What to know when moving to Calgary
Calgary may evoke visions of cowboy boots and snowy winters, but the city also offers a range of natural, cultural, and career opportunities. Framed by the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a safe, accessible city with green spaces and affordable homes for anyone looking to build a career, a family, or a home. If you can handle the cold winters, then the natural beauty, industry, and culture could be a great fit for you. Here are some tips and benefits of moving to Calgary.
Benefits of moving to Calgary
1. Beautiful scenery and public parks
Calgarians say that once you live next to the Rockies, you never want to leave them again. Whether you’re interested in hiking, skiing, snowboarding, exploring, camping, or climbing, the Rocky Mountains, central in Calgary’s skyline, provide a stunning backdrop to a range of natural entertainment every weekend.
- Enjoy stunning views of Calgary’s downtown lights from The Peace Bridge, Scotsman’s Hill, and Crescent Heights.
- Go swimming or inner tubing down beautiful rivers like the Elbow and the Bow River in the summer months.
- Try birding or biking at Glenbow Ranch or Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
- Take a short road trip to Banff to experience the turquoise waters of Lake Louise or ride on the Sulfur Mountain Gondola.
2. Affordable homeownership
Buying a home in Calgary is affordable and many properties are reasonably priced. Prairie cities, like Calgary and Edmonton, have some of the lowest home prices in Canada. Even in sought-after communities like The Beltline, home prices are less than half the cost of homeownership in Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto. If you’re working from home and like having a home office or a nice backyard, Calgary gets you more for your money.
3. Easy to access
Regardless of where you live, you can get from home to work in under 30 minutes by car in Calgary. In some neighbourhoods it’s convenient to hop on the C-Train or public transit to get to work. If you’re intimidated by the traffic or long commute times of a big city, Calgary could be a great fit for you.
Regardless of where you live, you can get from home to work in under 30 minutes by car in Calgary.
4. Safety and low crime rates
Calgary is home to low crime rates, so you can enjoy peace of mind in one of North America’s safest cities.
5. Culture and nightlife
Calgary has something for everyone, from foodies to fashionistas. Enjoy specialty donut shops, craft beer, mexican tacos, and vintage shopping.
- Calgary is home to iconic events like The Calgary Stampede with real cowboys, bucking broncos, and rowdy fans.
- If you have kids, amusement parks like Calaway Park are a fun day trip.
- City parks like Prince’s Island Park and Olympic Park are a fun place to enjoy activities like bobsledding, zip lining, or a round of mini golf.
6. Economic stability and opportunity
Calgary enjoys steady economic stability. With a high concentration of technical workers, special opportunities for small businesses, and the highest GDP per capita of major Canadian cities, it offers a myriad of opportunities for growth and entrepreneurship. The oil industry is a big part of Calgary’s identity, and it’s also home to the second-highest number of head corporate offices in Canada.
7. Surprisingly sunny
Calgary is known for its extreme winters, but did you know it’s also one of the sunniest cities in Canada? With consistent sunshine even in the coldest months, you can enjoy bright sunlight coming through the windows or as you’re dashing down the slopes. If you spend a winter here, you’ll also enjoy the warm Chinook winds that offer a welcome reprieve from the frosty weather.
8. A young city with potential for growth
Calgary has one of the lowest median ages when compared to other Canadian cities. Proposed plans would trigger an investment of $200 million to revitalize the downtown core in the near future, filling vacancies and revitalizing nightlife for a bright future ahead.
9. Clean streets
Calgary is known for being a clean city. Fines for littering here are high, and Calgarians enjoy low air pollution, good drinking water, and well maintained sewage and electrical systems.
10. Inexpensive living
The cost of living in Calgary is lower than most other Canadian cities. From transportation and utilities to groceries and services, you’ll pay less here than you would if you lived in Vancouver or Toronto. Sales tax is also low in Calgary, because Alberta only charges GST, and does not charge PST or HST on purchases.
Tips for moving to Calgary
- The city of Calgary is divided into four main sections; northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest, and 14 wards, with downtown Calgary in the middle. The airport is in the northeast corner.
- Popular residential neighbourhoods in Calgary include Arbour Lake, Varsity, Brentwood, Hillhurst, Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill, Bridgeland-Riverside, The Beltline, Kelvin Grove, Elbow Park, Acadia, Bowness, and Lake Bonavista.
- Calgary is prone to flooding, with melting snow from the Rocky Mountains and frequent heavy rains. Use a Flood Hazard Map to weigh the flood risk for the neighbourhoods you’re considering, and make sure your insurance is comprehensive and includes flood risks.
- The main newspapers in Calgary are the Calgary Sun and the Calgary Herald. If you’re relocating, take a look at the local news to stay briefed on current events and local culture.
Find the right home in Calgary with Houseful
Houseful provides personalized guidance for your real estate journey. If you’re thinking about moving to Calgary, our dedicated team of experts offer support from initial planning through to moving day. Look at Calgary apartments, houses, condos, and properties to find the right spot for you. Work with top-rated, local real estate agents and gain access to financial insights and advice from RBC Home Advisors.
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