I'm not sure from where in Ontario you're moving from but reading your posts you knew about the Sleeping Giant so are you maybe from the area?
I moved to Edmonton from that area 11 years ago and my daughter moved to Calgary. I can tell you from first hand experience that winters here are nowhere near as harsh as NW Ontario or as long.. My family and I compare weather when we talk. I beg to differ with the last poster about Calgary's weather being so much better because really the two are quite comparable - for the few nicer days Calgary has it all evens out with their late and early freak snow. hail and rain storms.
When you bring your car you will need to take it to certified garage for an out of town safety inspection which may cost you $100 and ups wards depending on it's condition. You have 3 months in which to change your car and license *no test required) to Alberta ones. Depenidng on where you're from inOnt the auto insurance rates are pretty comparable as ours are in the process of being raised in Nov. Same goes for health insurance - you need to apply almost as soon as you arrive because it will take the 3 months your Ontario healthcare is still in effect.
My daughter lives in Calgary and when I visit their traffic there is horrendous compared to Edmonton. You can never find your way from one section of the city to another without having to first get on a major road. Because Edmonton is on a grid system (numbered streets and avenues) I get frustrated finding where I'm going in Calgary.
Now for the job situation. Depending on your experience level you can expect to paid approx. $10.00 per hour in the retail sector of well known stores. Secretarial, and other entry level jobs start at about $11.00 per hour with minimal experience and go up from that. Even if you take an $11.00 job to gain experience for the first 6 months then you can look for another one with better pay. You are very fortunate to be moving in with friends so you already have a place to stay.
I don't know whether you've ever been here but I always tell people who are thinking of moving here to start reading the local paper to get a "feel" of the place even before moving plus you can learn a lot from reading it.
www.edmontonjournal.com
As for jobs - check the classified of the paper
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/JobResult_en.aspx?CommGrouping=GAB005&Sources=JobBank,Government&Student=No
http://edmontonjobshop.ca/p/jobs_city/173/Edmonton/
For Retail jobs only this site is fantastic
http://www.edmontonjobs.com/
The following is the City of Edmonton site which gives you tips for moving here, transit, licenses, parks, recreation - absolutely everything you need to know.
http://www.edmonton.ca/portal/server.pt
Everyone always has a hard time finding restaurants and entertainment so check here:
http://www.edmontonplus.ca/bars_restaurants
Next great site for those moving here:
http://www.movetoedmonton.com/living/shopping/
Pretty much everything you need to know will be listed in the above websites. It's always the fear of the unknown but you'll learn a lot just bey going through those sites. If you need anymore info just add it to your question and I'd be happy to try and help you.
good Luck