[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

I agree with both of you 100%. Calgary has a vibrant downtown core until 5/6pm when everyone goes to the suburbs. It's partially because few people live downtown but the sprawl encourage mini-metro centre like Deerfoot Meadows, Market Mall, Chinook and Shawnessey so there is no reason to have a vibrant night or cultural vibe. Kids don't even play on the streets like they used to when I was a wee lad.

That's why I love cities like Vancouver, TO and Montreal so much. You can walk around almost any reasonable time of day, any day off the week and with any weather, and there's a vibe. People are out shopping, go to packed streets with bars, cafes and restaurants and there is lots to do. Calgary severely lacks that and I think its not caused by but rather encouraged by the sprawl.

So true. I love Calgary to death and it will always be home, but it seriously lacks vibe. And no, not talking about the horrible radio station.

There are a few pockets though, Kensington, and some parts of 17th, that have some vibe. But its largely a suburban mall culture in most of the city, which is how I grew up. Its not bad for families but I find as a young adult that type of community isn't necessarily what I'd want to live in right now.