These days, you might think it’s impossible for one city to combine wholesome small-town values with a thriving economy and vibrant cultural scene. But if you’ve started thinking about moving to Calgary, Alberta, you’re in for a fantastic surprise.
This is a city where you’ll wake up to mountain sunsets, walk along scenic riverfronts, enjoy a new restaurant every day of the year, and experience world-renowned annual events and shows.
You’ll be joining a culture that’s internationally known for its hospitality, adventure, and spirit.
About the City of Calgary
Fact: Some well-known movies filmed in and around Calgary include *Dances With Wolves*, *Legends of the Fall*, *Unforgiven*, *Dead Bang*, and *Superman IV*.
Calgary is often praised for its small-town feel. While this is true in spirit, it’s hardly accurate when it comes to geography. Calgary is far from a small town.
You’ll be joining a growing population of over 1,000,000 people. Calgary, also known as “The Heart of the New West,” is one of the largest geographical cities in the country. In fact, it’s nearly the same size as New York City, but with a fraction of the population. That means, while you’ll find plenty of activities, you’ll also have ample space to breathe, work, and play.
The city’s layout is distinctive, with suburban areas easily connected to the city core. At many points, you can see both the mountains and the impressive downtown skyline, which includes unique buildings like the Pengrowth Saddledome and Calgary Tower.
Despite recent economic challenges, the city is recovering and beginning to thrive again. It has strong ties to the energy industry, as well as agriculture, tourism, and technology. The music, theatre, and film industries are also on the rise.
These prospering sectors help support a variety of diverse, service-oriented businesses run by true entrepreneurial individuals. Cutting-edge concepts tend to hit Calgary streets by the time they’re featured in celebrity magazines. Moreover, these businesses work seamlessly alongside traditional farmers’ markets and old-fashioned fun. Calgary truly has something for everyone.
Where You Want to Live
Fact: Downtown Calgary is almost entirely connected via enclosed skywalks and tunnels, making it possible to get around without ever having to step foot in the snow.
Now is a great time to think about moving to Calgary. The real estate market is showing signs of recovery after leveling off at the end of 2008. It’s a fantastic city to buy, build, or rent in any area. That being said, no two neighborhoods are alike. Would you prefer a mountain view? A riverfront property? A downtown condo? The choice really is yours, and each area offers something valuable. Consider consulting an international moving group, such as Unigroup Relocation, to make the transition seamless.
Wherever you choose to live, you can be confident that your living space will be supported by strong services and infrastructure. The city is large enough to offer several providers for phone, internet, and other utilities. You’ll also have access to abundant information; Calgary boasts 25 radio stations, six television stations, and two major daily newspapers.
What You Can Do
Fact: The Red Mile is a world-famous stretch of 17th Avenue. Upwards of 55,000 fans celebrated in a Mardi Gras-like atmosphere during the Calgary Flames’ playoff run in 2004.
Whether it’s watching a great movie, clubbing at nightlife hotspots, or planning a family excursion, Calgary is sure to keep you entertained. The city sits on the edge of the Canadian Rockies, making it a popular destination for winter sports and ecotourism. Since hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary has become a primary training location for many world-class athletes.
There’s no need to look elsewhere for entertainment. Calgary is considered one of the most diverse cities in Canada, maintaining a flourishing urban cultural scene. It balances its prominent western roots with alternative folk, rock, punk, and indie music circles, among others. The city’s multicultural core is also apparent; Calgary has the largest Chinatown in Canada and a vibrant Little Italy area. There are countless ethnic restaurants and shopping centers available for your enjoyment.
World-Famous Events
Fact: The Calgary Stampede remains one of the world’s premier rodeo events, with over $1,000,000 in prize money awarded to winners on the final Sunday of competition.
The most well-known event in Calgary is the annual Calgary Stampede. Millions of visitors from around the world come to the city for one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions—the greatest outdoor show on earth. This event features a real rodeo, an amusement park, concerts, chuckwagon races, and more. Many visitors book hotel rooms in advance for this popular event. For 10 days, Calgary transforms into a town celebrating cowboy culture.
Other notable events include the Folk Music Festival, the Lilac Festival, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, and Wordfest.
What’s the Weather Like?
Fact: With over 2,400 hours of sunshine per year, Calgary is one of Canada’s sunniest cities.
There’s a popular saying in Calgary: “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” This is often true due to the city’s elevation and proximity to the Rockies. Summer months are filled with hot days and cool nights. Winters can be quite cold, but Calgarians are treated to a pleasant break from the chill when warm Chinook winds from the Pacific Ocean blow through.
Who Lives in Calgary?
Fact: The Caesar cocktail was created in 1969 by Calgary bartender Walter Chell.
So, you might be wondering, what types of people live in Calgary? The answer is: all types. Calgarians lead active, healthy lifestyles and take advantage of the many walking and cycling paths throughout the city. Many also enjoy the vast shopping and entertainment options. It goes without saying that a large number of Calgarians support their local sports teams, whether it’s the NHL Calgary Flames or the CFL Calgary Stampeders.
Calgarians are also known for their commitment to environmental initiatives. Despite being one of the most travel-dependent cities in the country, these businesses and individuals have won national commuter and emissions challenges. Calgary was also the first municipality in Canada to introduce a “blue-bin” recycling program, making it easy to reduce your environmental footprint. The city is currently the only one in Canada to draw at least 75 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, with plans to increase this to 90 percent by 2012.
What This Means for You
Fact: Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth-largest city in Canada, with an area of 726 square kilometers.
Calgary is a diverse and beautiful city with unlimited potential. Whether your priorities focus on family values, work-related goals, social options, or sports and recreation, this city can confidently meet your needs.
Moving to Calgary is not just a move; it’s a smart move.
