Welcome to Calgary, Where has long been the economic engine for Canada.Calgary Stampede
The 10-day Calgary Stampede can trace its roots back to the 1880s and is the highlight of Calgary's summer, cementing this Alberta city's reputation as Canada's "Stampede City." This famous rodeo - billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" - is held in July and includes all kinds of cowboy- and rodeo-style entertainment and exhibitions.
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1. A Canadian Province With No Sales Tax
Alberta doesn’t impose a provincial sales tax, so if you move to Calgs, you will only have to pay 5% for federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). Unlike in Toronto or Vancouver, you will spend less on groceries, entertainment, gas, and clothes. The idea behind lower taxes is to encourage entrepreneurs and investors to start their businesses in Alberta.
3. Great Public Transportation
A network of buses and trains works like a clock to help people get around, and not just that. Calgary’s C-Trains are powered by electricity coming from wind farms. It is the first place ever to use wind-powered systems for public transportation in North America. This has contributed significantly to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. And what is even better, in Calgary’s downtown, C-Train rides are free along the 7th Avenue, known as the free fare zone.
5. The Canadian Health Care System for Newcomers
Although it might take some time until you become eligible for the Alberta Health Insurance Plan Card, it will enable you to get a lot of health services for free. During this waiting period, you can rely on private health insurance. Speaking of health, there are now more family doctors per person than the national average, and the majority of them are accepting new patients.
7. Festivals and Free Pancakes
There are so many things to do in Calgary, but one is at the top of every list: the Stampede. It all started in 1912, and nowadays it is one of the biggest rodeo shows in the world which attracts around a million visitors each year. But the delicious part of this is that during the festival, you can find places all over the town that offer free pancakes for breakfast. Besides Stampede, there are more festivals and events in this city
2. Calgary Is one of the World’s Cleanest City
Since Cowtown topped the Forbs’s list of cleanest cities in 2007, it has earned a good reputation in this regard, and it is trying to maintain it. The air pollution is low, they recycle a lot, water is drinkable and available to everyone, and the city uses clean sewage systems. But what brought back the “order” and forced people to change their behavior are high fines. If you drop a cigarette on the street, you can get a penalty from $500 to $1000. It’s no wonder the streets are sparkling clean.
4. Calgary’s 15+ Walkway System in Downtown
Here is something for those who are afraid of Canadian winters. This ingenious solution consists of numerous enclosed bridges across the downtown, and it is the most extensive indoor system of this kind. The number in its name refers to the height above the ground. These bridges allow pedestrians to go around downtown without freezing to their core. Many residents use them year-round, but especially during winters.
6. Affordable Housing
Not only is the rent here affordable, but the market is also very welcoming to those who are looking to purchase a property. The majority of residents here live in their own homes. So if becoming a homeowner is a plan of yours, you can turn it into reality sooner rather than later here in Calgs.
8. Sunniest Major City in Canada
Yearly, Calgs gets around 2,300 sunny hours, which is more than any other major city in Canada. Perhaps this sunny weather is the reason why people here are in such a good mood and friendly towards newcomers.