Lifestyle and Shopping in Calgary
Like most of Canada, Calgary's lifestyle is focused more on outdoor recreation than urban entertainment. With over 8,000 hectares of open space and parkland, this is a city that will suit expats who'd rather spend their time in natural surroundings than in shopping malls; and who prefer doing things, to being passively entertained.
Outdoor sports are hugely popular in Calgary. In the warm summer months, you can enjoy trout-fishing on the gorgeous Bow River, golf on one of the many lush, perfectly-manicured courses, horseback trails, mountain-biking – or, for the more extreme nature enthusiasts, canoeing or whitewater rafting through nearby mountain valleys. Camping, hiking and wildlife-watching are also celebrated summer activities in Calgary – and the best of these spots are not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also easily accessible from the city.
However, the main attraction – and the lifeblood of Calgary's outdoor leisure scene – must be the city's close proximity to the majestic Rocky Mountains. Just 50 miles (80km) from downtown Calgary, the Rockies are celebrated around the world not only for their pristine beauty, but also for the wide range of activities on offer among their snowy peaks. Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular pursuits – but for those just wishing to relax and soak up the alpine atmosphere, there are numerous resort towns, such as Banff, that offer you the chance to do just that (and in appreciable comfort, to boot). Be sure not to miss Lake Moraine – a spectacular, turquoise-blue, glacially-fed body of water hemmed in by towering pine trees. For true winter sport enthusiasts, Canada Olympic Park (located near the University of Calgary) offers plenty of space, and expert coaching for you to hone your skills on the slopes.
Alberta is known as the 'most American' of Canada's provinces, and an important aspect of the lifestyle in Calgary is a real, continuing pride in the trappings of its frontier history – hence the plethora of rodeo shows, steakhouses and 'western wear' outlets throughout the city. While these accoutrements have led many to deride Calgary as being “less sophisticated” than Vancouver or Toronto – and while this observation is probably true – the city does retain an endearingly unpretentious quality to it, which some expats might appreciate.
In terms of culture, dining and shopping opportunities, Calgary does indeed lag behind other, more cosmopolitan Canadian cities – although to be fair, in its official press statements it proudly describes itself as a 'theatre city', and has invested significantly into the development of this art-form in recent years. The Calgary restaurant scene is by all accounts solid, if not spectacular (try the ethnic cuisine places on International Avenue); while the nightlife is dominated by insipid (and largely cowboy-themed) bars and clubs.
As far as shopping is concerned, there are an assortment of malls in and around Calgary, and some interesting curio shops lining International Avenue – but the highlight must be the weekly (indoor) Calgary Farmers' Market, where you can buy bison sausage, elk steaks, artisanal bread and a wide range of fresh dairy products. Suffice it to say that the lifestyle in Calgary is not suited to shopaholics – however, if the need becomes too great, the West Edmonton Mall (about three hours' drive away) is the largest shopping complex in North America, and the fifth largest in the world.
It must also be mentioned that during mid-winter, life in Calgary can be a little trying. It can get extremely cold (-22ºF, or -30ºC) in late December/early January – and expats will need to get accustomed to seeing hardly anyone out on the streets, and to dividing their time between their cars and the great indoors. Finally, the +15 pedestrian walkway system – although a true blessing in winter, when you can walk around the heated 'skyways' in relative comfort – has also been criticised for 'robbing' downtown Calgary of any kind of streetlife. This might be disconcerting for expats who are used to living in cities with bustling CBDs.
Outdoor sports are hugely popular in Calgary. In the warm summer months, you can enjoy trout-fishing on the gorgeous Bow River, golf on one of the many lush, perfectly-manicured courses, horseback trails, mountain-biking – or, for the more extreme nature enthusiasts, canoeing or whitewater rafting through nearby mountain valleys. Camping, hiking and wildlife-watching are also celebrated summer activities in Calgary – and the best of these spots are not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also easily accessible from the city.Outdoor attractions near Calgary
However, the main attraction – and the lifeblood of Calgary's outdoor leisure scene – must be the city's close proximity to the majestic Rocky Mountains. Just 50 miles (80km) from downtown Calgary, the Rockies are celebrated around the world not only for their pristine beauty, but also for the wide range of activities on offer among their snowy peaks. Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular pursuits – but for those just wishing to relax and soak up the alpine atmosphere, there are numerous resort towns, such as Banff, that offer you the chance to do just that (and in appreciable comfort, to boot). Be sure not to miss Lake Moraine – a spectacular, turquoise-blue, glacially-fed body of water hemmed in by towering pine trees. For true winter sport enthusiasts, Canada Olympic Park (located near the University of Calgary) offers plenty of space, and expert coaching for you to hone your skills on the slopes.
Alberta is known as the 'most American' of Canada's provinces, and an important aspect of the lifestyle in Calgary is a real, continuing pride in the trappings of its frontier history – hence the plethora of rodeo shows, steakhouses and 'western wear' outlets throughout the city. While these accoutrements have led many to deride Calgary as being “less sophisticated” than Vancouver or Toronto – and while this observation is probably true – the city does retain an endearingly unpretentious quality to it, which some expats might appreciate.
In terms of culture, dining and shopping opportunities, Calgary does indeed lag behind other, more cosmopolitan Canadian cities – although to be fair, in its official press statements it proudly describes itself as a 'theatre city', and has invested significantly into the development of this art-form in recent years. The Calgary restaurant scene is by all accounts solid, if not spectacular (try the ethnic cuisine places on International Avenue); while the nightlife is dominated by insipid (and largely cowboy-themed) bars and clubs.Shopping in Calgary
As far as shopping is concerned, there are an assortment of malls in and around Calgary, and some interesting curio shops lining International Avenue – but the highlight must be the weekly (indoor) Calgary Farmers' Market, where you can buy bison sausage, elk steaks, artisanal bread and a wide range of fresh dairy products. Suffice it to say that the lifestyle in Calgary is not suited to shopaholics – however, if the need becomes too great, the West Edmonton Mall (about three hours' drive away) is the largest shopping complex in North America, and the fifth largest in the world.
It must also be mentioned that during mid-winter, life in Calgary can be a little trying. It can get extremely cold (-22ºF, or -30ºC) in late December/early January – and expats will need to get accustomed to seeing hardly anyone out on the streets, and to dividing their time between their cars and the great indoors. Finally, the +15 pedestrian walkway system – although a true blessing in winter, when you can walk around the heated 'skyways' in relative comfort – has also been criticised for 'robbing' downtown Calgary of any kind of streetlife. This might be disconcerting for expats who are used to living in cities with bustling CBDs.
