Calgary
is the largest city on the Trans-Canada Highway
and the second largest municipality in an area in
Canada covering 721 square kilometers. The city
is located in the Province of Alberta approximately
4 hours from the US border, 3 hours from the Saskatchewan
border and 2 hours from the British Columbia border.
The
city is currently experiencing strong economic growth
spurred on by a healthy provincial economy and good
prospects for the oil and gas sector, which is a
key economic driver in Alberta. A business boom
in recent years has resulted in the relocation of
many companies to Calgary, and the city now has
the second highest number of corporate head offices
after Toronto.
Calgary
was established in 1875 as a small North West Mounted
Police post. With the arrival of the railway in
1882, it became an agricultural center. With the
further development of oil and gas discoveries in
Alberta in the 1970's Calgary became an international
oil and energy resources center. The city has since
diversifies into many other business sectors and
is well able to withstand the fluctuations of the
energy market.
Calgary
has a population of approximately 820,000, a figure
that is expected to grow to one million by 2008.
At only seven per cent, Calgary's unemployment rate
is one of the lowest in Canada. The cost of living
in the city is low compared to Toronto and Vancouver
with house prices and rents being substantially
lower than those two centers. This, coupled with
the lowest overall personal tax burden of any Canadian
province, is another reason why corporations are
attracted to the city.
Calgary
is less than an hour's drive away from the Rocky
Mountains which offer some of the most spectacular
scenery and outdoor winter and summer activity in
North America.
At
one time, Calgary was the fastest growing city in
North America and today it is still growing very
quickly. This means much of the city's infrastructure
is relatively new and modern which makes it even
easier to live and do business in the region.
Although
Calgary's winters are relatively long and harsh,
the city is well prepared to cope with the weather.
A covered walkway system links major buildings in
the downtown core, and major shopping malls are
extensive and self-contained. Several include recreation
areas and entertainment complexes.
Within
a 2 hour drive of Calgary are the Royal Tyrrel museum,
(probably the foremost dinosaur museum in the world),
the Rocky mountains, Banff and Banff national park,
Calaway park, Western Canada's largest theme park
and numerous lakes and camping areas.
Calgary
offers a wide variety of communities in the greater
metropolitan area. Following are afew examples to
give readers some insight into the costs and proximity
of these selected communities.
Coach
Hill and Strathcona are located to the west of the
city. Both neighborhoods offer the best of two worlds:
a quick getaway to the mountains and convenient
proximity to downtown (15 minutes by car and 20-30
minutes by bus). Houses range from new to about
18 years old. The price of an average family home
in the area is approximately $220,000. Higher up
the scale, a four to five bedroom executive home
of 300-plus squares meters with a three- car garage
would go for around $400,000. A two to three bedroom
90 square meter townhouse would cost about $120,000.
Woodbine
and Woodlands are family-oriented communities to
the city's southwest, about 15km from downtown (25-30
minutes by car and 40-45 minutes by bus). They border
on expensive and extremely popular Fish Creek Park,
with its bicycle paths (cross-country ski trails
in winter), wildlife viewing sites and year-around
picnic facilities. Houses range from 2 to 22 years
old. An average family home - 150-160 square meters,
three bedrooms, double garage - sells for approximately
$190,000. The price of a 2-3 bedroom 90-100 square
meter townhouse or half duplex would start at around
$120,000.
Sundance
is located on the southeast edge of the city about
20km from downtown (30-40 minutes by car and 50-60
minutes by bus). It also offers easy access to the
city's industrial and commercial areas to the southeast
and northeast (15-30 minutes away by car). The area
is popular for families with small children because
it is located near a lake which offers year-round
activities - swimming, boating, and fishing in the
summer, and ice-skating in winter. Houses in the
area are from 2 -18 years old. An average family
home of 170 square meters with 3-4 bedrooms sells
for about $210,000. A 90-100 square meter 2-3 bedroom
townhouse or half duplex would cost approximately
$120,000.
