Sux
Sux
Last edited by cowtown_cowboy; 11-04-09 at 04:00 PM.
Whats got you down specifically? I would be the first to admit its got some problems but on the whole I like it here. Just curious.
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” Robert A. Heinlein
Have you considered Kelowna?
"the bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began...there was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land."
Go for Vernon
vancouverits great here
I'm personally thinking of moving out east. Maybe Montreal or Ottawa.
Toronto is fine but what has got you Calgarians down? Everyone keeps talking about the boom and how you can make 20$ an hour working in a Tim Hortons, is it just a crappy place to live? I would imagine the night life might suck, what else?
Don't know, I like it here. If my French was better I might be tempted by Montreal.Originally Posted by jet sanchEz
(Mmmm, Schwartze's Smoked Meat) If you want a more...Bohemian(?) outlook could you live off of 17th or Kensington. Lot of posers but nice nevertheless.
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” Robert A. Heinlein
I grew up in Red Deer, went to U of A and then began my working life in Calgary. I have now lived in Regina for the last 11 years and would not move anywhere else. There are many appealing aspects to Alberta, the rides were great, jobs, lots of stimulation. However, having moved on in life I can't overstate the friendliness of the people here. You get use to the flat ground and can even see the beauty in it. Life in Regina is calm and peaceful. A traffic jam is when you have to wait for two lights to get through an intersection. I have had the opportunity to be in many of the provinces with cycling, but am always glad to be back here.
Calgary is just so... crazy right now. For instance, at almost any place in the city where you stand you can see three separate construction projects. The other day I discovered the favorite part of my favorite road riding route had been turned into... a dump! Can you believe it? Traffic is exploding (exascerbated by the fact that probably every major artery has multiple road expansion projects going on), homelessness is exploding, people are collectively feeling the stress which means they radiate it out to each other through yelling and fighting. Lots of murders and other fatal traffic accidents lately, it seems. So the city is a bit miserable right now.
But. It's a good town to bike in, generally. Most days, in most parts of the city, drivers are polite and not too aggressive (a few unfortunate exceptions).
Dear Sheik, You said "I'm personally thinking of moving out east. Maybe Montreal or Ottawa."
Unless you speak French forget Montreal or Ottawa. My Dad lives in Gatineau right accross from Ottawa and all I can say is it Sucks! I lived just outside of Montreal for 20 years and unless you like Facist Quebecois Telling you you're a second class citizen for being Anglo or a visible minority, forget it. Believe me, my Sister gets treated like crap in Quebec just because she has an Italian last name and not French.
Sorry if I brought you down with my negativity about Montreal and Ottawa, but these are my experiences and why I moved west 20 years ago.
Good luck to you.
Last edited by Cowtown Cumuter; 08-29-07 at 09:53 PM. Reason: Made mistake, had to clarify.
Oh, I know about the frech facist thing, But I have plenty of Anglo family in both cities. I can pass for french if I need to though. I don't know how I feel about Calgary, I have a Love-Hate relationship with it.
My sentiments exactly. I like it here, geographically it's pretty good, but it's failing terribly as a city. I understand it's a supply demand thing, more people in a very short period of time = stupid house prices. It's just that there's no VISION for the city. People here just have that ignorant attitude, it's sprawled so much that car use is inevitable, and top talent, not just wage workers are finding it hard to get a place to live. I'm so torn though, I have a great job and ridiculously cheap rent(for Calgary), but am finding that the all these problems being created from the oilsands(homelessness, crime, etc.) just aren't worth it. A place like Vancouver is great. I had a friend from Sask complain about Van being expensive, but didn't understand WHY...ocean, better developed properties, mountains, bike riding rules there! BC seems to be worth it. I'm tempted to just buy something here, live here for a few more months, then unload it. Could give me anywhere from 15-30K more in the pocket. we'll see.
i agree Bowcyclist...
having come back to Calgary after finishing-up school in Toronto and Barcelona, calgary seems well..sick?
booming financially w/o an equivalent increase in Culture. gone is the 'high' quality of life at an affordable price which allowed one to get away to more vibrant places when Calgary got dull...for most, it seems to be a struggle just to maintain themselves here.
i love biking around here, and this has been my most productive season, ever. but other than that...
i wouldn't recommend buying here right now, the market is dipping. i own a condo in Toronto which has steadily increased in price, Vancouver's prices continue to grow as well. if you are heading to the coast, try to buy there.
The problem with Calgary is that the Boom has attracted too many whiners from back eastCalgary is what you make of it. I've been here since 68...yeah I agree it grew way too darn fast but what are you supposed to do halt growth? Whether you like it or not its the economy of this region that is making Canada's economy so strong......I guess Calgary is also a victim of its own success the boom has also attracted too many Liberals from Ontario, which was evident in Stelmachs left wing nut plan unveiled this week
I've been in Calgary since 82, and the biggest problem with this city is *****-tonk conservatives who've been here since 1896
Conservatives built this place not the policies of the east...aka liberals. Like I said thats where the biggest problem lies, the whining from the liberals..."i want rent controls" i want free this I want free that..."i want my share" if you want your share get to work ..."the best social program is a J O B " and if thats not enough get two!
Oh...did you notice Mr Tafts poll numbers this week 14.5 % he is falling not rising Liberals call him a leader! But than again they call Dion a leader
I don't own a pickup truck or a Cowboy hat and boots..and the Calgary FLAMES SUCK.
you could move, or stay n be a catalyst to change things 'round here. (thingsdonechange)
you site problems like homelessness, house boom, rich richer, poor poorer, crime, murders, toxic noxious obnoxious, maybe throw in powderous se7en sins such as greed, pride. what then you believe, shall be ... antidote? For where there's reaction, there is, or should be a starting cause too.
economics, tax system, supply n demand, freemasonry, you name, 'syours.
White crow Black Dove (Satan's Waitin')
"more subtil than any beast of the field" Gen. 3:1
I love Calgary for a big city. I live right downtown and it is great for biking. I can do all my errands on bike downtown and I can get out of the city fairly easily in several directions for highway rides. I had friends that lived in Vancouver and while it certainly has it merits don't lose sight of the many challenges to living there - many of which are the same as Calgary - over populated, construction, homelessness, traffic, etc..
If you want to get away from the craziness of city life don't move to another big city or a tourist mecca like Whistler. Find a small town in the interior of BC and settle down for some mellow times.
Personally I think its all in people's heads whenever I hear about how crazy Calgary is I laugh. I live in the core and my lifestyle is uber chill. Find a nice place to live and connect with some nice like minded folks - then let the rest of the people do their rat race thing. It doesn't have to affect you other than to be an amusing diversion when you cross a major artery by bike and look down at all the people trapped in their cars.
safe riding - Vik
The Lazy Randonneur
Well I've just gone and bought myself a house in Calgary. We're planning on staying here to raise children and such. Starting a family in the same city in which the our extended families live will make the whole child rearing thing much easier.
I will be living in Montgomery, which makes the cycle commuting super convenient.
The grass is always greener on the other side, a change is as good as a rest etc. etc.
and you know why that is? because all the interesting, engaged people who could actually build and create interesting culture here ALWAYS WIND UP MOVING TO VANCOUVER.
stay.
First... the grass is always greener! Vancouver, while beautiful, has its own fair share of problems. If you aren't willing to stick it out in Calgary and try to change things, I don't think things will be that much better for you here.
In addition, the $225k housing price you just listed is extremely LOW for BC, especially the lower mainland. There's no way you could even buy a shed for that in Vancouver. I pay $1,200 rent for my 750 sq.ft 1-bedroom and this is a steal because of the size. We're looking at buying next year, and for a condo we'll be paying at least $350,000.
You might want to think about Nanaimo or Kelowna. Both are beautiful with gorgeous scenery, lots of cycling opportunities (as well as other outdoor pursuits), and are growing cities. Realty costs are lower than other main cities, like Vancouver or Victoria.
Whistler is expensive. My brother lived there for 4 months and it wasn't worth staying. He paid $700 rent sharing a place with 4 other guys.
Something is happening in Calgary right now. It's good. There are more people riding bikes to work in the dead of winter, the city now plows roads that have bike lanes first, and the local bikecalgary.org community seems to be kicking it up.
and don't forget the plowed mups. courtesy of brian pincott, the 'tooker gomberg of calgary'
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