Why Calgary is Better than Edmonton

Calgary is the biggest city in Alberta, Canada. The city is located in the southern part of the province, about 50mi (80km) east of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The City of Calgary had a 2006 population of 988,193 and it is still growing. Calgary is the 3rd largest municipality in Canada, and largest in Alberta.

According to Forbes Magazine, Calgary was named the world’s cleanest city in 2007. It is growing faster than any other city in Canada and is becoming a destination for tourists. Calgary has an economic base of oil and light manufacturing and there are many things to do in this city.

Calgary Infrastructure

Really astonishing bridge design for cyclists in the city of Calgary. Photo: Worldarchitectnews

Infrastructure is rapidly being built in Calgary. In 2005, Transportation Infrastructure was created to oversee the construction and design of transportation projects in Calgary, Alberta. Almost every transportation development in Calgary is constructed and managed by the Transportation Infrastructure office. They are responsible for making sure the infrastructure and transportation developments are safe, responsible, and sustainable. They also communicate with the citizens of Calgary to keep them informed of any changes. Communications infrastructure is a quickly growing industry in Calgary, from clear 4g internet to wireless communication enhancements.

Telus Corp. made a firm commitment on April 6, 2011 to start construction on a new, more advanced mobile network this year. Telus’ chief financial officer Bob McFarlane said the wireless corporation expects to begin overlaying their current mobile network with Long-Term Evolution (LTE) equipment this summer in Calgary and other major cities. Commercial activation of the service is expected in early 2012. Telus says they are hiring 250 additional technicians and customer service agents in Calgary to handle wireless and TV growth.

Tourist Attractions

Calgary, Alberta is a great place to visit. There are many things for singles, couples, and families to see and do. Calgary has shopping, dining, and outdoor experiences available for people of all ages and activity levels.

Family Attractions

TELUS World of Science is a one stop centre for family activities in the city

TELUS World of Science is a destination for tourists and locals. They have a Creative Kids Museum that is great for families. They are open from 10 am to 4 pm Friday-Wednesday and 10am-10pm Thursdays. The
children’s museum immerses kids in a world of technology, science, and art. They have many hands on activities for kids of all ages.

Calaway Park is the largest outdoor family amusement park in Western Canada and is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year. The park operates on 90 acres and has 34 rides as well as other attractions. The newest ride, Mind Blaster, has a track that curves into a smile. The ride rolls up and down as well as back and forth. The riders are seated on spinning circular carriages. It is great fun for thrill seekers.

The Calgary Zoo has a collection of over 1,000 animals from all over the globe. They also have a botanical garden that is over six acres. The zoo also includes a new ENMAX Conservatory. The Calgary Zoo is open every day except Christmas Day year round. Their hours are 9am to 5pm. There are places for families to eat and shop at the zoo, as well as several playgrounds for busy kids. One of the playgrounds includes a new carousel. The Calgary Zoo offers group tours as well private parties will full service catering. The zoo train is available for kids to ride. Special events are scheduled year round and a Safari Brunch is scheduled for every Sunday.

Attractions for Adults

Lougheed House at night time. Photo: Travelandtoursguide

Lougheed House, built in 1891, is currently a non-profit, National Historic Site. Lougheed House is located in the Beltline district of Calgary. The house is operated by the Lougheed House Conservation Society and attracts tourists from around the world. The beautiful estate is set on 2.8 acres. Lougheed House offers a unique historic experience to visitors. Visitors can dine in The Restaurant or purchase gifts in the gift shop. A stunning art gallery is also available to visitors of the Lougheed House. Experienced interpreters give tours of the house and gardens. They also offer workshops and programs for schools. Lougheed House is a great venue for a wedding or formal event.

Wild Rose Brewery is a great place to taste handcrafted brew as well as see how beer is made. Brewery tours must be booked ahead and require a group of at least ten participants. They also have a Taproom where beer is served beginning at 11am every day. They also offer fresh food from the kitchen. At 4pm on Fridays the brewers tap a cask-conditioned brew that has been “tweaked” for a distinctive taste. Raspberry-infused beer is one of the signature styles of the Wild Rose Brewery.

Emigration to Calgary

According to 2005 information from Citizenship & Immigration Canada, an average of 7,520 new immigrants have come to Calgary, Alberta each year from other countries. There are many reasons to move to Calgary, including the beauty and character of the area, job availability, and infrastructure like public transportation.

Quality of Life

Snowboarding is one of popular sport in Calgary. Photo: Sol Group

Better quality of life is a reason that many people move to Calgary. The air is clean and there are a myriad of outdoor activities to explore. Many people in Calgary will snowmobile, skate, or ski in the winter and camp, mountain bike, hike and hunt during the warm summer months. There are many Public Holidays in Alberta and the people take advantage of these days to get out and have fun.

Cost of Living

Most people who immigrate from Europe and the UK find the cost of living in Canada is substantially lower than their home country. Alberta doesn’t charge it’s citizens a Provincial Sales Tax, while all other provinces in Canada do. Food and gas are also cheaper on average than European countries.

Mercer carried out a cost of living survey in 2008 to compare the average cost of living in cities all over the developed world. Moscow, Russia was the most expensive city to live in, while Johannesburg, South Africa was the least expensive city listed in the survey. London, UK was listed as the third most expensive city to live in, while Calgary, Canada was rated at number 66. Calgary, Alberta has an excellent mix of infrastructure and opportunities for it’s citizens as well as attractions for it’s visitors.