Let's explore some of the many reasons Calgary is one of the best places to call home.

Appealing Weather

Calgary may be known for its cold winters, but summers are mild and sunny. In fact, Calgary is the sunniest city in Canada, averaging 2,396 hours of sun each year, spread across approximately 333 days. Winter sports enthusiasts can certainly take advantage of the winter weather, but there’s plenty of warmer weather throughout the year, too.

Beautiful Natural Scenery

All that sunshine provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy Calgary’s striking natural surroundings. The Rocky Mountains, Banff, and Lake Louise are all a short drive away, and the Bow River runs right through Calgary.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy many locations ideal for hiking, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, skiing, and snowshoeing. Plus, Calgary is within easy driving distance of numerous national parks, like Banff National Park, Elk Island National Park, and Jasper National Park.

Low Cost of Living

Moving to Calgary makes financial sense, too. While the city has tons to offer, its cost of living is lower than comparable areas. For example, consumer prices, including rent, are 9.9% lower in Calgary than those in Montreal, and grocery prices are 4.9% lower in Calgary than they are in Montreal.

There’s an even greater difference when you compare Calgary to Vancouver. Consumer prices, including rent, are 16.9% lower in Calgary than in Vancouver, and Calgary restaurant prices are 3.6% lower than in Vancouver. Apartment costs in the city center are 73.2% less in Calgary than in Vancouver, too.

Calgary gives you the best of a big city lifestyle without the costs typically found in other areas.

Excellent Employment Opportunities

Calgary is a busy city with a thriving economy. It attracts businesses, including large corporations, entrepreneurs, and tech giants like Google and Amazon. Mediacorp’s 2023 list of Alberta’s top employers includes Calgary-based businesses like:

• Big Rock Brewery
• Westjet
• Gibson Energy Inc.
• Aecon
• Suncor
• Calgary Police Service
• Rogers Insurance Limited
• The Calgary Airport Authority

With so many employment opportunities, Calgary is an excellent location for early-, mid-, and late-career professionals.

Healthcare Access

Calgary offers excellent healthcare access, too. Residents can enroll in the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for free, which covers a wide variety of services, such as:

• Medically required physician services
• Psychiatrist visits
• Diagnostic services like laboratory, radiology, and other diagnostics
• Oral surgery
• And more

Numerous private health insurance programs are also available for anyone who doesn’t qualify for AHCAP.

Calgary’s healthcare system includes the Foothills Medical Centre, the Peter Lougheed Centre, the Rockyview General Hospital, and the South Health Campus. The city is also home to the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Plenty of specialty offices, including the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Grace Women’s Health Centre, and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, provide access to comprehensive care services.

Rich Culture and Entertainment

Calgary offers plenty of entertainment options. The city has a diverse dining scene, including well-established and new restaurants, pubs, and bars. There are also several farmers’ markets throughout the city.

Sports fans can attend many games throughout the year, and teams like the Calgary Flames, Calgary Stampeders, and Cavalry FC draw major crowds.

Calgary also has a rich, culturally diverse arts and entertainment scene. Explore the numerous museums and galleries or attend one of the many annual festivals, such as International Beerfest, GlobalFest, Sled Island, and more. The Calgary Stampede is an iconic annual highlight, drawing more than one million visitors each year.

Make Calgary Your Home

Calgary is a great place to live, evidenced by its growing population. From 2021 to 2022, the population grew by 1.9% to 1,611,000. The population grew again by 1.8% from 2022 to 2023, reaching 1,640,000.

You can also make Calgary your home and enjoy all that this thriving city has to offer. Several Brookfield Residential master-planned communities are in the area, providing you with even more choices when looking for your new home.

When you’re ready, explore our communities and contact us to learn more. We’ll be expecting you!