So it looks like I will be moving to Alberta for a couple of years (not sure when yet). I'm on an oil sands project that's being built north of Fort McMurray. I will be flown in and out of the project site from either Edmonton or Calgary, my choice, and will get rental assistance, so financial concerns don't really play in. I will get 8 days off each month that will be the primary time that I spend in or around the cities. So, help me decide where to live for a couple of years. Which city is better? I've never been to Edmonton, and I've spent about 10 days in Calgary over 4 trips, so I don't really know much about it. The Calgarians on the project really talk down Edmonton, and there aren't enough people from Edmonton to defend it, so I don't feel like I have a balanced view from them.
I'll ask this guy I know up in Edmonton what he thinks. He'll probably be pro-Edmonton, but we'll see. Alberta is a great province to live in, I hear, because of all the excess money it has from oil.
I live in Calgary. Therefore, Calgary > Edmonton... easily. in all honesty, both cities are nice... can't go wrong with either.
My wife is from Calgary -- so asking her would be pointless. It would be like asking a hardcore Houstonian if Dallas is better. But Calgary Hands Down. Edmonton is more of a government town. The advantages I usually hear about Edmonton are cost of living, low crime and a great big mall. They do have an amazingly good local arts scene. Calgary is much more vibrant. I find there's much more to do there, and many more places to get to from there. The negatives are cost (not a problem for you) sprawl, traffic (not your problem if you're not commuting) and rednecks. But they're the good kind. The winter's nowhere near as ugly as Edmonton's. And it's probably the most Libertarian city you'll find in Canada.
Thanks. This is helpful. I think the more places to get to may be the clincher. I plan to spend much of my time off during the summer exploring the West.
Guy I know in Edmonton said Calgary is better job-wise, it's warmer, and the architecture is better looking. He had to go before I could ask why anyone would choose Edmonton.
Having visited many times, yes, its similar...Plus it's close to Banff so tons of stuff to see and do...My vote would be Calgary...
I was brought to a strip club my first night in Calgary with an unfulfilled promise about amateur night. I was scarred, and will not return. The customers throw dollar coins at the strippers on stage.
Scarred. No. I met a nice Calgary guy and two nice Calgary girls in a sportsbar, and the girls began talking up the strip club and hinting that they might get on stage, as it was amateur night, and I went along. They didn't get on stage, but threw lots of loonies at the dancers. I'm not much of a strip club guy anyway, and I thought it was such bizarre scene (and even more demeaning than the standard strip club) that I don't think I ever care to go back.
Spent a lot of time in both. I'll tell you this. When we were in Calgary we never needed to go to Edmonton for anything. When we were in Edmonton we made trips to Calgary for better restaurants and stuff. Both are great though and you can't go wrong.
I've got friends in both cities, I've never heard anyone say anything negative about Calgary, can't say the same about Edmonton. I would pick Calgary, you will also possibly make better connections there as the major oil company offices are located there, better for your career.
If you pick Edmonton, you can cheer for a team called the oilers. Calgary is the cold version of Houston just like sugar land balla said. They have cowboys and rodeos.
I went to Calgary for business once and the views up by the mountains and Banff are spectacular. I've never been to Edmonton. That being said, I couldn't wait to get the hell back to Texas when they started talking about what the temps would be like in winter in Calgary. (I went there in August or September, I think)
