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Thunderball · 12-13-2007, 11:21 AM

You know, some people actually like living as far away from Downtown as possible... they just don't like the density, crime, vagrancy, etc. These people would live in Banff or Canmore if they could, but they work in Calgary. Personally, I love suburban living, I can walk to Fish Creek, I have soccer fields and hockey rinks minutes away on foot, same with basic shopping, schools, etc. Anything more, and I have my car. I have a bus stop maybe 250m from my house if so inclined. I have my space. If it wasn't for the lack of high-paying jobs, I'd totally live in Canmore or Banff.

I don't begrudge people who prefer the density and walkability of inner city living, but many people like their suburbs, and they're not the soulless communes some people like to portray them as. What's the difference between living in a cookie-cutter house and having a unit in a cookie-cutter condo/apartment complex? Personal taste. That's it.

Personally, I think Calgary is a decent place to live with some serious drawbacks. Traffic could be a lot better with a few smart decisions in LRT and road construction/improvements (SW Ring Road comes to mind, as does Crowchild/Bow Tr./Memorial cluster######). I also think the sports scene stinks. Aside from the Flames, there's really nothing professional. The CFL is second-rate. Lacrosse is a fringe game with limited appeal. There's no pro-baseball, no pro-soccer, nothing else aside from the odd SPGA or CPGA tour stop. The local facilities are mediocre at best, and godawful at worst. In the US, college teams would be ashamed to play in McMahon. Foothills Stadia (Soccer and Baseball) are disgustingly inadequate.

The Arts are decent, but nothing to brag about either. Funny, with all the money in this city, you'd think we'd be punching way above our weight in pro sports and the arts.

The hospital situation is pretty pathetic too. No downtown hospital (good Job, Ralphie), and no hospital for the SE (until 2011)... essentially one hospital per 367,000 people and a childrens hospital. Even with the South Hospital, it'll still be one hospital per almost 300,000 people.

It almost seems like Alberta was only supposed to have one major city. Calgary's strengths are Edmonton's weaknesses, and vice-versa.

12-13-2007, 11:21 AM	#148
Thunderball Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	You know, some people actually like living as far away from Downtown as possible... they just don't like the density, crime, vagrancy, etc. These people would live in Banff or Canmore if they could, but they work in Calgary. Personally, I love suburban living, I can walk to Fish Creek, I have soccer fields and hockey rinks minutes away on foot, same with basic shopping, schools, etc. Anything more, and I have my car. I have a bus stop maybe 250m from my house if so inclined. I have my space. If it wasn't for the lack of high-paying jobs, I'd totally live in Canmore or Banff. I don't begrudge people who prefer the density and walkability of inner city living, but many people like their suburbs, and they're not the soulless communes some people like to portray them as. What's the difference between living in a cookie-cutter house and having a unit in a cookie-cutter condo/apartment complex? Personal taste. That's it. Personally, I think Calgary is a decent place to live with some serious drawbacks. Traffic could be a lot better with a few smart decisions in LRT and road construction/improvements (SW Ring Road comes to mind, as does Crowchild/Bow Tr./Memorial cluster######). I also think the sports scene stinks. Aside from the Flames, there's really nothing professional. The CFL is second-rate. Lacrosse is a fringe game with limited appeal. There's no pro-baseball, no pro-soccer, nothing else aside from the odd SPGA or CPGA tour stop. The local facilities are mediocre at best, and godawful at worst. In the US, college teams would be ashamed to play in McMahon. Foothills Stadia (Soccer and Baseball) are disgustingly inadequate. The Arts are decent, but nothing to brag about either. Funny, with all the money in this city, you'd think we'd be punching way above our weight in pro sports and the arts. The hospital situation is pretty pathetic too. No downtown hospital (good Job, Ralphie), and no hospital for the SE (until 2011)... essentially one hospital per 367,000 people and a childrens hospital. Even with the South Hospital, it'll still be one hospital per almost 300,000 people. It almost seems like Alberta was only supposed to have one major city. Calgary's strengths are Edmonton's weaknesses, and vice-versa. Last edited by Thunderball; 12-13-2007 at 11:25 AM.