Calgary, Alberta’s biggest city and home to over 1.6 million Canadians, is notable for being among the top 10 most livable cities (seventh) in the world according to the Global Livability Index 2023. Part of Calgary’s livability is highlighted by how the city ranked on this index, including their overall score – 96.8, the second highest of any city in this country – and their perfect 100.0 rating in four different categories. Calgary scored a perfect 100 for Healthcare, Infrastructure, Stability, and Education.
In addition, Calgary is also the third most diverse city in all of Canada, where residents speak more than 120 different languages and nearly 25% of the city’s current population are immigrants themselves.
Several key neighborhoods make up the city of Calgary, a few of which will be discussed in detail now.
Calgary’s downtown core is its most city notable neighborhood/area, largely because this part of Alberta’s largest city is a hub for everything from some of the province’s top-rated restaurants to live entertainment, museums, shopping, and iconic monuments such as the Calgary Tower. Offering a bit of everything for everyone from families to young international students, downtown Calgary is one of this city’s most prominent neighborhoods. The Beltline neighborhood, located directly south of the city’s downtown core, is renowned for its urban culture and nightlife. From its showcases of astounding art at the Chinook Arc and during the Beltline Urban Mural Projects (BUMP) festival to its wintertime BIG Winter Classic festival – a festival “pairing arts and entertainment with local craft beer” – Beltline is a characteristically vibrant Calgary community that is ideal for the city’s increasingly youthful population. Inglewood, Calgary’s oldest neighborhood, is a small town that caters to those who enjoy walking and biking around the area they live. This part of Calgary offers a mix of local restaurants, shops, and historic buildings that truly showcase the most unique and special things about Calgary as a whole.
Calgary Transit handles public transport around this city, including a network of buses and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, known as the CTrain. The cost of fares, tickets, and passes depends on your age at the time of purchase and Calgary Transit also offers special discounts for students. Calgary Transit provides residents with a website and a My Fare mobile app that they can use to plan their commute, as well as purchase certain transit passes.
One of Calgary’s most prominently thriving industries is its technology sector. Other industries and sectors that are vibrantly present in Calgary include agribusiness and entertainment.
Calgary offers several education options for parents, including public school and a range of private education options as well.
In an emergency, Calgary residents are urged to dial 911 to reach emergency service providers who can quickly help.
Calgary has an extensive network of service providers ready and capable of aiding newcomers with everything they need. These service providers work in areas ranging from settlement and integration and education to employment and general immigrant services. Contact information and websites for all listed organizations can be found in the hyperlink.
Overall, Calgary is a diverse and vibrant city that offers a high quality of life and numerous opportunities for newcomers to Canada. Whether you are looking for a thriving tech industry or a supportive network of newcomer services, Calgary is a city worth considering if you are planning to immigrate to Canada.
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