A New Start In Calgary
If you’re looking for a busy, exciting metropolitan location, Calgary may be the ideal city for you. With its bustling city centre and lively cultural attractions, Calgary is a great place to make a home. As well as offering everything you’d want from a city, Calgary has plenty of green spaces and is ideal for those who like to enjoy trips out into nature. It’s located at the feet of the Rockies, which provide a spectacular backdrop to this large and diverse city.
If you’re make the transition from a smaller city, for instance if you’re moving to Calgary from Edmonton, be prepared for a little culture shock — in the best way. Calgary is the third-largest municipality in Canada, with a population of roughly 1.3 million. This population is extremely diverse, as Calgary’s thriving industries attract people from all over the globe. This makes for a vibrant cultural melting pot. There’s plenty to do, from brunch in Kensington to watching a game or a rock concert at the Saddledome. Calgary also makes a great home base for exploring the Rockies. The Olymic Park offers fantastic activities all year round, from ziplining and mountain biking in the summer to bobsleding, hockey and skating during the winter months.
Calgary is sometimes described as the Texas of Canada. This isn’t just thanks to its rugged, Wild West surroundings and the annual rodeo, but its connections to the petroleum industry. Energy is the mainstay of Calgary’s economy, and employment is plentiful. Most incomers to the city are engineers or in related professions, attracted by the competitive wages and cosmopolitan lifestyle. As with any city that relies on the energy industry, Calgary’s economy is subject to boom and bust cycles. Currently, though, it’s thriving and looks set to do so for many years to come.
Calgary is a sprawling city with plenty of space. Rather than dense concentrations of tower blocks, most dwellings in Calgary are detached homes with gardens — ideal for families. There are also plenty of newer condominiums which are perfect for singles or couples starting out. Outlying neighborhoods tend to be the most modestly priced, with costs rising the closer to the city center you get. There’s a trade-off between paying for parking or public transport and paying higher costs to live nearer to the center. The neighborhoods of Kensington and Beltine are increasingly popular as happy mediums between the inconvenience of living outside the center and the high costs encountered downtown.
Calgary’s public transport system is not as comprehensive as in other Canadian cities so keep this in mind when deciding where to live. If you plan on making a daily commute, for example, you’ll want to choose a home that’s convenient for transportation into the city. The additional time and money required for long, difficult commutes can add up.
The climate is also favorable relative to elsewhere in Canada, with plenty of sunshine and Chinook winds warming the city. Although this makes the cold snaps less severe in Calgary, be prepared for long, cold winters. On the positive side, this makes for some excellent winter sports and activities.
