FFWD: Best of Calgary 2012

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Plus I heard that Beiseker is only 20 minutes to Downtown!

It is, if you're in a Cessna 172.

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Oh and our block party this week (yes like 1980's Calgary block party) was horrible, just awful. The way everyone pitched in and cooked food, and rented a balloon tent for the kids to jump in the green space on our block.

OldDutch, we are neighbours. I loved the block party, what a great way to get our immediate community out and have a great time.

[Slava]

I'm just going to ask a stupid question, which I'm sure I'll get flamed for, but here goes. Do inner city residents ever tire of telling everyone how great it is? Like this block party sounds awesome and all, but frankly we have that basically any night in the summer at the 7 acre park in the middle of our community. We don't have the balloon structure and food every night of course, but that's hardly the point.

I have good friends who live in the inner city and between them and these threads on CP, it seems like a giant self congratulatory exercise to tell people who live further out that we're wrong; the inner city is awesome and really the suburbs are a scourge on the city. I wonder who they're trying to convince at times?


Oh, and you don't have a monopoly on a lot of the things the inner city is known for either. Sure, you can say "we have more crime", but we have crime out here to. Yes, its true, you have "more" of a transient population, and we don't have the DI or Mustard Seed, so touché. Another point for your cause. Don't worry though, we're slowly seeing these things move towards the suburbs as well.

So, to the inner city resident I say, that's great, enjoy the things you love about your community without feeling the need to explain it in relation to the other great communities in the city. I don't think that my community is the be all and end all, it has some great points and bad points like anywhere else in the city. I also think that the inner city has its share of good points and bad points to deal with and its a personal preference for people.

[Rhettzky]

They listed my three least favorite councillors as the best three. Now I feel shame.

[Sliver]

The best neighbourhood list is a joke because Lake Bonavista isn't in it. LB is hand's down, unarguably the best neighbourhood in Calgary bar none by a giant margin. Safeway, Newport Grill, Brewster's, Avenida, elementary schools (including a CBE French immersion), a junior high, a Montesori, an LRT station, two medical centers, a bunch of hockey arenas and a private lake. The biggest fataing private lake in Calgary with two giant beaches, an island, a beautiful waterfall, multiple gazebos, a toboggan hill, a bunch of kids' playgrounds, free boat rentals, meadows, a skating rink with bonfire, a path zambonied around the lake, hockey rinks on the lake, ice fishing, etc.

Every conversation about every other neighborhood should begin with, "After Lake Bonavista, the next best neighbourhood in Calgary is..."

As for shopping, Southcentre Mall is across a pedestrian overpass. Avenida runs the length of Bonavista's west border. There's also a mall inside the community with a Shopper's, liquor store, and a few other places.

As for access and not including the LRT stop I already mentioned, the community is bordered by Anderson, MacLeod, Deerfoot and Canyon Meadows Drive. On the other side of Canyon Meadows Drive is Fish Creek Park.

Seriously, nothing comes close to besting LB as the top area in Calgary. And Sunnyside has block parties? BFD. Every single neighbourhood in town does.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Sliver

The best neighbourhood list is a joke because Lake Bonavista isn't in it. LB is hand's down, unarguably the best neighbourhood in Calgary bar none by a giant margin. Safeway, Newport Grill, Brewster's, Avenida, elementary schools (including a CBE French immersion), a junior high, a Montesori, an LRT station, two medical centers, a bunch of hockey arenas and a private lake. The biggest fataing private lake in Calgary with two giant beaches, an island, a beautiful waterfall, multiple gazebos, a toboggan hill, a bunch of kids' playgrounds, free boat rentals, meadows, a skating rink with bonfire, a path zambonied around the lake, hockey rinks on the lake, ice fishing, etc.

Every conversation about every other neighborhood should begin with, "After Lake Bonavista, the next best neighbourhood in Calgary is..."

As for shopping, Southcentre Mall is across a pedestrian overpass. Avenida runs the length of Bonavista's west border. There's also a mall inside the community with a Shopper's, liquor store, and a few other places.

As for access and not including the LRT stop I already mentioned, the community is bordered by Anderson, MacLeod, Deerfoot and Canyon Meadows Drive. On the other side of Canyon Meadows Drive is Fish Creek Park.

Seriously, nothing comes close to besting LB as the top area in Calgary. And Sunnyside has block parties? BFD. Every single neighbourhood in town does.

But SE. So does not compute.

[TurnedTheCorner]

But I'm happy you have a Safeway.

[Sliver]

As somebody who enjoys your surliness a great deal, I suppose I'll just have to let it slide when it's directed at me haha.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by fotze

That lake can't be beat. Everywhere else has all that other stuff, but not the lake. If I didn't work downtown I would seriously consider moving there.

Also, why do you mention Avenida twice. That place would rank up there with a block party.

I'm laying in bed and pecked out that whole post on my iPhone. Didn't realize it was going to be a rant when I started so it meandered a bit.

And it's insane how many communities don't have that stuff. Maybe some of that stuff, but no other community has all of it.

Move here and take the train to work.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by fotze

I'm mostly agreeing with you.

I know...I was talking to TTC (should have quoted him).

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Sliver

The best neighbourhood list is a joke because Lake Bonavista isn't in it. LB is hand's down, unarguably the best neighbourhood in Calgary bar none by a giant margin. Safeway, Newport Grill, Brewster's, Avenida, elementary schools (including a CBE French immersion), a junior high, a Montesori, an LRT station, two medical centers, a bunch of hockey arenas and a private lake. The biggest fataing private lake in Calgary with two giant beaches, an island, a beautiful waterfall, multiple gazebos, a toboggan hill, a bunch of kids' playgrounds, free boat rentals, meadows, a skating rink with bonfire, a path zambonied around the lake, hockey rinks on the lake, ice fishing, etc.

Every conversation about every other neighborhood should begin with, "After Lake Bonavista, the next best neighbourhood in Calgary is..."

As for shopping, Southcentre Mall is across a pedestrian overpass. Avenida runs the length of Bonavista's west border. There's also a mall inside the community with a Shopper's, liquor store, and a few other places.

As for access and not including the LRT stop I already mentioned, the community is bordered by Anderson, MacLeod, Deerfoot and Canyon Meadows Drive. On the other side of Canyon Meadows Drive is Fish Creek Park.

Seriously, nothing comes close to besting LB as the top area in Calgary. And Sunnyside has block parties? BFD. Every single neighbourhood in town does.

But how many vinyl shops, pubs that serve PBR, fast foot joints that play indie rock and ironic t-shirt stores does it have? That's what FFWD readers care about.
So, no the list isn't a joke. It just isn't relevant to you, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Sliver

As somebody who enjoys your surliness a great deal, I suppose I'll just have to let it slide when it's directed at me haha.

For future reference, here is a map of Calgary.

[undercoverbrother]

The Ship is a horrible pub, just aweful.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

But how many vinyl shops, pubs that serve PBR, fast foot joints that play indie rock and ironic t-shirt stores does it have? That's what FFWD readers care about.
So, no the list isn't a joke. It just isn't relevant to you, and there's nothing wrong with that.

It's a crappy list informed by a crappy survey. The results are a joke and are billed as a Calgary list when it isn't true.

What is PBR?

And that's an important point you raise about shopping in Kensington...ironic tshirts and vinyl are about the only things you can buy there. That is not a good shopping district by any stretch. Seriously, I wish people would stop describing Kensington as a good place to shop...that's a preposterous notion when you compare it against Chinook, Market, Southcentre, etc.

[TurnedTheCorner]

It's a matter of whether you want to shop at chains or at places a little more eclectic. You're largely right - I got my dining room chairs at a furniture store in Kensington though.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Slava

I have good friends who live in the inner city and between them and these threads on CP, it seems like a giant self congratulatory exercise to tell people who live further out that we're wrong; the inner city is awesome and really the suburbs are a scourge on the city. I wonder who they're trying to convince at times?

You're missing the point. It's not about patting ourselves on the back. It's genuinely about improving our communities, since more people in the inner city = more retail, more services, better hours, taller condos, etc. It's also altruistic because those people who haven't tried it don't realize how much awesomer their lives would be without their "20 minute" communtes unless we tell them!

Originally Posted by fotze

That lake can't be beat. Everywhere else has all that other stuff, but not the lake. If I didn't work downtown I would seriously consider moving there.

I would argue that walking to downtown beats it.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Sliver

What is PBR?

Pabst Blue Ribbon. An awful beer no one in their right mind would drink. So it's perfect for hipsters because excusivity is more important than actual enjoyment. Actually I've never drank it before so I can't judge.

Kensington also has an amazing tea shop, a home style diner and too many other cool things to mention. It doesn't fit your tastes and that's fine. That doesn't make it awful.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by SebC

You're missing the point. It's not about patting ourselves on the back. It's genuinely about improving our communities, since more people in the inner city = more retail, more services, better hours, taller condos, etc. It's also altruistic because those people who haven't tried it don't realize how much awesomer their lives would be without their "20 minute" communtes unless we tell them!I would argue that walking to downtown beats it.

Yes, I know. I can only offer my gratitude for pointing out these enormous societal benefits. There are shallow, uninformed people like me who don't see the value in more retail or taller condos though. Maybe there is more to life than going to stores or pubs? Maybe (and this is a stretch, I know), some people don't want to share a wall with their neighbours? Lastly, I know its odd, but some of us even like our commute!

[Smartcar]

It's a poll by FFWD readers, very few live in Lake Bonavista. Although with the unchecked urban sprawl in Calgary within 10 years Lake Bonavista will likely be considered an inner-city community.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by SebC

I would argue that walking to downtown beats it.

Maybe if you work downtown. Downtown Calgary for nightlife is nothing special...

And another thing, though not directed to you, is when people say that walking to downtown is great. Do people realize how freakin' big "downtown" is considered? Like walking from Sunnyside to Bankers Hall is a good couple kilometers and takes 30 minutes. Not really that fun.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by jar_e

Maybe if you work downtown. Downtown Calgary for nightlife is nothing special...

And another thing, though not directed to you, is when people say that walking to downtown is great. Do people realize how freakin' big "downtown" is considered? Like walking from Sunnyside to Bankers Hall is a good couple kilometers and takes 30 minutes. Not really that fun.

Walking for 30 minutes isn't exactly long.

Also, don't know when it started but downtown Calgary is getting a lot better. The core is no longer totally dead on evening and weekends, especially in the summer time, always something going on.