Is Calgary the Best City Now for Anyone Moving to Canada?

Has Calgary suddenly become the best city in Canada for immigrants and foreigners? Formerly known as the cowtown, it has grown over the last couple of decades to become a cosmopolitan city and the most livable place in North America. So many people moving to Canada are making it their chosen destination. By 2019, Calgary already had the largest immigrant population in the country after Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Over 40,000 of these were from Africa.

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, one of the ten provinces of Canada. With a population of over 1.2 million, it is the most populous city in Western Canada. It is also the third most populous city in all of Canada after Toronto and Montreal. In 2015, Calgary had the highest number of millionaires per capita of any major Canadian city.

The city’s economy is certainly flying high at the moment. Calgary is recognized as a leader in the Canadian oil and gas industry. It has a strong job market, and it is situated in one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada. Small business and self-employment levels in the city also rank amongst the highest in Canada.

So, is Calgary the best city in Canada right now for immigrants?

There are many reasons to say yes.

Healthy economy

As one of the major cities in Canada, there is a strong job market in Calgary. It is also the most populous city in a province that has the highest median income in the country. This means that, as of 2020, people in Calgary made more money on average than those in other parts of the country.

Calgary lies in one of the healthiest economic regions in Canada. There are job opportunities in business, finance, engineering, consulting, construction and other fields. Low taxes also make the city an attractive place to set up corporate headquarters, shops and other small businesses.

Low cost of living

In terms of city advantages, Calgary is almost on par with the two largest cities in Canada – Vancouver and Toronto. Yet the cost of living is far lower in the former than in the latter two.

For instance, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto is CAD 2,270 (N711,020) a month. The same type of property averages CAD 2,080 (N672,238) a month in Vancouver. But in Calgary, it averages CAD 1,477 (N477,256). Also, the average price of a home in Vancouver and Toronto is CAD 1,092,000 (N352,649,768) and CAD 766,000 CAD (N247,365,980) respectively. In Calgary it is about 50% lesser at CAD 431,000 (N139,144,710).

Food is cheaper too. And the price of utilities like water, gas and electricity is significantly reduced. Also, people in Calgary enjoy low taxes. The province of Alberta – where Calgary is located – has no provincial sales tax, provincial general capital tax, or municipal sales tax. Calgarians also have the lowest provincial personal income tax rate in Canada at just 10 per cent.

Additionally, the high quality of life at such an affordable cost might also be responsible for Calgary’s pull on many immigrants, as well as tourists and other foreigners. The city has high-quality amenities and many great options for outdoor activities and entertainment such as walks, treks, and biking.

The city also has excellent healthcare facilities. And furthermore, it has ranked consistently as the cleanest city in the world. It would seem that people love Calgary because of this scenic charm – just as much as they love the economic and employment advantages of the city.

However, it is important to point out that with the recent poor performance of the oil and gas sector, coupled with the impact of covid-19, the unemployment rate has increased in Alberta. Many young men complain of not being able to find employment. The CBC has highlighted this trend. But it also predicts a GDP growth in the next two years, and outlines the recent developments that have the potential to galvanise the economy.

All in all, Calgary is a fine city, despite recent setbacks. And given the upward trend of many Canadian cities, it could get even better in the next few years.

So, are you planning on moving to Canada? You may want to give Calgary a thought!