time together and grow as a family with the support of an incredible city.  

For Gosha and her husband, Bartek, a life in Regina means more opportunity. Their kids can get a good education, and the young family can finally have a home with their own outdoor space.  

Originally from just outside Warsaw, Poland, Gosha and Bartek dreamed of a life in Canada. They set their sights on Regina, where they could find job opportunities, affordable housing, and a welcoming community.  

After arriving in Regina, Gosha quickly noticed the sense of hospitality and inclusion in her new community.  

“You feel at home. I love it here, and I’ve only been here a month,” she says, describing her first impression of the city. 

Gosha, now a lecturer at the University of Regina, is settling into Regina nicely and is happy to have successfully found a job in her field. Bartek, an IT professional, is also excited about his career opportunities in the area.  

Having lived in apartments all her life, Gosha dreamed of one day raising her family in a house with a garden – just like her grandparents had. In Regina, that’s now a reality. Soon, the family will move into their own 2-bedroom house, with a small plot for Gosha to grow fresh beets and carrots.  

Since moving to Regina, Gosha has already met people who she thinks of as her extended family. Thanks to the city’s multi-cultural community, the family has been able to meet like-minded friends and stay connected to their Polish traditions. Gosha can’t help but see Regina as a mosaic of cultures and is happy to raise her children in such an inclusive environment.   

“There is a sense of belonging here,” she says. “This is my place.”