Steve_P

That has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of shopping.

The quality of shopping in Calgary has improved immensely lately due to the amount of disposable income available to retailers in this city. More big name U.S. or international stores have decided to make the move here.

Steve_

I was talking about Alberta generally, the WEM wouldn't exist if not for all the shoppers coming in from other provinces. Like I said, during the winter, shopping is the main thing to do, which is why the shops are pretty good in Calgary.

Steve_P

You really need to get out more if you seriously believe that in winter shopping is the main thing to do either in Calgary or Alberta as a whole.

Posidrive

I disagree, I'm fat and used to going skiing in -25. Drew the line sub -30 though.

jericho

Yup. Like others have said, you're full of BS.

Novocastrian

Do I correctly infer that you guys are going to the Agawa Canyon today then?

If so, I hope the sun shines for you up there.

dbd33

Not sure if it was "today" but, yes, we were in the canyon, then riding on Mackinaw Island, then, to bring the weekend to a climax, we went to Flint MI. Flint isn't much of a place, it's what Calgary will be when the oil runs out, but it does have one compelling attraction for people from Toronto.

Chookie

Ok not read all the replies yet, but I quite like Calgary.

Yes it is boring, dull and predicable, but it is a "nice" city to live in (am speaking as a mother of 4 kids here).

We live in the 'burbs in the far NW, and it is GREAT for kids... there are loads in our block alone - I regularly "loose" my kids because they are at someone elses house (about 12 possible kids or the "field" (ie the playing field just down the road)).. only downside is that I regularly have a back garden/house full of OPK's (Other Peoples Kids)

I do like Calgary - after where we used to live in the UK (Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham) it seems a fairly safe city - far less violent crime for starters, the transit from where we are is good (we are just off Center Street/Harvest Hills Boulevard so there is the BRT bus downtown) Schooling for the kids is better than in the UK (my kids are part of the arts based program - nothing like this existed in the UK - they are thriving and loving it) - all in all I am happy

I cannot compare to other canadian cities because I have not lived in any of them and have only have brief visits to a couple, but I would say it is better than most UK ones if that helps

Jingsamichty

What's Calgary like?

Depends what you're looking for. For me, it's been absolutely fine for a few years. The oil industry means well-paid work for me, which means a comfortable life for my wife and family, and the mountains mean excellent hiking, camping and skiing. So that's the not-inconsiderable plus-side.

But, there's an undoubted shallowness to life here too, though I'm certain that that is not an issue exclusive to Calgary. I think it's more that a typical suburban "middle-class" existence anywhere in Canada is pretty vacuous to the point of being soul-destroying. Having said that, I'm sure there are lots of people who are perfectly happy living in similar identikit estates on the edges of unremarkable towns all over the UK.

Calgary's fine for a stint, but personally, I am glad at the thought that it's not forever.

Steve_P

Perhaps you should have tried living in an older non-identikit neighborhood.

Jingsamichty

I have no problem with where I live - it's a genuinely nice area.

I've never lived for more than 3 years anywhere in my adult life, so, as I enter my 4th year in Calgary, it's only natural that small things are beginning to irritate me more and more. To be fair to Calgary, they're not specifically to do with Calgary, but are more 'general irritations of Canada as a whole'.

Steve_P

Just pointing out that not all neighborhoods are identikit, just those built after the mid-seventies.

That likely also applies to Canada as a whole.

Aviator

Not unlike many cities in the UK, although that dates back in some areas to late 19th century and on.

dboy

i hear you, much of manchester's inner city areas look like the street. Other than that, its horrific 1950s council houses and 1970 developments with endless housing estates identical in nature. Now that's soul destroying. I was also hoffified to see that manchester has discovered the north american strip mall:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/superio...7620336175045/

what was more disconcerting, was the fact that the family were banging on about it as though it was some modern, urban marvell to be beholden by all.

Then there was Ashton Moss lesiure Park that was somehow transported from North American Surburbia, consiting of a cinema, fake pub, nandos, bowling alley etc and commerical:

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=h...:0&tx=76&ty=73

andrewjohn

Hi chookie,
Your street sounds just the place for us, as myself, my wife and 4 kids(age 13,7,5,4) will be on route to calgary in feb/march(LMO PENDING). We have been looking at NW/SW areas.I fancy nw but my oh wants closer to her new place of work in town (around foothills area). I fancy harbour lake or hamptons area, Oh would like closer to her work,maybe somewhere older in se/sw.Where would you advice us to look at we would love it to be very kids related ie open areas,parks,otherkids,swimming,schooling ext.A newish house to rent for a year or two would be my choice but we are open to ideas. My wife will be flying in around the 8th dec for a week so weather permiting will have a look around then.
Cheers.