Calgary, Alberta

INTRODUCING THE GREATEST CITY

Calgary (/ ˈ k æ l ɡ r i / ()) 

Famously known for hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics, the first Canadian host for the winter games, this beautiful western city is the third largest in Canada.  An urban city surrounded by scenic vistas, Calgary offers cosmopolitan highlights like high end shopping and global dining experiences, natural beauty and endless economic and real estate opportunity. 

Calgary is a young city and it's not getting much older.

The median age of Calgarians is a young 37.6 years (Table 17-10-0135-01, Population Estimates, Statistics Canada, 2020, Updated February 2021).

According to Census 2016 results, Calgary has the youngest population of major cities in Canada with 70.2 per cent of the population between the ages of 15 to 64. As the city’s population grows over the next few years, the proportion of toddlers and preschoolers is expected to stay about the same, teenagers will decline slightly, while the ratio of seniors is set to increase.

Learn about Census 2016 results for the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in our Calgary Census 2016 Infographic.

Be Part Of The Energy

Pictured: Calgary Tower, Downtown Calgary

Long renowned as Canada’s energy capital, Calgary is a global leader in energy and enterprise. The concentration of the region’s energy sector, as well as the most competitive provincial corporate and personal income tax rates in Canada, have helped fuel unrivalled economic growth — Full of highly skilled talent, experienced in competitive global initiatives, Calgary offers exceptional experiences.  

But Calgary isn’t just home to virtually every major oil and gas company in the country or to the highest concentration of head offices per capita in Canada (at 9.3%) — it’s home to a dynamic population of 1.4 million residents who understand exactly why the city was ranked in the Top 5 of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s “2011 Most Livable Cities in the World” out of 140 global cities. 

Calgary Tower in Downtown Calgary, Alberta
POPULATION IN CALGARY
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HOUSEHOLDS OWN THEIR HOME
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WORK FROM HOME (Before-Covid19)
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AVERAGE COMMUTE TIME-TO-WORK

Did You Know?

Location, Location, Location

Calgary is home to the Bow River, which flows from the foothills, through the downtown core, and out through to the prairies, where plenty of wildlife reside. Calgary also draws thousands of students to its post-secondary schools and is often the first stop tourists take on their way to Banff National Park.

Whether your dream home is a luxury condo overlooking the Bow River downtown, a home with a yard suitable for your growing family, or a rural estate you can retreat to in the foothills, I can help you find what you are looking for!

Calgary Real Estate, Bow River Calgary

Calgary's Climate

Calgary has some of the sunniest weather in Canada. Although it can get chilly in the winter (below -20°C), the area is frequently swept by dry Chinook winds from the Pacific Northwest that can raise temperatures by up to 15°C in a single afternoon.  We have warm summers and dry winters and with the increase of elevation, Calgary can experience a humid continental climate in eastern parts of the city and a subarctic climate with western parts of the city.   

Transit

Transportation Calgary

Calgary Transit provides public transportation services throughout the city with buses and light rail (C-Train). The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a major transportation hub for Central and Western Canada. Much of Calgary's street network is on a grid where roads are numbered with avenues running east—west and streets running north—south. The city lies at the crossroads of Highway 2 (Deerfoot Trail) and the Trans-Canada Highway, making it a hub for transit goods across Canada. Stoney Trail is relatively new forming a complete ring around the city (finishing in 2024).

Education

Primary, Secondary & Post Secondary

The Calgary Board of Education is the public school board for Calgary students K-12 and offers online options through CBe-learn. Calgary is home to many private schools and the Calgary Catholic Board as well.  The University of Calgary is a research university with Mount Royal University and SAIT Polytechnic offering variety of apprentice education, grant degrees, diplomas & applied degrees. 

Hospitals

Alberta Health Services

Calgary has four major adult acute care hospitals and one major pediatric acute care site: the Alberta Children's Hospital, the Foothills Medical Centre, the Peter Lougheed Centre, the Rockyview General Hospital and the South Health Campus. Calgary is also home to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, the Grace Women's Health Centre, which provides a variety of care, as well as hundreds of smaller medical and dental clinics.

Safety

Police Service

The municipal police service is the Calgary Police Service, the largest service in Alberta and 3rd largest in the country.  With specialty teams like HAWCS (Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety), Mounted Patrol and Police Canine Units, the CPS is proud to be a part of and protect our community.  The crime index in Calgary is 60.4 in 2013, which is lower than the national average of 68.7.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are the federal and national police service and provide provincial policing in Alberta including the surrounding areas of Calgary.  

“It’s all about the heart”

Learn What Makes Calgary Stand Out

Other festivals include the growing Calgary International Film Festival, FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival, the Greek Festival, the Calgary Fringe Festival, Summerstock, Expo Latino, Calgary Gay Pride, and many other cultural and ethnic festivals.

Calgary is also home to a number of contemporary and established theatre companies; among them are One Yellow Rabbit, which shares the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Theatre Calgary, and Alberta Theatre Projects.

Don't miss out! Connect below to all things the City of Calgary related.

Calgary Stampede Rodeo

Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede, known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", is an annual rodeo, parade, exhibition, and festival. 

Much more than a ten-day long celebration with midway rides and bucking broncos, the Calgary Stampede is a gathering place that hosts, educates, and entertains visitors from around the world. It attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, chuckwagon racing, and First Nations exhibitions.

Top Calgary Attractions

Calgary Attractions

With a large variety of places to go, Calgary can quickly fill your calendar with events and attractions.  Here are a few popular places to explore in the city.

Calgary Museums To Visit

Museums

The city is home to several museums. The Glenbow Museum is the largest in western Canada and includes an art gallery and first nations gallery.

Other major museums include the Chinese Cultural Centre (at 70,000 sq ft, the largest stand-alone cultural centre in Canada), the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum (at Canada Olympic Park), The Military Museums, the Cantos Music Museum and the Aero Space Museum (Hangar Flight Museum).

Calgary Theatres to Watch and Visit

Theatre & Arts

Calgary is also home to a number of contemporary and established theatre companies; among them are One Yellow Rabbit, which shares the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Theatre Calgary, and Alberta Theatre Projects. 

There are also a number of art galleries in the city, many of them concentrated along the Stephen Avenue and 17th Avenue corridors. The largest of these is the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC).

Shopping Spots in Calgary

Shopping

In addition to the many shopping areas in the city centre, there are a number of large suburban shopping complexes in Calgary. Among the largest are Chinook Centre and Southcentre Mall in the south, WestHills and Signal Hill in the southwest, South Trail Crossing and Deerfoot Meadows in the southeast, Market Mall in the northwest, and Sunridge Mall in the northeast.  There is also the large Cross Iron Mills mall near Balzac.

Top Sports Teams in Calgary

Sports

If you're a sports fan, you will love Calgary for it's variety of sports teams.  From the famous NHL hockey team, Calgary Flames, to the CFL football team Calgary Stampeders, there are always sporting events happening throughout the city.  We are also home to the Calgary Roughnecks (Lacrosse), Calgary Vipers (Baseball), and other leagues that include Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Canucks, Calgary Royals, Calgary Mavericks just to name a few.

Calgary Festivals to Attend

Festivals

If there is one thing Calgary knows how to do, it's celebrate and throw parties!  Wonderful festivals include the growing Calgary International Film Festival, FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival, the Greek Festival, the Calgary Fringe Festival, Summerstock, Expo Latino, Calgary Gay Pride, and many other cultural and ethnic festivals.

There is always something to celebrate in Calgary!

Calgary Libraries to Visit

Libraries

Like the famous words, "A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people.  It is a never failing spring in the desert." - 

We are proud to say that Library cards are FREE in Calgary. When you become a member, you have access to free books, movies, music, online learning tools, programs and so much more.  

Calgary has many library locations but may we suggest you start with the beautifully structured New Central Library which was a WINNER OF A 2015 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARD OF MERIT.

Heritage Park in Calgary - Go Back In Time

Heritage Park

Head back in time in the famous Heritage Park.  Along the shores of the Glenmore Reservoir, this 127 acre parkland is one of the city's most visited attractions.  Learn about Canadian history, ride the old fashioned midway rides, tour the old homesteads, and dine at the railway cafe.  So much to explore, visit heritage Park where time stands still.

Calgary Zoo Visitors Welcome

Calgary Zoo

Situated in Bridgeland, near the downtown core lies the Calgary Zoo.  It's home to over 1,000 animals and is organized into seven zones: Africa, Canadian Wilds, Penguins, Botanical Gardens, Eurasia, Conservatory, Rainforest, and Prehistoric Park.  As Canada's most visited zoo and with cool events like "the penguin march", make sure this tops your list of places to visit in Calgary.

Tour Calgary Tower

Calgary Tower

The Calgary Tower is a 190.8-meter free standing observation tower in the downtown core of Calgary. Originally breaking ground in 1967, the iconic tower is the heart of the downtown core and features LED light displays throughout the calendar year.  With a revolving restaurant, theatre room, and glass floor observation deck, this is a must see.

Explore Alberta

Travel Alberta, Canada

One of the greatest parts of living in Calgary is just how close it it to explore all the many breathtaking landscapes in the province.  You can easily load your kayaks in the wee hours of the morning and be on Moraine Lake to take in one of the most photographed places in the world.  It's Alberta like you have never seen it.  

Travel Alberta is an excellent guide with photos, descriptions and videos of all the places to visit and explore in this great province. 

Check out their website or social media links below for more worthy spots to enjoy.  Make a plan, have fun and tag me in your post!

Cheers,
                 Steven

Moraine Lake, Alberta
Great View

You Must Stop Here

Allow Me To Show You Around

Fall in love with everything that this area has to offer.  Did you know that Calgary is the only city to have a provincial park entirely within its city boundaries?  That's incredible and definitely makes the list of places to visit while in or near Calgary.  

Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Park
Bragg Creek
Bragg Creek
Troll Falls
Troll Falls
Fullerton Loop
Kananaskis Country
Wedge Pond
Wedge Pond
Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation
Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation
Frank's Slide, Alberta
Frank's Slide

Find Your Way

As a born and raised Calgarian, I believe this city has so much to offer.  It would be a true honour to help you find your dream home here. Please contact me and I would be happy to help.

Calgary Housing Markets Reports

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CREB® 2024 Forecast Calgary and Region Yearly Outlook Report
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CREB® 2024 Forecast Calgary and Region Yearly Outlook Report

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DECEMBER 2023 HOUSING MARKET UPDATE
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DECEMBER 2023 HOUSING MARKET UPDATE

Strong migration and low supply drive Calgary housing prices in 2023 Sales in 2023 did ease relative to last year's peak, but with ...

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