20 Reasons and Counting, why I Love Calgary!
Also known as “The Heart of the New West”, Calgary is located in Alberta, Canada at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and at the junction of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
Because of our location we get nice warm Chinook winds during the winters and we always have a lot of sun, in fact we get more days of sunshine per year then any other Canadian city.
Calgary is amazing for so many reasons, over 20 of which are detailed below but this is by no means an exhaustive list. I encourage you to leave a comment with some of the reasons you love Calgary!
Not Only do I love my city, I love this province and my country too! We are lucky to be Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians!
Twenty Reasons and Counting to Love Calgary, Alberta Canada:
1. Calgary is Canada’s number one economic performer and is home to a diverse array of industries, including the energy, finance, manufacturing, transportation, technology, film and creative industry sectors.
2. Calgary has no provincial sales tax and a very competitive income tax structure
3. Calgary was ranked as the best place in Canada to work by the Globe and Mail. Today’s Parent magazine ranked the city among the top five best cities for families and the Economist ranked Calgary tied for 5th as the best Cities to live in the world in its most recent liveability survey. The Toronto Board of Trade also named Calgary the 3rd most prosperous city of 24 cities in its most recent prosperity index.
4. Not to mention the Rocky Mountains and famous Banff national park are just a stone throw away (ok, maybe not a stone throw, but depending on where you are in the city the longest it could take is about 90 minutes.)
5. Calgary is one of only 3 places in the world that claim to be rat-free along with the Arctic and Antarctic
6. I can walk into any doctor or hospital 24 hours a day 365 days a year and receive immediate no fee treatment.
7. 500-or-so parks and reserves provide rewarding wildlife viewing opportunities and invigorating hiking and biking trails.
8. Youngest population in Canada with 41% between the ages of 20-44 and the average age of only 36!
9. Calgary has one of the largest city land areas in North America.
10. Highest personal income per capita and more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in Canada!
11. 2nd highest concentration of head office’s in Canada and highest concentration of head offices per capita!
12. Largest plus 15 network in North America
13. Alberta touts more golf courses than any other province.
14. It also boasts more than 600 lakes for water-sport lovers
15. Largest pathway system in North America with 600+ km of pathways
16. Canada has the worlds third largest oil reserves and 97% of that is in Alberta. Additionally Canada is the worlds only major oil reserve holder whose resource revenues fund a flourishing democracy, freedom and the liberty we enjoy.
17. Calgary has the highest percentage of homeownership in the country
18. Canada has the highest Quality of Life in the world,after Denmark, although we have way more land and way more resources!
19. Canada has the world’s highest tertiary education enrolment
20. Canada contains 9% of the world’s renewable water supply
21. The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede!
22. Calgary boasts one of the highest volunteer participation rates in Canada
23. Calgary is one of the safest and healthiest big cities in the world
24. Our city is surrounded by an incredible agricultural ecosystem that produces some of the best products (beef, wheat, barley, etc.) and cultures from around the world, giving us an incredibly diverse dining experience.
25. YYC, Calgary’s airport is currently building the longest runway in Canada and the tallest control tower in the country. As one of Canada’s busiest airports this will only add to the east of travel, cargo and business to and from anywhere in the world!
What do you Love about Calgary?
No political b/s like in BC
Learner’s License at 14(15?) and driving at 16
Drinking age is 18
I agree with all of them… except no rats! I live in BC now and have 3 adorable pet rats.
I never knew rats could be pets! what part of bc do you live in? do you miss Calgary at all?
We can start out every year honestly believing that THIS will be the year our city’s hockey team will win the Stanley Cup!
Our city is surrounded by an incredible agricultural ecosystem that produces some of the best products (beef, wheat, barley, etc.) and cultures from around the world, giving us an incredibly diverse dining experience.
Great article, there is no place on earth I would rather call home or raise my family. The community and spirit of this city are unmatched.
Great articular I live now in High River I was born and raised in Calgary I still consider myself a Calgarian living in a bedroom community.
EVERYTHING! We have a rich and beautiful city that is incredibly diverse, and the mountains are visible and reachable every day! Oh, and the air is so sweet!
You forgot the biggest reason. The friendliness of the people living here. I’ve travelled all over the world and Calgary is easily one of the friendliest and hospitable cities around.
Wow…Reading this page ” 20 reasons to love Calgary ” and reading all your comments make me anxious to go live there. My husband started working there since last week and I will join him with my two sons probably on december. Thanks everyone!
26. Calgarians are nice and warm-hearted. I just love Calgary and Calgarians. It is lucky to live here.
Fish Creek Park is the largest inner-city park in North America AND Nose Hill Park is supposedly on a “lay line” of which there are only 8 in the world. They run North to South and Stonehenge is on one of them!
Thanks for the comment Mark!
You have 2 awesome rivers going right in the middle of Downtown and you can always just walk to the park almost in every corner.
Calgary is one of the best cities in the world. Period!!!
100%, Calgary is one of the best!
We do not receive ‘immediate’ medical treatment 24/7 – we have access to waiting rooms, with minimum 5 hour wait times.
Thank you for your comment Bea, I guess in my opinion regardless of how busy the hospital might be and if we have to wait for me the key is that we can get in and can get world class medical care without having to worry about how much it could cost or if we have coverage.
I am thankful that if i call 911 an ambulance will arrive within minutes and amazing nurses and doctors will look after me, (even if i do have to wait a little bit to see them…)
I agree with ALMOST everything….EXCEPT…Saskatoon is actually the youngest city in Canada!!
Hey Jaclyn, thank you for your comment! Great minds think alike! As for Saskatoon, do you mean in terms of when the city was founded or population wise? I also love Sask!
Hello Cody, Wow! i read about your artice about Calgary, it has impacted me to have thoughts about moving there. 1 year ago My husband and I wanted to go to calgary, however when we heard about the weather over there we decided to not go. I live in Vaughan, Ontario, i’m trying to have a full time job for so long i vaughan and my husband and i are sick and tierd from low paying jobs. I have 3 kids ages 8-14 and i am a pharmacy assitant so i am writing that to help me and advise myself about moving to Calgary. i have been searching for more info about Calgary for soo long until i found your article which amazed me! i hope to hear more from you about house prices and where the best spot in calgary is the best to live in. Thank You
I am thinking of moving to Calgary from Edmonton. Every time I come to Calgary it is like a breath of fresh air, to be honest I think Calgary is a much better city than Edmonton. I am going to be renting; can you let me know where the best areas are to rent an apartment. Thank you.
Hi Ann, thank you for your comment. There are many wonderful areas of Calgary to live in. Please feel free to call me anytime and I would be happy to discuss with you further!