Have you finally decided to start the ball rolling in your quest to move to the place of your dreams? If you’ve been seduced by the appealing housing options in the Calgary real estate market, the city’s charismatic vibes and unique location, then you might be ready to finally make your move, which is great! But before you start packing, it’s best to familiarize yourself with some of Stampede City’s most important characteristics. Here are 5 things you need to know about moving to Calgary:
Clean and Eco-Friendly
Calgary has been consistently ranked among the cleanest cities in the world for more than a decade, thanks to the city’s excellent initiatives in this regard. Due to the wide variety of recycling programs, top quality sewage systems and effective waste management, there is exceptionally clean air and water here.
If you’re environmentally conscious, then you’ll surely appreciate the C-Train, which is 100% powered by renewable energy, drastically decreasing the amount of air pollution in the city. Calgary is continuously working towards being an even more sustainable and healthy place to live in, offering a myriad of environmentally-friendly programs, from giving energy-saving tips for residents to planting a large number of trees annually.
Affordable Housing Options
Compared to Vancouver and Toronto, Calgary boasts a much more inviting housing market, with affordable prices and a larger proportion of vacancies. The city’s average residential price is currently about $450,000, and a wide array of properties can be seen including single-family homes in some of the most sought-after suburbs as well as central condo units.
Naturally, prices are higher in the downtown core, but you might want to pay the extra sum for the unbeatable scenic views of The Peace Bridge, Scotsman’s Hill and even Crescent Heights. Singles and young couples without any children will definitely enjoy the hustle and bustle of Downtown Calgary. Young families with small children, on the other hand, might appreciate a calmer setting in the North-Western or South-Western suburbs, closer to the Rockies. Students will also love this part of the city, as it offers proximity to the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University.
Young, Diverse Community
Calgary has one of the youngest populations among large Canadian cities, with a median age of 36.4 years. Since over 70% are between the age of 15 and 64, this contributes to a highly competitive job market with limited numbers of vacancies across all fields of work.
The city also boasts quite a diverse community, with nearly one third of the population belonging to visible minorities. This manifests itself in the extensive number of cultural events, festivals and organizations, along with enviably diverse culinary and nightlife scenes.
Outdoor Adventurer’s Paradise
If you love the great outdoors and like to get as close to nature as possible, then Calgary is definitely a place for you! The city itself features more than 8,000 acres of parkland, with 1,100 playgrounds, 475 soccer fields and 430 baseball diamonds. An additional 850 kms of regional pathways, along with another 95 kms of trails, are available for you to enjoy either on foot or by bike.
Stampede City is only an hour away from the Rocky Mountains, which offer countless recreational opportunities, such as skiing, zip lining, hiking and snowboarding to professional athletes as well as the general public. Fun fact: Calgary is the sunniest of Canada’s larger cities, with over 332 days of sunshine, so it’s one of the best places in the entire country for outdoor activities.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
The job market in Calgary is fairly competitive, so new employers are welcomed and entrepreneurship is highly valued and supported in the city. The province of Alberta has recognized the strong potential in small business ventures and is set on supporting entrepreneurs monetarily through various programs. The city also features numerous meet ups, incubator plans and other events aimed at helping small businesses thrive in the local market.
Calgary’s fastest-growing companies are in a wide range of industries, including IT, construction, manufacturing, food processing, retail and many in the service industry. There is clearly a workforce with varied talents here, and there is sure to be a place for your skills too!
As you can see, Calgary is one of the best cities you can choose as a base—especially if you enjoy the great outdoors. But besides its proximity to nature, the city’s cleanliness, great community spirit, eco-friendly endeavours and fantastic entrepreneurial culture don’t go unnoticed. If you decide to make your move, we reckon that Calgary will greet you with open arms and a wealth of opportunities!
