Calgary, Alberta, a thriving city home to more than 1.6 million Canadians, is ranked seventh in the coveted Global Livability Index 2023, making it one of the world’s top ten most livable cities. Making Calgary as your new home is a wise decision, given its impressive ranking on the index with an outstanding overall score of 96.8, the second-highest in the country. Notably, Calgary boasts a perfect 100.0 rating in four critical categories, making it an ideal place for relocation.
Calgary achieves perfect ratings of 100 in the areas of healthcare, infrastructure, stability, and education, demonstrating its dedication to giving its citizens high-quality amenities and a safe environment. In addition, Calgary is Canada’s third most diverse city, with a multilingual community that speaks more than 120 languages. The largest city in Alberta is home to over 25% of the present population who are immigrants, creating a friendly environment that facilitates the assimilation of newcomers.
This guide is designed to offer newcomers crucial information for acclimating to the “Heart of the New West” and embracing the lively and sun-drenched spirit that defines Calgary.
Explore Calgary and familiarize yourself with its key neighborhoods
Calgary receives more sunshine than any other major Canadian city, with an astounding 333 days each year. Residents will have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of everything that Calgary has to offer thanks to the abundance of sunshine.
The downtown area is Calgary’s most renowned district and the center of the largest city in Alberta. This dynamic neighborhood is a busy center, home to some of the best restaurants, live music venues, museums, retail stores, and famous landmarks in the province, including the Calgary Tower. Representing one of the most notable and adaptable communities in the city, downtown Calgary offers something for everyone, from young international students to families.
Calgary’s Beltline neighbourhood, which lies immediately south of the city centre, is well-known for its lively nightlife and urban culture. Beltline, with its spectacular art exhibits such as the Chinook Arc and the Beltline Urban Mural Projects (BUMP) festival, along with the big winter classic event, is a unique and vibrant community that is ideal for Calgary’s growing younger population.
Calgary is one of Canada’s youngest major cities, with a 2021 median age of just 38, which is indicative of its vibrant and active population.
Furthermore, the oldest neighborhood in Calgary, Inglewood, is a charming haven for people who enjoy cycling and walking on a daily basis. Often referred to as Calgary’s original downtown, Inglewood offers a quaint blend of neighborhood restaurants, boutiques, and historic buildings that make for a wonderful diversion from the rush of the city. It serves as a display of the distinctive qualities that make Calgary stand out as a whole.
Calgary’s public transportation System
Calgary Transit is responsible for managing public transportation in Calgary. It is a complete system that includes buses and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, which are together referred to as the CTrain.
To meet the varied demands of commuters, communities in this city have access to public transportation through a variety of options, such as single fare purchases, ticket bundles, or passes for varying lengths like a day or a month.
Prices for the fare, ticket, and pass depend on the age of the buyer; young people with valid student IDs can receive special student rates.
Additionally, Calgary Transit offers cheap monthly and annual transit passes for low-income citizens and seniors, in addition to special pricing for weekend group day passes. Click this link to learn more about these choices.
In order to provide smooth transportation, Calgary Transit provides its citizens with a website and the My Fare mobile app, which let them schedule their trips and buy particular transit passes.
The website for Calgary Transit is an invaluable resource, offering facts about any disruptions commuters may have while using the system, as well as tools and information regarding user accessibility.
Prosperous Sectors in Calgary
The technology industry in Calgary is one of the most dynamic, with the fastest-growing labor force in North America. This establishes Calgary as one of Canada’s premier centers of innovation and technology, luring job seekers interested in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
In the new category-based pulls of the federal government, Alberta offers more than 38,000 job openings in five priority occupational categories. Outside of STEM, these fields include trade, transportation, healthcare, and agriculture/agri-food. Since Calgary is the most populated city in Alberta, it is likely that a large percentage of these positions are found there.
Calgary is home to over 40,000 tech workers, witnessing a remarkable job growth rate of over 20 percent in the technology sector from 2017 to 2021.
Moreover, aside from technology, other vibrant industries and sectors present in Calgary include:
Agricultural Business
Alberta, the country’s third-largest exporter of agri-food goods, depends heavily on Calgary. This is explained by Calgary’s advantageous location at the intersection of the CANAMEX corridor, or Trans-Canada Highway (which runs east/west), and Highway 2 (which runs north/south). Due to this geographic advantage, businesses may easily access a variety of consumer marketplaces by effectively reaching millions of consumers in a single day.
Entertainment
Calgary is committed to elevating its standing as Canada’s hub for the arts and culture. The city’s creative industries sector is expected to invest $566 million in “digital transformation” between 2022 and 2024, according to the Calgary Economic Development website. With this investment, gaming, esports, immersive technology, animation, and visual effects will all become significant growth drivers.
Calgary’s increasing use as a backdrop for significant film and television productions serves as proof of its emergence as a center for entertainment. In recent years, filmmakers utilized Calgary as a filming location for notable films, including HBO’s The Last of Us (2023) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019).
The educational system in Calgary
In Calgary, parents can choose from a variety of educational options, such as public and private schools. Parents must pay for their child’s private education on their own. Private education is provided through boarding or private schools. On the other hand, public education is provided at no cost because of the tax funding mechanism. The official website of the government of Calgary provides a comprehensive description of the curriculum used in the city’s public schools, encompassing the entire school program from kindergarten through the twelfth grade.
In addition, Calgary’s post-secondary education system includes more than sixty DLIs, which are essential for recent immigrants who are studying abroad. For foreign people to apply for a study permit in Canada, they need to get a letter of acceptance from a DLI.
The University of Calgary is one of the most well-known DLIs in the area, having produced well-known alumni including James Gosling, the creator of the Java programming language, and Garrett Champ, a co-founder of Uber.
Emergency response services in Calgary
One important thing that visitors to Calgary should keep in mind is that emergency services are available.
It is imperative that newcomers know how to call for help, whether it be from the fire, ambulance, or police departments.
Moreover, it is recommended that Calgary residents call 911 in the event of an emergency. This guarantees an immediate link to emergency service providers who can deliver the required aid quickly. For inhabitants of the province, including Calgary, the Alberta Health Services website provides essential information about emergency services. This contains information on medical institutions, hospitals, and the range of services and programs that are available to them.
Services for Newcomers
With a vast network of service providers, Calgary can help newcomers with a wide range of needs. These committed groups provide general immigrant services as well as services related to employment, education, integration, and settlement.
Please be aware that your eligibility for these services depends on your immigration status to Canada and the source of money used by the settlement assistance organization. Also, it is advisable to check with the specific service provider to ensure qualification.
Here is a sample list of these organizations:
- Support Services for Women New to Calgary: Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
- Educational Assistance: The Immigrant Education Society
- Job Placement Services: Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council
Moreover, a number of these Calgary organizations also cater to newcomers in French. These institutions encompass:
- Settlement and Integration Support: Portail de l’Immigrant Association de Calgary
- Overall Services and Community-Based Programs: La Cité des Rocheuses
Conclusion
Choose Calgary as your new residence to start a journey full with many options. With the help of this indispensable manual, novices may make a smooth transition. Calgary has a dynamic terrain with booming industries and lively neighborhoods. Seize the opportunity to prosper in a city that is ideal for building your future since it combines livability, education, and jobs.
Begin your journey to Canada with Immigtoronto, offering expert guidance and dedicated for a seamless immigration process. Contact us for any queries at [email protected]
