Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

Hang on Steve, Vancouver is so liberal and laid back stylee that they're going to 'deport' all the homeless in time for 2010 arent they? VERY liberal and not at all right wing up-tight if you ask me.

Originally Posted by Budgie1

I'll throw my 2 cents in though I must warn you I'm from Australia, not the UK so mileage may vary!

I immigrated to Canada in June of 07 and spent the first year in Vancouver before moving to Calgary 10 months or so ago so I can give my impressions.

Weather:

Vancouver is glorious during summer and green year round, very mild winters and not much snow but lots and lots rain and drizzle in general. Being from Australia the rain got to me after a while.

Calgary has much more sun, I really noticed the 'big sky' all the tourist ads talk about after spending a year in Vancouver. Winters are cold and long but not 'scary' cold - even for an Aussie! I've found the cold to be no issue at all and I was actually a little concerned moving here. Just make certain you get some good snow tires and down coat and all should be well.

Traffic and Infrastructure:

Vancouver is miles behind Calgary here, you can really tell Alberta had a recent oil boom, the road system here is great by comparison to Vancouver which always seems congested no matter what time of day or night you travel.

People:

Same both places pretty much though you will probably find more 'locals' in Vancouver versus more immigrants in Calgary.

Economy:

Vancouver seemed a bit limited in terms of really good business base, Calgary is better but is pretty much a 2 trick pony with construction and Oil/Gas driving things and so tends to be very boom bust - bust it is currently of course!

Cost of Living:

Vancouver's housing is just astronomical, if we had stayed we probably would have tried to find a place in Coquitlam to buy as we liked that area. Currently renting in the SW of Calgary and while renting doesn't seem 'that' cheaper then Vancouver it is waaaaaay cheaper to buy in Calgary than it is in Van.

Otherwise cost of living is cheaper in Calgary as there is no provincial sales tax or healthcare premiums.

Stuff to do:

Pretty much the same unless you are keen sailor, both have plenty of skiing and mountains close by - though I think the Rockies do win over the whilstler area.

Personal Conclusion:

Very pleased I made the move to Calgary, used to feel very 'hedged in' in Van between the low cloud dreary weather and traffic jams, by comparison I feel much more free here in Calgary and definately enjoying the lower cost of living. I can see making a future for myself here much easier than I could in Vancouver, but that said I'll be sure to go to Vancouver for frequent summer holidays!

Originally Posted by Budgie1

Hi dboy - I'm afraid I'm no expert when it comes to Melbourne as I've never lived there. It is renowned for having very volatile weather in ie hot to cold, sunny to rain all in a few hours.

I would have to bow to your statistics for want of actual experience.

In terms of culture using 'really' broad brushtrokes you could probably compare Melbourne to Vancouver (known as artsy type areas), Perth to Calgary (Commodity Driven) and Sydney to Toronto (big business).

Originally Posted by Lychee

The two cities are completely different. They look different, they feel different, they offer different climates, different landscapes, and different lifestyles. You definitely have to visit before making a decision because no matter how many recommendations we make, you'll only know once visiting what's truly right for you.

Calgary is without a doubt the corporate headquarters city of western Canada. It's why Calgary has been growing - it has jobs because of its booming oil industry and Calgary is home to all the oil company's headquarters. It is, however, a boom-bust economy.

The reason why Calgary's road infrastructure is superior to practically anywhere else in Canada is, again, because of the oil industry that thrives there. Calgary has been built as a car-dependent city, hence the suburban sprawling nature of the residential communities that expand for miles around it.

Vancouver is the opposite - it's where Greenpeace was founded. It's where Adbusters was founded. It's not a corporate city, it's a counter culture city. It's surprisingly anti-corporate. It's anti-car. It's trying to encourage environmentalism and sustainability - the city encourages high density residential neighbourhoods and discourages the use of the car by increasing public transit.

So Vancouver's super expensive because it's like a resort city - people move there, not because of the jobs, but because of the outdoor lifestyle if offers. And it's a lifestyle that can be offered year round. It's truly the only city in Canada where lifestyle trumps career, typically.

Originally Posted by James Martindale

Isn't Vancouver regarded us the Silicon Valley/ Te4chnology Hub of Canada???

Correct me if I am wrong please.... it was something a Canadian told me. Only I am looking at Vancouver for digital marketing sales jobs???

Originally Posted by hollyanne

Hi

My husband has just been offered a job and has been given a choice of location Calgary or Vancouver.

I would be interested to hear peoples comments on living in Calgary or Vancouver and good places to bring up children around these areas,we dont want to be in the hub of things but not too far away either.

Any ideas?

Holly

Originally Posted by Lychee

The reason why Calgary's road infrastructure is superior to practically anywhere else in Canada is, again, because of the oil industry that thrives there. Calgary has been built as a car-dependent city, hence the suburban sprawling nature of the residential communities that expand for miles around it.

Vancouver is the opposite - it's where Greenpeace was founded. It's where Adbusters was founded. It's not a corporate city, it's a counter culture city. It's surprisingly anti-corporate. It's anti-car. It's trying to encourage environmentalism and sustainability - the city encourages high density residential neighbourhoods and discourages the use of the car by increasing public transit.

So Vancouver's super expensive because it's like a resort city - people move there, not because of the jobs, but because of the outdoor lifestyle if offers. And it's a lifestyle that can be offered year round. It's truly the only city in Canada where lifestyle trumps career, typically.

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

Using your logic ('I heard it from people that left and people that dont want to be there')

NZ is a nation of facist wife beating sheep shaggers. Am I right?

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

Hang on Steve, Vancouver is so liberal and laid back stylee that they're going to 'deport' all the homeless in time for 2010 arent they? VERY liberal and not at all right wing up-tight if you ask me.

Originally Posted by Oink

The main reason I'll go home is that my family is there and I'd want my kids to grow up near them.

Originally Posted by James Martindale

Isn't Vancouver regarded us the Silicon Valley/ Te4chnology Hub of Canada???

Originally Posted by Kiwilass

It's also the city where the documentary "The Corporation" about corporate sociopathy was made.

Originally Posted by kiz85

i am moving back to calgary in may and my parents plan to follow me in a few years once they have retired