For those of you who eventally got out of Calgary, how did you do it?

[DuffMan]

My wife draggd me away when we had a kid as neither of us had any immediate family there.
Now I live in a small town. Never thought I'd like it, but I do. I can say I would've hated to spend my drinking/drugging/sexing younger years in a small town. Glad I had the opportunity to do it in Calgary.
My brother moved back from Japan to Calgary so I go visit, and while I like to visit, I don't think I want to live in a big city at all anymore.
Now I can walk home from any bar in town, bicycle to any store,bar,friends or pretty much anywhere. Time to workplace is 7 minutes in a vehicle or 15 minutes on bicycle. The very best thing though, 20 minutes hiway driving to golf course I have a membership at. Leave work, there in 20 minutes.I remember getting to golf courses in rush hour traffic used to gmg's unbelievably in Calgary.
Should also point out, when I moved to Calgary the biggest building dt was like 20 stories tall, and I watched it grow and get much bigger to what is today. Beddington was as far North people lived, and Parklands, right above FCP, where my parents lived was as far south. When I left I lived fairly central and had friends that live in Lake Chapparel, and another that lived is some unremarkable place way North. Going to either place was a pain in the Ass, and just seemed to take so much time. Then you could only drink minimally as you had to drive an hour back home. Eventually you'd just stop visiting these people.
I like Calgary, I just don't think the size fits my lifestyle anymore though.
I just feel I have more time to do things I like and not sitting in traffic.

Of course, this is complete opposite if you are looking for more action.

edit - But I'd give it all up to live in Costa Rica, probably. I love beaches.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Hit me up if you find your way down here. I don't know many Flames fans here to go to games with. (I live in Santa Clara, to be more precise; a suburb of SF/SJ.)

I would like to hit up a game if I get the chance, are sharks/flames tickets hard to come by?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I would like to hit up a game if I get the chance, are sharks/flames tickets hard to come by?

Not at all. I've been living here about ~3 years, I've gone to 5/6 games. Of those 5 games, we got blown out in 4 of them (including the infamous south bay massacre)... Shark fans are actually pretty cool, usually the Flames lose so bad its comically pitiful and they actually laugh it up with you.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I understand the sentiment that "maybe it's not the city, maybe it's how you live your life there" but at the same time, most of us are very much affected by the environment in which we live. Reflect back upon the number of times people have written about how they just couldn't live in Vancouver because of the rain and consider the irony in this thread.

Different environments provide for different kinds of lives and experiences. The argument that you can find what you need in Calgary so long as you dig for it doesn't do anything to suggest that the city is actually a place that is well suited to the type of life you want. I would bet that most people who sit in the Boston Pizza's in their neighbourhoods complaining about the lack of a cultural scene would be doing less complaining and more enjoying of the cultural scene if that scene had a real presence in their neighborhood. Similarly, while I know that you can find skiing in Shanghai or join a hiking club or a mountain biking club, I would certainly understand someone passionate about those things wanting to leave the city and live in a place like Calgary or Vancouver instead. At the same time I am sure that I would not find in Calgary the things that I enjoy in Shanghai because it's just not a city that provides easily for many things I like, such as the intense hustle and bustle, the packed streets and being able to watch the city grow and develop practically day by day because it changes so quickly.

The main point of all this is that you really ought to take the chance to go find a place that not only stirs in you something that you love and enjoy but is also a place that really supports you living the type of life you want to lead. As your time of life changes the type of place that's right for you will likely change but, I say again, Calgary will always be there if you want to go back and you only have one life to live. There is no sense in compromising just because you happen to have been born there when the world is a very open place and you are a Canadian passport holder who can go practically anywhere to find a place that supports exactly the type of life that makes you feel stirred and passionate.

Most people never take the risk, but it's ultimately not that hard. In the long run you have nothing to lose. We don't all just happen to be born on that spot in the world that suits us best.

You are correct in everything you are saying. However, obviously there is going to be a reaction like this when the question is phrased as it is. Makes it seem like Calgary is some backwater town that traps people and keeps them from their potential. Obviously that's not the case.

Also, does Option84 ever reply to any of these threads he starts?

Also, also, I'm pretty sure he's Dess.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Speaking of taking off, I leave for San Fran on the 1st, I figured if I didn't do it now I wouldn't do it. The year away from the gf will be tough, but we will survive

Just moved back from SF a couple months ago. Couldn't wait to get out. Great city, but California...

[worth]

I've thought a bit about moving away. My only problem is that I have a really good job here. I know, I know, first world problems. I can't justify quitting at this moment. I've wanted to live in a place like New York or Hong Kong or Tokyo for a couple years and see how it is.

It takes balls to do it. Calgary certainly isn't the worst place to live, and I think I would enjoy living in a place with "more culture" depending on where it is.

Although, every time I go somewhere else, I always come back to Alberta and I love the feeling I get when I do.

I remember coming back from North Africa, getting off the plane and talking to the Customs agent at YYC. Spoke for a minute about my trip and then said "Welcome home". I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah, this is my home and i'm glad to live here. Made me smile, usually the customs agents just grunt at you.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I understand the sentiment that "maybe it's not the city, maybe it's how you live your life there" but at the same time, most of us are very much affected by the environment in which we live. Reflect back upon the number of times people have written about how they just couldn't live in Vancouver because of the rain and consider the irony in this thread.

Different environments provide for different kinds of lives and experiences.

I agree with you.

I really want to live in Europe, and it's not a knock on Canada at all. In fact, Canada is better than most European countries in a lot of ways. I just love the European lifestyle so much that I'd be willing to sacrifice other things for it.

The logistics haven't worked out for me yet, but I am always keeping it on the radar if an opportunity arises.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

It's funny 'cause I was in Seoul a couple months back for vacation. My gf's co-worker is Korean, and hooked us up with one of his friends over there who helped us get around initially. We had our typical tourist book out, which suggested a number of things to do around Seoul, but our "tour guide" hadn't done even 1/4 of them. There's a giant palace right in the middle of Seoul, and when we went, it was his first time too. Same with my gf's co-worker. He called us while we were there to see what we were doing, and half the stuff we had done, he had barely even heard of, and he was born and raised there!

There's definitely no shortage of stuff to do here, so long as you look, especially with the mountains right at our footsteps. If you're leaving for the sake of the adventure of it, then go ahead, pick a spot and just go. But if dullness is the reason for you leaving, then you're leaving for the wrong reasons. Because chances are you're gonna be bored with any place you eventually go to.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Not at all. I've been living here about ~3 years, I've gone to 5/6 games. Of those 5 games, we got blown out in 4 of them (including the infamous south bay massacre)... Shark fans are actually pretty cool, usually the Flames lose so bad its comically pitiful and they actually laugh it up with you.

Thanks, also that is good to know, I plan on wearing my jersey, so a friendly fanbase will help. Is there transit that would get me there from the bay area?

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Just moved back from SF a couple months ago. Couldn't wait to get out. Great city, but California...

Yeah, I just want to experience a big city, but I intend to come back to Canada when my year sojourn is done, I really like Calgary, and I think it has the potential to become even better

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Yeah, I just want to experience a big city, but I intend to come back to Canada when my year sojourn is done, I really like Calgary, and I think it has the potential to become even better

How are you just able to go and work down there? Do you have an American passport? Wish it was that easy to go down to the States. You literally have to lose and arm and a leg to get a job down there by will.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Thanks, also that is good to know, I plan on wearing my jersey, so a friendly fanbase will help. Is there transit that would get me there from the bay area?

Caltrain, takes you right to the door step.

Originally Posted by Bonded

Yeah, I just want to experience a big city, but I intend to come back to Canada when my year sojourn is done, I really like Calgary, and I think it has the potential to become even better

Since moving here ... I'm not interested in going back. I wasn't really "bored" in Canada (Calgary/Edmonton) but there's so many people in a place like SF Bay area, so many options are accessible, you get more options of trying new things, easier to find groups and communities, etc. Just what I think anyways.

[Coach]

I didn't realize Calgary was a black abyss from which there is no escape. A city of a million+ people that is an international business hub and you cant get out? Please.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

How are you just able to go and work down there? Do you have an American passport? Wish it was that easy to go down to the States. You literally have to lose and arm and a leg to get a job down there by will.

The easiest way is school (which I am doing) or finding an American gal to marry (which, if things go well with my current gf, then I will also do), but I am not sure if I want to live there long term, the political system drives me gonzo.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

How are you just able to go and work down there? Do you have an American passport? Wish it was that easy to go down to the States. You literally have to lose and arm and a leg to get a job down there by will.

It's not all that difficult for certain professions, or if you have US schooling. I was able to land a job while on a student visa, and was easily qualified for a visa as a skilled worker.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Caltrain, takes you right to the door step.


Since moving here ... I'm not interested in going back. I wasn't really "bored" in Canada (Calgary/Edmonton) but there's so many people in a place like SF Bay area, so many options are accessible, you get more options of trying new things, easier to find groups and communities, etc. Just what I think anyways.

Thanks, now I will just have to make that my entertainment for a month, and not drink until the game. Yeah, I will see how it goes, but initially, I want to move back until my gf finishes nursing, but after that our credentials should be fairly transferable.

I will just have to make the decision between mobility and family as I am the youngest of seven kids and we are mostly concentrated in Calgary, and it would be a loss to not see my family all that much.

Originally Posted by valo403

It's not all that difficult for certain professions, or if you have US schooling. I was able to land a job while on a student visa, and was easily qualified for a visa as a skilled worker.

Agreed, with the Master's I am getting there is a fairly high chance I would be able to get a job in the U.S., and from my discussions with alumni and the school, if an American company offers you a position, you can transfer fairly easily.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by fotze

I wouldn't mind hearing more about this story. i.e. how much money you need, what type of housing.

an interesting site to browse, although plenty of sugar coating or exaggeration, perhaps to sell a book

http://www.happierthanabillionaire.com/

[shane_c]

We lived in Calgary for close to 4 years. It was okay in the beginning but soon being stuck in traffic jams 7 days a week and big city living got old and we wanted to be somewhere that was less stressful and where we could get a bit of land. We started applying for jobs in the territories and back in NS (both from here) and told ourselves that we would take the first good opportunity that presented itself. I was able to land a job in Halifax so moved here and she looked after selling the house and joined me about 2 months later. I don't regret going to Calgary and would go back to visit someday. We both gained great job experience and the good chunk of house equity after a year of ownership was a nice send off. It just wasn't for us and we moved on because we were miserable there.

[indierockorgy]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I would bet that most people who sit in the Boston Pizza's in their neighbourhoods complaining about the lack of a cultural scene would be doing less complaining and more enjoying of the cultural scene if that scene had a real presence in their neighborhood.

Bingo.

There is basically zero culture outside downtown/midtown/uptown Calgary, Inglewood, and Kensington in this city. Only a handful of venues even worth mentioning that aren't in that radius. And as the vast majority of the population lives in this city's absurd urban sprawl, and most cultural venues that aren't bars are closed at night, it's hard to feel a pulse of this city. The city takes on a strange peculiarity at night. It's a city in which it feels more appropriate to brownbag a 200ml bottle of Jack and wander desolate, empty alleys and streets at night smoking a cigarette or ten than to really do something. By 'feels more appropriate' I just mean that's the feeling the city has after everybody goes home after work, not that there's nothing to do. Although, there's pretty much nothing at all if you don't want to go to a bar or a crappy multiplex movie. You can't even get a cup of coffee after 9:00 here except at one or two places I know of in urban Calgary. For a city its size, Calgary is pretty insanely dead.

We also only have one museum of note, with only an alright collection, a fractured music scene that loses a lot of talent pretty quickly and is often less appreciative of its greatest output (see Women, Chad VanGaalen) than music fans in other cities are. Etc. etc.

BUT, and it's a big BUT, we have a lot of vibrant little corners of Calgary, and if you're willing to suck it up and put up with that 35 minute transit ride more often, and do some exploring, you'll find that Calgary offers a hell of a lot to do. What is lacking is a certain sort of vibrant atmosphere, but that's mostly forgotten once you find some of the city's hidden little gems. So go for walks (I'm now addressing anyone who thinks Calgary is dull, not the troll OP), explore, try coffee shops, bars, clubs, music venues, little art galleries, restaurants etc. you haven't been to. I like to think that we've got something here, but we just gotta get it to cohere.

[Daradon]

^^^ Kind of what I've said for a few years. Calgary does have a lot to offer, but you have to go looking for it. Grab a FFWD, get on the train, and spend an evening checking things out. Yeah we're no New York or Montreal, but if that's really what you want, there aren't many world class cities like that. So go to them. Otherwise, it would probably surprise people what you can find in this city for arts, culture and music.

I've also noticed that usually the first people to complain, are usually the ones doing the least about it. If your bored, then you're boring.

[Stay Golden]

Born and raised in Calgary, have spent company transfers prior to having a family to ON, TX, and CT. Calgary is home. Calgary is a great place to raise a family and make long lasting friends. Still have some of the same best friends from when I was in school. Having been on both side nothing beats Calgary.
I can't criticize anyone that wants to leave because I did, only difference was knowing I was going to be coming back.