A cosmopolitan city with a cowboy spirit, Calgary is drawing Canadians from across the country in search of affordable housing, wide open skies, and a solid economy. But is Calgary a good place to live? This guide has all the information potential homeowners need for moving to Calgary.
Located in Alberta at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is three hours south of Edmonton and is the largest city in the province with a population of over 1.6 million. Calgarians enjoy all the pleasures and amenities that come with living in a large city combined with close access to some of Canada’s greatest outdoor treasures, such as Lake Louise and Banff National Park.
Notable Calgary neighbourhoods
Inglewood
Inglewood, a historic neighbourhood in Calgary, stands out as both the oldest and one of the most vibrant areas in the city. Situated at the meeting point of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Inglewood holds great significance as a traditional gathering place for the Blackfoot Nation. This community is teeming with local eateries, boutiques, and well-preserved historical structures. Located near Calgary’s downtown core, Inglewood has managed to maintain a charming small-town atmosphere. Potential residents are immediately drawn to the neighbourhood’s pedestrian and bike-friendly streets.
Kensington
One of the best places to eat and shop in Calgary is Kensington. Situated just north of the city centre, The Calgary C-Train (the above ground light-rail transit system) runs through the Kensington area via Sunnyside station. Ezra Riley, a pioneer, rancher, and former Canadian politician, used the area for grazing cattle in the early 20th century. Today, the neighbourhood is known for specialty shops, fashionable brunch spots, and striking public art.
Bridgeland
Bridgeland is the perfect neighbourhood for those seeking a small-town feel in the big city. Nestled just northeast of Calgary’s bustling downtown, this charming and pedestrian-friendly community encourages residents to explore its streets. In the heart of the Bridgeland, on 1st Avenue Northeast, lies a vast array of independently-owned restaurants, outdoor attractions that cater to the entire family, and local shops offering unique and exclusive items.
East Village
People from all around Calgary head to the East Village district for its beautiful paths, fashionable eateries, and stunning modern architecture. The Bow River borders the district to the north, and the Elbow River borders it to the east. The neighbourhood is nestled on the eastern side of Calgary’s city core.
The region has been thoughtfully planned to be extremely accessible by foot, bike, and public transportation. East Village is also home to The Platform Innovation Centre. This unique space boasts 50,000 square feet of space serving Calgary’s innovators. Included in the space are resources for Platform’s 70-plus tech and innovation partners, meeting and workshop rooms, as well as spaces to prototype new ideas.
Mission
The Mission neighbourhood in Calgary is a thriving inner-city enclave located just southwest of downtown and was once a Francophone town called Rouleauville. You can feel the European influence in the city’s gardens, cafes, and old buildings. While strolling around Mission is the way to go, there are plenty of parking spots along 4th Street. Mission is conveniently accessible from downtown thanks to multiple bus routes.
Calgary’s largest employers
Calgary sits at the heart of Canada’s energy industry and many of its residents are employed by companies in this field.
It’s worth noting that many of the companies in the short list below are in the energy sector, reflecting Calgary’s strong presence in the oil and gas industry. However, the list also includes companies from other sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, construction, and financial services, demonstrating the diversity of Calgary’s economy.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)
A railroad transportation company with over 10,000 employees.
Imperial Oil Limited
An oil and gas production and distribution company with 5,300 employees.
Suncor Energy Inc.
A major energy company.
Shaw Communications Inc.
A telecommunications company with approximately 15,000 employees.
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
A major Canadian airline headquartered in Calgary.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
An oil and gas company.
TransCanada Corp.
An energy infrastructure company.
PCL Construction
An industrial, commercial, and institutional building construction company with 2,953 employees.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
A natural gas distribution company with 2,450 employees.
The best attractions in Calgary
The city is known for its world-famous Calgary Stampede — an annual summer festival that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors for its musical acts, rodeo events, a powwow, and much more. But Calgary has plenty of other activities throughout the year for residents to explore. Here’s a short list of some of the best attractions in Calgary.
Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo is a must-visit, featuring nearly 1,000 animals across 119 species. Highlights include gorillas, polar bears, giraffes, and penguins. The zoo also offers seasonal events such as ZooLights during the Christmas season.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Located near the Glenmore Reservoir, this historical village offers interactive exhibits, a steam engine train, horse-drawn wagon rides, and the Gasoline Alley Museum with vintage cars. It’s a great spot to learn about Calgary and Western Canada’s history.
Fort Calgary
This national historic site at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers offers an interpretive centre, a 40-acre park, and historical buildings such as the Hunt House and Métis cabin.
The Military Museums
This is the largest tri-service museum in Western Canada, featuring exhibits from various military regiments and an art gallery. It provides a comprehensive look at Canada’s military history.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
One of the largest urban parks in North America, Fish Creek Provincial Park offers extensive trails for hiking and biking, nature viewing, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Nosehill Park
This park is one of North America’s largest urban parks, offering beautiful hiking trails and stunning views of downtown Calgary.
Calgary Pathway System
The city’s extensive pathway system is perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling, offering scenic routes through various parts of Calgary.
Banff National Park
Located about 104 km from Calgary, Banff offers breathtaking natural scenery, hiking trails, and the Banff Gondola for panoramic views.
Ready to move to Calgary? Here’s a list of new-home communities in the city.
Location: 14661 1 Street Northeast, Calgary, AB
Starting price: Coming soon
Home type: Townhomes
ZEN Livingston is a new townhouse community by Avalon Master Builder currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2026. ZEN Livingston has a total of 130 units. The homes will be two storeys each and will feature one to three bedrooms, depending on the model.
Location: 104 Street Southeast & Alberta 22X, Calgary, AB
Starting price: $699,900
Home type: Single-family
Sora at Hotchkiss is a new single-family home community by Akash Homes currently in preconstruction. Sora at Hotchkiss unit sizes start at 1,845 square feet with three bedrooms.
Location: 2436 85 Street Southwest, Calgary, AB
Starting price: $1,254,750
Home type: Single-family
Aspen Spring Estates is a new single family home community by Shane Homes currently under construction. Available units range in price from $1,254,750 to over $1,649,999. Aspen Spring Estates unit sizes range from 1,407 to 3,048 square feet and one to four bedrooms, depending on the model.
Location: 742 85 Street Southwest, Calgary, AB
Starting price: Coming soon
Home type: Condos
Oak and Olive is a new condo community by Truman currently under construction with seven storeys and scheduled for completion in 2027. Oak and Olive has a total of 216 units.
Location: 19614 Sheriff King Street Southwest, Calgary, AB
Starting price: $535,000
Home types: Condos and townhomes
Belmont Townhomes is a new condo and townhouse community by Homes by Avi currently in preconstruction and set for completion in 2025. Available units range in price from $535,000 to $553,900. Belmont Townhomes has a total of 94 units. Sizes range from 1,415 to 1,523 square feet.
