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> Calgary is a very conservative city Economically? Sure. Socially? no way.

by schwap 10y ago

na85 10y ago
>Sure. Socially? no way. Compared to what? Calgary is more conservative than Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver, and Victoria. Perhaps it's more liberal than Red Deer or Kelowna, but that's not saying much at all. It's also just an awful place to live. The urban sprawl makes public transit pale in comparison even to Vancouver which also has really bad transit. It's an 80 dollar cab ride to the airport which is like an hour and a half from the downtown. There's the Stampede, I guess, but frankly I've never found the culture in Calgary much to write home about either. If you like pickup trucks and imported American culture, then sure, Calgary sounds great.
- beloch 10y ago
  Calgary is demographically young and cosmopolitan. The average Calgarian came from somewhere else in Canada. Their political views reflect this. When Nenshi was elected, Toronto's media had a massive freak-out over the fact that he's a Muslim. This did not happen in Calgary because Calgarians didn't view his choice of religion as being pertinent to his job. Meanwhile, the enlightened, progressive people of Toronto elected Rob Ford. Calgary's CTrain has the third highest annual ridership among North America's light rail systems [1]. The bus system is lagging behind, but the LRT system is being expanded. The airport is a 22 min drive from downtown under normal circumstances. There is traffic congestion during peak travel times, but absolutely nothing like in Toronto or Vancouver. If all you know about Calgary's cultural scene is the Stampede, one has to wonder if you've even been to Calgary. In short, thanks for slagging a city you clearly know nothing about. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_light_rail_systems_by_ridership https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_light_r...
  - na85 10y ago
    >Meanwhile, the enlightened, progressive people of Toronto elected Rob Ford. I'm not from Toronto but the fact is that the barely-literate, anti-intellectual, suburban outlying population of places like (edit) Etobicoke elected Rob Ford. edit: ah yes, the old reddit-style downvote because the truth hurts. The simple fact is the man was a train wreck, and his supporters are basically Tea Party North.
    - hunterjrj 10y ago
      Ok, I'll bite: You realize that Markham is a separate municipality and it's residents aren't eligible to vote in Toronto municipal elections?
      - na85 10y ago
        As I said, I don't live there. So no, I didn't know that. But I do know that the bulk of Rob Ford's support is/was mostly in the outlying suburbs of Toronto, and not "old toronto". Substitute Markham for someplace like Etobicoke and I think the point still stands.
- slavik81 10y ago
  > It's an 80 dollar cab ride to the airport which is like an hour and a half from the downtown. There's a bus from downtown to the airport. It takes 40 minutes and costs $3.15. Driving takes 20 minutes.
- cmrdporcupine 10y ago
  I get the impression Calgary has changed somewhat since when I lived in Edmonton in the 90s. I still think Edmonton is cooler, and would never live in Calgary, cuz, well, I'm from Edmonton area... :-) But it seems a little less cowboy these days. Still sprawly, though.
Pxtl 10y ago
Let's remember they elected Nenshi

> Calgary is a very conservative city Economically? Sure. Socially? no way.

by schwap 10y ago

> Calgary is a very conservative city Economically? Sure. Socially? no way.

na85 10y ago

>Sure. Socially? no way. Compared to what? Calgary is more conservative than Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver, and Victoria. Perhaps it's more liberal than Red Deer or Kelowna, but that's not saying much at all. It's also just an awful place to live. The urban sprawl makes public transit pale in comparison even to Vancouver which also has really bad transit. It's an 80 dollar cab ride to the airport which is like an hour and a half from the downtown. There's the Stampede, I guess, but frankly I've never found the culture in Calgary much to write home about either. If you like pickup trucks and imported American culture, then sure, Calgary sounds great.

beloch 10y ago
Calgary is demographically young and cosmopolitan. The average Calgarian came from somewhere else in Canada. Their political views reflect this. When Nenshi was elected, Toronto's media had a massive freak-out over the fact that he's a Muslim. This did not happen in Calgary because Calgarians didn't view his choice of religion as being pertinent to his job. Meanwhile, the enlightened, progressive people of Toronto elected Rob Ford. Calgary's CTrain has the third highest annual ridership among North America's light rail systems [1]. The bus system is lagging behind, but the LRT system is being expanded. The airport is a 22 min drive from downtown under normal circumstances. There is traffic congestion during peak travel times, but absolutely nothing like in Toronto or Vancouver. If all you know about Calgary's cultural scene is the Stampede, one has to wonder if you've even been to Calgary. In short, thanks for slagging a city you clearly know nothing about. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_light_rail_systems_by_ridership https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_light_r...
- na85 10y ago
  >Meanwhile, the enlightened, progressive people of Toronto elected Rob Ford. I'm not from Toronto but the fact is that the barely-literate, anti-intellectual, suburban outlying population of places like (edit) Etobicoke elected Rob Ford. edit: ah yes, the old reddit-style downvote because the truth hurts. The simple fact is the man was a train wreck, and his supporters are basically Tea Party North.
  - hunterjrj 10y ago
    Ok, I'll bite: You realize that Markham is a separate municipality and it's residents aren't eligible to vote in Toronto municipal elections?
    - na85 10y ago
      As I said, I don't live there. So no, I didn't know that. But I do know that the bulk of Rob Ford's support is/was mostly in the outlying suburbs of Toronto, and not "old toronto". Substitute Markham for someplace like Etobicoke and I think the point still stands.
slavik81 10y ago
> It's an 80 dollar cab ride to the airport which is like an hour and a half from the downtown. There's a bus from downtown to the airport. It takes 40 minutes and costs $3.15. Driving takes 20 minutes.
cmrdporcupine 10y ago
I get the impression Calgary has changed somewhat since when I lived in Edmonton in the 90s. I still think Edmonton is cooler, and would never live in Calgary, cuz, well, I'm from Edmonton area... :-) But it seems a little less cowboy these days. Still sprawly, though.

Pxtl 10y ago

Let's remember they elected Nenshi