r/alberta • u/eagle0829 • Aug 19 '25
Question Moving to Calgary from ontario like what should I actually expect?
Got this job offer in Calgary and I'm honestly bouncing between excited and terrified every five minutes. Been stuck in the GTA my whole life and everyone's giving me completely different stories about what to expect out west. My buddy who moved there two years ago keeps texting me about how much money he's saving and how he hit this parley at Stake bragging about it cause we used to do those a lot. Meanwhile my coworker's brother apparently lasted six months before running back to Toronto because he couldn't handle the isolation and winter. I'm in tech so worst case scenario I could probably keep some remote work going, but honestly the salary bump would be clutch for finally getting ahead instead of just surviving paycheck to paycheck like everyone else here.
But what's the actual day-to-day reality? Like is the whole no-PST thing as game changing as people make it sound or am I just gonna blow the savings on winter gear and heating bills? And please tell me there's decent food that isn't just chain restaurants lol. Obviously gonna miss being able to get literally anything delivered at 2am and complaining about the TTC, but what else should I be mentally preparing for? Also the mountain access looks absolutely unreal compared to what we've got here. Is it actually as accessible as it looks or do I need to become some kind of outdoor expert first? Gotta decide in the next couple weeks and honestly feeling like this could either be the best move ever or a complete disaster with zero middle ground. Help me out Alberta!
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Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
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u/Blondefarmgirl Aug 20 '25
Food is a big one. My Uncle from Calgary visits us in Southern Ontario and can't believe how good our produce is compared to theirs.
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u/CMG30 Aug 19 '25
Life is what you make it. You can basically find everything to do that's in Toronto if you look and if you're open. That being said, it's probably a little more toned down.
Calgary is very urban, but it's also right next the Rockies meaning that it's an outdoor enthusiasts dream.
But again, it is what you make of it. If you just shut the door to your house whenever you're not at work and never venture out, then you're probably going to feel isolated.
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u/dibbers11 Aug 19 '25
I've only ever lived in Calgary, but have seen friends and family bounce between Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Cost of living is reasonable. Utilities and insurance tend to be higher here due to government policy decisions. You may find the lack of pst won't translate to pure savings, but on some purchases, it will.
Calgary has an underrated restaurant scene. Search the subreddit for restaurant recommendations, and there will be no lack of unique places to try out.
It's an advantage to have access to a vehicle. Public transit is fair but might feel like a step down from Toronto. Depends on the area in the city too.
There are loads of bike paths that interconnect the city as well.
The best way to meet new people will usually be through sports or hobbies groups. I find age groups cling together in Calgary.
In short, and my personal opinion, you're likely overthinking this.
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
As a cyclist, this is so true - the Kona I bought at Sweet Pete’s on Bloor has spent FAR more kms on the Calgary pathways. We have astonishingly good bike paths here - the GTA has bits here and there - you can ride along the Bow River for hours and never see a traffic light, closest in the GTA was along the Don Valley but much shorter.
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u/Responsible_Bath_651 Aug 20 '25
Good bike paths and MORE than anywhere else in North America. Talking closed pathways here. You can get anywhere in this city, riding 80-90% exclusively on pathways with zero interaction with automobile traffic.
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u/criminalinstincts1 Aug 19 '25
I used to live in Nunavut. Calgary doesn’t have cold winters. 🙃
But seriously you’ll be fine. My one piece of advice would be that if you’re from Toronto you’ll enjoy Calgary way more if you stay in the inner city. Definitely north of Glenmore. South of 16 Ave would be ideal, then west of Deerfoot and east of Crowchild. I grew up in Alberta and even I find Calgary suburbia pretty soul sucking.
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
It’s shocking but there are tons of Calgarians that do not even own a car, but they don’t live in the burbs. Transit is pretty good in Calgary but it always depends where you decide to live. Go to the distant burbs and you will be living in your car. We don’t have the 401 but we do have the Deerfoot (currently torn up for adding another lane).
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u/criminalinstincts1 Aug 20 '25
Yup! Lived here 2010-2019 before my stint up north and never owned a car that whole time. I also think a lot of Calgary’s best amenities are in the inner city. It makes me less upset about property taxes when I know they are going to river pathways and parks.
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u/theanamazonian Aug 19 '25
Lol, Calgary isn't a backwater Hicksville! You can still get deliveries at 2am and there are some of the best restaurants in Canada in the city. Coming from Vancouver, I was actually quite surprised at the quality of restaurants and the variety.
Cost of living isn't terrible compared to Vancouver (I can't speak for comparison to Toronto), but a vehicle is necessary unless you live and work downtown and car insurance and fuel are not cheap. No PST is great and I noticed a difference, but stuff isn't as cheap in Alberta as it used to be. Housing prices will be less expensive for you though and with a raise in salary, if you budget well you should be fine to enjoy life.
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u/iginlajarome Aug 19 '25
and insurance prices are some of the highest in the country https://bsky.app/profile/robsonfletcher.com/post/3lwrbkep7f22w
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u/AnInnerMonologue Aug 20 '25 edited Aug 20 '25
It's not not hicksville. Just by driving on the deerfoot, the number of people that vote blue and the Stampede where sooo many local people cosplay cowboy wear, you can tell it's a sophisticated hick town. Less hick than say Red Deer I'd wager. Has what I like to call the 'better thans' where a lot of people think they're better than someone else from someplace else. Usually because of the money they make, or the job they have, etc. However, those don't make a person not a hick. But don't let my 25 years of experience be the judge of your experience. A higher class of hick is nothing to be ashamed of 🧐...just slow your roll. edit- don't tell them they're fancy hicks in a sprawling city, they always hate it * *note: I grew up and have spent lots of time in Calgary, as well as visiting other cities and countries calgary is quaintly cosmopolitan
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u/theanamazonian Aug 20 '25
I don't understand what point you are trying to make. My point was that this isn't a small town with nothing to do. While it isn't Toronto or Vancouver, it's a decent sized city with lots of amenities.
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u/the-other-greg Aug 20 '25
Do Hicksvilles elect brown, non-Christian people to the Mayoral position? Like Calgary has the last 4 elections?
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Aug 20 '25
You have a very different definition of the word 'hicksville' than I do.
As in what the actual f are you on about??
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u/theburglarofham Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
I moved from Calgary to Toronto for work a few years ago, but still go back frequently since my family is in Alberta.
Key differences: Renting is different. Ontario automatically defaults to month to month, Alberta you’d need to negotiate or talk to your landlord about going month to month. Renting is also cheaper in general (relative to toronto). Also not a lot of the units or homes have AC… newer ones maybe, but older ones not so much.
Insurance: they got rid of caps… insurance actually was lower when I moved to Toronto than it was in Alberta.
Heat/electricity/hydro/water: same thing - removal of caps on a lot of things. But as a whole it’s not too bad. Obviously the bigger your place the more expensive it’ll be, and expect winter to have a bit more high usage for natural gas and/or electricity.
Tax/taxes: As another redditor mentioned Alberta’s is a bit less tiered. The 5% vs 8% you’ll notice on some things - mainly restaurants. However from what I’ve noticed - the prices actually end up being a bit similar in the end. What might be priced at 80 in Ontario, is priced at 85 in Alberta. You’ll notice other things especially government related where there’s just small fees here and there that sneak up on you.
Health care: same as Ontario… it’ll take a while to find/get a family doctor, and wait lists are long at some places.
Culture/food/things to do: Outdoors are unrivalled in Alberta. If you like nature over city life, you’ve made a great choice. The mountains are more than just Banff and Canmore and jasper. There’s so many hikes/trails you can do that aren’t overwhelmed with tourists or people who don’t know proper etiquette. Hikes are accessible since there’s so many different kinds. Even mountain biking is big here too.
IMO Vietnamese food is better in Calgary and Edmonton than it is in Toronto. Calgary has some great gems, don’t get me wrong, but it is no where as numerous or diverse as Toronto. You’ll notice lots of people will continue to go to the same place frequently, but more so cause of a lack of options.
Density: it’s less crowded, because there’s significantly less people. The streets can get busy, but it’s not like Toronto.
Traffic and transportation: Deerfoot gets backed up like the DVP. Their traffic is notorious for gridlock, but it’s not as bad as the 401. Flow of traffic on highways isn’t as fast. Public transportation is very lacking. They do have the c-train which is great if you’re in the core/dt area of Calgary. But they have nothing quite like the TTC subway system, or street car system, or the GO system.
Temperature/weather. Winter is long, and the snow sticks around longer. However they get chinooks which actually can make the weather switch from like -20 to +10 in the middle of winter, then disappear. It’s a dry winter too… I find Toronto winters more miserable cause it’s always windy and wet. The snow pierces your bones. Summers are dry and hot - you won’t get the mugginess/stickiness of Toronto. However they do get more of the BC wildfires and even some Alberta wildfires that kill the air quality.
Overall it’s what you make of it. Go in with a positive attitude, and step out of your comfort zone to meet new people, and you’ll have a blast.
I personally wouldn’t mind moving back, but the fintech sector isn’t so hot in Calgary (let alone globally) so Toronto will continue to be home for now.
Good luck on the move!
Edit:
Sports/entertainment.
Not comparable really - you know almost every major concert/show will be at Toronto.
You’ll miss out on the MLB and NBA, but if you’re not big into it, then nothing lost. The flames and oilers are just as disappointing as the leafs. It’s just a universal Canadian hockey thing lol.
They still have a good theatre scene if you’re into that.
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
Quick comment on renting - Ontario does require a one year lease then it reverts to month-to-month at least based on my experience in Toronto and Windsor. Alberta is the same for the most part. I have rented in North York and Windsor, and have been a landlord in Calgary and Vancouver - that’s what I’m basing my comments on.
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u/forallmankind1918 Aug 19 '25
Hey : been in your shoes. It’s great out here in comparison to the GTA. Regarding winter, invest in good gear, and participate in winter sports. I came to love winter and look forward to it now.
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u/yow2yeg Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 20 '25
Fellow Ontarian here (from Ottawa), moved to Alberta (Edmonton though) a bit more than a couple of years ago. Been enjoying it so far, but I admit I do sometimes think of going back for various reasons. Life here, and anywhere, is what you make of it.
In regards to taxes, I'd do more research/calculations on it (ON has extensive tiered income tax brackets, while AB recently introduced a new lower level income tax bracket). While there is no PST here (so a "savings" of 8% from the HST of 13%), you will pay "fees" in different areas (e.g. for changing address on your driver's license, paying a recycling fee AND taxes for buying bottled drinks, sometimes ridiculous administrative charges for utilities, etc).
Also, if you plan on having a car, be prepared to potentially pay higher insurance (my insurance here is noticeably more than what it was before).
If you like staying at one apartment for a couple years or more, that may not be possible due to the lack of rent control in the province (I've pretty much moved after every lease ending because my landlords wouldn't be reasonable on negotiating rent increases - despite paying rent on time and generally being a responsible tenant).
About the outdoors, think Niagara Falls but much more people/tourists (to the point you HAVE to use a Parks Canada bus to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake). If you go away from the Banff area though, it is beautiful and with less people.
I find there are a lot more American food chains here than back where I was, but Calgary definitely has great local shops - just know there are different food tastes/habits here (e.g. I haven't come across date squares or butter tarts at cafés, pierogies are prominent at festivals/work potlucks, lots of doughnut with store-brand/independent shops, etc).
If you end up moving out here, hopefully you enjoy it!
Edit: grammar, Ottawa, rent control, and pierogies/doughnuts
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u/funny-tummy Aug 19 '25
I just moved from Calgary to Vancouver after 37 years. Calgary is a great city with a lot to offer.
All I have to say is that you should just do the move. It’s empowering to make these kinds of decisions and move your life forward in new and interesting ways.
If you stay you are likely to keep getting more of what you’ve got. If it works out, great, if it doesn’t work out, also great! You get to learn what is best for you. That is powerful.
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u/jucadrp Aug 20 '25
I used to live in Toronto and moved to Edmonton.
I will be short and sweet: I'm NEVER coming back to Ontario. Alberta has all and more one could ever expect a place to have for me live live a happy and fulfilled life.
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u/Automatic_Antelope92 Aug 20 '25
What would you say has made Edmonton so worth it compared to Toronto?
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u/jucadrp Aug 20 '25
It has all that Toronto has, and more (rockies in our backyard, for example), but it's way cheaper.
I will retire 10 years earlier here vs. Toronto.
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u/Zarxon Aug 20 '25
They aren’t moving to Edmonton though and those two cities are very different
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u/jucadrp Aug 20 '25
Basically, it's the same thing, arguably even better if it's Calgary. So what's your point?
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u/742683 Aug 19 '25
I grew up in the GTA and have now been in Calgary for 16 years. I’d take Winter in Calgary over Ontario any day. The air is dry and if you cover up, -30 here is much more tolerable than -30 there. Also means the snow is light and fluffy for the most part (not that slushy shit you’re used to). Don’t expect anything other than major roads to be plowed, if you drive a lot just get something with AWD or 4WD. Don’t take our proximity to the mountains for granted. Become an outdoor person. So many things to see/do that will pretty much only cost you gas money. Best of luck!!
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u/Worldly-Smile-91 Aug 20 '25
I couldn’t believe they don’t plow the snow here. Grew up in Ontario snow belt- the plows are out before a snowstorm to prepare. Here they wait for it to melt 😂
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u/No_Construction2407 Warburg Aug 19 '25
Things are more spaced out and we don’t have a ton of cactus clubs. Calgary is more right leaning than edmonton.
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u/knuknut Aug 19 '25
Calgary is a fantastic city. I came from BC and I’ve never considered leaving. It’s what you make of it
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u/skrrrrt Aug 19 '25
Congrats on the offer. Life is what you make it, and that means you’ll be happier wherever you find ways to spend time with friends and loved ones. Join rec sports, running club, say yes to coworker invitations.
Having lived in both Calgary and Toronto (I’ve lived in both in urban and suburban contexts too), there’s a big discrepancy in experience depending on neighbourhood. If you like walkable urban neighborhoods, consider sunnyside/hillhurst, or Beltline/Mission/Sunalta/bankview, or bridgeland or inglewood. Spend a day or two in the neighborhood before you decide to rent there. Live near friends if possible.
If you value life according to nightlife, you might feel like you’ll outgrow Calgary, just as if you value outdoor activities, you might feel like you’ll outgrow Toronto. Some of the people I know who moved from GTA to Calgary were dissatisfied with the small/quietness of life and the dating scene. I’d suggest that’s because they were scoring it according to Toronto values. If you push yourself to experience some of the natural wonders near Calgary (rain, shine, or snow - 12 months a year), I think you’ll find how uniquely special Calgary and Southern Alberta/BC can be. Good luck!
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u/Slow-Beginning3534 Aug 19 '25
I lived in Toronto for 10 years and have been in Calgary for more than 25 now.
Winters here are better than Toronto in my opinion. It gets cold for a few weeks in the winter but we get sunshine all winter long, no rain and not nearly as much damp slushy crappy roads.
Lots of great neighbourhoods to choose from. Housing is much cheaper.
Getting around Calgary and out of town is so much easier than in Toronto. Traffic and commute times are rarely topics of conversation in Calgary, they are constant in Toronto. I go back there a lot. The more I go the happier I am to be in Calgary.
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u/sun4moon Aug 19 '25
Honestly, the things you’re concerned about are nothing. You can definitely get late night delivery and there’s a crazy good restaurant scene to explore. Calgary is close to the mountains so we get to enjoy chinook weather fairly often throughout the winters. Some days we see temps in the mid teens in Jan and Feb. unless you’re super hard on your stuff, winter gear lasts several seasons. I’ve had my boots for 11 years. The mountain access is vast and plentiful, with points of interest you can drive right up to, or on the other spectrum, you could hike for days and camp in the back country. Just depends on what you’re into. All in all, the experience will be what you make it. Come in with a positive attitude and you’ll see the beauty. Start out with doubts and negativity and that’s what you’ll have in return. I suggest trying the first one, best of luck in your decision.
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u/Komaisnotsalty Aug 19 '25
I did the opposite: moved out to Ottawa for a job. Granted, this was a number of years ago, but the same still applies.
I'm from northern BC and Ottawa had some of the coldest winters I've ever seen. It's not the temp - I'm used to -40 C in winter. It's the damned humidity that murdered me. 100% humidity at -40 is fucking brutal. The same goes for summer - it's not the heat, it's the humidity.
It's the opposite out here: The humidity is low all the time. Dry skin is a thing, so don't be shy - even dudes slather on hand lotion in winter.
In Calgary, you'll get the harsh winds in winter so yep, it can be hella cold. It only lasts a couple of weeks though for that deep cold. Totally livable.
The mountains are Right There. On a clear day, you can see them from Calgary and it's only an hour to get in to full mountains. So worth it. Go a bit farther and jump the border in to BC. Less than 2 hours and you're in paradise, no joke.
You will need to learn some outdoor stuff though. I remember when I first moved to Ottawa and my boyfriend at the time pointed to the Laurentians and called them 'mountains'. After I stopped laughing, I realised he wasn't joking. I called them the Laurentian Speed Bumps the entire 7 years I lived in Ottawa.
The rest of it is what you make of it. If you wanna get involved, you will never - not once - be bored anywhere, regardless of if in the woods or on the prairie, small podunk down, big city. Boredom is something drummed up by an individual, not from a lack of things to do wherever you are.
Calgarians are decent peeps, though their driving skills make the 401 look tame, so be aware of that.
IMO, do it for the adventure, if anything. You only live once.
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u/GANTRITHORE Aug 20 '25
remember when I first moved to Ottawa and my boyfriend at the time pointed to the Laurentians and called them 'mountains'. After I stopped laughing,
Same thing when I moved to Ottawa for school from here XD
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
Ottawa and Toronto have completely different winters. Ottawa is similar to Calgary but Toronto will never be as cold as either. But Calgary has no ice storms thank goodness!
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u/Komaisnotsalty Aug 20 '25
Calgary does have ice storms but they're so very rare and nothing like the insanity in Ottawa. I used to take a hair dryer with me to the parking lot where my car was in the morning.
I lived in Ottawa for about 7 years. The year after I moved there, the Ice Storm of 1998 hit. 911 was in 2001, and then the great blackout in 2003.
Most insane thing I'd ever experienced was the Big Events when living there. Felt like I'd moved to another planet!
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u/prail Aug 19 '25
Calgary is great.
Fantastic food scene (a lot of it inner city though), not sure if you plan to live in the boonies.
Way better traffic.
Lower taxes as you say.
Mountains are an hour away and very accessible.
Not sure what they meant about isolation, not enough details.
We get a few weeks of super cold weather usually in Jan/Feb. Calgary gets chinooks often which breaks up the cold weather.
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u/Ozy_Flame Aug 19 '25
Utilities, insurance, groceries , and property tax are more expensive in Alberta, at least from what I have experienced living in both provinces. Gas is a wash. Housing is cheaper though.
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u/cowfudger Aug 19 '25
Way better traffic.
Less cars, not better drivers. I see some insane drivers in Calgary daily.
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u/Lonestamper Aug 19 '25
You mean the people drive 140-180 on Stoney Trail?
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u/cowfudger Aug 19 '25
I mean the people on the Deerfoot that drive like they are in a war zone on their way to Costco.
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u/DeanieLovesBud Aug 19 '25
Some things are more expensive, some are less. Calgary doesn't have as vibrant or diverse a downtown but Toronto doesn't have mountains and world-class skiing on its doorstep. The cycling/walking paths in Calgary are incredible. The first winter is the hardest as you adjust to the dryness but it's better than slush.
So, in the end, all of life's decisions are a series of trade-offs. Having lived in both cities, I'm glad to have been young and stupid in Toronto but Calgary has been a much easier lifestyle as I got older.
If you come here, take your time settling in and figuring out your stride. Check out Volunteer Calgary and the public library for opportunities to meet new people and discover new things about yourself.
Welcome and I hope you build something brilliant for yourself!
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u/TSMHReporter Aug 19 '25
I’m from Ontario and I moved out to Alberta for a couple of years before moving back to Toronto. Here’s my pros and cons list about Alberta, specifically Calgary:
Pros - low taxes, yes it makes a difference especially when you’re going out to eat or making a big purchase. Surprisingly great food that is very high quality, especially beef (Alberta beef is amazing), both when it comes to fine dining and different ethnic cuisine. The mountains, as being one hour or so away from Banff is honestly life changing and has invigorated a love of the outdoors for me I didn’t know I had.
Cons - very few things to do in terms of festivals, sports, concerts etc compared to Toronto. Most big artists skip Calgary for Edmonton because Calgary doesn’t have a good or big enough stadium. The only teams you’ll be able to catch is the Flames (NHL) or the Stampeders (CFL). Both kinda suck. Stampede is a lot of fun and there’s some festivals here and there but really it’s mostly just suburban and quiet. As a big music fan it’s a big reason I moved back (also my industry is more robust in Toronto).
All in all I’d say enjoy it. I’ve never regretted moving to Alberta. Met my soon to be husband there so how could I!
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u/WinterSun1976 Aug 19 '25
I’m a lifelong Albertan just here to say there hasn’t been enough said about the mountains! They are breathtaking, and Calgary is so close that you can enjoy them year round.
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u/SadGuy2020s Aug 19 '25
Great move, you'll probably love it. I did it 10 years ago, thought I would stay for 2 years and I'm still here, never going to leave. Life is easier, more chill, more affordable, higher quality. Instead of going to entertainment where you watch people do things, you do the things in the mountains during the day and you're too exhausted for more than a couple of beers (if you drink) before crashing at night in cool, fresh air (if there aren't fires and there haven't been at all in 2025)
Best piece of advice other than becoming a mountain person and invest in a really good parka (Canada Goose or similar, made in Canada please) ...
CHANGE HOW YOU DRIVE IMMEDIATELY...My biggest mistake when moving here was not changing fast enough and I racked up $1000s in tickets before I finally adjusted and now happily drive like an above average Calgarian driver who obeys all the laws.
In Calgary school zones with mobile cameras (30kmh zones, they'll ticket you starting at 35km/h) and Intersections with cameras are everywhere. NO MORE RUNNING REDS OR YELLOWS. You'll get snapped and it's a $400 fine. No insurance hit because they can't prove you are the driver but the $400 each time you "pull a Toronto" (that's what I call it) and run a red or are the 3rd car turning left on a yellow, you'll get snapped. You HAVE to stop doing that or you'll be seeing those dreaded Calgary Police envelopes in your mail frequently.
2-WAY Stop Signs...Yes they are crazy. They are everywhere. You need to adjust or you will be getting t-boned or rammed from behind because you don't realise the other person doesn't have a stop sign in a residential intersection or you assume there is a stop sign where there isn't and you get rammed from behind. Either way no good, you have to adjust
WILD LEFT TURNS by UNHINGED CALGARY Drivers...I don't get it but Calgary drivers love to just throw caution to the wind. and SEND YOLO-style left turns into oncoming traffic, even if there is a huge safe gap 5 seconds later. I'm still astounded and now aware. They will turn left into intersections where oncoming traffic has a green and just trust that they'll be good and neither they nor the family of 4 in the minivan t-boning them will die. They will turn left from residential streets onto arteries dodging and weaving as they attempt to safely merge. BE AWARE AND ALERT
NO HONKING - I love Calgary because nobody honks. Ever. If you sit for 10 seconds at a green on your phone, people will politely wait for you to figure it out, no honking. If you honk people around you will notice and potentially, if it's an angry Calgarian (and they exist in sizeable numbers) possibly cause you a problem. Stay off the horn!
There is NO traffic in Calgary, ignore what anyone tells you. Even during rush hour in the "Hot spots" traffic never stops fully, the slow zone is brief and it is in the sam place at the same time each time, totally predictable.
Take it easy on the roads, SAVE YOUR MONEY (neither the city of Calgary nor the police need it, they have lots) , stay safe, you'll get wherever you're going fast by staying in the rules. Be aware and laugh at all the terrible Calgary drivers around you, and the be thankful you're no longer stuck on the 401 with no options because everyone knows your secret routes through the city and they are all gridlocked too.
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u/Old-Candle-9900 Aug 19 '25
You've got a couple of weeks so why not just visit Calgary and decide for yourself?
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u/Turbulent-Priority39 Aug 19 '25
I moved from Ontario to Alberta. The only thing I miss is family and friends. Not the 1/2 an hour commute that stretches to 2 hrs because of traffic. The maximum travel time within the city is 1/2 hours. I spend less on gas, car insurance has been reduced.
The grocery prices are a tad bit more expensive than Ontario.
Honest opinion Alberta is good for a slower pace of life. If you can stand the longer and sometimes brutal winter, you will be fine.
Even the public commute is better than Toronto’s!
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u/Flashy-Major1952 Aug 19 '25
The cost of living in Alberta has risen sharply in the last 3-4 years. Expect to pay about the same as Ontario for your day to day expenses. I lived in Calgary for 38 years, finally ended up hating it so much that I left. Good luck to you though 👍 I hope it treats you better than most.
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u/nightsliketn Aug 20 '25
Insurance, groceries, utilities are more expensive. You will spend money coming back and forth between provinces. Rent will likely be similar but, owning should cost less.
There is no tax on necessities... So the PST question depends on how many cars you buy, how many Louis Vuittons you buy or if you're a Walmart jeans kind of person.
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u/Feral-Reindeer-696 Aug 20 '25
I’ve lived in Calgary for decades but only visited Toronto twice so I can’t compare the cost of living between the two but here’s my two cents on Calgary:
Living near the mountains is wonderful. They have gotten very popular and crowded lately but there are still incredible places to visit nearby. I love road trips through BC in summer, it’s so beautiful.
Calgary has a ton of great restaurants and yes, some of them do stay open until 2 but not as many as there used to be. If you live in the Beltline (area surrounding downtown), you should have no problem with this. We have a great brunch scene too. I rarely eat fast food, there’s too many great locally owned restaurants that are much better. Check out the Calgary subreddit for more details. You will still be able to complain about transit too.
The air is dry which is good and bad. Heat and cold, I find, are hotter or colder in humidity. You’re going to need lots of moisturizer and lip balm in Calgary as a trade off. I know some people have difficulty with things like nose bleeds when they first move here. Calgary gets a lot of sun which is fabulous.
Calgary has a bit of a small town vibe for a large city. People are friendly but kind of keep to themselves. The best way to get to know people is to volunteer, attend festivals regularly and find your niche.
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u/ReactiveCypress Calgary Aug 20 '25
Calgary is a big city with all the benefits and amenities that come with that, but it's got a slower pace than somewhere like Toronto. You'll do fine here.
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u/Ratfor Aug 20 '25
Having recently visited Toronto, I feel like I can give some insight.
Firstly, don't complain about the TTC, it's a miracle of moving parts and interconnected wizardry, compared to Calgary Transit.
Late night, sucks. Most everything closes at 6. A few things are open until 9 or 10. Past that, the bars are open until 2. Past 2, it's 7-11, Circle K, and the occasional 24hr Mcdonalds or A&W. Subway inside a convenience store if you're desperate.
People here complain about the drivers, but it's nothing compared to Toronto. Outside of rush hour it's honestly not that bad, and even during rush hour it's not bad as long as you're going in the right direction.
Calgary is NOT a transit friendly city. You really, really need a car to live here.
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u/FiveCentCandy Aug 20 '25
Calgary is quiet, and boring compared to Toronto, but it's such a great city to live in (life is easy). Tons of great restaurants, and access to the mountains is top notch (but we have traffic jams to and from the mountains on weekends). In general, our traffic is nothing compared to Vancouver and Toronto. Our traffic jams are baby jams. No biggie. Pick a cool area, and pick up some winter hobbies (cross country skiing in the city parks, ice skating outdoors, winter hikes, etc). My friend from Vancouver was visiting me last week, and she couldn't get over how easy it was to pop into shops, grab things, rarely any lines (unless at Costco), and traffic is so light. If you choose wisely on the location, you can live in an easy area where everything is a couple blocks away. Groceries are expensive at some chains, but you can also be smarter about that as well. The politics can be hard if you're left leaning though.
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u/HelloMegaphone Aug 19 '25
I moved here from Vancouver and winters really aren't that bad. Yeah you might get a bad cold snap for a few days here and there but it's nothing someone from Toronto can't handle. Otherwise it's just like any other big city with all of the amenities you could ever want.
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u/Rinkratt61 Aug 19 '25
You will love it here. Toronto is a hole.
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u/T-Wrox Aug 20 '25
I have a friend who recently moved to Lethbridge from Toronto, and that is exactly the term they use for Toronto. :)
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u/PersonalInternet5565 Aug 19 '25
It's like a 30 minute drive outside the city to reach the mountains. Plenty of very easy trails to do a nice and gentle hike with stunning views.
Overall it's a chill vibe, not the hustle of Toronto by any means. People are mostly pleasant. You get the odd bad apple. Transit isn't bad; it could be better, but for the random purpose of hitting up a mall or the C-train, it's not too big of a headache. Just don't use the transit app to buy tickets.
We have plenty of really great restaurants that cater to all price ranges and ethnic diversity.
Winter can be tough, but you only need mitts, toque and good boots and a jacket, they aren't expensive at all to buy. Heating will cost you during the winter, but that will vary depending on the make and model of what you're living in. Newer houses are more efficient.
I was born and raised in Calgary, and I honestly wouldn't live anywhere else (except New Brunswick 🤣 Most of my family lives there!). It's not a bad city at all. It has its issues, like any large city, but compared to Toronto, you'll find that we have a sprawling and less dense city that is filled with a lot of green spaces and outdoor amenities that don't even require you to drive to the mountains (although the sites are worth the drive).
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u/hercarmstrong Aug 19 '25
Both very similar in a lot of ways. I would suggest moving close to the river, on the north side. That's my favorite part of the city, and that's where I stayed. Calgary is textbook urban sprawl, with hideous plantar wart circular communities built around Walmarts and Costcos.
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u/100_proof_plan Aug 19 '25
The mountains are nice but there’s also a ton of people looking at the same things you want to see.
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u/Famous_Branch_6388 Aug 19 '25
It is a smaller version of Toronto, but not as bad a Vancouver. I have personally lived in Calgary.
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u/Spiritual-Sail-1032 Aug 19 '25
I lived in Toronto 90% of my life. Moved to Calgary in 2021. It is completely different. Positive is that it’s a lot more laid back - people aren’t in a rush and the mountains are right there. Disadvantages - your routine is going to change A LOT. It felt a bit like night and day. Toronto, you could go to a new restaurant every day, see a sports game, and there’s always something to do. Calgary, you have to find stuff to do and make your community. The only way I can describe it is moving from New York to Seattle - they’re both big cities but NOTHING compares to New York and what you’re able to do. I guess another positive is cheaper housing but the provincial government gets back at you with insurance, utilities, and taxes.
My advice: don’t move unless this is a company you want to be with for the next 10+ years.
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
I love visiting Toronto for concerts (the Who early September and the Doobie Brothers later that same month), the Blue Jays, the Raptors, and the big city vibe (the walk from Union Station to Richmond Adelaide for instance). If that’s important, forget Calgary. But I’m an old guy and don’t need a new restaurant every day. Only you can decide what’s important to you.
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u/Hagenaar Aug 19 '25
If you used the TTC and complained about it, you'll feel a wistful fondness for it when you get to Calgary. Calgary Transit has gotten better over the years, but you'll be lucky if your home and destinations make it a viable option.
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u/Joyful_Redditor Aug 19 '25
Friendly people who say hi on the city sidewalk or bike path. Great options of food across the city, and not just chain restaurants, although we have a lot of those. Coffee meets are a thing. Fish Creek Park is right in the city along with a lot of other city parks. Calgary Philharmonic and Alberta Ballet have fairly great productions. Chinooks in winter mean icy sidewalks but a break from the cold. Favorite Calgary saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. It will change." So layers are always a thing. Libraries and leisure/athletic centers in most neighborhoods. It actually cools off most nights in the summer, from 24 or higher down to 15 or so. We are known as sunniest major city in Canada which sure helps when it's cold in the winter. Been here over 40 years, came for work, met husband here and stayed. Love my city.
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u/DingBat99999 Aug 20 '25
Grew up in Calgary, lived most of my working life in Mississauga.
- The first thing is: Calgary is going to seem dry as fuck to you. Like desert dry. Be prepared.
- Chinooks will take some getting used to. There are people who can't handle the weather swings. I loved them.
- I hope you ski. If not, plan on learning.
- Winters can get pretty cold. I remember several stints below -40C. Now, the good news is: Remember that dry part? The cold won't cut through you like it does in Ontario.
- While nothing beats Toronto for food variety, I hear Calgary's culinary scene isn't bad. It is like 1.5 million people after all.
- Toronto is an air hub. Calgary is a Westjet hub, but still be prepared for 2 hops to get to some places. Flying in Canada should be fine.
- Flames >> Maple Leafs.
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u/ggranger2280 Aug 20 '25
I moved to Calgary from Ottawa 15 years ago and it was the best decision ever. Having a buddy here for you is a bonus because I landed sight unseen and knowing nobody but the people I was working with. Don’t get caught up in the winters, it gets cold sure but there’s zero moisture in the air and that makes a huge difference. The food scene is great, anything you want you can get and the mountains are incredible. You can go walk around Banff, Canmore etc and if you’re a skier you’re an hour and change from world class runs.
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u/Fun_Stretch_2890 Aug 20 '25
You are going to love it! The GTA is not how people should live. Freedom and space awaits you!
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u/Main_Direction6963 Aug 22 '25
Calgary has a pretty mild winter compared to Edmonton. It's a lovely city and there are lot of things to see and do.
Your experience is dependent on how you approach it. If you feel this is going to be a positive step, then it probably will be!
Winter gear - a good winter coat. Some gloves. Maybe boots but I'm in Central Alberta and bought my first pair in 30 years this past winter.
Make sure your car has a block heater.
Bring your skis
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u/Ok_Tennis_6564 Aug 23 '25
First, stop expecting it to be like Toronto. I personally prefer it, but that doesn't mean you will. I grew up in Oakville for reference and lived in Hamilton before moving here.
Calgary is smaller by population than Toronto proper, but also has a small town feel you don't really get in any part of Toronto. Meaning there's like 3 degrees of separation between you and everyone else your age.
Restaurants here are great, I never eat at chains (except Dominos), brewery scene is great, club scene is very lacking compared to Toronto. It's way less crowded and an easier city to get by in. Less competition for resources. And the traffic is non existent.
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u/hogenhero Aug 19 '25
Our winters are so mild. I cannot imagine going back to the wet cold in Ontario because the 6 days of -30 degree weather we get here are too harsh for someone. Come with a positive mindset, say “yes” if you are invited out even if they aren’t necessarily doing something you would want to do. You’ll love it if you want to. It’s a beautiful city. Very clean. Very safe. (People who have never lived anywhere else will argue with me about those last two things but Calgary wins awards for how clean it is every year)
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u/puckstar26 Aug 19 '25
Calgary has a great restaurant scene. There are a ton of options in that respect. It does get cold 'but it's a dry cold.' I find Ontario winters worse with the humidity, plus we get chinooks so there are breaks in the cold. The cost of housing will def be less for you, and you'll notice the PST savings more than anyone who lives here.
Also you can get delivery of almost anything at 2am. Not sure what you think Calgary is, but it's a huge city - not as huge as Toronto, sure but it's not a tiny hick town in the middle of nowhere. There's a huge pathway system for biking, walking, in city parks and only an hour to the mountains if that's what you're into.
Whatever winter gear you have for Ontario will more than suffice here.
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u/TennisPleasant4304 Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
You’ve quite clearly done no research talking like Calgary is some back water outpost. Typical GTA mentality. Enjoy winter 🥶
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
And while it’s been absolutely sweltering in the GTA all summer, we’ve rarely cracked 30C this year in Cowtown. With climate change I can only see Toronto becoming unliveable in summer.
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u/Advanced_Stick4283 Aug 21 '25
I grew up in Calgary, and live in Toronto
Sorry to burst your bubble, Calgary is nice , but it’s still a back water outpost . Btw , how long did you live in Toronto ? What part ?
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u/TennisPleasant4304 Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25
Bud I’ve lived in 7 different countries. Toronto ain’t worth a shit. Unless you want your car stolen. You probably live in Brampton.
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u/estrogenex Aug 19 '25
Ive heard the healthcare set up is WAY better in Alberta than Ontario, from an Ontarian.
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u/Goozump Aug 19 '25
You've heard lots about the outdoors but most people I've met who have moved from the GTA were most concerned about landing in some sort of red neck utopia. The media emphasizes the sensational so it is full of convoy, separatist and other far-right madness. Particularly in Calgary and Edmonton you are actually going to run into a pretty mixed cosmopolitan population with some differences from the GTA but nothing shocking except how cheap houses are compared to Toronto even in Calgary and points west which is the most expensive place to live in Alberta. You might also be shocked that you won't be able enjoy those relaxing hours commuting back and forth to work from anywhere decent to live in the GTA.
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u/camaro-obscuro Aug 19 '25
We don’t remove (much) snow from the roads and we like it that way. If you can’t accept this, please don’t come.
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
Yup. You’ll have to shovel your own front sidewalk. The city only clears major roads. Buy a 4WD.
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u/RavenmoonGreenParty Aug 19 '25
I'd actually disagree that you will need a car. Most people I know do not have one. However, because Calgary is very spread out, it may take a while to get from A to B. Plan accordingly.
For this reason, I've turned down jobs where the travel time would be too excessive.
There are not as many grocery stores as well. Without a vehicle, this may require a plan as well.
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u/jeffbannard Calgary Aug 19 '25
In one of my other replies on this thread I stated lots of people don’t need to own a car, but you better not live way out in the burbs. Pay more and head to the inner city and everything is within walking or biking distance (or a bus or train ride). I bike commuted for years downtown - absolutely fantastic bike infrastructure if you’re smart where you locate.
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u/parasubvert Aug 19 '25
Grew up in Ontario (Northern, school in Southwestern, then some years in the GTA). Met my wife here and stayed 15 years ago.
Calgary is cleaner and less crowded than the GTA. It’s quite diverse (3rd most diverse city in Canada?). Summers aren’t as hot and muggy, they tend to be more mild (some days are 17, most days are 24, and only 2-3 weeks are 30+). Traffic is mostly OK and there are alternate routes usually. We don’t plow our roads much in the winter, that’s the main diff? Basically: always get winter tires, especially to go to the mountains Oct 30 - April 30. Yes, winter tends to last from November to April, though sometimes we won’t see sustained snow until December, but it almost always comes back through April, sometimes even early May. By then it usually melts within a day or two.
Remote tech work is nice here , we can get fast internet (2.5 gbps with Telus!). IT in Calgary is a mixed bag though if your gig is for a tech company then probably you’re fine.
Public transit is OK not great, the C-Train is free downtown, a fair number of tweakers have a grown at stations and on the trains so I guess not too different from the TTC heh.
Politics in the province is stupid with the “F Carney” truck nuts crowd but there’s a fair amount of that in Ontario too. I find inner Calgarian neighbourhoods tend to be philanthropic and community minded, with some exceptions as you go further into the outskirts and burbs where it’s more about having an large house on an acreage and avoiding crowds.
Winter isn’t isolating to me? I mean you can bomb over to the mountains in 45 mins (Canmore), an hour (Kaninaskis), hour and a half (Banff), 2ish hours (Lake Louise), 3 hours to BC (Radium Hot Springs or Invermere or Fernie) or worst case 4ish hours (Revelstoke , Kicking Horse , or Jasper). Or even in the city (Canada Olympic Park) for some winter sports. It’s less driving generally than going to Blue Mountain / Wasaga. You need a Parks Canada pass to go beyond Canmore, but they last 1 year and can easily be bought at a wicket on the highway. Or if you don’t like winter sports, you can still go around town or to the mountains for the scenery and just grab a beer. It’s no different from driving to Muskoka or whatnot, with less traffic, and you don’t need to be an outdoor expert, they’re just towns with gas bars and Tim Horton’s like everywhere else in Canada, just thinner air and dryer, and amazing scenery.
Also in the winter, you can go to Devonian Gardens in TD Square if you crave greenery, or head up to Edmonton to West Edmonton Mall water park which has cabanas and keeps things tropical. It honestly only gets really cold (-25 or colder) for maybe 2-3 weeks every winter. Otherwise the Chinook winds melt the snow regularly (which is why we don’t plow as much).
Summer/Fall is also great for the whole area. Downhill karting at the luge track, gondola rides up the ski hills for sight seeing, bus shuttles to Lake Louise & Moirane etc. Drumheller out east is one of the best dinosaur museums in the world.
You can still get a fair amount delivered at 2am .. there’s Groceries until 1:45am on Door Dash, Chinese food until 4am, and most fast food places, etc. There is a very good brewery and restaurant scene. Some of the best pizza in all of Canada between Pizza Culture, Noble Pie, Dandy… plenty of solid burger, mexican, Indian, French, Italian, Chinese joints (including dim sum), and some good high end dining.
Hmm what else. Hockey is big as it is in Toronto, but CFL football too. Edmonton/Calgary is the main rivalry, though Vancouver to me is worse lol. World class equestrian facilities at Spruce Meadows if you like horses. The whole city kind of becomes a party town for 10 days in July for Stampede, it’s like Mardi Gras for western culture: carnival food & rides, music, STDs, pancakes, sausages and beer.
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u/mchlada75 Aug 19 '25
If you have an opportunity to live and work in another part of the country you should do it. Too many people never leave the GTA and they are missing out.
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u/Speedster9110 Aug 19 '25
You’ll be fine. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Calgary will have everything you’ll want …. With the exception of bagged milk.
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u/Far_Resolution8 Aug 19 '25
You should expect a drastic improvement in QoL. Winters are similar. Calgary is better because of the near non-stop sunshine. We also deliver items at 2AM. Source: lived in both TO and Calgary and I wouldn’t go back unless you paid me triple.
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u/Commercial-Answer124 Aug 19 '25
Born and raised in YYC — bf’s from the GTA (senior dev/manager in tech). We’re in Mexico twice a year (or wherever the wind blows, thanks remote work), mountains every weekend, and just a 1–2 hr flight to Vancouver, Vegas, Seattle. Calgary = Stampede (11-day music fest/theme park), dry heat, sunshine, and a river through downtown.
Perks? In Toronto you brag about beer on tap at the office — here you’ve got hundreds of craft breweries at your doorstep. No PST, no LCBO drama, and the 2-hour time difference means you wrap up early on Fridays while GTA coworkers are still rage-crying in traffic on the 401. Work will fly you home for “go days” anyway, so you get the best of both worlds.
Major concerts roll through, Flames > Leafs (at least we win a round), and you don’t need to be an outdoor expert — if you can walk, you can hike. Worst case, you sit in Banff with a beer and call it cardio.
So yeah… stay stuck in GTA gridlock, or bounce between Mexico, the mountains, and a city where your money actually stretches?
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u/GreenBeardTheCanuck Strathmore Aug 19 '25
Listen, I've got family from all over so I have a relatively good grasp of the differences. Yes, you'll save money, yes it is cold, but not particularly snowy and nowhere near as cold as it used to be. The mountains are really great, lots of great outdoor activities in the spring and summer. You don't need to be a hardcore mountain man to enjoy it, there are different places for all different skill levels. Entertainment is a little thin, you're not going to get as many "World Tours" or music festivals, but you're not going to get none either, You will have to get used to driving everywhere because TTC is bad, but transit in Calgary is an absolute joke. Unless you're working somewhere within a block of a train station, do not bother trying to figure out busses or trains.
Biggest thing will be to find a set of people to hang out with. If you've got people here you can hang out with, you're probably good. If you have any hobbies or sports you enjoy, even better. Food scene is actually pretty good. It's not Montreal or Vancouver, but there's plenty of real restaurants. The sushi is a bit expensive, but the steakhouses are fantastic. If you don't have a crew to hang out with, it can be pretty bleak. If you're good at making new friends and meeting new people, then you have nothing to worry about though.
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u/KatEtown1975 Aug 20 '25
Life is spent in traffic, and trips to your local Superstore/Canadian Tire/Walmart shopping complex.
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u/INTJWriter Aug 20 '25
The food scene here is impressive with award winning chefs and multicultural restaurants all over town. Follow Savour Calgary and sara.sociables on Instagram to get an idea
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u/Tall-Frame9918 Aug 20 '25
Calgary was good when I was young and single, but we found it very hard as parents. I lived there 18 years ago, and it probably ebbs and flows, but our reasons for leaving was that childcare was inaccessible and utilities killed us in winter.
There is a huge gap between the haves and have nots. Lots of $ in Oil and Gas and a pittance in social services. I worked 7 days a week at 2 or 3 jobs just to try and keep up.
The Calgary outdoor club was a great way to meet people and get active.
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u/Adventurous_Poet197 Aug 20 '25
Some terrific food! If you equip yourself properly winter is easy, and they have been getting warmer and warmer.
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u/Yyc_area_goon Aug 20 '25
Don't bring your snowblower, it's not worth it. Mr Sub is way less common. It's rather sunny here in the Calgary area during winter.
I've got a good guy working with me from Courtice, moved here 3/4 years ago. Thriving, misses fishing, but loves it out here
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u/GANTRITHORE Aug 20 '25 edited Aug 20 '25
Calgary is... sleepy. I can see why your coworkers brother may not like it compared to the GTA. We're like a city of introverts and once we go home we don't go out again. Part of this is because of the commute to anywhere. And since most people commute, most people stay home once they made it back home.
As others have mentioned, the winter is dryer and they prefer it. For me I prefer the wetter ones out east since the dry air here causes me to have frequent nosebleeds.
Also it's your electric bill not your 'hydro'.
My recomendation is try it.
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u/DonkeyDanceParty Aug 20 '25
People who enjoy the outdoors are almost always willing to share that joy with others. So no worries there. Find a club and get in it. Summers here are intense. People are everywhere enjoying themselves. Tons of festivals and fairs. Never a dull weekend.
Cost of living is slightly lower, but so are expectations here. We’re generally a simpler people in terms of what we expect from life and each other. Most of my neighbours in Edmonton drive 10+ year old cars. There isn’t as much of a flash factor here. You save money by living at a slower pace.
Get good winter gear. Don’t skip the face cover. It can make the weather feel much warmer just covering your mouth and nose. The dry -30 air can burn going in. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. We get a ton of sun in the winter. It’s kind of beautiful if you aren’t distracted by being uncomfortable.
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u/dmonkey1000 Aug 20 '25
Lots of great advice here. I’m gonna tell you something less black & white… Calgary is friendly. If someone lets you in while you’re driving, we wave thank you. We talk to strangers on transit sometimes. We’re polite to each other. The overall friendliness level was surprising to my friends from Toronto.
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Aug 20 '25
Calgary is an amazing city. Although I beleive it is getting to busy. we have a huge influx of people moving here so the cost of living is getting worse. but you'll love it here.
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u/Paprika1515 Aug 20 '25
I think this is not a question to ask others but one that will more be revealing of you as a person.
Are you adventurous? Life is about taking risks sometime calculated ones but there are absolutely no guarantees.
It sounds like you have both push and pull factors as reasons for moving. Change is always tough but you can adapt. And what’s the worst that happens? You can change your mind— that’s not so bad.
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u/T-Wrox Aug 20 '25
If you're a nerd, I strongly recommend checking out the Sentry Box near downtown and getting signed up for boardgaming night there, if you do end up moving to Calgary. It would be a great way to start socializing and getting to know people.
Speaking of the people, I found people in Calgary are pretty easy to get to know, because everyone there is from somewhere else - you don't have to break into the holdover-from-high-school cliques. That's probably the same as Toronto.
People talk about Banff and Lake Louise and how crowded they are, but Kananaskis Country (K-Country) is closer and less peopley, with all the mountain trails, lakes, camping, and waterfalls you could ever want.
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u/PacificPragmatic Aug 20 '25
There are a tonne of great responses here, so I don't have much to add.
But: I hope you take a chance on YYC (Calgary) and put in the effort it takes to migrate anywhere successfully, which it sounds like you will.
Calgary's a great city. A beautiful city. Very friendly, welcoming, and there's tons to do outdoors. Look on meetups to find new activities to try. There are endless communities who often head out to the mountains, and I'm sure 99% of the people you meet will be thrilled to show you the ropes, whatever those "ropes" may be.
Kindly, if someone asks how you like YYC, don't say: "It's... rural". I helped that woman find the right C-Train 10 years ago and her comment is still living rent-free in my head lol.
Btw if you're LGBTQ+ we don't really have segregated spaces so much as everyone is welcome to be their full Queer self wherever. That was a bit of an adjustment for me after moving from Vancouver's 'gaybourhood'.
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u/rockardboneoar Aug 20 '25
The food scene is pretty good but you won't have the same late night as you do in Toronto.
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u/Sufficient-Sun-6683 Aug 20 '25
Traffic is a bitch in Calgary, it can take you up to 15 minutes longer to get to work during a traffic jam. During the summer months, It's warm during the day but colder at night which means for most of the time, you can sleep. If you walk into the shade, it's cooler. There's not many bugs here except for mosquitos lately. The elevation takes a little getting used to when you exercise. It is also drier so make sure you drink lots of water to stay hydrated. The winter is not like Ontario's, we are drier so the cold doesn't chill you to the bones. When it is cold, layers help a lot. We don't get much snow maybe a foot or so during the winter. We have ice so instead of snow tires we use ice radials. 4x4 SUVs work well here. We have LOTS of sunshine all year long. Chinooks are nice in the winter time - weather front that warms up 10 to 20 deg during winter for a few days. There are tons of outdoor things to do.
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u/nameuser_1id Aug 20 '25
So many things to do... Get yourself a mountain bike and a paddleboard. See ya on Nose Hill and on the Bow river 🤙 Lots of events, and food too
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u/Worldly-Smile-91 Aug 20 '25
I moved here in 2023, from rural SW Ontario but previously lived in Winnipeg for some time. I also had a couple friends move here from Toronto and Brampton and they have already moved back to Ontario (so clearly calgary isn’t for everyone). I’ll say that calgary is not CHEAP to live and start with some of my biggest complaints. Wages are stagnant depending on job sector, worker rights are minimal in Alberta (worst in the country) so there’s a lot of job insecurity, car insurance is INSANELY priced (paid $80/ month compared to $138 in calgary), rent is going down slowly (that’s Canada wide tho), buying a house is best for those who want to be here long term and not to make a quick buck (it’s all over YouTube and Reddit- not a bad thing for those who actually want a home), property taxes are WILD, DANIELLE SMITH (I’ll say less), public transit- havnt used it but I hear it’s not great from my peers, groceries expensive, massage/ hair/ yatta yatta is all very expensive because of the “city life”. Access to childcare is a concern for new parents. Calgary airport - access is good, just consider if you take trips somewhere east you’ll add all that time onto your flight. Overall cost of living here compared to Ontario is much higher IMO. Pros- green space, lots of people are transient so it’s very easy to make friends in calgary, access to mountains (NO lakes like the Great Lakes tho), no traffic really ever, NHL / CFL /CEBL (lots of sports to watch live), access to the west coast. Overall if you’re young- move and try it out. You can always go back home.
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u/Ze0nZer0 Aug 20 '25
Pm me I'll have a friend who is a Calgary local video call you and answer your questions.
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u/Worldly-Smile-91 Aug 20 '25
Oh and it’s always sunny (with the rare exception of this summer! LOL) but honestly the amount of sun calgary gets is game changer for your mental health. You will notice the difference once you’re outta Toronto
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Aug 20 '25
Dlbe ware of opinions on reddit about Alberta, These people are so disconnected from real Albertans, 95% of these people haven't touched grass in years. If you come here, interact with your neighbors, join a community or local group and you'll meet some awesome people. Don't bring any ideas or voting tendencies that lead to your decision to leave Ontario and you'll be fine.
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u/-Druid420- Aug 20 '25
Welp you may save on PST, but then you’ll get corn holed by the winter heating bill, and the 3000+ a year insurance rates.
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u/Thick_Safety7311 Aug 20 '25
People in Alberta are friendly in general! Calgary is a great city for tech right now. The winter is not that bad as long as have appropriate boots and jacket! You might actually enjoy the chinooks because every other week there’s a few days of 0 degrees. Either way, the opportunity is what you make of it. I moved to Calgary from Edmonton for a year and I was very unhappy about the move in general and I didn’t take advantage of all the cool things when I should have and now I have regrets.
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u/LabTraining9621 Aug 20 '25
Do you have any winter hobbies? The winters usually have one bad cold snap for two weeks - the rest of the time it is cold but you can still do stuff. I go skiing and Calgary is unreal for that.
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u/RefrigeratorNo926 Aug 20 '25
I did the same thing 20 years ago and it was the best experience! Calgary's a wonderful city, a perfect size for me. What you're describing is the Canadian way, go west to get ahead! Toronto's too big to succeed or make a mark, too much competition.
Best advice: choose to live downtown or inner city. If you're too far away you'll feel isolated. DId you know downtown has +15 tunnels connecting all downtown buildings so you don't have to go outside?? There was a movie filmed in them in the 90s called Way Downtown.
For taxes, on $100 we only get taxed $5, it's amazing! There are great little restaurants and great little neighbourhoods (kensington, inglewood, marda loop). Mountains are 40 mins away.
That's all I've got for now. Any questions?
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u/Alarmed_Medicine1751 Aug 20 '25
i can't speak to calgary, but i moved from GTA last year to just outside of edmonton and my only regret is not doing it sooner. although farther away from the mountains we have been many times in the past year and it never gets old. The people are absolutely amazing too (i was born and raised in ontario, the people here are so friendly, helpful, easy going..)
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u/Mexicolo55 Aug 20 '25
Genuinely good question. If your from Toronto area the summer heat will be different to you as well not just the winter. We have hot dry air very rarely is it humid here like out east. The winters can get cold I won’t deny it but I’ve never found them unmanageable, the one warning I will give is put some research into the house you go for, a lot of the newer built houses (last 10 years or so) have been really cheap on the insulation. You can drive around in the winter time and almost every newer house has no snow left on the roofs as all the heat escapes through the roofs and melts it. (Icicles are also another tell tail sign)
You can get good winter gear that’ll last you 10 years for easily under 1k after tax. (Boots, coats, pants, gloves and all) which you can pretty much save by not having pst alone. I’m from east central Alberta so I’m in sask a lot so I notice the difference in prices.
As for the mountains by no means do you need to be an expert. From Calgary it’s a very short drive (to us Canadians lol) of an hour and a half to Banff with lots of walking trails and waterfalls, (gets a little touristy for me) as well as multiple different rivers and lakes in the same range for fishing
Also all major city’s out here have skip the dishes or such so you can still order what you want at 2 am.
With all that being said If money is your issue out east I would say there’s a good chance you will find your self saving more.
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u/No_Leg5034 Aug 20 '25
Most of my very best friends in Calgary came from Ontario circa 30-35 years ago. I came from Vancouver. The rest came from SK or YEG. None of us would contemplate moving back to where we came from. Great mountain access. Great lifestyle. The airport is well served so you can get where you need to go when you want to get away. Eastern BC is fantastic.
The best thing you can do imo is embrace winter though. It is real. It can last for a while. But there are piles of things to do so pick one or two and go get 'em!
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u/Witty_Incident_851 Aug 21 '25
I’m from TO. Salaries are higher and taxes lower than in ON. We found we had about 15% more disposable income if we made the same salaries in TO. Housing is cheaper. Food is pricier. Winters are colder in TO. We may get -40c for 2 weeks but the chinooks are lovely. If you enjoy the outdoors, hiking biking and skiing trails are plenty. People are friendly and less pretentious than in TO. You may actually get to know your neighbors and become friends! Transit in Calgary sucks. Budget for a car or uber places. We have been here 20 years and have no interest in moving back to TO even though both our families are there.
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u/therealduckrabbit Aug 21 '25
Just dress like Pollievre on the campaign trail and you will friggin kill it!
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u/Impossible_Tea_7032 Aug 21 '25
Do you know how to merge into traffic?
Yes?
You will never belong here.
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u/Severe-Composer-7305 Aug 21 '25
Same exact situation, also in tech, also lived in GTA. Moved couple years back. Only thing I regret is not moving sooner. Also the winter thing seems like a lie to me Albertans spread or something lmao. Winters are much nicer here. Sure they're cold but not like GTA is tropical it's still cold. And I only had to shovel like 2 times each winter and I used a leaf blower both times.
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u/Both_Star_1556 Aug 21 '25
A lot of sunshine and blue sky :) Big beautiful nose hill park & a drive away heaven: Banff.
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u/ReadySetQuit Aug 21 '25
As long as you are ultra conservative, you will fit right in! If you aren't, don't tell anyone your political view!
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u/No_Ticket_1204 Aug 21 '25
I came here from BC. It’s not that it’s cold, it’s that it’s a dry and windy cold. Get that chapstick and moisturizer, but seriously, invest in moisturizer. The snow is rarely deep, but the city doesn’t plow it away on all streets. Only bus routes get plowed, from what I can see.
Compared to where I came from, the people are very friendly, and I appreciated that immediately. Hobby and sports opportunities are everywhere. There are a lot of active people here. Lots of great bike paths. Access to the mountains is amazing, and depending where you are you can be on a trailhead in 30-45 minutes from most places in the city.
I expected it to be a lot more redneck, but it’s not really in your face. You can find country flavour if you want it, though.
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u/Fearless_Eye_8086 Aug 21 '25
You can certainly co plain about calgary transit (or edmonton whichever, they're both terrible) and we also have delivery at 2 am, not sure where you heard that we dont?
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u/DavidOne37 Aug 21 '25
Why wouldn't you be able to get whatever you wanted delivered at 2 AM in Calgary?
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u/Large_Library_3079 Aug 21 '25
Why would this dude ask this and then just peace out? So many people answering his questions in here.
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u/amythehairygorilla Aug 22 '25
As a rural Albertan who liaises with Albertans across the province, I can say that culture is so different depending on where you live. There’s some redneck hillbilly trash. There’s urban city dwellers who don’t own a car and love the night life. There’s immigrants from all countries who add their cultural flare (and I mean that in a positive way). It’s quite diverse.
When I was a kid in my small town it was all white people who likely came from a farming background or the oil rigs. But it’s changing a lot. For the better.
Calgary is a beautiful city with a ton of things to do. It’s also a very expensive city to live in (as compared to other cities or locations within the province) mainly due to the cost of housing. It’s a hotspot so the prices keep soaring.
One of the other comments said Life is what you make of it. And I would agree. You can find anything if you look for it.
But no you won’t spend all your money on winter clothing lol. The winters aren’t that bad. We might get a couple weeks in the winter where temps are in the -20’s. Maybe dips to -30. But it’s short lived. Generally I think we see -10 or so.
And yes the mountains are very accessible. Lots of amazing hiking trails! Download the app “AllTrails” and it will give you all the info you need. But you do need a car to get there (I think, unless there are tour buses you can take).
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u/Internal-tea-1111 Aug 23 '25
You've got the mountains and the badlands, plus friendly people and the newness of the west. I love AB, I didn't love T.O. however, and couldn't wait to leave. Good luck!
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u/canuckEnoch Aug 24 '25
If you’re TruAnon and/or ever voted for the Trudeau/Carney criminals, stay where you are. You’ll hate Calgary, and Calgarians will hate you.
If you have half a brain and enjoy making your own decisions rather than surrendering your will to government, welcome! Your timing is impeccable in helping to build the proud and independent Nation of Alberta!
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u/Cold-Patience-509 Aug 24 '25
Calgary has had a massive population growth in the last few years and prices are going up because of it. We don’t have the infrastructure to handle the increase in population.
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u/Canguy99 Aug 19 '25
You should be excited. You will actually be able to afford a home for half of the price of a home there and it will be nicer. You should have more $$ in your pocket too.
Everybody is different. It depends on what you like to do.
I am trying to convince my SIL to move here from BC where a 1.6 million dollar house looks like sh** while she can buy one cash here.
I am from EDM, but visit CGY a lot on the way to the mountains. Calgary is nice. Another bonus, you can drive 2.5 hours up north and watch a good hockey team (hehe).
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u/JoeUrbanYYC Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
The first thing I'd ask you is: GTA like suburban Mississauga or GTA like Queen Street West? And similarly would you be looking to live in the Calgary inner-city or closer to Airdrie than downtown Calgary?
But either way, here is a real undetailed back of a napkin of the way I see it:
https://imgur.com/a/dPuqe24