Probably not as English friendly as Montreal, which has one of the largest and most world-renowned English speaking universities in the country right downtown, but it is not not English friendly whatsoever.
My spouse and I both moved to Edmonton last year, after never having visited Alberta before. I've been to Calgary a few times for work, and it certainly has a more formidable downtown than Edmonton. Other than that fact, and being closer to the mountains, I don't see any real advantage to the city. I found traffic to be worse, especially too and from downtown, and house prices are definitely higher, especially closer to the core. People also seem to more focused on money. Edmonton's social services seem to be clustered closer to downtown, making poverty more visible compared to Calgary's being more in the East. I like living here and don't plan on moving. I think each city has about the same amount of activities to do. Overall, I've had pleasant experiences in both places.
Last edited by Johnny199r; 06-08-2014 at 12:41 AM.
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There are three types of people who like Edmonton:
1. People born there
2. People from much smaller/worse places
3. People whose rating systems end at "not that bad." (For example: "Canned chicken isn't actually that bad!" or "Yeah the dentist forgot the freezing before he did the root canal, but it wasn't actually that bad!")
He-he, what a wrong opinion!
Originally I am from bigger and beautiful city than Calgary, but anyway I like Edmonton as well as Calgary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny199r
Other than that fact, and being closer to the mountains, I don't see any real advantage to the city.
Totally agree!
Last edited by Alex.ua; 06-08-2014 at 09:15 AM.
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Sorry, meant to respond sooner to such a passionate reply, but been busy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strombad
Edmonton is - in fact - OVERrated. They're the "capital" so they good some good faith from people who've never really been there
Again, I lived there. My comments in red below
Quote:
Originally Posted by strombad
There are three types of people who like Edmonton:
1. People born there Not me - interesting you included it in response to my post when I stated I am from yyc
2. People from much smaller/worse places Born and raised in Calgary, currently live in Calgary -interesting you included it in response to my post when I stated I am from yyc
3. People whose rating systems end at "not that bad." (For example: "Canned chicken isn't actually that bad!" or "Yeah the dentist forgot the freezing before he did the root canal, but it wasn't actually that bad!") Not me, I have a list of cities I dislike as well
This part I simply do not understand:
Quote:
Originally Posted by strombad
Having lived in Edmonton, and visited many times, I offer this as the simple and undebatable truth, and I apologise for your confusion. Nobody blames Calgarians who go to Edmonton and say "Wow guys! Maybe we're wrong!" but like the ending of Shutter Island, sometimes there's only one real solution.
The amount of hate in this thread is amazing. I get teasing other cities, promoting your own city, or even not liking another city, but this thread is so..... weird - the emotions coming out of people. It is like most of the people on here need to list a bunch of reasons on why Edmonton is bad, just to prove to themselves that people not from Calgary indeed think Calgary is better. I brag about how Calgary is better than Edmonton for a lot of reasons, and a big one is the fact that we don't hate on our neighbors to the north like they do on us.
Turns out, we're worse. Way Worse.
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Sorry, meant to respond sooner to such a passionate reply, but been busy.
Again, I lived there. My comments in red below
This part I simply do not understand:
The amount of hate in this thread is amazing. I get teasing other cities, promoting your own city, or even not liking another city, but this thread is so..... weird - the emotions coming out of people. It is like most of the people on here need to list a bunch of reasons on why Edmonton is bad, just to prove to themselves that people not from Calgary indeed think Calgary is better. I brag about how Calgary is better than Edmonton for a lot of reasons, and a big one is the fact that we don't hate on our neighbors to the north like they do on us.
Turns out, we're worse. Way Worse.
You took that all a little seriously, don't you think?
It's almost like you're from a cold, humourless corner of the prairies, cut off from the civilised world, with only sweatpants and a mullet to warm you...
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You took that all a little seriously, don't you think?
It's almost like you're from a cold, humourless corner of the prairies, cut off from the civilised world, with only sweatpants and a mullet to warm you...
lol, whatever you say. I have been called a whole lot worse then that.
You can google best cities in world lists for pretty much any variable and category you want, and Calgary always pops up in the top 10, and constantly beats Cities like London, Paris, Melbourne.... and is sometimes behind, but very close. So to answer the question, Calgary is a Tier 1A city. People come from all over the globe to plant roots here.
Population is one factor, but when you look at the quality of life, opportunity, affordability (for a world economic leader) and how incredibly close and accessible the most spectacular back yard (Rocky Mountains) on the face of earth, you cannot argue we live in an incredible place. Sure we have urban sprawl issues, but being far enough away from the mountains, that development can continue indefinitely, means you can live in this amazing city, and not have to spend 1-2 million for a beautiful home.
When I deal with foreign professionals (doctors, engineers, educators) in my profession, almost every single one, is here with the intention of staying permanently. And many of these people come from the stereotypical world leading cities. They are blown away with what we have to offer, and the diversity of things to do. Sure we don't have the worlds best entertainment or architecture, but this City is too young to have those things...yet.
You are all already living in one of the best places on the face of the earth.
I am not sure if I am in favour of this for a few reasons:
Pros...
1. We need to reduce our physical landfill footprint, no doubt. This does that.
2. Landfills generate fugitive methane emissions as the waste breaks down, this needs to be avoided. This does that.
3. Biofuel from food is almost always the worst use of the land and shouldn't happen. Arrable land should be used to feed people, not put gas in the car. Fortunately this offers a good alternative
4. Waste management is an ideal partner to have for this company as they invest heavily in renewable technology plays. They have solid commercial agreements.
5. I like to see the petrochemical industry expanding in Alberta.
Cons...
1. One of the things the fairly slick marketing does gloss over here is where does the steam come from to operate the "bubbling fluidized bed reactor"? I would guess they are brining natural gas to get that energy. How green is it really, on a "wells to wheels" basis? I flat out don't buy the "reduces carbon emissions" story. Because they burn methane that wouldn't normally be burned, to convert waste cellulose that wouldn't normally be burned into fuel that is to be combusted... Thereby releasing more co2 into the atmosphere. Sorry, but this hardly appears to be what I would call an atmosphere friendly tech. It's kind of a multi step way to burn our garbage. Why don't we just light it up in the landfill, use that heat to turn turbines and make electricity, and call it a day?
2. The company who is pioneering the technology has racked up close to 50 million in net losses from 2009 - 2013 and had to pull it's IPO in 2012 due to "unfavorable market conditions" despite getting lots of grant funding - this tells me the process is not economic until it reaches greater scale. Considering it's feedstock actually has a negative price (they get paid to receive their primary input), it's pretty concerning to me that they wouldn't be able to make a go of this at a time where "green" energy grants are flying left right and centre for firms with steel built.
3. From what I've read, this is a 20 year agreement - what happens if the company goes belly up? Would be interesting to see the terms of the agreement.
4. Their demo plant in Quebec hasn't produced methanol from its
Ethanol output yet. Prove to the market that your firm can take the last step and mLe the more valuable product. Head shaker!
5. In Edmonton, Alberta... Why methanol? Syngas can be used to make all kinds of fun stuff. I feel like the business plan lacks imagination. Intuition tells me more could be done with this to make it a profitable venture sooner and perhaps at lower scale.
It is certainly an interesting case to read into, and I look forward to following how they do, especially in my line of work. Thanks to the OP for bringing this company to my attention!
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Better write up than most I have seen on this topic. Maybe the Herald should be hiring you.
I thinks its clear to everyone, for the sake or the environment and for the sake of Albertas Economy, R&D in the Natural Resource Industry need to kick into high gear soon.
We are going to have to swing and miss a few time, this seems like one of them to me. But at least something is being done.
The amount of hate in this thread is amazing. I get teasing other cities, promoting your own city, or even not liking another city, but this thread is so..... weird - the emotions coming out of people. It is like most of the people on here need to list a bunch of reasons on why Edmonton is bad, just to prove to themselves that people not from Calgary indeed think Calgary is better. I brag about how Calgary is better than Edmonton for a lot of reasons, and a big one is the fact that we don't hate on our neighbors to the north like they do on us.
Turns out, we're worse. Way Worse.
I've said this for years. Generally, Calgary has a hatred, while Edmonton has more indifference. It's sad.
I've said this for years. Generally, Calgary has a hatred, while Edmonton has more indifference. It's sad.
Haha, I was gonna leave this alone until you ended it with "It's sad". I've been to Edmonton enough times and heard from enough people from Edmonton to know that you're full of **** on this one.
That's how city rivalries work all over the world, except for apparently one city rivalry in Alberta, Canada where the better city cares deeply and the slightly smaller, slightly crappier city is completely indifferent?
C'mon Moneyguy, there's lots of smart people on here, don't think you can slip that comment in there like it ain't no thang.
I've said this for years. Generally, Calgary has a hatred, while Edmonton has more indifference. It's sad.
You're joking, right?
I've been most vocal about Edmonton here, but I don't think about it lots, I don't hate it. When I'm there I think it's pretty crappy but to each their own.
People in Edmonton... Yikes when you bring up Calgary.
I've been most vocal about Edmonton here, but I don't think about it lots, I don't hate it. When I'm there I think it's pretty crappy but to each their own.
People in Edmonton... Yikes when you bring up Calgary.
I don't think Edmontonians get that there is no hatred here. They're just a long running joke that everyone likes to laugh about.
It's a big brother/little brother scenario in every way.
Calgary is a little more grown up, doing more grown up things, has some cool friends, that sort of thing. It gives Edmonton a hard time, because Edmonton is the little brother. Calgary still loves Edmonton, but in that "you're annoying and weird, go play with one of your friends" kind of love. Calgary makes fun of Edmonton, says it smells, says it's dirty, talks about how funny looking it is. It's all in good fun, Calgary doesn't hate Edmonton, they're just that sad little brother they happen to be stuck with.
Edmonton perceives this as hate, "Why does my big brother hate me?? Why??" All they want is to be just like Calgary. The greatest compliment anyone could ever give them is "hey, you're just like your brother!" Even when someone says, "Calgary is better!" They wouldn't dare say "No, Edmonton is!" because they have yet to reach that high. The best and brightest comeback they have, and the thing they want desperately to be true, is "No, we're the same."
It's an adorable family story, really.
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Edmontonians trash Edmonton more than any other city's citizens ever will. It's an interesting dynamic here. They're not allowed to be proud of the city.
