Moving to Calgary
Calgary's latitudinal position (approximately 51 degrees north of the equator) is similar to that of Seattle, London, Paris and Berlin – meaning that it enjoys beautifully long summer days, but regrettably long winter nights. However, unlike some of those cities, Calgary – located in the 'plains region' of southern Alberta – is blessed with plenty of sunshine hours, crisp, clean air, and low rainfall. Located in an area of appreciable natural beauty, Calgary itself is also something of a 'natural city': research conducted by Mercer in 2010 – which studied waste removal, sewerage systems, the availability and potability of water, air pollution and traffic congestion – declared Calgary the 'world's leading eco-city'. Calgary is also an unusually young city by Canadian standards, with the average age of its citizens being about 35.The backbone of Calgary's economy has for many years been the oil industry. Its reserves, in the form of oil-sands, are thought to be second only to Saudi Arabia's – and it is therefore unsurprising that Calgary is one of Canada's wealthiest cities. However, while the large majority of expats in Calgary are still employed in the energy sector, low taxes (just 14 percent, and with no payroll tax) have encouraged a lot of new businesses to set up shop in the city – and so skilled expats should have no problem in finding gainful employment, no matter their field of specialisation.
Calgary is often considered as lacking some of the rich history and multiculturalism of other Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver – but this perception is also changing rapidly, as areas such as International Avenue (predictably full of ethnic restaurants and curio shopping) grow in status and popularity. Calgary also boasts a thriving theatre industry, a heritage of marching-band music, and hosts several folk and art festivals year-round (including the Calgary Stampede) – while celebrated tourist attractions include the Calgary Zoo, the Glenbow Museum, Heritage Park and Calaway Park, the largest amusement park in western Canada.
However, the great attraction of living in Calgary must remain its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, and the wonderful views and outdoor lifestyle opportunities that the majestic range has to offer. Just 80 miles (about 130km) from the world-famous resort area of Banff, visitors to Calgary will have ample opportunity to hone their skiing and snowboarding skills; while in the summer, the nearby Bow River is extremely popular with fly-fisherman. Mountain biking and golf are also well-established leisure activities in Calgary – and there are numerous extra-curricular activities for kids to get involved in, as well.
Living in Calgary is, by all accounts, much more of a pleasure than a chore – the Economist Intelligence Unit's latest (2011) study reveals it to be the world's '5th most liveable city'. Although expat reports do indicate that, in recent years, the city's infrastructure has been battling to keep up with its incredible growth, with increased traffic congestion, a lack of affordable housing, and a shortage of space in schools and childcare programmes, it’s important to note that these concerns are being addressed.
Furthermore, Calgary remains blessed with an extremely low crime rate, a reliable public transport system, great healthcare, and a wonderful network of urban park areas. Moreover, the unique +15 Skyway network – that is, a network of pedestrian walkways built 15 feet above the ground – links almost every building in the core downtown area to every other, effectively turning Calgary's CBD into a massive shopping mall. The +15 walkways are heated, which is a true godsend in winter, when despite the freezing temperatures outside, you can go about your daily business without need for a coat or boots.
