The Truth: Is Calgary Really So Boring?
#6
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This must be a different Calgary than the one I visit in Alberta. Calgary, Alberta is anything but dull.The shopping in the Mision district and kensigton is great. The wine stores are wonderful, especially the Willow Park Wine store on the southend of the city. They carry the largest selection of international wines I've ever seen, including some of the best of BC wines.<BR>There are some very good restaurants, from the Mongolii Grill at Delhousie Station to Dante's, down town. There is a whole spectrum of nightlife, from the country and western to my favourites like Detours and the Midnight Cafe.<BR>Pubs- James Joyce downtown, Malone's in Kensington, and my favourite- the Rose and Crown on 4th. You never need be lonely or bored in Calgary.<BR>Mandy
#7
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I lived there as a teenager and go back fairly regularly to visit 1 sister who still lives there. I honestly find it a little boring, but that's probably because I don't search out anything new when I'm there. I basically visit my sister and a few friends. They love Calgary! <BR><BR>I celebrated a milestone birthday there last summer with my sister, and really had a wonderful time. We spent the day at a spa (I think the name was Oasis) and it was wonderful! The area in which the spa was located looked kind of cool as well.
#9
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I lived there for over two years, and I can honestly say that "boring" could never describe Calgary. Downtown Calgary definitely has a vibrant nightlife; maybe not all-night every-night like Toronto, but thay have dance clubs, Irish pubs, underground alternative clubs, country bars, etc...just about everything you'd need, but much livelier on the weekends (Thurs-Sat). Strolling the shops & boutiques in Kensington, 17th Avenue, Eau Claire, etc. can be entertaining in itself. They also have the NHL Flames, the WHL HitMen, and I think they still have the PCL baseball team (I may be wrong about this, though).<BR><BR>In the summer there's always something going on at Prince's Island park, and of course the Stampede is always a blast.....I've never seen an entire city "let its hair down" like Calgary at Stampede time. Heck, if you DO find a weekend where there's nothing going on, Kananaskis is only 45min away & Banff is about an hour, and you couldn't be bored there!<BR><BR>I guess it depends on what you find interesting & what you find boring. My 2+ years out there were like a working vacation. Anyone that says its boring really hasn't explored what the city has to offer, or else they are basing their opinion on an overnight stay while waiting for a flight as someone above has done.....you can't form an opinion on a visit of less thatn 24 hours!<BR><BR>Enjoy your time in Calgary - I'd move back in a heartbeat!<BR><BR>Tim
#10
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Calgary is very, very, very boring and as for the countryside around ( unless you are talking about the Rockies) is equally boring in comparison with most of the places on this earth - but then if you are from the end of the earth then you may find it vibrant and interesting. Just about anywhere, with the exception of Edmonton, Winnepeg, Saskatoon and the like, is better.
#11
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To A Traveller who said "Says something about the people who live there-they are either tough, boring or a unique combo of the two." I live in Calgary and I guess I am "tough" since it is a better choice than "boring". Oh, excuse me I have to go clean my igloo out because all the sealskin fur is making a mess, and I better go put whalefat on my tough leather-like windblown skin, and go get my toque. Oh, my mistake, it's a beautiful sunny day so I would rather hop in my BMW which I paid for with huge salary I earn from one of giant oil companies centered here in Calgary and drive the 1 1/2 hr drive to go skiing in powder near Banff. Tommorrow I am flying off to Cancun for some R & R. What a dreadful life here in sunny, oil rich Calgary! I wish it was overcast, windy and raining, and there were dreadful slums beside the mansions here, like some U.S. cities I have visited!
#14
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the question is a bit of a red herring, really. ANY place can be boring if that's your choice. calgary's lifestyle has a lot to offer. any place 1 1/2 miles from banff can't be that bad, right??!! <BR><BR>but if you're expecting toronto or new york, you'll be mistaken (which probably isn't a bad thing. one toronto is enough).
#15
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Hey pardonme. Mansions in Calgary? Uh I guess. Your city sucks, and if people didn't have to fly into Calgary to go to Banff nobody would go to Calgary. You're off to Cancun? Hey that's something to brag about. You can make all the cracks you want about American cities, but people from around the world come here, can't say the same about Calgary. Put all the spin out that you want, but read the messages (except from the Calgary people), the masses have spoken. You can't polish a turd.
#17
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I'm from Edmonton and can tell you that, yes, Calgary is boring along with my town up the road from there. Calgary is a good place, though, but it is a place whose reputation seems to be built around the fact that is is close to the mountains as all tourism marketing will point out. It is a city of vast urban sprawl and we know how vibrant suburbs are. There is a lot to do but you need to drive to get there for the most part. As far as cities go it is very average. BTW I also find Vancouver boring, however incredibly beautiful it can be, another city whose reputation is based around enjoying the great outdoors. If there is a truly exciting Canadian city I would say Montreal, hands down.
#18
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I haven't thought of Calgary as particularly boring, but its citizens are certainly not the nicest people, from personal experience and that of friends who have lived and moved there for short and long periods of time. Unfriendly is the word that comes to mind when I hear Calgary.