My Calgary Home?

[easychair]

I'm a native Callifornian and my family goes back to before the Gold Rush in Northern California. I no longer live there. I left for business reasons but every time I go back to visit I lament what has happened to the environment and the culture.

Parts of California have become cultural and environmental cess pools and for the first time more people are leaving California than people coming to settle there. Many Californians have just headed north to Oregon and Washington and residents there are not pleased. They have a bumper sticker in Oregon that says, "Don't Californicate Oregon." I don't blame them.

Anyway, this leads to my point about whether Americans are welcome to immigrate to Canada. A friend of mine and I have a vacation compound in the little village of Playa Azul in the Mexican state of Michoacan. We go there twice a year and when we're there we always say how nice it is to be out of America and away from American attitudes. There aren't many gringos in Playa Azul but we occasionally see a few arrogant Americans throwing their money around and treating the locals who wait on them like chattel. And for some reason they're always surprised to learn that all Mexican girls are not for sale.

My friend recently bought a house for his daughter in Calgary. She's a member of the U.S. Olympic junior speed skating team and wanted to go to Calgary University because they have the best oval in North America. She's renting rooms to other speed skaters to pay the mortgage and it's working out fine. When she's through with college my friend and his wife are seriously considering moving into that house and becoming permanent residents. And I'm thinking of getting a place there too.

I really like Calgary and I like Canadian culture. People are generally more open, less prejudiced, and dare I say it, better educated than the average American. I definitely prefer the Canadian system of government and that might be the number one incentive for me to move to Canada.

I don't hate America and it's been very good to me and my family but I'm just weary of its politics and its wars. I don't want to be a part of it any more. I'm sure that statement will provoke some of the American conservatives on this site but I'm used to their rants from participating on other discussion sites.

I've always felt welcome as a visitor in Calgary but I'm not an insider so I wanted to get some feedback from Canadians on they feel about American immigrants. I know there's been some controversy about the immigration issue but I haven't followed it much.

[The Terrible Sweal]

Broadly speaking, immigrants are welcome in Canada. There are some who have a policy preference for limiting immigration, but only a lunatic fringe of them would let their personal interactions with immigrants be driven by these policy beliefs.

I would imagine that Alberta would be particularly welcoming to American immigrants, but many there may not care much for your sensible political views.

[Black Dog]

If you want to get away from American attitudes, Calgary is not the place to go. It's practically the 51st state. there's Vancouver, which is gorgeous, or, if you really want to experience culture shock, Montreal, the best city in Canada.

[easychair]

Yes, Alberta might be a bit like Montana or Idaho in that respect but Calgary has a diverse population and the people probably have diverse political opinions too.

I don't talk national and international politics at cocktail parties or in other casual conversation (prefer the web for that) but I'm a down and dirty bastard when it comes to local politics so I would have to tone that down especially being an American.

I'm pretty knowledgeable about government finance and municipal corruption (graft, kickbacks, bid rigging, etc.) so I can be a real pain in the butt to local politicians and their patrons. I also believe in sound city planning so I bet I'd clash with the full bore economic development types in Calgary. But I think I can behave myself.

[Black Dog]

I also believe in sound city planning so I bet I'd clash with the full bore economic development types in Calgary.

That's another thing about Calgary. The urban sprawl is unreal. It's pretty gross driving in and seeing what was recently rolling foothills now turned into grotesque generic, cookie-cutter suburban developments.

You seems like you'd be more at home in Edmonton. It's a University town, with a thriving arts and cultural community, lots of good festivals and its also the last bastion of liberalism in Alberta. It's a beautiful city too, though the winters are hard.

[caesar]

Easychair; If you want to come and be one of us Canadians; I am sure the majority of people will welcome you with open arms. Climate wise; BC would be a better choice. We have beautiful scenery and abundant sporting venues. I love the Okanagan.

[takeanumber]

I've always felt welcome as a visitor in Calgary but I'm not an insider so I wanted to get some feedback from Canadians on they feel about American immigrants. I know there's been some controversy about the immigration issue but I haven't followed it much.

My boss, and many of my cohorts are American.

I got no problem with them, because they too like the Canadian way.

Here are a few pointers:

1. Keep your religion to yourself. If you're a pagan, that's fine, you have the freedom on religion, keep it to yourself. If you're a devout protestant, terrific. Use it in your own life, but keep it to yourself.

2. Anti-American comments are very common, even in Conservative circles in Calgary. Take them personally and speak up. Remind them that not all Americans are feces chucking Lindi Englands, and that Bush didn't actually win the election. If you're a social conservative republican, don't come to Canada. You won't like it and we're better off without you.

3. If you say that you're going to call, call.

4. Most Canadians don't care that you drive a fast car, wear expensive clothes, or have a nice watch. You're really not impressing anybody. Leave that part of your mentality behind.

5. Two words: Social Mobility. We're an equal opportunity country: both the rich and poor alike have the opportunity to become ditch diggers and CEO's. If you come here, don't try to burn the ladder behind you.

6. Welcome!

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear easychair,

I live in Calgary myself, and I love the city. It is close to the mountains, so camping, hunting and fishing are don't get much better.

It is a relatively modern city, traffic is bad at rush hour, but otherwise it has one of the best roadway systems in the country.

It is a culturally diverse and accepting city, almost every culture or country has a restaurant here.

I own a small business in downtown Calgary, and while many of my customers are millionaires, you wouldn't sense it from talking to them.

If you are considering moving to Calgary, do it soon. There is plenty of opportunity, but house values are on the rise, and Uban Sprawl is definitely a problem. However, many of the older communities are being 'revitalized' and many are both convenient and beautiful.

[Guest eureka]

My California daghter-in-law will be coming to Canada in the next year or two when her contract and my sons is done overseas.

Last year, they were married in Toronto and there weremore than a hundred guests from America, Every one raved about the city and a few talked of moving here. Two have made applications.

In Toronro the cultural and economic heart of Canada, Americans are welcome as are the 140 other so nationalities who co-exist in the most cosmopolitan city in the world. Yoy would not have to hide your Americanism. Even if you were a Bush supporter you would experience nothing worse than amusement.

Housing is getting a bit expensive but is still cheap by California standards.

[takeanumber]

There is quite a bit of racism in Calgary, but that hardly makes it the 51st state.

It's a clean city. The urban sprawl is a result of market demand, and the traffic is far, far better than LA, SD or SF.

It's not perfect, but better than most. Housing prices are really low still.

[I miss Reagan]

Calgary is great. Don't come if you're a California liberal. We've been infiltrated enough by Eastern Canadians. If you're from Orange County you'll fit right in here. The only racism I've seen is anti-Americanism. Most educated Calgarians are very tolerant and accepting of Americans. Then national pastime of the uneducated is hating americans.

[Cartman]

Calgary is a great city though it is growing at a fast pace. The result is that infrastructure cannot keep up so there is always construction and traffic jams. There are many smaller communities next to it so if you are trying to avoid city living, it is quite easy to do.

The economy is quite strong.

It is very sunny and dry; temperatures can fluctuate dramatically in a day. The great part is that you are right next to the mountains and the recreation and beauty they offer.

Politically, the frustrating aspect is that it is very homogenous with swings taking place every 20-30 years. IMO, Canadians (esp. Calgarians) do not like open political dissent even though we preach tolerance and acceptance (most people do not seem terribly interested in politics anyways). If I were coming from the US, Calgary would probably be my first choice.

If you are considering moving to Calgary, do it soon. There is plenty of opportunity, but house values are on the rise, and Uban Sprawl is definitely a problem. However, many of the older communities are being 'revitalized' and many are both convenient and beautiful.

I would agree with this sentiment especially the part about considering revitalized communities.

[daniel]

If it's diversity, Calgary is not it. On a radio show, (guest) hosted by Preston Manning he asked why Albertans consistently vote Conservative. Well, the analysts and others interviewed basically stated its the culture and the pressure exerted by everybody inside the workplace as well as socially.

So much for political diversity.

As for cultural diversity, the places to be are: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

If you're a draft-dodger, that's a bonus. Canada has respected international reputation for accepting refugees. 1777 comes to mind.

Welcome.

[Cartman]

Oops...I should mention one last thing and I suspect that most Calgarians will agree with me. There is an undercurrent of "beef/farming rage" here and it is best to avoid the topics in polite conversations.

[Greg]

I don't mean to interject, but in defence of the province I and Maple Leaf Web call home, Alberta is not the white, redneck, racist province that some of these posters would have you believe.

Simplistic comments like these are not helpful,

I would imagine that Alberta would be particularly welcoming to American immigrants, but many there may not care much for your sensible political views.

If you want to get away from American attitudes, Calgary is not the place to go. It's practically the 51st state.

There is quite a bit of racism in Calgary, but that hardly makes it the 51st state.

As for cultural diversity, the places to be are: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

It is really too bad that someone who is thinking about immigrating to Canada must be confronted with such ignorant and juvenile province bashing. Nowhere in easychair's original post did s/he ask for your opinions on which province/city/region is the best - so lets cut the petty behaviour out.

Also, I won't tolerate these types of generalizations, mistruths and insults about Alberta or any other province/city/region. If you can't debate with facts and respect, then I suggest you find some other forum to participate in.

Greg

Admin

[daniel]

I don't mean to interject, but in defence of the province I and Maple Leaf Web call home, Alberta is not the white, redneck, racist province that some of these posters would have you believe.

Simplistic comments like these are not helpful,

...

As for cultural diversity, the places to be are: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

...

Why didn't you also consider this the bashing of Winnipeg, Regina, Moose Jaw, etc etc? as neither Calgary nor any of these other cities were listed in my sentence.

In what way do you categorize this particular one as province-bashing? It's, in fact, promoting Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

[takeanumber]

Calgary Herald, Thursday September 2, 2004, pages A1 and A6.

[daniel]

Calgary Herald, Thursday September 2, 2004, pages A1 and A6.

Do you have a link?

[takeanumber]

I have the newspaper.

I don't have a subscription to the Herald, so no, no link.

Here's the same story, a little bit more developed, but it doesn't nearly do the original article justice. You should read how the club owners justify racism.

Enjoy.

http://www.canada.com/calgary/globaltv/sto...24-853b5645c68a

[August1991]

I don't mean to interject, but in defence of the province I and Maple Leaf Web call home...

So Greg, don't interject. You pull a Michael Jackson, well...

My opinion?

I preferred Edmonton to Calgary. Compare the river valleys. Compare the downtowns. Compare the university campuses.

In Edmonton, you can blank out your eyes staring at the floodlights of the legislature. You can't do that in Calgary.

IME, Edmonton had thoughtful people. There was no there there in Calgary. Only the mountains - "30 minutes away", people said.

I have a vague memory of Medicine Hat. It's sort of like Sherbrooke.

Anyone know Drummondville? (C'est la Red Deer du Québec.)

IOW Greg, drop it.

[Guest eureka]

If many more settle in Calgary, will you not run out of water that much sooner?

[takeanumber]

They've implemented metering.

The policy direction is to let the market decide, and that'll stimulate water savings.

It's obscene how much water is being used, especially on lawns.

I'd like to see a tax credit, in addition to money savings, from choosing to have a balsom garden with a handsome rock garden instead.

[daniel]

...

It's obscene how much water is being used, especially on lawns....

I have never watered my lawn. When there is a drought it does turn yellow, but after a rain, it turns green again.

Water should be conserved not wasted on watering the grass.

Also, flowers in flower gardens should be native to the region you are living. You waste a lot of resources looking after vegetation that is not native.

[takeanumber]

I agree.

It should be about individual choice, but there needs to be good incentives (paying the real cost of water, tax breaks) for those who make the choices which are most optimal for everybody.

[stamps]

If you are thinking of relocating to our fair city my American friend expect some cold weather, but on a whole it is probably second only to our west coast in temperatness in Canada, we have the most days of sunshine of any major Canadian city, our population is the most highly educated per in this country, the Rocky Mountains offer year round recreation plus they are breath taking and you can look to the west and see them everyday, 2 years ago we won an award for being the CLEANEST city in the WORLD just ahead of Helsinki Finland, the biggest party this country has to offer is our annual 10 day Stampede at the beginning of July that is embraced by a city like nothing you've ever seen, our nights are cool in the summer but that comes with being at a high altitude( great for sleeping), on one of the opening days of the Olympics in Febuary 1988 ABC made the comment that the tempeture that day in Los Angeles California was 16 degrees celcius(about 62-65 F) and the temperture in Calgary Alberta Canada was 16 degrees celcius, all the snow the world was looking at on TV in the opening ceremonies was sand brought in to give the illusion of snow, by the end of the Olympics that year our weather had turned to a balmy minus 20 celcius, temperture swings can be drastic in our fair city to say the least, it does keep things fresh though, our climate is quite dry but if your from the american west I'm sure you would'nt notice any differance, I'm sure I could ramble off forever about our great city but to cap it off I would like to say that I have been to alot of great places in my lifetime but I have never been to a place that matches the beauty and aura of my hometown of Calgary Alberta Canada.....