Whether you are a single professional or a family starting their lives- Calgary might just be one of your ideal destinations. The city comes with several scopes for outdoor sports and other recreational activities, it is in proximity to other leading locations across the globe, cleanliness is prioritized there, and healthcare is top class. Other major highlights of Calgary include its exceptional public transportation system, easy commutes during winters, and a fairly low sales tax. In case you are still unsure whether or not to move to Calgary, we are here to help you out. In the following few sections, we have listed out some pros and cons of moving to the city. So, if you are on the fence, here is everything you need to know about.
Pros of moving to Calgary
Moving to Calgary comes with plenty of perks and opportunities. Here are some of the top pros:
Top-notch cleanliness
If you fancy living in a clean city, Calgary might just be the one for you. The city was awarded the cleanest city rank by Forbes magazine in 2007. Several years later, in 2023, Calgary still holds that rank as per the World Atlas.
The city is extremely clean mostly because of the heavy fines for littering. You are charged heavily ($500 to $1000) even if you accidentally throw cigarette butts or any other waste along the sidewalk. Additionally, Calgary also has some of the best recycling programs to keep the city clean and sustainable.
Excellent public transportation
Calgary’s public transportation is one of the best in the world. The city is well connected with buses, trains, and underground trains. The light railway which is typically powered by the city’s windmills is one of the major highlights. Next, you have the C train that won’t cost you any money until downtown. The overall transportation is affordable and highly convenient.
Proximity to popular destinations
If you love heading for weekend trips once in a while, you would love to move to Calgary. For instance, you can drive to Vancouver in just 10 hours. And that’s not all! The city is in proximity to other popular locations including (but not limited to) Canmore and leading national parks like Banff. Other popular locations in proximity are Edmonton and Glacier national park both of which are day trips.
As you explore the city, you will also find plenty of opportunities for outdoor, recreational activities like hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and ice skating among other sports. If this seems like a dream and you are looking to relocate to Calgary, you might want to check out a moving company in Calgary.
Low taxes
The provincial tax in Calgary is extremely low. Unlike top Canadian cities like Vancouver, Ontario, and Quebec which levies a 15 percent goods and services tax, in Calgary, this tax is only five percent. This is an excellent opportunity for shoppers because you get top-quality goods at a bargain!
Cons of moving to Calgary
Traffic congestion
As with any popular city, Calgary has earned a bad reputation for its dense traffic. If you are driving by car, the commute can be time-consuming in the city owing to the frequent traffic congestion.
Unemployment rate
With an unemployment rate of 10%, Calgary has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada because of its oil crisis. However, there’s still a silver lining. If you bag a job in the oil and gas segment you can make upwards of $75,000.
Bottom Line
The pros of living in Calgary outweigh the cons. So, if you are looking to live in a comfortable environment with excellent healthcare and a good transportation system- Calgary is the city for you.
