Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunk
Aside from Brad Lamb's ridiculous assertions - I think Calgary used to have a cultural deficit in comparison to Edmonton. But, in the past ten years, I think Calgary has easily caught up and surpassed Edmonton. Really interesting festivals like Sled Island and Beakerhead as well as events like Comic Expo have made Calgary a more interesting events city. While Edmonton clings to - "but we have Fringe!" like they do with the 80s Oilers.
I also think we've urbanized a quicker rate and have a better variety of urban neighbourhoods around our core compared to Edmonton - giving us a better street life. Edmonton has Whyte...and that's about it, while Calgary has Kensington, Inglewood, Mission, 17th Ave, etc. Also compare downtown streets like Stephen Ave vs Jasper Ave (which, like Edmonton, is no good).
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Jasper turns into 124 st. Both legs already have some great shops, and the condo buildings along west Jasper ave are sort of that "Beltline" area that definitely has some potential. Oliver has some great room for growth too, especially for young professionals (a number of U of A med residents I know have bought units there).
Stephen Avenue is good (I had friends from Edmonton feel that it had a "European" vibe to it their first time down there), but I wouldn't put it as anything remarkably better than Jasper. It's almost two different streets, save the centrality of their locations. Jasper has a lot more dense residential. Stephen Ave is some of Calgary's most corporate downtown office buildings.