[SeeGeeWhy]

Peter12, want to trade places?

I'm kidding... but have never lived anywhere else than Calgary and have always been seduced by Vancouver. Rain doesn't bother me as I am pretty emo most of the time and I love the nature there. Agree with you about the people, but I also dislike most of the morons who live in Alberta (for very different reasons) so call that a wash... The sea and old growth forests call me for sure. I would miss Kananaskis country if I left here... The arctic also feels like a frontier, but I know nothing of the true options there.

I am very sheltered and have a limited imagination as to what is possible, or where else in the world might need a person like me. I'm not even convinced I've discovered what I am good at, and I'm almost 40. Like... am I all of a sudden going to stumble upon this out of nowhere? I oscillate between depressed and accepting of my mediocrity, and getting the little bursts of "well, maybe if I try this..." sort of optimism that I used to get in my younger days. Back when I didn't have so many friends off themselves yet, or run into really exciting and meaningful work opportunities only to find I couldn't hang or fit in... and let me tell you those little bursts don't come very often anymore.

And if I ask that question now - where do I belong? If I listen, the answer is nowhere because I'm a cishet white male approaching 40, otherwise known as the bane of existence.

For me, Calgary feels... isolating. It was like this before COVID, too. Haven't been able to find my niche here, and frankly, being a parent doesn't help this. Your life becomes so focused on them, which has been both rewarding in many ways but very psychologically challenging in others for a person with my neurotype.

Is this a Calgary effect, or a me effect? I've never known anything else on either variable.

What do you and your partner do for work and play? Have you both found your niche, your people? Does fitting in and feeling valued by others matter for both of you? Are you thinking Calgary because you've been here before? Where else are you considering?

Richard Florida writes (or used to) write on this subject. I think about his book "Who's Your City" very often. He talks about the importance of being in the right PLACE to just have the chance to find a meaningful purpose for yourself, a mate/partner, an identity and so forth. It's fascinating research.

I am very nervous about staying here, not for me but for my kids. Like I've said, I already feel like I've shot my shot and am whatever I was meant to become. I'm not thrilled with the result of project "me", but I suppose reconciling that is what the back nine is for. But there's hope for my kids. Am I giving them the best possible chance at a contented life by remaining here? I look around and am deeply unsure of what sort of opportunities my kids will end up being exposed to.

What are we up to here, exactly? What leadership or grand projects inspire you about this place? But, where else is any better, truly? We see these anecdotal opinion pieces about how the city is losing headcount in the 18 - 24 demographic, but what locations are picking up those categories and what are they moving to those places for?

This is a hard question. One I think about often. Interested to hear your answers...