r/Calgary • u/AutoModerator • Feb 18 '24
Moving to Calgary Moving to Calgary Megathread
Please ask (and answer) any and all questions related to moving to the Calgary area in this thread.
Suggested format for submitted information regarding neighbourhoods:
- Quadrant / Neighborhood you live in
- Your age (20s,30s,40s,50s etc)
- Do you have kids? Would you recommend your area for people with kids?
- How would you rate your area on transit accessibility /10?
- How would you rate your area on drivability /10?
- How would you rate the walkability /10?
- How would you rate the affordability /10?
- What is your favourite thing about your area?
- What is your least favourite thing about your area?
- Any other highlights of your neighbourhood you'd like to share?
Previous Megathread: Moving to Calgary Megathread
Rental websites: Rentfaster, Kijiji, Other Options
Real Estate: Realtor.ca, ReMax, Royal LePage, RealEstate403, Housing information via CREB
Jobs: r/Calgary career and employment thread
Neighborhood information: Calgary Police Crime Heat Map, Map, Communities by Quadrant w/ Info
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u/Famous_Joke_744 Mar 03 '24
Moving from Australia to Calgary
Hi everyone, my wife and I are contemplating moving to the Calgary area with our two kids in the next year or two.
We currently have 5 acres with horses and would be looking for a similar setup. Just wondering if anyone has recommendations for areas to look?
I work from home so I donāt need to commute to work. Would be looking to live somewhere between Calgary and Banff as Iām into my snowboarding.
Any tips/advice would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
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u/Outrageous-Leather21 Mar 20 '24
What are such circumstances that you you wanna move here from Australia? Any specific reason?Ā Australian weather is way better than Calgary. Australian economy is way better than Calgary. Australian Education is way better. Australian Healthcare is way better. What interested you in Canada? Just curious. Actually,Ā very curious to know.
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u/ChocolateChunkMaster Jul 05 '24
Late response here and Iām not OP, but Im a Canadian that lived in Australia for 2 years. Before moving there, I thought I was going to go get a PR and live in Australia permanently. Both my husband and I work in highly demanded sectors and could easily get a sponsorship. While we were there, we were both offered sponsorship.
Like you said the weather is way better, their education system is way more accessible to the public, and while I epsilon say their economy is better, the jobs do pay much better. However, the culture there is so drastically different. If you donāt like/fit in with Australian culture, living there is very difficult. It is 100% the reason I came back to a much more difficult life in Canada.
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Jul 12 '24
What about the culture is so different? I'm just curious. I have always felt like Australians are just like us, but with hotter weather.Ā
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u/ChocolateChunkMaster Jul 23 '24
Every culture has its pros and cons, and while there are some things I miss terribly, there are parts of the culture I am very glad to be away from.Ā
Some of the pros:
they are extremely transparent in every aspect of life and daily living. All salaries are posted with job offerings, prices you see online for anything weather itās groceries, vacations, rentals, etc., ALL include all of the taxes and fees. Nothing is hidden and it makes shopping/house hunting/planning so much less stressful. All prices are always listed on websites. Itās a dream.Ā
this transparency translated to daily life as well. You know where you stand with people, thereās no bs.Ā
the food rating system. Itās long to explain but I love it.Ā
NO TIP CULTUREĀ
an actual livable minimum wage. Minimum wage starts at $30/hr for non-salaried workers, with higher pay on weekends ($40-$45) and holidays ($70/hr). This is for unskilled work such as working at McDonalds or being a server.Ā
Some cons:
rampant alcoholism and gambling addictions. Itās very difficult to find people to socialize with if you donāt want to get completely wasted. And every pub and bar has slot machines. It does not make for a fulfilling social life at all. In my 2 years there, I could not find anyone to play board games with me. Iāve been in a new city now for 2 weeks in Canada and already found multiple game cafes and 3 different weekly free game nights to meet people at.Ā
extremely toxic masculinity. If you serve a guy a drink and put a straw in it, he will get very upset because you are āemasculatingā him. I had a coworker whose boyfriend broke her rib during sex, and she just laughed it off as āliking it rough.ā In general men and women seem to be very separate and put each other on pedestals a lot. Their perception of each other is so strangely distant.Ā
mental health awareness and treatment is so far behind. As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, I found it awful. When experiencing suicidal thoughts, I was told by therapists to āstay positiveā and to try mushroomsĀ
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u/rasurri Jul 20 '24
I can't agree with most statements here. Yes, Australian weather in general is way better than Calgary's. Now, the economy... you make more money, but spend significantly more. Housing situation and prices are horrible in Sydney (more expensive than anywhere in Canada), and Melbourne and Brisbane (on par with Vancouver/Toronto and with the cities mainly compose expensive, non-descript suburbs). And where exactly did you read that Australian education is better than Canada's/Calgary's? The decline of public schooling in Australia is well documented, unless you can afford private schooling. University education isn't better than in Canada either. Healthcare is marginally better, and you will still need to pay quite a bit for quality healthcare.
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u/BBBWare May 22 '24
Lol, you live somewhere you think the heat is uncomfortable?
What I would give to see your face the first moment you experience -40 C windchill in Alberta. Every nerve in your face and eyes will be screaming. And within the first minute of breathing outside, fluid in your nostrils are literally frozen. Frostbite within minutes is a real thing.
You don't need to move to Alberta for better weather. You need a fucking reality check.
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u/AfraidAvocado Jun 16 '24
Why so harsh? Dress for the weather and youāre fine. I had to be outside for work during this years cold snap trying to stop things from freezing and ended up braving -35 before wind chill on and off for 12 hours. Granted, I was wearing more layers than I could count but it was doable. Besides, most people donāt see the cold for more than a few minutes at a time, interspersed through the day. Calgary has nice weather all things considered. Not too cold for too long and not too hot for too long. Sunny skies a good chunk of the year with chinooks to break up the cold in winter.
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u/BBBWare Jun 17 '24
No argument. I'm completely fine with Calgary's weather. Then again, I grew up in Alberta all my life. For us -20 to -30 degrees is considered standard winter weather. For vast majority of the world's population, anything below -10 is considered extreme.
Have you been to Australia?
Australians bring out their sweaters and "winter" jackets when temperature drops to 15+ degrees. Their seasons are basically spring and summer. To move to Alberta from Australia with the idea of better weather is simply absurd.
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u/hslmdjim Mar 10 '24
Just curious why you'd want to pickup and leave for a much colder climate?
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u/Famous_Joke_744 Mar 13 '24
I currently live in a place where itās 30C and above for majority of the year and very humid. Makes it very hard to enjoy doing anything when youāre constantly sweating. I much prefer to live in a cold area and snowboarding is also a passion of mine. Being able to get on a board more than 7 days a year would be the dream and Iād love for my kids to experience that growing up.
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u/Sea-Swim-6436 Mar 21 '24
you're gonna have extremely hot summers and extremely cold winters in alberta. We hit +40 and -40 a couple times a year annually
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u/Queltis6000 Woodbine Apr 10 '24
The 'extremely hot' and +40 parts are complete bullshit. The all time record is 37. We only get +30 a few days a year. And these are dry heats - if the dude can handle over 30 and humid he can handle most heats. Our summers will seem cool to him, especially at night.
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u/DashTrash21 Mar 05 '24
Those properties are mostly 1.5 million + in that area, it's prime ranch land and also very desireable.
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u/carlsonmark Mar 08 '24
When I think horses and snowboarding, I think Pincher Creek / Crowsnest. Close to Fernie, which is an excellent resort. Or the Columbia Valley just west of Alberta in BC.
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u/CND_ May 14 '24
If you want to be close to the mountains you would be looking south (Okotoks/High River) or west (ex: Cochrane). If you have the $$$ Canmore is beautiful and really close to the mountains.
If you haven't been to Canada before I do recommend visiting in December, January, or February before moving to make sure you can handle the cold. It gets cold enough here that diesel will gel, and any vehicle outside and not plugged in won't start. By plugged in I mean the block heater for gas engines.
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u/DryAlbatross9617 May 29 '24
Melbournian here. I lived in Calgary for 3 years. There are many places that are far more suited to what you're after right here in Oz. Calgary and Canada, in general, are great. Loved my time there, but.... Australia is ahead in most comparisons. And the cold. Trust me. It's like nothing anyone is Oz has ever experienced
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u/AlbertaBikeSwapBIKES Apr 11 '24
Quadrant: NW
Old as dirt
Kids walked to University of Calgary, we're walking distance to the C-Train line for other schools
Transit accessibility is great for cycling, walking (close to Nose Hill), transit
Drivability - not bad
Affordability is horrid. Two people passed away within the last 9 months, both homes sold to the same investor that rebuilt the homes and doubled the price, took away the charm, cut down the trees, and now we have cookie cutter homes in our area that was built in the 60s
Proximity to libraries, groceries, and schools
Investors buying up affordable homes
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Mar 06 '24
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u/hilariouslyfunny99 Feb 27 '24
Question: isnāt Montreal a more desirable place to live in than Calgary? Cost of living is cheaper there too
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u/hslmdjim Mar 07 '24
It's hard to live in Montreal long term if you don't speak fluent French
Montreal incomes are generally lower and higher taxes
The first point probably removes most interprovincial migrants from BC and Ontario.
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Apr 04 '24
More desirable lol? In what way? I take it youāve never been to either, or both cities, in order to make an accurate statement.
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u/gorggirlgetaway Feb 25 '24
Hi all, moving to calgary in may for 16 months from vancouver, looking for a place around the airport, what are some good affordable neightbourhoods around that? would appreciate any suggestions! thanks
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u/Satellaui Mar 03 '24
Hello,
I'm from a below average income family in rural area of Pinewood in BC.
I'm not that good at urban social norms, however, I want to pretend I live my life in the city.
I got accepted in SAIT Art Smith Aero Center as 3rd party scholarships.
I want to know how can I get a good location near my training school.
I'm not wealth off, I want to know if there is anything tips how to save money such in;
food, transportation (so far college gave me whole city pass), clothing like thrift shops and room to rent.
Guides where and how to get a part time jobs, such as what are the common platforms, townhall procedures and norms. (I heard its a bit different in my conservative town)
Unknown Tips how to get licenses for small firearms or at least get a paper spray.
I'll be moving in the summer.
tl:dr asking for tips and tricks to min/max survivability and financially.
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u/Evening-Print-7701 Mar 20 '24
Aerosmith is attached to the airport. The NE is the cheapest (and sketchiest) part of Calgary. Target your search to the NE, east of the airport.
I assume you mean pepper spray. You don't need a license for it, just have to be over 18. Same rules as in BC. Firearm rules are also the same as BC.
If you're going to be at the Aerosmith centre get a job as rampy at one of the FBOs or at YYC. Airsprint is directly beside Aerosmith. It will also give you an in for whatever role your looking for after you graduate. Aviation is all about who you know.Ā
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u/StatisticianMoist100 Mar 26 '24
You can DM me on Reddit with any questions you have and I'll try and answer, you can't carry small arms in a city or pepper spray legally, be aware of that, you will be stopped, questioned, and fined if you are seen with those things in the city by police.
If you have a transit pass you can get anywhere worth going in the city with trains and buses. Getting to the Aero Center without a car is probably going to be a huge pain in the ass still, sorry. Maybe ask the SAIT stuff the best way to transport, speaking of that, SAIT has student resources for you to ask all these questions to people specifically for students as well so you can ask them.
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u/_6siXty6_ Falconridge Mar 17 '24
I live in the NE. I'm considering selling my house and moving into a condo in the downtown area. Any buildings that you'd recommend? My maximum budget for purchase price would be approximately 550k, but lower cost is fine too. My maximum monthly budget for condo fees, utilities, taxes would be $1500 (would be purchasing outright, so obviously $1500 wouldn't need to include mortgage payment).
I'm looking for a building that has
- gym
- conceigre or security
- pool would be a bonus
- unground parking
- 1 Bedroom
- Downtown
- 1 bedroom
- will accept a cat
Any suggestions as to what buildings to look at? I already have realtor in mind, I just want personal experience and opinions as to which building is best.
I'm single 44 F, and all I really do is work and am pretty quiet/non partier.
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u/userswiththecats Apr 06 '24
Castello Condo are good. Guardian is an option too but I feel like because of its size, you get some unruliness.
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u/coffee-and-brunch Jun 27 '24
I lived in the Verve building in East Village for 6 years (owned) and of the many buildings I have lived in DT Calgary - the best concierge and security. Easy walk to everything, beautiful views, right by river and pathways, lot's of community events, places to eat, grocery store. There were a lot of homeless people around the outskirts of east village but as a female, I was never concerned. The building doesn't allow airbnb or short term rentals so it was nice to know the people in it were owners or renters and were more mindful of taking care of the space.
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u/Res205 Apr 14 '24
Moving from Dublin To Calgary with a cat.
What's the best way to find an apartment and avoid being potentially scammed?
I'm thinking about renting an AirBnb for a month before signing a contract on a place I haven't seen yet.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
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u/Jane1l1lDough Apr 17 '24
Make sure the AirBnB host is well-reviewed and yes don't rent anything before you've viewed it. Housing is scarce and although you probably won't get outright swindled, the pictures will always favour the landlord.
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u/cpf01 Apr 16 '24
I moved cities many times. The only a bad experience I had was the one time I rented a place sight unseen - decent place but a terrible landlord.
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u/0395stock Jul 03 '24
Hello everyone. Due to circumstances I have to move out. I currently live in Toronto and was planning to move to Calgary in 2025 with my gf but our move has been accelerated. Might not even end up going to calgary this year if we can find somewhere for a year thats cheap here but moving to the SW area regardless as we bought a home there so thoughts on that area are greatly appreciated as well.
I was hoping to get advice/opinions from local calgarians or recent nomads on areas of calgary that are sketchy and not as well as social and hotspots for people our age. We are 23 and 25 so somewhere downtown is what we were thinking but other areas thats might be cheaper are good too . We have a car or can get one there but not adverse to public transit either. I read in a few posts the SE is a lil sketch but any further insight would be appreciated as i canāt verify.
Lastly, i dont mean for this post to be entitled or me being lazy with research. I have had the blessing to be able to visit calgary in the summer as well as the winter and have loved it since no matter weather. I have been doing and will continue to do the research but would appreciate anything you all may think is helpful.
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u/hslmdjim Jul 05 '24
The downtown is not any worse than what you'd find in Toronto. They are a bit more visible because transit is above ground, versus them congregating at subway stations like Bloor. The Drop in Centre is a bit sketchy, but honestly wouldn't worry about it unless your girlfriend works late and need to walk home alone. It has gotten worse here over the last few years which contributes to the sentiment on these subreddits, but overall, it's just the city getting bigger and starting to have big city problems.
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u/Jsocial21 Feb 25 '24
Moved from Toronto in January
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Mar 02 '24
How are you liking it? I move this April
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u/Jsocial21 Mar 02 '24
I really love it out here, my condo is huge. Ppl are great Iām looking forward to the summer
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u/bringabout1296 Feb 18 '24
Moving from toronto to Calgary in june. Was not originally from Toronto anyway. Not a fan of fast hustle life in gta here. Moving with wife and baby 8mo. 26M here. Will ship car and then fly, thats the plan so far. Uhaul ubox for stuff shipping. Hope to buy a house there and settle. Using hansens for car shipping. Will rent for some time until we find a house. A bit nervous flying first time with baby. Havent decided what area to live in. Thanks for reading hope you have a great day! I love calgary and looking g forward for the move.
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u/TallAssociation6479 Mar 04 '24
We routinely do 10hr flights and have when our kids were babies. Bring extra diapers and wipes (theyāre useful for spills and things, too). Being safety pins. Bring lots of snacks. If baby breastfeeds it will be a breeze for the baby but a drain for the mom. Bring snacks and comfort for her. 2 changes of clothes for baby minimum. You both need a full change of clothes. No one wants to get barfed on by a baby. No one want to sit in barf for 6 hrs in n public! Screen time just overstimulates them - donāt fall for that trap. Bring books and pack a bag with multiple closed bags and boxes of little toys. Babes that age love to discover what is inside something ā¦ you get the play of openings, taking out, playing with it, putting it back. I spent many a flight mostly on this. Make sure you bring a light blanket and if there is a lady, her wearing a shawl makes a world of difference. The shawl can be used for warmth, to extend the play fort when you tie it to the tray tables and safety pin to headrests .
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u/Infamous_Big7896 Feb 23 '24
I feel you bro. I had a lot of anxiety, worries, joy and got sht scared when we made the move. We drove for 6 days from YQM to YYC while towing a 6x12 uhaul. With 3 small kids, youngest was 1+ month old. We were on the road for 14 to 18hrs every day, wife and i taking turns to drive - lots of all kind of break - toilet/gas/nap/kids tantrum/side trip/sight seeing.
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u/constnt_dsapntmnt Feb 19 '24
Drove from Toronto to Calgary. Had 3 nights on the road. Sault Ste Marie--- thunder Bay ---- Regina SK.
It's a beautiful drive and since your child is small. You guys could definitely enjoy it.
All the best brother.
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u/EmotionalAthlete5464 Apr 08 '24
Hello all,
Who moved from Montreal to Calgary last 1-2 years? Can you list your advices, surprises, tips and bills you have to pay, please?
Last year we moved from Montreal to Vancouver. We knew the cost of living as we did some research about that, but... You never know what bills you have to pay, because this is not an info posted anywhere.
As example, in QC, car insurance you can get a quote from the bank. In other words is an info easy to get the answer. When I was asking people how much they pay in BC the answer is always "it depends". C'mon... I'm in BC right now and I can say that I pay insurance 168$ for a 2011 Honda Pilot. I don't get why to hide a simple answer with "it depends". Or another example: I didn't expect that in BC public schools don't have school busses, and I have to drop my kids at 8:30AM and pick them up at 2:50PM. Seriously!!! When people are working with such schedule. Such info nobody is posting in YT or FB.
The only details about bills I found on utilities. Somebody mentioned that electricity+water for a 3bed house =300. I guess that is for 2 months, right?
In other words to understand my question/issue, I'm trying to convince my wife to move to Calgary instead of going back to Montreal, but... I need your experience, what issues did you meet that don't exist in QC, etc. etc. What are your bills?
Thank you in advance for understanding my issues and helping me with decision.
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u/comcanada78 Jun 11 '24
Hey i just stumbled upon this, but i can help a bit with your confusion in BC.
Car insurance is based on your driving history (years, accidents), personal details like age, along with the type of car you have. It is all run through icbc which is a crown corporation (publically owned company). The reliance on those factors make it hard for random people to give you an estimate, but contacting icbc should help as they are the only sellers for car insurance in BC. Banks cant help you in BC as we did not privatize the insurance like other provinces.Ā
For school busses, the public school system (which is more popular than the public systems in other provinces) is broken out into school districts. Each school district is responsible for school busses. I have never heard of a school district not having school busses, but if that is the case i would contact your local school district directly to see what they can do for you.Ā
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u/RepresentativeFact94 May 02 '24
Moving from New Brunswick to Calgary with my GF. She moved here to get a masters and is taking me back with her. I posted in the Job Megathread but since it doesnt seem to be stickied, I just wanted to drop my job-hunt question in the appropriate thread, and link it here, just to increase visibility. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to respond :)
https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/1b72lb9/comment/l2bb0ih/
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u/brew_war Oakridge May 08 '24
Calgary is very much a who you know city. I would get onto LinkedIn and see if there's any local groups that are relevant to your career and join them. See if there are any meetups and go. Also make sure alerts are set for the job types that you're interested in.
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u/troublingmind May 12 '24
- Quadrant: West Hillhurst
- Age: 50s Empty nester
- Transit Accessibility: 8
- Drivability: 9
- Walkability: 10
- Affordability: 6
- Favourite thing about your area? Lots of shops & restaurants you can walk to. The river walk & downtown are close. People are friendly.
- Least favourite thing about your area? Nothing
- Highlights of your neighbourhood you'd like to share? My community is friendly and even though it's changing, there is a mix of people.
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u/happicorgi May 19 '24
Hi there, wondering if anyone can give advice on Huntington Hills community. My partner and I are looking to buy there as itās where he grew up but I have no connection to it. Is it safe? Is it a good community to raise a young family?
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u/6pimpjuice9 May 24 '24
Most neighbourhoods are decently safe in Calgary. It depends on your perspective and what you are used to. Calgary has grown a lot since I grew up so there is for sure more crime now, but that just comes with a bigger city.
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u/DragonfruitLanky9706 May 21 '24
Hello! 20-year-old moving to Calgary in the coming months because of a job offer. I was wondering what the best neighbourhood would be best to live in for a young adult just out of college. Preferably close(ish) to downtown with public transport as that's where I'll be working. I'm looking for a place that is potentially more social as I don't know anyone in Calgary. Thanks!
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u/hslmdjim Jul 05 '24
Beltline for the downtown lifestyle and more single/young professionals. Kensington/Bridgeland which is still young but more of a mix with some families. Kensington/Bridgeland have great transit access that you probably don't need a car right away.
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u/walkingrivers Jun 05 '24
Moving with family from atlantic canada back to Calgary after a few years away. Considering Riverbend, Douglas Glen, or Ogden/Lynnwood. In the past we lived in the core and Northwest, so I don't know those areas.
They seem like good options for our situation now. We can afford an average home there. Easy access to nature in the river valley and accessibility to the city by deerfoot/glenmore and bike trails.
How are the local elementary schools (CBE)?
Lots of families with young kids ( under 10 years old)? having kids on the street is one of the major quality of life factors.
Lynnwood/Ogden seems to have a bad reputation but from the outside looks great.
Thanks!
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u/Alaisx Millrise Jun 24 '24
We were considering Riverbend or Douglas Glen but in the last 6 months it has exploded in popularity with homes routinely going for 50-150K over asking. We ended up in Millrise instead, moving in later this week.
Lynnwood/Ogden are very different from Riverbend and Douglas Glen. Much older properties, lots of bungalows, a bit sketchier but depends on the area. I suggest doing a Google Streetview around the area around any houses you are considering. Check if it looks well kept or run down as it is hugely variable.
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Jun 11 '24
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u/coolcarls Jun 12 '24
I don't think it's necessary... But then again summers do keep getting hotter, and it is handy if there is a lot of smoke from forest fires and you don't want to open your windows. Hopefully that doesn't happen this year though
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u/Rommellj Jun 18 '24
Calgary isn't traditionally a A/C mandatory place, most rentals won't have it as standard except the very new ones. Historically summer nights are cool (much cooler than Vancouver summer nights), so open windows will solve all your heat problems in a few minutes in all but the hottest periods of summer.
That is changing - this year has been very cool so far, but last few years have been record heat (like everywhere else on the planet). More people are installing air conditioning as a result.
Depends on your comfort levels and if you are in the city for July and August. If you are away for those months or interning somewhere, then there's no point to A/C. Look for a newer apartment (2005+) for A/C being more likely.
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u/Discorian Jul 04 '24
I'm heat sensitive and consider it a must have. You probably only need it 6 weeks of the year, but you really do during those 6 weeks
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u/hslmdjim Jul 05 '24
Also depends a lot on where you are living. In a basement suite, absolutely do not need. Mid floor in a concrete building, also uncessarry. Wood frame, maybe. Top floor condo or detached house, I'd consider it if you are sensitive. For reference, Calgary gets fairly cold at night even in the summer. So the warm times are really only late afternoon to maybe 3-4am. I have AC and have only turned it maybe two weeks max a year.
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Jun 19 '24
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u/Discorian Jul 04 '24
How far are you willing to walk to work? There's not many good apartment options close by that I can think of, but you'd have better odds with a basement or upstairs rental in Sunnyside or Hillhurt with that budget. Condo/Apartment bylaws aren't very forgiving for large dogs, but some landlords are.
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u/ooDymasOo Jul 12 '24
Consider inner city and grabbing a bus or the train. That's pretty smack dab in the middle of downtown. Could do mardaloop or sunalta or bridgeland or kilarney or wildwood...
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u/briannafaye01 Jul 06 '24
Hi , Iām looking into moving to Calgary from sask . Wondering what area is safe for kids as I have little ones & needing a place near a school and safe good area . Renting would be helpful
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u/ooDymasOo Jul 12 '24
The stereotypical places to avoid would be forest lawn, dover, marlborough, penbrook, some parts of bowness. The NE has the largest SE Asian population so people from that part of the world do like to live in that area a lot of cuisine/services catering to them in that area. But pretty much any neighbourhood is safe otherwise for the most part. The communities on the edge of the city to maybe 3-4 neighbourhoods deep into calgary you rarely hear about much happening.
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Jul 16 '24
The only place in the city I wouldn't be happy about my kids walking around alone is Marlborough and East village. Even forest lawn which gets a bad reputation is fairly family friendly.Ā
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u/Knightkingca Mar 17 '24
Hi everyone!!
My wife and I are relocating from Toronto to Calgary in early May. We're looking for a rental apartment (1BR) that is not too far, but also not too close to the airport, while also being reasonably priced. Ideally, I don't mind driving 15-20 minutes (or even bit more) to work at the airport or taking a 30ā40-minute bus or C-train ride if it's a good neighbourhood/apartment.
Any suggestions for areas (or apartment buildings) I should be looking into, would be greatly appreciated!"
Thank you all!!!
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u/Calgary64 Mar 28 '24
Reality is Calgary is booming so choices are limited. Go through Rentfaster. Crime stats are easy to find online when deciding if a rental is worth pursuing.Ā
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Apr 12 '24
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u/cpf01 Apr 16 '24
Overall commuting is nowhere as bad as Toronto. 1-4 of your requirements list will be pretty easy if you stick to the edge of town. #5 is tougher, but these two planning docs will tell you the demographic trends and where they are building schools.
https://cbe.ab.ca/FormsManuals/Three-Year-School-Capital-Plan.pdf
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u/pwdlvr Apr 18 '24
Hi. If you are checking out Mahogany you may as well look at some of the communities around it that meet your criteria. McKenzie Towne, Auburn Bay, Cranston, Chaparral.
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u/Leever5 Mar 07 '24
How do you find somewhere to live in Calgary? Iām really struggling!
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u/2cats2hats Mar 08 '24
Take shared accom for now.
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u/Leever5 Mar 08 '24
Yeah, thatās my plan anyway. Iām from New Zealand, we only do shared accommodation. So Iāve been living in that environment for 10 years. Living by myself would be so weird. And my pay is low so I wouldnāt be able to afford it.
But where do people actually find that?
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May 23 '24
Hi all. My partner and I are going to be relocating to Calgary for work in September and we are hoping to get some information on which neighborhoods to look into!
We are super excited to make the move but do not have much of an idea on the various areas within the city. We will be renting for the foreseeable future so any recommendations on buildings / property managers would be much appreciated!
We will ideally want to be relatively close to the city but are not opposed to being closer to the burbs.
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u/6pimpjuice9 May 24 '24
Not sure where you are from, but Calgary is not like the GTA or GVA. Mostly everything is in city limits. The 'burbs' would be Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks and they are really their own towns.
People live in those areas for lifestyle reasons, not so much to save money.
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May 24 '24
Sorry, I more meant communities towards the outskirts of the city. Iām not super familiar so forgive me for my ignorance.
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u/Pasivite Aug 02 '24
Moving to Calgary you say? Prepare yourself for 6 months of winter with 3-4 of those months being bitterly cold, snowy and icy. To navigate this winter wonderland, you'd better have a car and a lot of gas money because transit is weak and the city is very sprawled out.
You'll have a terrible time finding housing and when you do, it will be very expensive and like everything else these days, only getting more expensive. The job market is terrible, the city is isolated on the prairies and apart from the mountains to the west, you'll be thousands of kilometers from anything else that doesn't look like the prairies.
Hey, I am a born-and-raised Calgarian, but I acknowledge that there's a reason why Vancouver and the Toronto GTA are the most compelling and desirable places for newcomers.
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u/dr_fedora_ Feb 18 '24
We will be moving to Auburn Bay in SE soon.
What is everyoneās thoughts on the area for a young family with kids?
What sort of commute method do you use to downtown?
Are there any carpooling communities where people share their ride to downtown together to reduce the cost?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Way2711 Mar 06 '24
- Albert Park
- 30s
- One kid on the way! A little concerned about quality of schooling
- How would you rate your area on transit accessibility - 8/10
- How would you rate your area on drivability 10/10
- How would you rate the walkability 6/10
- How would you rate the affordability 6/10
- What is your favourite thing about your area? The international restaurants!
- What is your least favourite thing about your area? The crime
- Any other highlights of your neighbourhood you'd like to share?
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u/okayletsbereal23 Mar 09 '24
Are there any areas of Calgary where a teacher is more likely to get hired/there is need? We definitely know we need to do temp work/supply first, just wondering what areas are more likely to eventually have openings...
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u/EvacuationRelocation Quadrant: SW Mar 09 '24
Are there any areas of Calgary where a teacher is more likely to get hired/there is need?
You can apply to any area in the CBE once you are in a position to do so. It won't matter where you reside.
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u/okayletsbereal23 Mar 09 '24
Makes sense! The question/hope is to reside closer to where we may work if possible...but I know that may not be predictable.
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u/EvacuationRelocation Quadrant: SW Mar 09 '24
In that case - look at the schools that are currently "closed enrollment" status on the CBE website. They are the most full and will likely need to keep hiring teachers.
Generally speaking - north-east schools are growing at the fastest rate.
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u/Ic_toronto Mar 20 '24
I'm thinking about moving to the west from Toronto, can anyone tell me which city is better for new comer, Calgary or Edmonton? please be specific I need as much information as possible, thank you guys!!!
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u/AgentForum Mar 25 '24
https://www.repcalgaryhomes.ca/communities.php Has lots of great information on communities in Calgary.
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u/LostintheNorth9 Apr 03 '24
Moving from Manitoba to Calgary in June and looking for advice on locations to rent apartments +/- get a condo in YYC. Is rentfaster the best way to find a place? and where should I be looking?
A bit about me/what I'm looking for:
- Age: Mid 20s
- Income $60-70k/yr
- Expenses: Car insurance (?1500/yr), gas, phone, groceries, gym memb, student loans.
- Budget: < $2200. Ideally, < $2000.
- Location: Preferably more central (?not sure if there are neighbourhoods that should be avoided) as I will be working across 4 hospitals.
- Wants in the building: parking and gym (or a gym nearby)
- Wants in the neighbourhood: walking distance to restaurants/grocery stores/etc.
- 1 Bedroom or a studio
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u/bellznbellz Apr 05 '24
The calgary police crime heat map linked in the post is behind a security wall?
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u/heliepoo2 Apr 08 '24
Anyone have experience with Vantage Pointe condo building located by the Co-op Midtown, off 10th and 10th SW? Considering relocating there as familiar with the area but the Google reviews about the building are poor.
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u/ARRealEstate Apr 15 '24
I would absolutely steer clear of this building. Most of the āpointeā buildings have had an unbelievable amount of issues, and this building has had some major water problems.
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Apr 10 '24
Hey guys, I'm from Brazil and I've lived for 7 years in Ottawa. I'm planning to move to Calgary with my wife, due to housing prices being cheaper there. Plus, it's incredibly more beautiful.
- I would like to live not TOO far from urban downtown (a 30 minute drive from downtown would be nice)
- We're in our late 30s
- No kids, 2 cats, planning on getting a dog.
- I would prefer to buy a house rather than an apartment - around 600k, maybe up 700k would be my absolute limit.
- I enjoy urban living, (bars, restaurants and cafƩs) but I've been in an apartment in downtown Ottawa for the past 7 years, so I want to move to a bigger place now. It would be ok for me to have to drive 30 min to find a walkable area with several restaurants and bars, for example. But more than that, I would be feeling a bit too isolated.
Any recommendations on towns around Calgary, or even perhaps some neighbourhoods in Calgary itself that I could start taking a look at? Thanks!
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u/VariousCheezez May 11 '24
SW or SE Calgary. In regards to being 30 minutes from downtown, itās a small city, you can be in the foothills of the mountains in 30-40 min from downtown Calgary so you should have no problems there.
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Apr 10 '24
I'm a student who will be moving to Calgary from Wetaskiwin in the fall to attend SAIT. I'm in need of recommendations for what to do for I am not attending the main campus, but the satellite campus of Point Trotter in SE Calgary. All the current listings are for immediate move ins or out of my price range. Are there places to park a trailer to use instead? Buses or train rides would not be an issue but preferably no more than an hour and a half. Any help would be appreciated, this is all new and kind of scary to me.
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u/Jolly-Particular-703 Apr 11 '24
Hi, we are going through the process of application to work and live in Calgary. We live in London, UK. We are weighing pros and cons. I lived in Alberta for a short time in the 90s, so I know the deal with winter. BUT, i did not experience wildfire smoke. How bad is it these days in Calgary? Days per year? Severity?
Any parts of Western Alberta which remain mostly unaffected?
Thank you!
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u/Jolly-Particular-703 Apr 11 '24
Hi, we are going through the process of application to work and live in Calgary. We live in London, UK. We are weighing pros and cons. I lived in Alberta for a short time in the 90s, so I know the deal with winter. BUT, i did not experience wildfire smoke. How bad is it these days in Calgary? Days per year? Severity?
Any parts of Western Alberta which remain mostly unaffected?
Thank you!
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u/EvacuationRelocation Quadrant: SW Apr 13 '24
It depends on the year, really - but 2024 is gearing up to be an awful one again. Expect smoke to be present between mid-May and late September.
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u/radojady May 11 '24
It was bad last year. Imagine opening a window, and your house smelling like a campfire within 5 minutes. The air was so thick with smoke, it blocked out the sky and looked like fog in the streets. This year will probably be no better, unfortunately.
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u/chinkylaflare Apr 23 '24
Water levels extremely low gearing towards a drought. Wildfires will be very bad this year.
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u/Efficient_Tap6185 May 03 '24
There is no way of truly predicting the severely of smoke but...last year was so bad I reccon everything burnable has already burnt!
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u/JessicaW89 Apr 22 '24
Hi there, in my 30s and moving to Calgary this year with my husband, 2 kids (age 9 months and 3 years) and dog. We will be renting and would love some ideas of what neighborhoods to look at. We are Australian currently living in the Philippines. Ideally weād love a house in a child friendly area - lots of parks, playgrounds, walking distance to coffee shops etc, options for childcare and schools. We love being outdoors and keeping fit, good food, cooking at home. My husbandās office is located near Douglas Glen, but he is ok with a longer commute given that we tick other boxes. TIA for any help and tips.
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u/dartillery Apr 27 '24
Hi,
I'm moving to Calgary from Egypt to study in about 3 months with my wife and 7 year old daughter. I'm on a student income and I would like to find a place and a school for my family. I will be studying in UCalgary and I am a bit lost in finding the right place that ideally should be near the university as well as a good school for my kid.
I looked online but all schools are saying they are the best and I can't decide.
Appreciate your advice on the matter. Thanks
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u/brew_war Oakridge Apr 30 '24
If you're able to stay around the U of C you will be in good school districts for your daughter.
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u/Clear-Relation-2082 Apr 29 '24
I am moving to Calgary in Augsut for an 8 month internship. I am looking for a plcae to live maybe in downtown or kensington area. At the moment I do not have a roomate, is there any good sources for finding roomates in calgary or reccomendations on where to look for rentals! Thanks
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May 03 '24
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u/_darth_bacon_ Dark Lord of the Swine May 06 '24
Rental housing is extremely extremely tight, all over the city.
Keep checking rentfaster.ca for listings, but The Hub is mostly fine, and beggars can't be choosers.
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u/Izhd May 13 '24 edited May 13 '24
Hello! We're a couple in their late 30s, no kids, but with little dog, looking to move to a safe neighbourhood in Calgary.
We're looking for an area with condos or homes near a farmers market, maybe a cute Irish style pub, and shops. Somewhere relaxed, but also fun.
In proximity of Downtown would be great too!
What areas or streets would you recommend?
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u/Dirty-D May 13 '24
Kensington / Hillhurst neighbourhoods and surrounding areas (e.g. between 10st NW and Crowchild Trail, between Memorial Drive and 5th/8th/7th ave NW). Bowness area might be another option, but may not hit all those criteria the same way.
Reasons:
Proximity to NW Farmer's Market (~10 minute drive)
Just north of downtown
Has condos and developments of various scale (infill, townhome, detached, etc.)
Has shops n' shit nearby (Kensington BRZ)
Has pubs and such in proximity (e.g. Kensington Pub just off Kensington Road)
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u/Ninja_theking111 May 14 '24
Got admission in BVC and moving to calgary in this December. I am finding to rent a house with shared accommodation.
Is there any website that I can use or any suggestion that I need to know before finding the rental home ??
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u/Masala_Garlic_Naan May 19 '24
Does anyone familiar with the suburban neighborhood called Cambridge Park in Conrich, Rocky View County?
Just sold my home in GTA and some Tesla stock, want to move to a bigger nicer home here in Alberta to enjoy the life. Did some homeworks n found 3 suburban communities, Bearspaw, Heritage Pointe and Conrich. Conrich in the east are much cheaper than the other 2, anybody from local can give some commons on pros and cons? 37-years old, married with 1-year old daughter(probably going to pravite school only in the future), wife works from home and myself retired with collecting rent and investment returns. Thanks for reading and please provide some commons for these 3 areas above, it would be really helpful to listen from local. Thank you and have a good long weekend!
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u/Woodspekk May 22 '24
I'm looking at and comparing Bridgeland vs Beltline (somewhere not too far from 12th Street). I'm young 30s M and want something lively where I'm most interested in meeting people around my age. I took a walk around the neighborhoods last weekend and liked them both.Ā
My biggest concern with Bridgeland is I wonder if it may get a bit quiet and boring. It doesn't have much in the way of bars nearby, and while it has some restaurants on 1st of course it's not the same as 17th Ave and Mission being a short stroll away.
Could any of you helpful redditors chime in and let me know if my concerns are valid? I know Bridgeland is still considered one of the more vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods in town, but I fear I may move there and regret that I may not have the same opportunities to meet people that I would as living in Beltline.Ā
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u/Rommellj May 25 '24
Both great neighbourhoods, but your instinct is correct - Beltline and adjacent (Lower Mount Royal, Mission etc.) are more lively all day, all week, all year. Loads of restaurants, bars and day-to-day shops. Close to everything and you rarely ever need to leave the neighbourhood
Bridgeland, however, is more curated - it's limited in stuff to do but for what it has it's all really good quality. The parks and streets are beautiful and there's the grocery just across the river in East Village.
I'd live in Beltline if liveliness is what you are looking for. I'd also buy a nice bicycle because Bridgeland is only about 10 minutes of easy riding away anytime you want to visit.
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u/Woodspekk May 26 '24
Thank you /u/Rommellj ! I actually ended up going with Bridgeland - but like your last point says, I figure they are so close I can bike / transit over to Beltline and adjacent easily enough.
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u/GodoftheYeast Jun 06 '24
Moving from the US to Calgary
I am moving this summer for grad school and will need to get a new phone plan and phone. What companies are recommended that are affordable?
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u/LukeTheApostate Jun 06 '24
Canadians bitch constantly about our telecom/phone oligopoly, but tbf it is better than the US.
In Alberta your main options are going to be Telus (who will happily sell you an internet/cell bundle), Bell, and Rogers. Telus has great coverage outside the city, but they all lease each other's towers so pick the one that offers you the best deal. Pretty much every other "company" is a whitelabel subsiduary of those ones. If you're going to be calling internationally you may want to pay attention to their long-distance charges or options. I recently switched from a Rogers subsiduary to my wife's Telus account, and I've been pretty satisfied.
Most of the cell providers will sell you a phone "for free" by adding it to your contract. You can get an older model for no extra charge on a multi-year contract, or a newer model for $30-50CAD every month.
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u/mountainclimber24 Jul 09 '24
What is a normal pet fee in Calgary? I've never had to pay one but see they are all added to rent!
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u/ooDymasOo Jul 12 '24
I've seen monthly amounts like $50 a month to just a flat fee say $150-200 sometimes its per pet.
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u/hertzdonut69 Jul 16 '24
hello all!
canadian that has been living in the USA for about 20 years. the visa program iām on is probably being discontinued and unfortunately itās the only one i qualify for. long story but ill spare you.
i live in memphis which is an insanely poor city but the upside is the cost of living (while getting worse every year) is still very doable as a 39 year old with no family. iāve carved out quite a nice life for myself here- i play and record music for fun and for my friends but by trade i am a bartender, and i make a great living (45-60k / year working only 4 days a week).
my question is for the bartenders and music industry people- how hard is it in calgary to make a decent living in your line of work? and how hard is it to be get employment in either a bar or doing studio work?
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u/Fine-Photograph8428 Jul 17 '24
What is the worst when it comes to being living in Calgary? I've heard so much nice things about the city, but people seems to be talking very little about the downsides except the coldness, I'm curious to hear from real localners. What are some of the things that make you not wanting to live in Calgary?
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u/wemakeitupaswego Jul 17 '24
The cyclical nature of Alberta's economy. People have short memories and or haven't been in Calgary long enough to experience a downturn. It can get really rough. Vancouver isn't expensive just because the weather is nicer (arguable), you pay for stability.
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u/sdlok Jul 21 '24
Greetings fine people of Calgary,
My family and I are coming for a year-long stay. I am currently working on the budget. Could anyone provide a very rough estimate of how much money I should budget for buying a car and obtaining insurance for it there?
Since we don't have a lot of money saved, I am considering purchasing a car from a dealer. My reasoning is that we don't know anyone there and can't afford to buy a lemon or a car that gives us problems. I am aware that dealers and dealerships can overcharge, but paying for a costly repair after we buy the car would completely cripple our budget. I assume dealerships provide some kind of warranty or guarantee for at least a year after purchase, which is all we need.
Does this reasoning sound sensible?
Also, could someone give me a really rough approximation of how much money I should budget for car insurance for the year? I know there are different levels and grades and such... there will be two adults driving at various times. About how much are we talking?
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u/yads12 Jul 23 '24
For insurance you're better off doing a quote. Are you coming from elsewhere in Canada or outside of the country? If outside you're very likely to be treated as a new driver and could face high rates from some insurers. Make sure you shop around as some insurers will take your out of the country driving record into consideration.
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Jul 22 '24
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u/butts-ahoy Jul 22 '24
There's an express bus from downtown to the airport (never taken it personally) or it's about $40 for an uber. You can totally live in the belt line without a car, but it's nice to have one if you want to get anywhere outside of downtown. Lots of bike lanes as well.
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u/DisastrousDriver9380 Aug 08 '24
Moving to Calgary by myself - Need Help/Advise
Hello, I'm (F29) moving to Calgary from Edmonton for a job. Absolutely new and clueless about the city. Never visited before. No family or friends in the city as well. Living alone.
Please advise on the following: 1. Safest buildings to check out for renting in downtown? 2. Is Calgary connected by pedways like Edmonton? If yes,are they also filled with junkies and unsafe in winters? 3. What areas to avoid I'm downtown? 4. How much rent should I be expecting for a 1bed1bath in dt? 5. Anything else I should know before moving?
Thankyou so much!!
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u/Mindless_Spite3363 Aug 11 '24
Hey everyone, Hope youāre doing good and youāre having a wonderful weekend. I am currently thinking about moving from Ottawa to Alberta. I am hesitating between Calgary and Edmonton. Iām currently applying for multiple jobs in both cities and I will probably go for the one that I get. Yet, I want to learn more about it and what are the pros and cons of living there (cost of living, entertainment, healthcare, transportation..) I just finished my Master in Public Admin and I have of experience in research analysis, economics, public policy and gender equity. However, I am flexible and open to exploring other careers and areas. Thank you !
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u/Desperate_Leg6274 Aug 14 '24
Hello! Letās start with the things that are relatively the same between the two cities. One Alberta wide thing to consider is car insurance is very expensive relative to many other places in Canada. Not uncommon for that too double. Healthcare is also a problem here as it can be hard to find a family doctor however Iām sure this is the case in Ontario as well. Now Iām terms of the two cities Calgary will definitely be both the more expensive city in almost all aspects and also seemingly much harder to find a job in lately (I believe we actually have the largest unemployment of any major Canadian city). Iād say the two cities are quite similar in terms of things such as entertainment and transportation. City transit is good for getting you downtown but not so much if you wanna go somewhere else. I hate to say this but given your background you may find the job market in both cities to be highly competitive. Outside of trades people it can be hard to find a job even with significant experience/education
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Aug 11 '24
Flew in from Toronto to see my dream apartment only to be turned down and gave it to someone else. :-(
The unit was by the Sunalta area close to transit. Anybody know an available apartment in that proximity? Please hmu if ever. Thanks!
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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '24
Or everyone in Toronto and Vancouver can stay there and leave Calgary as it was š