2108 others browsing the Canadian Forums! Join us!

Calgary vs. Edmonton (Calgary Vs Edmonton)

Calgary vs. Edmonton

View Poll Results: Between Calgary and Edmonton, which city do you feel is the better place to live?
Calgary - The Stampede City	48	52.75%
Edmonton - The City of Champions	43	47.25%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll

DasFX

Calgary Vs Edmonton

Apr 29th, 2005

Albertans always seem so united, so I thought I'd try to provoke some interprovincial rivalry (since there are no Oilers/Flames game to do the same).

I went to Alberta for my 25th birthday in April of 2003. It was my first and only time there. We were there for 5 days and we managed to do a lot. Based out of Calgary, we managed to see most of Calgary and go to Banff, Lake Louise, Edmonton, and Drumheller.

I must say that I found Calgary to be phenomenal. Everything was so new, clean and efficient. It just seemed like a city that worked. We saw all the major sites, rode the C-Train everywhere, and drove on just about every trail. It was just great.

Then we drove up to Edmonton. Wow what a boring drive, the only time I used my steering wheel was to get around Red Deer.
We went to the WEM, drove downtown, saw the parliament and then drove across the river to the Muttart conservatory. I tried to get Game 6 tickets (Oilers vs. Dallas) but couldn't. I must say that I wasn't impressed with the city. It seemed dirty, lifeless, abandoned. There were a lot more ghetto like neighbourhoods in and around downtown, including around Skyreach or Rexall Coliseum. Perhaps I was expecting too much from the city of Champions.

Anyhow, I'd love to hear other's opinions. I know I was in E-Town for only a day, and I would definitely go back and see more of it and kind of give it a second change, but for now Calgary is the jewel of Alberta.

mrmom2

Calgary Or Edmonton

Apr 29th, 2005

Thats DEADMONTON can't stand that place it's not quite the asshole of the universe but you can see it from there

choppie

Edmonton Or Calgary

May 2nd, 2005

Edmonton.....what can i say.....The hockey team sux......and all 3 times that i have been there, we were in car accidents....

Audio

Calgary Vs. Edmonton

May 2nd, 2005

Calgary is a nice city it has a much more scenic downtown. But Edmonton has a much larger footprint and because it is a blue coller city people do not use the downtown as much and buisneses are spread out through out the city not just in the downtown corador. Housing in the east side of downtown is not great but Calgary has its lousy areas as well. Edmonton has a grat river vally compared to the creek that runs through Calgary. And Edmonton has Trees everywhere unlike Calgary because of winterkill. The mountians are not that far of a drive from Edmonton and Jasper is much less comertialised and you can actualy walk anywhere you want without beeing fenced in. Traveling through Edmonton is muc faster then in calgery as we have way better main roads then they do (I have lived in both citys so I can say this) and the LRT (C-Train) in Edmonton was here first and goes underground downtown so you dont freez in the winter and soon will go all the way south so it will cover just as much area. Have you ever tried to leave Calgarys downtown during rush hour? NOT, Edmonton is much better to get around.

Jo Canadian

May 2nd, 2005

I've lived in edmonton for a few years. Never have lived in Calgary though. Relatives in law that I knew that lived in Calgary did favor it as more green and friendly over Edmonton.

Edmonton...well it is a little impersonal, everyone is in a rush and very aggressive and ignorant drivers. It is like a concrete block, but that depends where you live there. All and all it wasn't much of a fun experience there, every neighbour had their own little bubble and didn't like associating very much.

Mind you, I liked the transit system there. I wish that had that going on here in C-town.

choppie

May 5th, 2005

Can i vote again?????

bluealberta

May 7th, 2005

Having lived in both, I must say I prefer Calgary. Calgary seems much more vibrant to me, and the weather is much better. First snow in Edmonton in the fall is the last to melt in the spring. Calgary gets chinooks to break up the winter. Three hours from Calgary you are into BC, into Montana, into Sask (why, I don't know

). Three hours from Edmonton, you are in Calgary. 'Nuff said.

Gonzo

May 7th, 2005

Edmonton did have the greatest hockey team that ever existed.

bluealberta

May 9th, 2005

Quote: Originally Posted by Gonzo

Edmonton did have the greatest hockey team that ever existed.

I'm not an Oiler fan by any means, but cannot argue with you there.

choppie

#10

May 9th, 2005

hmm.....I did not see the Oilers in the playoffs last year.....I wonder why...

choppie

#11

May 10th, 2005

Quote: Originally Posted by choppie

hmm.....I did not see the Oilers in the playoffs last year.....I wonder why...

OH WAIT!!!!

I know why! It is because they suck!

mrmom2

#12

May 10th, 2005

I'm not so sure that was the greatest team that ever existed you all conveniently left out the Habs they have won more cups than the Oilers ever will more back to back too

gftrcoach

#13

May 10th, 2005

I preferred Edmonton. More real, more grass roots culture, more diversity FAR more attractive, a University that is world class.

The airport sucks, but not because it's in Leduc but there is so little choice. Eventually I moved to the States, it simply took too long to get anywhere and not enough choice. A one day consulting gig cost three days.

Calgary is great too, I just found the community to be more like Toronto except with cowboy boots. Although originally from Montreal, I very much dislike the East in both countries, so Calgary get's a nix from me for being too Eastern on the business and personal elite level .

I loved that so many regular Joe's make a good living and sometimes create very large companies in Edmonton and they still seem to be real, approachable and the other piece is it always seemed to me that I would be doing business in Edmonton with so many people from different lands whereas somehow they were all white guys in Calgary. I know that's not the complete landscape, but for 20 years that's what happened to me over and over again.

Gleb

DasFX

#14

May 10th, 2005

Quote: Originally Posted by gftrcoach

Iwhereas somehow they were all white guys in Calgary.

I understood your point of view for the rest of your post, but I was baffled by this point. I'm not Caucasian, so I'm not preaching that an all white city is the way to go, but I don't see how this is a negative and that is the way it came off.

Should a community be penalized and be associated negatively for not having visible minorities? Does it make it any worse than somewhere that does?

I've often said that I like Calgary, it seemed like a great place to live. Many of my friends (both Caucasian and non-Caucasian) think I'm nuts cause "there aren't enough coloured folk", but for me I don't see this as an issue.

I've traveled a lot in Europe and found it to be very diverse (excluding people of colour). Czechs and the French are both Caucasian, but very different. Why do people base diversity on skin pigment?

China may appear to be a very homogeneous society, however it is very diverse. Same goes with India, they all look brown, but they ain't the same.

Also, I also find it very interesting you say that seeing as you are in one of the more homogeneous cities in America, Salt Lake City. I've been there and I've got relatives there and let me say that if you ain't Mormon, it ain't so great.

gftrcoach

#15

May 10th, 2005

Quote: Originally Posted by DasFX

Quote: Originally Posted by gftrcoachIwhereas somehow they were all white guys in Calgary.I understood your point of view for the rest of your post, but I was baffled by this point. I'm not Caucasian, so I'm not preaching that an all white city is the way to go, but I don't see how this is a negative and that is the way it came off.
Sorry. Let me try again. Simply put, I enjoyed having Chinese, Iraqi, Korean, Iranian, Irish, Lebanese and Ukranian business partners in various projects over the years in Alberta. I went to Univesity in three countries, I'm multi-lingual, I just enjoy the overall diversity. I don't know why, and I enjoyed the rancher and oil type dudes in Calgary, AND they were all the same and I rarely met anyone different and some of the old money in Calgary were snobby compared to Edmonton. That's all. The "white guy" thing was a code word more for sameness and snobbiness. Other than that, I said I loved Calgary as well, I just liked Edmonton better.
Should a community be penalized and be associated negatively for not having visible minorities? Does it make it any worse than somewhere that does?
nope, just my preference
I've often said that I like Calgary, it seemed like a great place to live. ...
Quote has been trimmed

I don't find this at all here. I have lots of Mormon and other than Mormon friends, partners and I have a diverse investment team. I have no clue what the beef with Mormons is here, all my circles are mixed and I keep hearing about it but I don't experience it. I also don't drink, that seems to be the source of a lot of digs here. Also Mormons really hustle, so sometimes people resent that, much like Jews are resented for their industriousness. My children are grown, and I hear that sometimes issues in schools build up resentments.

Gleb

MarkMayner

#16

May 20th, 2005

Well, I like both. I am closer too Edmonton so I guess I like it more, although I find there are a lot of ignorant people. Don't get me wrong, there are nice people too.
Also Edmonton can be pretty dirty, but next year they are adding more attractions and everything.

As for hockey team, I am a die-hard Oilers fan. Wish they kept Nedved though... When they come back they will be better then ever.

Never been to Banff but seeing as I live 1 1/2 hour from Jasper I do go there a lot.

It's also nice to hear that I will be going to a world class university..

Uh, did I let it slip I'm not even 18..whoops

I like most cities, I have gone to a lot..

Least Fav - Winnipeg
Most Fav- Vancouver, Los Angelas, Halifax

elk 6x6

#17

Jun 4th, 2005

I know the question is which city is the better place to live. Since I don't live in either but have visited both, I find them equally attractive for different reasons. Edmonton has the mall which I like very much and alot of other nice places. Calgary has the Stampeed ( alot of fun), an indoor water park, the olimpic village, an amusement park and a very nice zoo amoung other nice places. Both have some excellent eating places. I like the Chinese and Japanese food the best. But if ever you are between Edmonton and Calgary on a Sunday, be sure to stop in Red Deer for the best KILLER buffet I have ever seen and eaten. It is in a hotel, I think its just the Red Deer Hotel not far off the highway. If you have ever been there or stop by later, tell me how you liked it. Thanks Elk

SECONDGEN

#18

Jun 8th, 2005

Well because I am basing my vote on pure business. I am a second generation Calgarian (rare as rocking horse spit). I have worked for 18+ years in the thriving oil and gas business and the opportunities this field has opened for me have been spectacular. My SO is a native of Edmonton and leans towards Calgary as well. I can't base my judgement on anything else, but must say if I were to promote it, We are a big city with small town values, big heart, and big goals. We went from cow town to boom town, and let me tell you our international recognitian has far surpassed Edmontons in many fields. I am proud to just plain old be Canadian, secondly, from Alberta.
And one last note, Nothing compared to our RED MILE last year. WOW.

AirIntake

#19

Jun 8th, 2005

Having another Stanley Cup would compare nicely

SECONDGEN

#20

Jun 8th, 2005

Quote: Originally Posted by AirIntake

Having another Stanley Cup would compare nicely

Indeed it would, us Calgarians love a reason to celebrate.

AirIntake

#21

Jun 8th, 2005

So does Theo Fleury

choppie

#22

Jun 8th, 2005

hahaha o0o0o0o red mile was a blast eh?!

tfaria

#23

Jun 15th, 2005

My boyfriend and I have decided to make the move out to Alberta in August. Thats in less than two months! But of couse we can not decide on whether it is going to be Edmonton or Calgary! I hear great things about both cities, which hasn't made my decision any easier. Originally, we were set on Edmonton, I didn't even really consider Calgary. I don't know why. But after hearing great things about it and having prospect employers wanting interviews...lets just say it has left me totally confused!

I guess that I can say that I love the city life (coming from Toronto after all), but I also want to to be in a safe and clean atmosphere. I am in Interior Design and as for my boyfriend, he is in Advertising.

Any other opinions out there? Where is the place to go?

AirIntake

#24

Jun 15th, 2005

I've been to both, I live in one of them. To tell you the truth, there both basically the same. If you're in the oil&gas industry I'd say Calgary is better for that. But since both of you aren't, it doesn't really matter much.

SECONDGEN

#25

Jun 15th, 2005

Quote: Originally Posted by AirIntake

I've been to both, I live in one of them. To tell you the truth, there both basically the same. If you're in the oil&gas industry I'd say Calgary is better for that. But since both of you aren't, it doesn't really matter much.

You got it airintake calgary for oil and gas but also a lot of other jobs too. We have a ton of head offices here and so our employment opportunities are vast and varied.
And yes Red Mile was a hoot. OMG all the people.it was amazing. Our Lilac Festival in May is just as great.

choppie

#26

Jun 19th, 2005

hahaha i havent missed a lilac festival in years....o0o0o0o i love it...Calgary is the better city....Edmonton is all busy highway-like roads.....too spaced out....yes, they have West Edmonton mall.....but thats it.....from Edmonton to Red Deer it's all "deer hitting, action packed, fun" (pardon the level of sarcasim)

but.... you will be moving to Calgary when you find out that Edmonton is so brutal that you just can't stand it....

Diamond Sun

#27

Jun 22nd, 2005

Ouch. Edmonton has so much more than highway like roads, and West Edmonton mall.

Edmonton also seems to have a greater mi x of people. I found Calgary to be full of yuppie business people who don't have time, or inclination, to talk to anyone but future business clients.

Plus, Edmonton just has more trees, more parks, and more green.

I'd rather drive the whitemud than the deerfoot anyday. And seriously, it's much easier to get around Edmonton than Calgary, what with all Calgary's NW, NE, SW, SE addresses.

choppie

#28

Jun 23rd, 2005

Ok i can agree with you about the deerfoot being bad....but you must have only been in downtown Calgary when you saw all the "yuppies" because everywhere else i go ..... people say hi to me all the time....and they even smile.....We have gorgeous little community's all over our huge city....in the NW SW NE and SE....As for the smiles and hello's....in my opinion is better than getting fingered on whitemud.......

Bubble

#29

Jun 23rd, 2005

Edmonton drivers suck but I like where I live (right in the middle) I'm 10 minutes from everything!(almost everything) I've never lived in calgary I wonder what it's like but I have been there at the airport I feel sorry for those poor employees that had to were hot red cowboy hats and mathing overalls. Someone who lives near the airport should tell them that! anyway I think licing in alberta is great it's like the safest province in canada(I've been around) I absolutly love it here besides the drivers of course!

Bubble

#30

Jun 23rd, 2005

I bet downtown calgary's as bad as downtown here and whyte ave!

Similar Threads

Where to Settle Edmonton or Calgary
by certainreality | Dec 17th, 2010

Bigger City? Edmonton or Calgary
by Anonymous | Nov 2nd, 2010

Calgary or Edmonton?
by steve_american | Sep 10th, 2009

Edmonton vs Calgary
by thatone | Aug 17th, 2009

Calgary versus Edmonton
by bandora | Jul 9th, 2009