Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

I am heading for NE Calgary.I have just had confirmation from my employers to be that I will be working in NE Calgary.:curse:

I am petrified.(Tough Luck for me).:(

I am under the impression that it is a very rough area of Calgary.Is this true.:ohmy:

Can anyone recommend any good surburbs in NE,coz I have 2 kids to raise (15 and 3).

I am scared that I may get burgled and may end up doing a U turn back to the UK.
Pliz someone point me in the right direction.Surely there must be a surburb you can recommend.Or better still an area NW that is easily accessible to NE Calgary.

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

You could live in Airdrie which is a short commute down the Deerfoot then left into the NE.

Also see the wiki... some areas are better than others.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Calgary_Residential_Areas

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Ta.:)

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

It's all relative. N.W. Calgary is about as dangerous as any small city in England, for example, Worcester.

It has a large Asian community which, I assume, why Calgarians refer to it as "dangerous".

Recent shootings in the City have been in the S.W. and the S.E.

A good friend of mine is a Crown Prosecutor in Calgary. She told me to stay away from both the N.W. and the N.E. of Calgary as, in terms of crime, there is not a huge amount of difference between the two, especially as one nears the centre of the two.

Don't panic and don't stay in the UK just to avoid living there.

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Oh nooooo!!!;)

She didn't happen to mention any specific neighbourhoods did she? :D

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

If you work in the NE, you don't have to live there, and if you do, avoid Dover and Forest Lawn. And there are plenty of areas that border the NW but just have a NE postcode that are absolutely fine. And if commuting is not a major issue, what about Chestermere or Strathmore to the east of the city?

Don't panic - it's not quite a ghetto that it is portrayed. No need to be petrified - just travel about with your wits about you - just as you would in any 'slightly poorer' city suburb (is that PC?).

Personally, I think the main routes from the NW into the NE are easy, with several to chose from, and depending on what you are looking for and your budget, look for a rental in the NW while you find your feet.

Good luck :)

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

I'll be working close to the airport.A couple of miles off the Deerfoot trail.

I have just been been using google map to trace a journey from Airdrie ,if the North East is not favourable .32km-19mins-not bad at all.Looks good if the journey is that simple.But is it.really?:huh:

Surely the traffic must be a set back.What happens for instance when the roads are covered with snow in winter.:blink:

There will be not be an underground train to take me to work.:ohmy:

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

No need for political correctness here - the OP wants the cold truth, not some periphrastic remarks, skillfully crafted so that no one would be offended (although I can't stop wondering: "slightly poorer city suburb" is offensive? to whom?).


I, too, wish him luck. I know how stressful those moves into the unknown are.

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

I'd written, rubbed out and re-written several phrases until I came up with "slightly poorer" - by which time my brain was fried with PC'ness :D

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Personally would avoid Deerfoot for travelling at all costs...it gets messed up in all weathers.

If you're by the airport it's easy to drive along Mcknight or 64th to get into the NW where there are better neighrbourhoods. Country Hills, Harvest, Coventry, Beddington, Huntington all are good neighbourhoods that are in NE (some of them straddle). I'm in Beddington which is great.

As others have said there are some bad spots in the NE (and NW) but it's like any city, and you don't need to live right by where you work.

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Yeah, that's what PC abuse does to you :)

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Thanx Hobbess for calming my nerves.
After having lived in London where commuting by public transport is easy.The thought of driving long distances to and from work makes me cringe.
The traffic must be a nightmare.
Surely even though the railway system is not as well developed as the UK there must be another way to commute for the non drivers!!!

I have no problems with driving long journeys ie London to birmingham / Manchester ocassionally.

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Calgary's public transport isn't the best. The C-train is fine but limited and the buses work well going into downtown but struggle trying to go across or around. You could find yourself with a long trip on the buses try to go East-West, on what would maybe be a 20min drive max.

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Here's a link to Calgary transit (buses and C-train) http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server....ransit+Map.htm

The airport itself isn't well served except by private shuttle services/taxis. Not sure what to think about that. I expect lots of folks travelling on a bus or Ctrain with large suitcases would not be comfortable for anyone, but I do think there should be better links.

Driving in Calgary really isn't that difficult though .... I would never drive in London; always got OH to do it! :blink: :D

If you really want to live near work, then the far NE isn't supposed to be bad, or else Beddington/Harvest or Country Hills are not too far to drive (technically NW) as mentioned. As Ann m said, avoid Dover, Forest Lawn and (I'd include) Erin Woods - rented there short term... would not really like to live there..

Take a look at www.mls.ca for the types and prices of housing available. That gives you an idea of the less desirable places too, as housing is often cheaper in those areas.

Don't worry. You'll be fine. :thumbsup:

Re: Is NE Calgary a bad place to live?
 

Thanx Morwenna.My worry is what happens if for instant it snows thickly and I get scared to drive in mid winter.Does that leave me with no choice but to look for accommodation close to work???
Does this mean I should also consider buting a 4wd.

Please excuse me for sounding really childish,I am really worried.I want to make sure that I pick my daughter on time at nursery.