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Calgary – The 5th Most Liveable City in the World

Miscellaneous – 10 Jul 2024
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Exploring Calgary, Alberta

Calgary, located in the province of Alberta, is a vibrant city known for its stunning natural landscapes and dynamic urban culture. Nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, it is the gateway to some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery. With a population of over 1.6 million people, Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fourth largest in Canada. It boasts a strong economy driven by the energy sector, particularly oil and gas, and is also a hub for technology and innovation. Calgary’s diverse cultural scene, excellent educational institutions, and numerous parks and recreational areas make it a wonderful place to live and visit. 

Recently, there has been a consistent trend of out-of-province and out-of-country buyers looking to move to Calgary. To help others learn more about this incredible city, we have compiled some helpful information on what sets Calgary apart from some of the other cities in Canada.  

WHAT MAKES CALGARY THE FIFTH MOST LIVEABLE CITY IN THE WORLD 

Each year, the Economic Intelligence Unit conducts research to determine the world’s most ‘liveable’ cities. The research is then compiled to create the Global Liveability Index, and this year Calgary was ranked as the fifth most liveable city in the world. According to the report, ‘every city is assigned a rating of relative comfort for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Each factor in a city is rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable, or intolerable. The scores are then compiled and weighted to provide a score of 1-100, where 1 is considered intolerable and 100 is considered ideal’. Calgary’s final score was 96.8 out of 100 which resulted in the fifth highest ranked city in the world, and the highest ranked city in north America.  

Category 1: Stability (weight: 25% of total) 

  • Indicators: Prevalence of petty crime, prevalence of violent crime, threat of terror, threat of military conflict, and threat of civil unrest/conflict.  
  • Calgary’s Score: 100% 

Category 2: Healthcare (weight: 20% of total) 

  • Indicators: Availability and quality of private healthcare, availability and quality of public healthcare, availability of over-the-counter drugs, and general healthcare indicators.  
  • Calgary’s Score: 100% 

Category 3: Culture & Environment (weight: 25% of total) 

  • Indicators: Humidity/temperature rating, discomfort of climate to travellers, level of corruption, social or religious restrictions, level of censorship, sporting availability, cultural availability, food & drink, consumer goods and services.  
  • Calgary’s Score: 90% 

Category 4: Education (weight: 10% of total) 

  • Indicators: Availability and quality of private education, and public education indicators.  
  • Calgary’s Score: 100% 

Category 5: Infrastructure (weight: 20% of total) 

  • Indicators: Quality of road network, quality of public transportation, quality of international links, availability of good quality housing, quality of energy provision, quality of water provision, and quality of telecommunications.  
  • Calgary’s Score: 96.4% 

FUN FACTS ABOUT CALGARY 

  • Sunniest city in Canada, with approximately 333 days of sun throughout the year. 52% of the daylight hours in the city are sunny.  
  • Third most diverse major city in Canada. Home to over 300 cultural origins, and 165 languages are spoken.  
  • Fourth largest city in Canada. In addition, Calgary has experienced the largest population growth among major cities in the country for the past 10 years.  
  • One of Canada’s ‘youngest’ cities – as the average median age of residents is 37.8 years old.  
  • You can walk 18km downtown without ever going outside via the Plus15 network.  
  • The chinook winds can increase the temperature by as much as 20 degrees in just a few hours.  
  • ‘Highest’ major city in Canada, with an elevation of 1,045m above sea level.  

 

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND CALGARY 

Outdoor Activities:  

  • Rotary/Mattamy Greenway: Calgary offers a 138km network of parks and pathways that encircles the city. This integrated path network provides a year-round destination for runners, cyclists, cross-country skiers, and nature enthusiasts.  
  • Lakes & Rivers: The Bow River runs throughout the city and residents can grab a raft or tube and spend the day floating down the river while enjoying picturesque views. Calgary is also home to the Glenmore Reservoir as well as several other smaller lakes that serve as great spots to relax throughout the summer.  

Primary Attractions:  

  • The Calgary Zoo (Wilder Institute) is home to over 4,000 animals, 100 varied species and has received international recognition as one of the top zoos in the world for conservation research.  
  • Telus Spark Science Centre is an interactive science museum with a variety of exhibits and presentations for all ages to enjoy.  
  • Heritage Park is Western Canada’s Living History Museum that offers over 200 exhibits and attractions.  
  • WinSport (formerly Canada Olympic Park) offers a variety of summer and winter activities for all ages, including skiing, mountain biking, hockey, skating, sports training and more. WinSport was also one of the primary venues used to host the 1988 Winter Olympics.  
  • Spruce Meadows is a reputable equestrian competition venue that hosts several tournaments a year. This multi-purpose sports facility is also home to the Cavalry FC, Calgary’s own Canadian Premier League soccer team. 
  • The Scotiabank Saddledome is the primary indoor arena venue for a few of Calgary’s major sports teams (i.e. Calgary Flames, Calgary Roughnecks) in addition to major concerts and shows in the city.  
  • Studio Bell (home of the National Music Centre) features exhibits on Canadian music history, interactive instrument areas and recording studios.  
  • The Calgary Tower is in the heart of downtown Calgary and is an iconic landmark in the city. This building is 191m tall and offers visitors a 360-degree view of the city.  
  • The Glenbow Museum is an art and history museum ideally situated in downtown Calgary. This museum specifically focuses on Western Canada history and culture. 
  • Calaway Park is western Canada’s largest amusement park and is located just outside of Calgary in Springbank. This park includes a variety of rides, games, and activations for all ages.  
  • The Hangar Flight Museum is the go-to destination to learn about western Canada’s aviation history. This facility is in a drill hall built during the Second World War. 

Proximity to the Rockies:  

  • Calgary is located just a 1.5-2-hour drive to Canmore and Banff in the Canadian Rockies. This mountainous region is home to some of the most beautiful, picturesque landscapes in North America. There are an endless number of activities available here, and many Calgarians will escape the city and drive out to the mountains for a quick and easy getaway.  
  • Hiking: For those interested in hiking, there are an endless number of impressive trails located in the Banff and Canmore area. From beginner, 1-hour trails to longer multi-day trails there are options for all skill-levels. All Trails is a great resource to research trails in the area, and we have included lists to some of the most popular trails in the area below: 

Festivals 

Calgary is home to several large festivals throughout the year that draw in large crowds. Most notably, the Calgary Stampede is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and it takes place for 10 days every July. This annual rodeo, exhibition and festival attracts over one million visitors per year and includes a notable parade, midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing and First Nations exhibitions. Other impressive festivals in the city include: 

For a complete list of festivals that take place in Calgary, click HERE.  

 

Sources: 

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