In Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», having it all is within reach – there is something for everyone here. Explore for yourself with this guide to life in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
What is life in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» really like?
Simply put, life in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is one of opportunity and adventure. It’s a young city of more than 1.3 million people where possibilities are just as limitless as our sunshine.
Less than an hour from the Canadian Rocky Mountains, or the Rockies as locals like to say, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is the sunniest major city in Canada. With top marks in culture, environment and education, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is ranked among the best cities to live in the world and in North America by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Unplug, play, and get moving
Whether it’s cycling to and from the office, taking a riverside stroll, river surfing on the Bow River or ice skating in your community, enjoying an active lifestyle is part of the everyday lives of Calgarians.
With a backyard playground offering hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing trails, there is no limit to getting active in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s surrounding areas. For those who prefer to stay in the city, there is also ample access to fresh air. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is home to two of the world’s largest urban parks, and the most extensive outdoor pathway and bikeway network in North America. There are also year-round facilities like the , , and to keep you active during the colder months.
There’s no place like home
As one of the world’s most affordable cities for housing, young professionals and families can afford to purchase a home in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³». Compared to over 90 housing markets surveyed from Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S., Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is among the top 40 most affordable cities in the world (Demographia International Housing Affordability, 2024)
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is home to over 190 neighbourhoods each with its own name, character and charm. From walkable downtown living to trendy inner-city neighbourhoods to master-planned communities rich with amenities, find your perfect neighbourhood here at a significantly lower cost than most of Canada’s other major cities.
You and your family will thrive here
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a family-friendly place where you can settle in with ease. A city designed with families in mind, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is ranked third out of 51 Canadian cities on Clever Canadian’s ‘2022 Most Family-friendly Cities in Canada’ list. We know choosing a city to call home is an important decision. The amenities and community make raising a family in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» easier.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a vibrant city for young families, and has one of the youngest median ages in the country. Life in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» comes with access to world-class healthcare, plenty of greenspaces, great schools and childcare. For family fun all year round, attractions including the , and have programs and activities in every season.
Featuring one of the largest urban pathways and park networks in the world, clean parks and playgrounds are in abundance if that’s your thing. Oh, and we can’t forget your furry friends! Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is fortunate to have over 150 public and areas in our multi-use parks for Calgarians and their dogs to enjoy.
Find a School Settling in to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
Festival fun, all year round
As the third most diverse major city in Canada, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is known as a year-round festival city with new vibrant music, food, cultures and films for all to experience.
-
Cultural festivals
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» community celebrates many cultures through festivals, ranging from the city's largest festival – the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Stampede – to vibrant week or month-long events like Carifest, GlobalFest and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Pride.
-
Music Festivals
From classical music to country music, and indie to EDM, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» welcomes musicians from around the world alongside our own local talent. The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Folk Music Festival, Sled Island, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» International Blues Festival, Chasing Summer, Country Thunder and Honens Festival draw crowds of thousands every year.
-
Food festivals
One thing’s for sure - Calgarians like to eat, and we like to eat good food. No matter your palate, we have food and beverage festivals where you can taste your favourite treats or try something new. Taste of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», Food Truck Frenzy and the YYC Hot Chocolate fest are a few of many favourite festivals.
-
Community festivals
Around the 200 communities in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» and in the downtown core, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» hosts many community celebrations. Complete with entertainment, food trucks, modern feats of engineering and fireworks, there’s always something to see. Fan favourites include Marda gras, Lilac Fest, Sunfest, Beaker Head and Chinook Blast to name a few.
-
Film & entertainment festivals
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is on the international stage as a film and TV destination. Annually, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» International Film Festival (CIFF) showcases stories on the big screen including Oscar-qualifying short films. The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Comic & Entertainment Festival, Circle Carnival and Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour also make locals’ short lists for film and entertainment festivals.
Arts & Culture
The arts help shape a city and bring people together. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is no exception – there is a thriving arts and culture scene here.
The city is one of the youngest and most culturally diverse in Canada, with 165 languages spoken. With a creative economy underpinning the city’s downtown vibrancy, Calgarians enjoy a year-round repertoire of arts and culture experiences.
Looking for more?
Discover Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s vibrant arts and culture scene in-depth at and .
Interested in studying the visual arts?
Explore the or the .
Music and theatre on stage in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is known for music of all genres and a world-class selection of theatres and music venues. From candlelit concerts to our renowned orchestra, indie and alternative concerts to blues and country festivals, there’s something for you.
Immerse yourself in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s sound of any genre at one of our concerts or musical events, local bands and venues.
Here’s a place to start:
Alberta Ballet
Image credit: Alberta Ballet
Arts Commons
Image credit: Kiani Evans
Bella Concert Hall (MRU)
Image credit: Mount Royal University
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Opera
Image credit: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Opera
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Philharmonic Orchestra
Image credit: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Philharmonic Orchestra
Jack Singer Concert Hall
Image credit: Will Young
King Eddy
Image credit: Chris Amat
The Palace Theatre
Scotiabank Saddledome
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Local tip:
Music Mile is Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»'s original main street connecting two of the city's best-loved neighbourhoods, Inglewood and East Village. It buzzes with musical energy from local musicians in all genres across a variety of venues.
Taste the world, from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» features flavours of the world with a variety of award-winning restaurants and dining spots rich in flavours.
Foodies love Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s culinary scene, as the city is home to the top new restaurant in Canada – Major Tom – along with ten others on the Top 100 list. , who filmed Under the Banner of Heaven in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», has raved about the local eateries on late-night talk shows.
And that’s not all. There are more than 40 unique breweries scattered throughout the city, each with their own vibe depending on what you are in search of.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a sports city
While hockey is the number one professional sports ticket in the city, football, lacrosse, basketball and soccer all draw in large fan-filled crowds.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is homebase to the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Flames, the city’s National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Stampeders (CFL), Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Roughnecks (NLL), Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Wild FC (Northern Super League), Cavalry FC (Canadian Premier League) and the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Surge (Canadian Elite Basketball League).
Looking to take your love of sports further by joining a recreational sports team? As an active and accessible city, there is a sport suitable for you. From soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, golf, hockey, get connected to recreation and sports options at the or join a team with.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a connected community
Calgarians are community-minded. From markets to small businesses, neighbourhood shops and non-profits, locals take pride in their connected community. Neighbours show up for one another in both good and challenging times – this is the unmatched spirit that makes our community unique.
Albertans are generous with their time and money. Over 45 per cent of Albertans volunteer, and the province has the highest average annual charitable donation among Canadian provinces.
See for yourself
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a safe city
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» is a safe, low-crime, clean and healthy city.
The city makes a significant investment in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»â€™s security and protective services including police, fire, bylaw and emergency medical services.
The rate of crime in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has steadily decreased between 2016 and 2021, with a 15 percent reduction in overall crime violations since 2018 (StatsCan). Compared to the rest of Canada, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has the third lowest rate of incidents of violent crimes.
Find your way around Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» with ease
Have more time to do the things you love, because Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has one of the easiest and shortest commutes of major cities in Canada (INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard).
No matter the neighbourhood you choose, getting around the city is easy thanks to the various methods of transportation, including transit services, car share and bike lanes.
Get around Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
Does this sound like you?
If you are looking to make the move, we are ready to welcome you to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³».
Settle in to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» New to Canada? Move to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
