Calgary vs. Vancouver: Don Cayo

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

[/b]

Good lord that is massively untrue if you work in any of the surrounding areas like Burnaby or North Van.

I live in North Van and work just outside the downtown core, don't go to work during rush hour, but come home when it's pretty busy, but having said that, I still get home within half hour which I think is reasonable. The surrounding areas that suck are Surrey, Delta, Richmond. Getting over the Port Mann Bridge alone could take 30-45 minutes during rush hour.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Flames > Canucks ftw


I've lived in both cities though - would much rather live in Vancouver than Calgary.

[Cowboy89]

I think while it helps serve us in the future to compare ourselves to cities such as Vancouver and Barcelona (as quoted in the article) so we can strive to improve and learn from the mistakes and sucesses of bigger places, it's also important to make the distinction that we aren't even close to being there yet. So comparing notes between us and these cities and determining we're sub-par and then demanding that we replicate similar attributes in quick fashion is a uselsss waste of time. When I hear garbage about New York City and Toronto in the same breath as Calgary when someone is trying to complain about our 'arts scene' or lack of a 'livable-core' it makes me sick. If that's seriously a person's most pressing concern about their city then Calgary is not the place to live in the here and now. They should simply move away and come back when Calgary grows into a city of the size of their liking. (Oh but maybe in two decades time they'll have a wife and two kids and might not prefer living in a 700 sq foot apartment in the urban core anymore)

Metropolitan areas comparable to ours in population include Omaha Nebraska, Edmonton Alberta, Tulsa Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Austin, Texas, Ottawa Ontario, Buffalo New York, Rochester New York, Salt Lake City Utah, Albuquerque New Mexico, Fresno California, Memphis Tennessee, et al. How 'livable' and 'virant' is our downtown core compared to these cities? Having been to most of them I'd tell you if my criteria was 'livable' and 'vibrant' urban spaces Calgary ranks near the top of those mentioned. (Just for the record having a Vancouverite compare their city to one half their size is very telling as for how much Calgary punches above it's weight class civicly)

Right now due to simply growing up populationwise and the market demands that follow; Downtown condos are springing up, the C-Train within the next 20 years will have two more lines, be 4 or 5 cars longs instead of the 3 right now, and most likely will be underground on the downtown line and have minimal level crossings. All the offshoots of this increased density and contuinual city improvements will help close a lot of these percieved 'livable' gaps between Calgary and cities that are currently much bigger in due time.

[Gallick]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

Good lord that is massively untrue if you work in any of the surrounding areas like Burnaby or North Van.

Ah, I see. Luckily for me I do all of my living/working/schooling in a pretty small area and don't have too far to go. I was basing that off of the times I have had to go elsewhere--getting to the airport, for example, is usually a breeze, going to the Ikea in Coquitlam and down to Tsawwassen is pretty straightforward as well.

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by Gallick

Ah, I see. Luckily for me I do all of my living/working/schooling in a pretty small area and don't have too far to go. I was basing that off of the times I have had to go elsewhere--getting to the airport, for example, is usually a breeze, going to the Ikea in Coquitlam and down to Tsawwassen is pretty straightforward as well.

Ya, I was pretty much thinking of the poor souls who have to use the number one, second narrows, or Lions Gate during rush hours. I was in the same boat as you, lived in False Creek, worked there, shopped there, it was great until a transfer to North Van, that commute was hellish.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I think while it helps serve us in the future to compare ourselves to cities such as Vancouver and Barcelona (as quoted in the article) so we can strive to improve and learn from the mistakes and sucesses of bigger places, it's also important to make the distinction that we aren't even close to being there yet. So comparing notes between us and these cities and determining we're sub-par and then demanding that we replicate similar attributes in quick fashion is a uselsss waste of time. When I hear garbage about New York City and Toronto in the same breath as Calgary when someone is trying to complain about our 'arts scene' or lack of a 'livable-core' it makes me sick. If that's seriously a person's most pressing concern about their city then Calgary is not the place to live in the here and now. They should simply move away and come back when Calgary grows into a city of the size of their liking. (Oh but maybe in two decades time they'll have a wife and two kids and might not prefer living in a 700 sq foot apartment in the urban core anymore)

Metropolitan areas comparable to ours in population include Omaha Nebraska, Edmonton Alberta, Tulsa Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Austin, Texas, Ottawa Ontario, Buffalo New York, Rochester New York, Salt Lake City Utah, Albuquerque New Mexico, Fresno California, Memphis Tennessee, et al. How 'livable' and 'virant' is our downtown core compared to these cities? Having been to most of them I'd tell you if my criteria was 'livable' and 'vibrant' urban spaces Calgary ranks near the top of those mentioned. (Just for the record having a Vancouverite compare their city to one half their size is very telling as for how much Calgary punches above it's weight class civicly)

Right now due to simply growing up populationwise and the market demands that follow; Downtown condos are springing up, the C-Train within the next 20 years will have two more lines, be 4 or 5 cars longs instead of the 3 right now, and most likely will be underground on the downtown line and have minimal level crossings. All the offshoots of this increased density and contuinual city improvements will help close a lot of these percieved 'livable' gaps between Calgary and cities that are currently much bigger in due time.

Exactly! Vancouver is twice the size of Calgary (and really is the sole center for most of BC's 4.5M people, where as Calgary splits its 3.5M person provincial influence more evenly with Edmonton) but it is not two times as good a city. I think Calgary at 2.4M people will be better than Vancouver is at 2.4M but at the end of the day you are always comparing apples to oranges. One is a coastal city the other a praire city, one is a port city the other is an oil town, one is a corporate/conservative minded white collar city while the other is a highend hippy minded creative centre, etc etc.

Really though in my mind the real strength of Western Canada is in linking the cities and economies of the West. Calgary and Vancouver as a closely linked economic unit would be one of the most formidable one-two punches that I can think of?



Claeren.

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

[/b]

Good lord that is massively untrue if you work in any of the surrounding areas like Burnaby or North Van.

Im guessing that statement by VFF was more regarding the losers who ride the stinky box they call a bus (which is a lot easier in vancouver).

But when it comes to getting around town, Calgary is way faster. Anyone who says they can go a comparable distance in Vancouver faster is a liar, straight up. And you best pray to god you don't have to cross any water between 8am and 7pm, bridges and ferries have big waits.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Im guessing that statement by VFF was more regarding the losers who ride the stinky box they call a bus (which is a lot easier in vancouver).

But when it comes to getting around town, Calgary is way faster. Anyone who says they can go a comparable distance in Vancouver faster is a liar, straight up. And you best pray to god you don't have to cross any water between 8am and 7pm, bridges and ferries have big waits.

huh??? Lions Gate, Port Mann sure, but everything else is fine as long as there isn't a major accident. But if there is a major accident on either or the North Shore bridges or on their approach, the entire city shuts down, it's disgusting.

And no, I wasn't talking about the bus seeing as how I haven;t been on public transit in this city in about 8 years.

[MelBridgeman]

love both cities, who cares about who is better. pros an cons to both

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

huh??? Lions Gate, Port Mann sure, but everything else is fine as long as there isn't a major accident. But if there is a major accident on either or the North Shore bridges or on their approach, the entire city shuts down, it's disgusting.

And no, I wasn't talking about the bus seeing as how I haven;t been on public transit in this city in about 8 years.

It is definitely the best non subway based transit system I have ever seen in North America. Buses are on point, especially now that the electric ones have those pull cords to fix them, instead of the old half hour of a fat woman poking it with a stick. Although if I didn't get a student Upass I probably wouldn't ride it.

Also, beyond the lions and portmann, you got the ferries accross the Frasier (like the albien SP?) which is gonna be a 6 boat wait every day until they get their tunnel built. Also NB Burrard and Cambie right now can get pretty bad at times. Trying to go south in western parts of Van proper between 3-6 is always a pain in the butt too. Especially now that W12th is closed. It's horrible to bite the bullet and realize rush hour Granville is probably the fastest.

Although it does seem the longer I live here the more faster side routes I discover, which is a big reason I can get around quick in the CGY.

[Igottago]

First of all, Flames >>>>>> Canucks, obviously. I get a certain sense of pride being a Flames fan in enemy territory, its kind of fun being a villain here.

As someone who has lived 25 years in Calgary and 2 in Vancouver, I have a pretty good sense of what both cities have to offer. I still feel like Calgary is home, my family and a lot of good friends are there. The Flames are there. I will always love Calgary.

But now every time I come back to Calgary for a visit the growing pains are so obvious. Calgary seems to be a city that hasn't caught up to its growth yet, and there seems to be an attitude of trying to keep a small town feel within a large city, which is nearly impossible to do. As someone posted earlier, the infrastructure of Calgary seems to be lagging a bit right now, transit is horrible, and also the constant building outwards annoying. Calgary needs to develop downtown as a place that people want to live and want to go, instead it becomes a ghost town after working hours and on weekends.

In reality though, there truly are pros and cons to each city.

Calgary has a better indie music scene. Vancouver has a better club scene. Calgary has better vietnemese food and steaks. Vancouver has better sea food and everything else. Vancouver has an amazing ratio of girls to guys. Calgary's girls are more approachable. Vancouver is more multicultural. Calgary is more friendly.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Calgary has a better indie music scene. Vancouver has a better club scene. Calgary has better vietnemese food and steaks. Vancouver has better sea food and everything else. Vancouver has an amazing ratio of girls to guys. Calgary's girls are more approachable. Vancouver is more multicultural. Calgary is more friendly.

Indy music is getting better in Calgary, I must admit. There's some real talent now being built up in this city, based on recent scuttlebut I've heard and listened to.

Regarding girl-to-guy ratio: no surprise here. Calgary's ratio of guys to girls is just crippling. This is due, in good part, to the oil industry and the 'macho' image that is associated with what Calgary brings: big business / oil / mountains / outdoor activites - this place is definitely a breeding ground for men. No shred in my mind that there's more women in Vancouver than there are here. BTW, San Diego is where it's at.

Calgary being more friendly is a matter of perspective, I guess. I find that most places I go, if you show someone respect, they show it back to you. No matter where in the world.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

0 days of rain in July.....suck it.

Bright sunny days from October to April > Overcast from October to April.

Now you may open wide and commence sucking.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Muta

Calgary being more friendly is a matter of perspective, I guess. I find that most places I go, if you show someone respect, they show it back to you. No matter where in the world.

I find in general politeness Vancouver is just fine, but in terms of getting to know and meeting new people, Vancouverites are a little bit guarded. Might just be a characteristic of a bigger city, but I find the citizens of Calgary are just warmer towards meeting or hanging out with new people. Even at a couple places I've worked here in Vancouver it was hard to get people out for drinks and whatnot, or even organize a hockey pool (yes, that might be due to the fact that Canucks fans know nothing about hockey ).

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I find in general politeness Vancouver is just fine, but in terms of getting to know and meeting new people, Vancouverites are a little bit guarded. Might just be a characteristic of a bigger city, but I find the citizens of Calgary are just warmer towards meeting or hanging out with new people. Even at a couple places I've worked here in Vancouver it was hard to get people out for drinks and whatnot, or even organize a hockey pool (yes, that might be due to the fact that Canucks fans know nothing about hockey ).

I've lived in Van for about 5 years now, and it's the worst place I've ever lived in terms of making friends and meeting people. There was actually a nice article (in the Straight I think) that talked about this phenomenon in Vancouver, with the writer suggesting it takes about 5 years to 'break in' to Vancouver socially. Having been here for almost 5 years, I totally agree with that. Up until now I've found the city snobby and cold (except for tourists from Saskatchewan), and am only now starting to feel settled with a strong social circle.

So, with that issue resolving itself, my biggest complaint is now the weather. You can go 3 months in this town without seeing your (or anyone's) shadow, and rain curtails so many daily activities. Plus the weather here is boring: no big skies and thunderstorms and temperature extremes.

[chid]

A few friends of mine who used to live in Van and have come to live in Calgary said it was much easier making friends here than it was while living in Vancouver. I think that does have a bit to do with our friendliness, and that tons of people are not born and raised Calgarians so they've had to try to make new friends as well.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by chid

A few friends of mine who used to live in Van and have come to live in Calgary said it was much easier making friends here than it was while living in Vancouver. I think that does have a bit to do with our friendliness, and that tons of people are not born and raised Calgarians so they've had to try to make new friends as well.

I've found that most people I meet in Vancouver aren't born and raised here either. I agree with FlyLock ^, Vancouver is just a tough nut to crack socially. Most of my friends here are from or have Calgary connections. There's quite a few ex-Calgarians here, I think they make up the friendly part of Vancouver's population. And it makes for a fun time at GM Place.

[Scrambler]

Have to put my two cents on this one....

Born and raised in Calgary, moved to Vancouver and lived there for three years. Moved back to Calgary last month.

-I like the Bow River more than the Fraser

-I like the Rockies more than North Shore Mountains, even though Calgary's mountains are further away.

-I like Vancouver's downtown districts and how unique each one is. Gastown/Yaletown/West End/Coal Harbour.. their mere kilometres apart, but all very different. Calgary's downtown, well it's getting better, but still kind of 'meh'.

-I like Calgary's skyline better. This is when it's cool to be in corporate paradise, our downtown buildings look way cooler than the 150 similar looking condo buildings and office towers built in the 70's.

-I like Vancouver's winter better, sure it rains... but who doesn't like green grass and trees with leaves in January? And the days where it clears up and you can see the mountains, it is absolutely stunning. The North Shore Mountains look much mightier when buried in heavy snow.

-I like Vancouvers neighborhoods better, far more character. Almost every Vancouver neighborhood has a 'Main Street' going north/south through it with shops, cafes and pubs. I used to live in East Van near Main and Broadway and about ten blocks west of Commercial Drive. Definitely miss that. When you go to some of Calgary's new communities, it seems like all the houses look exactly the same, with maybe a nearby bigbox mall.

-I like Calgary's parks better. Might surprise some, but I prefer jogging/biking/etc in the Weaselhead, Fish Creek, Nose Hill, Bow River, etc. more than Stanley Park and Pacific Spirit Park.

-I like Vancouver's transit system better.... WAY better! Skytrain >>> Ctrain. Even the brand-spanking new electric trams are impressive. Add in the B-Line buses going through the main arteries, and a rail line that will go from Downtown to the Airport and Calgary seems pretty far behind.

-I like that Calgary is less expensive for everything from gas to property.

All in all, I like both cities for different reasons. I can't really say I like one more than the other because I would never be able to figure that out.

[Bertuzzied]

Guess the writer has never been stuck behind a car trying to make a left turn in Vancouver because the streets are 100 years old and have no left hand turning lane.

One thing we can never beat them in is PST and unions. You socialists win!

[mykalberta]

I agree with previous posters, why compare the 2 (apples v oranges)

Also, Calgary is not constrained by geography so it grows differently than Vancouver. In Vancouver they cherish Oceanfront, in Calgary some people charish quietness and a back yard of which condo life is not.

EDIT: One question, are North and West Vancouver separate cities like Burnaby etc? I would have thought they are included in Vancouver but the Wiki page only shows a small part as Vancouver (in red).