saqibs2 said:
Hi Friends
Please share the experience between Calgary and Edmonton.
Best regards
Saqib
Hi Saqib. I lived 8 years in Edmonton (did my grad studies there) and I have been living in Calgary since September. Dislcaimer: this is just my experience and opinion. I'll try to cover the most important points:
1. weather: Edmonton is colder and gets more snow in my opinion. Calgary has chinooks (warm bouts that give you a respite from the bitter cold). But honestly they are about the same. Roads are terrible in Edmonton.
2. location: Calgary has the Rocky mountains less than an hour. Edmonton has...nothing. Although Elk Island is a nice park. That to me is the most important difference.I love winter sports and hiking in summer.
3. architecture: I never minded Edmonton when living there but now that I love in Calgary, I have to say that Edmonton is very dull. Downtown Edmonton has no vibrancy and not very interesting in terms of shopping, strolling. Calgary has pretty amazing architectures, Prince's Island which is strictly for pedestrians, a river walk. It's truly nice
4. entertainment: once again Calgary has the upper-hand although Edmonton has the Alberta art gallery. You have Stephen avenue (pedestrian) with very nice restaurants and shops, a theatre. Kensington is more trendy with little boutiques, very alternative. Inglewood, the oldest neighbourhood, has interesting architecture, pubs and truly alternative shops (one is specialized in Japanese cooking knives!). Marda Loop, with a European (I'm French)/alternative feel and finally 17th avenue with all the pubs and restaurants. However, Edmonton has Old Strathcona right next to the University and there is definitely a soul there with 2 independent move theatres.
5. People: I find people in Edmonton more genuine, blue collar, less conservative, less snobby as well, more laidback. Calgarians are not very different but it's definitely a white collar city and people are colder.
6. cost of living: Edmonton is much cheaper especially for rent. Calgary is really expensive for everything
7. crime: Edmonton is as safe as Calgary in my opinion. If you don't go to sensitive areas like Chinatown and Millwoods you'll be fine. And even then I have friends living in Millwoods:they never had any issue. I have never ever felt threatened in Edmonton.
8. greenery: Edmonton has a HUGE river valley. This is paradise to cross country fanatics and walkers in summer.Sometimes it makes you feel you are lost in a big forest. Calgary has a river and has Glenmore reservoir but I much prefer the river valley in Edmonton.
All in all though they are both good cities but I have to say that I prefer Calgary. The city is prettier, the mountains are close by. You'll have a good life in both.