Why has Calgary maintained its status as one of the world's top cities to reside in? Although our city is ranked as one of the most livable in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit, there is much more to Calgary than what you will find in lists like the EIU's.
It's no surprise that so many people choose to relocate to Calgary given the city's robust employment market, stunning natural surroundings, expanding restaurant scene, family-friendly atmosphere, and high standard of living.
Here are the top ten reasons to reside in Calgary and why you should think about making it your future home.
1. Job Market
Calgary's industry is diverse, with a focus on technology, finance, and energy. This indicates that there are lots of job opportunities accessible for people from all backgrounds, particularly in these industries, but there is also a rising need for personnel in the healthcare and film industries!
Calgary is a great place to obtain work because its unemployment rate is lower than the national average. The city is home to many important companies and corporations that add to a typically strong job market and hub of business activity.
The city's vibrant job market, supported by its key industries, is a major factor in why Calgary is a great location to live, work, and play.
2. Magnificent Natural Surroundings
The Rocky Mountains, which are only a brief drive to the west and the foothills, respectively, are two stunning natural landscapes that Calgary is surrounded by. The most popular vacation spots for Calgarians are usually Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise, which provide amazing opportunities to take advantage of everything the mountains have to offer, including hiking, snowshoeing, and canoeing.
In addition, the city has a lot of parks and recreational spaces, including Fish Creek Provincial Park, that provide lots of chances to appreciate the outdoors. The Bow River, which flows through the city, is a year-round favorite for outdoor entertainment.
3. Diversity of Cultures
Calgary has a thriving arts and entertainment scene and is a metropolis with a wide variety of cultures. Numerous festivals honoring the multicultural history of the city are held there, like the Calgary Stampede.
There are also a lot of galleries, theaters, and museums to visit, such as the Glenbow Museum, one of Western Canada's biggest museums with a wide variety of exhibits and programs on art, culture, and history.
More reasons why Calgary is such a great location to live include annual events like GlobalFest, International Beerfest, Comic & Entertainment Expo, Sled Island, and many other festivals that take place almost every week in the city.
4. Recreation and Sports
If you enjoy watching hockey, soccer, or football, Calgary offers a wide variety of chances to do so. The Calgary Flames (hockey), Calgary Stampeders (football), and Cavalry FC are just a few of the sporting organizations that call the city home. (soccer).
The city also has one of the largest networks of paved urban pathways in North America, which makes for great jogging, walking, and biking routes. Staying active and healthy is simple thanks to Calgary's abundance of golf courses, some of which feature breathtaking panoramic vistas of the mountains.
5. A high Standard of Living
In terms of quality of life, Calgary consistently ranks among the best Canadian cities. Few things make Calgary a wonderful place to live: low crime rates, drinkable tap water, first-rate healthcare, general cleanliness, and a strong sense of community.
Because of Alberta's tax system, you won't be charged PST or HST for the products and services you purchase, saving you money as you go about your daily business. You will have more disposable income and be able to afford more things in life if you only pay 5% GST on all products and services.
According to a 2017 MoneySense survey that takes into account variables like healthcare, medicine, family income, student populations, and other factors, Calgary is also among the best locations to raise children in Canada.
6. Homes that Cost Less
Compared to other Canadian cities, Calgary is a much more affordable location to call home. This is particularly true when considering accommodation, which is considerably less expensive than in Vancouver or Toronto.
In addition, Alberta does not impose a PST, HST, or "land transfer tax" like other jurisdictions do. When purchasing real estate in the city, you will have to spend much lower fees.
7. Family Freindly
Calgary is a fantastic location to live for another reason—it's very family-friendly! The city's public, private, and religious school systems provide families with a variety of educational opportunities, and the busy community centers that are common in many neighborhoods contribute to the development of a family-friendly environment.
Families in various neighboring communities are connected by Calgary's extensive network of paved walkways. At the same time, visitors can enjoy themselves at the adjacent playground or park thanks to the city's generally pleasant year-round climate.
The Calgary Zoo, RiverWalk, and SPARK Science Center are just a few of the many family-friendly attractions in Calgary. In almost any area of the city, families won't have trouble locating entertaining and interesting things to do!
8. A Sense of Entrepreneurship
The city of Calgary promotes and fosters entrepreneurship. Small company owners profit from the city's supportive environment for entrepreneurs, which is promoted by groups like the company Link and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
Calgary is home to more than 100 company headquarters, the most of any Canadian city, and more than 700 startups, many of which are in the tech industry. Alberta has the lowest corporate income tax in Canada, at 8%, making the province attractive to businesses seeking to cut costs.
Today's entrepreneurs need internet links that are blazingly fast. You'll always be online thanks to Calgary's 5G-ready telecommunications and carrier-agnostic dark fiber networks.
9. Expanding Eatery Resturants
The restaurant, cafe, and eatery culture in Calgary has expanded significantly over the past few years as new establishments spring up all over the city.
The City of Calgary's urbanization plans are increasing the number of streetside retail spaces in neighborhoods like East Village, Eau Claire, and the University District, and new renovations to Stephen Avenue will also increase options for upscale dining.
Many Class A retail spaces around the city, where you'll find some of the finest restaurants, pubs, and bars, have been developed thanks to Calgary's strong economy. The city is also home to a large number of farmers' markets where you can buy fresh, regional cuisine at places like the West and South markets in Calgary.
10. Wonderful Weather
Calgary has a reputation for having cold winters, but it also has warmer, sunny summers. Winter Chinooks (shown above) frequently occur throughout the season and carry with them periods of above-freezing weather, offering a respite from the bitter cold.
In addition, Calgary enjoys more than 300 days of sunlight annually, which improves the quality of the weather and even spurred some advancements in southern Alberta's solar industry!