Is Calgary a good place to live?

Last Updated on July 27, 2024 by William Alexander

Do you know what type of city Calgary is and whether you should move there? You may have many doubts about the city. Seriously, it is not easy to move to any new city without getting proper information about it.

After reading this article, all your doubts will be cleared. Before settling down in Calgary, you should read this guide. After reading this guide, you will be well-informed about Is Calgary a good place to live? This guide will give you complete information about Calgary. 

What is Calgary close to?

Calgary is one of the largest cities in the Canadian province of Alberta. Alberta probably has Great Falls. The distance between Calgary and the U.S. border is about 207 miles. Airdrie is one of the closest cities to Calgary. The distance between the two cities is only 25 minutes in the North. 

What is Calgary known for

Calgary is known as Cowtown and Stampede City. It is called Cowtown because it has a large cattle ranching area in the foothills between the city and the Rocky Mountains. One of the largest rodeos, the Calgary Stampede, is held there every July. 

This city is extraordinary due to its low sales tax, job opportunities, and different types of Rockies. It is also rewarded as the world’s cleanest city. Due to these advantages, this city is the best place to live.

How big is Calgary?

Calgary is considered the largest city in Alberta and the third-largest city in Canada. It is larger than Toronto. Calgary covers an area of about 825.29 square kilometres, while Toronto occupies only 630.2 square kilometres. If we compare Calgary to Vancouver, we can say that Calgary is eight times bigger than Vancouver.

Things to do in Calgary

Calgary offers different types of activities and places of attraction. Let’s discuss some famous places in Calgary. As a local citizen, I recommend you visit these places whenever you visit or move to this city.

1. Calgary Tower

This is one of the famous places in Calgary. So, you should visit this place. It will give you a stunning view of the city and Rocky Mountain for its observational deck.

2. Calgary Zoo

This is the home of different types of animals and plant species. This is the best place for kids and families. It is the largest zoo in Canada. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It offers different types of education for both kids and adults. You can go there by car, bike and public transport. It is near downtown Calgary and is easily accessible. Calgary Zoo is a famous place in Calgary, and thousands of people visit it yearly.

3. Heritage Park and Historical Village

Suppose you are a lover of historical things and you are interested in learning about history. In that case, This place is a living museum that gives you information about the life of Western Canada from 1850 to 1960. It is located in the heart of the city.

Several buses can reach this park, which is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and is free to visit. The best time to visit is in the late afternoon and early evening.

4. Glenbow Museum 

This museum offers art and culture exhibitions, Canadian history and contemporary arts.

5. WinSport Canada Olympic Park

It is one of the famous tourist places in Calgary. Visiting the park is one of the best activities in winter. This park is the hub of different types of games and recreational activities.

This park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entry is free, but some activities have different costs. The best time to visit is in the afternoon to enjoy a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains. You can go there by bus, car, or other vehicle. 

6. The military museum

The military museum is one of the largest tri-service museums in Western Canada and the second largest museum in the country. We can get there by public transportation, including bus and cab.

It is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Sunday. Admission fees are charged according to age and membership. The average time to explore this beautiful place is 2 hours.

7. Princess Island park

This park was named in honour of its founder, Eau Claire Lumber Mill. It is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is free of charge. The best time to visit is early in the day. You can use different pathways along the Bow River. You can also use public transport to reach Princess Land Park.

8. Festival and Fair in Calgary

Calgary offers a variety of festivals. Some are famous and interesting. I will provide you with information about these festivals and discuss which month of the year they are celebrated.

Below is the table to describe some famous and interesting festival

Festivals and Fairs	Month of the year when celebrated	Detail about festivals
Calgary Stampede	July	Rodea, Musically concerts, and agricultural exhibition
Calgary Folk Music Festival	July	Different types of fork musicians come to this festival
Globalfest	August	International fireworks and cultural exhibition
Sled Island Music and Art Festival	June	It offers music, film, and art
Calgary International Film Festival	SEP- Oct	This festival features multi-genre films from all over the world
Winter Festival	Dec-Jan	It is an indoor light festival that is famous around the city
Lilac festival	May	It is a street festival that offers live music and vendors
Carifest	August	It offers Caribbean cultural activities,  music, dance, and food
Taste of Calgary	August	It is an outdoor festival with food and music
Calgary Fringe Festival	August	It offers non-mainstream theatre performance

Calgary provides a moderate climate that is very helpful to enjoy these beautiful festivals in Calgary.

Where to eat in Calgary

Food is one of the most important things that people want to know when moving to any new city. I will solve the problem of food lovers. Here, I discuss some important places that you should visit to enjoy your favourite food.

If you’re a food lover after reading about the best restaurants, you might choose to move to Calgary.

Here are some famous restaurants.

1. Ten Foot Henry 

• This is one of the famous restaurants.
• rating is about 4.7 stars
• Open at 11 am

2. NOtable- The Restaurant

• This restaurant also has high demand.
• The rating is about 4.4 stars.
• Open at 11: 30 am

3. Orchard Restaurant

• The rating is about 4.4 stars
• Open at 11:30 am

4. Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant

• A famous restaurant
• rating is about 4.6 stars
• Open at 11:00 am

5. Heaven Restaurant Market

• The rating is about 4.6 stars 
• Open at 11:00 am

6. First Street Market

• Rating is about 4.6 stats
• Open at 7 am 

7. Moxies Calgary Downtown Restaurant

• The rating is about 4.3 stars
• Open at 7:00 am

8. Yemeni Village Restaurant

• The rating is about 4.6 stars 
• Open at 11:am

9. Anejo Restaurant

• The rating is about 4.4 
• Open at 11:am

10. The Himalayan

• The rating is about 4.4 
• Open at 4:30 pm Wed

These are the top 10 famous restaurants in Calgary; whenever you visit or shift in Calgary, you must visit these restaurants and enjoy delicious food.

Schooling Options in Calgary

There are two types of schooling

1. Private Schooling
2. Public Schooling

In private schools, the parents provide all educational expenses, while in other types of schooling, the Government bears all educational expenses of the children. And now we are going to talk about the educational system of Calgary. In Calgary, there is a public school system for grade 12. This city provides free education, which is why it is a great place to live.

In Calgary, the School system is divided into three stages.

1. Elementary ( kindergarten to class six)
2. Junior high school ( Grade 7 to 9)
3. High schools (Grades 10 to 12)

In Calgary, the educational system is divided into two boards.

1. The Calgary Board of Education

2. Calgary Catholic School district

Here is a list of famous public, private, and catholic schools and other alternative programs.

Public schools

1. Western Canada High School

2. Sir Winston Churchill High School

3. William Aberhart High School

Private Schools

Calgary also has some private schools for those who can afford to educate their children and want to avoid admitting their children to them.

1. West Island College
2. . Rundle College 
3. Webber Academy

Catholic Schools

1. St. Francis High School
2. Bishop Carroll High School

Alternative Programs

1. Queen Elizabeth High School
2. National Sport School

These are some famous and well-reputed schools in Calgary, including public, private, Catholic, and alternative programs. These schools are famous for their academic excellence and extracurricular activities.

Where to stay in Calgary?

Where should you live in Calgary? What are the best places or hotels where you can stay? These are some questions that come to mind whenever you want to move or visit Calgary. I will solve this problem for you by recommending some of the best places with prices where you can stay or live in Calgary.

So, let’s start

With the help of the table, I will discuss the best places to live in Calgary

Name of restaurant	Rent	Rating	Rank
Country Inn and Suites	133 USD dollars	around 4 stars	3 star hotel
Fairmont Palliser	344 USD dollars	4.3 stars	4-star hotel
Radisson Hotel	118 USD dollars	around 4 stats	3 star hotel
Park Inn by Radisson	118 USD dollars	4,5 stars	3 star hotel
Canada Best Value INN Chinook Station	only 45 USD dollars	2.1 stars	2 star  hotel
Brother LI Homestay	76 USD dollars	4.8 stars	3 star hotel
Olympia Motel and Lodge	60 USD dollars	2 stars	3 star hotel
Emerald Hotel and Suites Calgary Airport	74 USD dollars	2.7 stars	2 star hotel
Wicked Hotel Calgary	74 USD dollars	4.3 stars	3 star hotel

Home price in Calgary

Home price in Calgary: $587 300. The home prices in Calgary are more affordable than in other big Canadian cities such as Toronto. The homes and the cost of living are affordable in Calgary. 

Pons and Cons of moving to Calgary

Pons of moving to Calgary

Here, I will discuss some of the reasons Why Calgary is a great place to live. And why should you shift to this city? And this city becomes your future home. 

So let’s begin to discuss the pons of living in Calgary

Job opportunities and Financial and work benefits

Calgary has a strong economy with a strong hold on energy. Finance and technology. The economy of this city is based on natural resources such as oil and gas. That means a lot of job opportunities for people in many fields. On the other hand, there is also a growing demand for healthcare workers and film industry workers. 

Calgary has a lower unemployment rate than the other major cities of Canada, which is one of the major reasons why it is a good place to live. It also has lower sales taxes, making it a better living place. Calgary is a great place to live and work for those who value long-term careers and job security.

Natural beauty, Stunning scenery

In the surroundings, Calgary is covered by charming natural landscapes like the foothills and Rocky Mountains. 

Most popular places of attraction in Calgary

• Banff
• Canmore
• Lake Louise

These places provide different opportunities to enjoy mountain activities, such as hiking, snowshoeing, and canoeing. This city is also home to different parks and outdoor activities like

• Fish Creek
• Provincial park

These two are important parks for recreational activities in summer. If you’re a nature lover, Calgary is the best option.

Rich in Culture diversity and cultural scene

Calgary has a diverse culture with an interesting art and entertainment scene. It is also the home of many festivals, like the Calgary Stampede, that celebrate the city’s multicultural heritage.

This city also has various museums, galleries, and theatres to represent culture. Glenbow Museum is considered one of the largest museums in Western Canada, providing a wide range of exhibits on art, culture, and history.

Quality of life

• High quality of life

This city has a high standard of living that offers good healthcare, education, and public services. 

• Clean and safe

This city is known for its cleanliness and safety due to the low crime rate,

Entrepreneurial mindset

Calgary is a city that motivates and supports entrepreneurship. That’s why small business holders benefit from this city’s entrepreneur-friendly climate. Some organizations, like the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Business Link, support entrepreneurs. 

Education

Calgary also has a strong educational system like other big cities in Canada. This city has many well-known and reputed public, private, and Catholic schools and post-secondary institutions, such as the University of Calgary. I discussed the education system of Calgary in detail earlier in this guide.

Cons of moving to Calgary

Weather

• Calgary winter

The winter in this city is long and harsh. It lasts too long, from November to March, and it is more harsh than the winters in the other cities of Canada. 

• Chinook

Chinook winds can bring temporary warmth in winter. However, rapid temperature changes can be uncomfortable.

Cost of living

• Houses prices

House prices in this city are lower than in other Canadian cities. But prices can vary every year.

• Other Expenses

Calgary has high utility bills due to the high need for heating in winter. 

Transportation

Calgary also has a decent public transit system, but it is not as advanced as other big cities. A car is necessary if you want to move to Calgary. There are also cons to living in Calgary. 

Limited culture diversity

Calgary is growing in diversity, but it is still not advanced like other big cities in Canada, such as Toronto and Vancouver.

Some schools in Calgary

Due to the increase in population in Calgary, a few schools are overcrowded, and the lack of teachers and government funds has become a greater issue. 

Is Calgary right for you?

Calgary is an excellent place to live. It is considered one of the top cities in Canada. This city has a high standard of living, better job opportunities, and motivation for entrepreneurs. Calgary is a fantastic city due to its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Is Calgary right for you or not? After reading this guide and considering the pros and cons of living in this city, it is easy to decide whether you should live in this city or not. 

Additional Information

You can also think about Lethbridge its  214 km from Calgary its also a best place to live in Alberta

FAQ’S

Final words about  Is Calgary a good place to live?

Calgary is one of the best places to live. As I discussed, there are many pros and a few cons to living in this city. It is clean, full of natural beauty, has many places of attraction, countless outdoor activities, an international airport in the city centre, and many job opportunities.

After reading this, I hope you can decide whether you are moving to Calgary.