Born and Raised in Calgary: 5 Reasons This City Is So Special
I was born in Calgary, my husband was born in Calgary, and our daughter was born in Calgary. Growing up here, the sunshine and wide-open skies feel like a part of you. Even on the coldest winter days, the bright blue sky makes everything seem alive.
Life in Calgary has always been a mix of adventure and comfort. Weekend trips to the mountains, exploring small local cafés, wandering through neighborhoods filled with familiar streets and friendly faces, it all becomes part of who you are. There is a rhythm to this city, a way it sneaks into your heart without even trying.
Calgary has so many little pieces that make it special, from its natural beauty to its traditions, local businesses, and opportunities. Here are five reasons why growing up here and raising a family in this city has made it feel like home to me.
1. Mountains in Our Backyard
One of the best parts about growing up in Calgary is how close the mountains are. In just over an hour, the city skyline fades into the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
Weekend plans often meant a quick escape west. That could be a day trip to Banff National Park, wandering through the shops and cafés in downtown Banff, relaxing in the warm pools at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, or spending a fun afternoon exploring the mountain town of Canmore.
For many Calgarians, the mountains are not a once-a-year vacation destination. They are simply part of everyday life. Growing up here means knowing that whenever you need fresh air, adventure, or a break from the city, the mountains are always waiting just down the highway.
Just like the mountains are always there for a quick escape, Calgary itself has traditions and experiences, like the Calgary Stampede, that are part of growing up here.
2. The Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede has always been the greatest outdoor show on earth, at least in my mind. Growing up in Calgary, going to the Calgary Stampede with my dad was a yearly tradition that kicked off right after Canada Day at the very beginning of summer. Some years we would take one of my friends along for fun. I remember wandering through the midway with them, my hands already sticky from popcorn, cotton candy, candy apples, and mini donuts before we even made it to the games.
At one of those classic ball-into-hole games, my friend went first and actually won. I was so excited and a little competitive that I put a lot of pressure on my dad to win next. Somehow he managed it and won me a Furby. I remember him, my friend, and I all jumping up and down in the midway, cheering like we had just won the lottery. I still have no idea how he did it, but that moment, the excitement, the laughter, and the chaos of the Calgary Stampede, stuck with me.
At night, we would watch the fireworks, the smell of fair food in the air, and laughter all around us. Those moments, the lights, the sounds, the smells, and the silly little victories, are some of my most vivid Calgary childhood memories.
Some of my happiest times were at the Calgary Stampede, not because of rides or attractions, but because of the experience itself. Spending the day with my dad, laughing, exploring, and soaking in the sights, sounds, and energy of this world-famous Calgary event created memories I will carry forever. Now my daughter joins us, and she has many Stampede memories with my dad too. Seeing them together makes these experiences even more special and is exactly why the Calgary Stampede remains one of the reasons this city feels like home to me.
From the excitement of the Stampede, it is easy to see why Calgary is full of vibrant neighborhoods and local spots that make everyday life so memorable, like the Lido Cafe.
3. The Lido Cafe
Some of my earliest memories of Calgary begin at a small table inside the beloved Lido Cafe in Kensington. It was never a fancy place. The Lido was the kind of hole-in-the-wall café where the coffee was always hot, the breakfasts were simple and affordable, and the same familiar faces appeared morning after morning. For many locals, it was one of those classic Calgary spots where people gathered all the time, whether it was before work, during the day, or on slow weekend mornings.
My grandparents used to take me there when I was little, and both of my parents would take me there too. Sometimes it was just one of them and me, and other times we would all end up there together with my grandparents. I grew up sitting in those booths, listening to conversations between regulars who seemed to know each other’s stories. It felt like everyone belonged there, which is something that makes Calgary neighbourhoods like Kensington feel so special.
What made the Lido so special was not only the food. It was the people who ran it. The owners greeted customers by name, remembered their usual orders, and created a place where people felt comfortable staying a little longer than they planned. Even as a child, I noticed how welcoming it felt. Places like this are part of what makes Calgary’s local businesses so meaningful to the community.
Years later, I still keep in touch with the owner. That says a lot about the kind of place the Lido was.
The original café may be gone, but a small piece of it is still part of the neighbourhood. A new condo building now stands where the Lido once was in Kensington, and the iconic Lido sign was preserved on the building. Recently, I even did branding photos there for my work as a personal assistant in Calgary, standing beside that same sign that had been part of so many childhood memories. It felt like a full circle moment.
When I think about why Calgary feels like home, I think about places like this. A small café where families gather, neighbours talk over coffee, and memories quietly build over time. The Lido Cafe was never just a restaurant to me. It was part of growing up in Calgary. Although The Lido Cafe is no longer open, it remains one of the places that made growing up in Calgary feel so special.
4. Big City Opportunities, Small-Town Feel
Calgary has changed a lot over the years. The skyline is taller, the streets busier, and the city seems to grow a little more every summer. But even as Calgary has expanded, there are still pockets where that small-town feel remains, and that balance is something I have always loved.
Growing up here, I felt like I had the best of both worlds. Calgary offered so many opportunities, including career options, cultural events, restaurants, and festivals, while still giving you the chance to run into familiar faces. Even now, working as a personal assistant in Calgary, I see it every day. There are so many professional opportunities and local businesses to support, yet people still take the time to say hello, help one another, and create a sense of community.
Some streets and neighborhoods feel like stepping into a quieter, friendlier world. You can explore busy downtown offices or vibrant streets like Inglewood, Bridgeland, The Beltline, Mission, 17th Avenue, Kensington, Marda Loop, and Britannia. Then turn a corner and find tree-lined streets where neighbours chat, kids ride bikes, and the community feels connected. It is that mix of city growth and lasting connections that makes Calgary feel unique.
Living in Calgary today means navigating a city that has evolved, but it does not mean losing that sense of belonging. For me, it is exactly what makes this city home, the excitement and opportunities of a major city alongside little reminders of the warmth, friendliness, and familiarity that shaped my childhood. Calgary truly offers big-city possibilities with a small-town heart.
5. The Hub of Canada’s Energy Sector
Calgary is widely known as the heart of Canada’s energy industry, and that has shaped not only Alberta’s economy but also countless careers, including my own. For more than 15 years, I worked in the oil and gas industry here, and it was in Calgary that my professional journey really began. I have been fortunate to work at companies like Suncor Energy, Canadian Discovery, Tetra Tech, and Connacher Oil and Gas Limited, and each experience helped me grow both professionally and personally.
The city’s connection to energy is everywhere. From towering office buildings in the downtown core to bustling corporate offices across Calgary’s neighbourhoods, you can feel the impact of this sector on the city’s growth, opportunities, and lifestyle. Calgary’s status as Canada’s energy hub has created wealth, jobs, and innovation, and it continues to attract people from across the country and around the world.
Working in this industry taught me so much, from building professional skills to forming long-lasting connections. It eventually led me to start my own business. Even though I have moved into entrepreneurship, my roots in Calgary’s energy sector remain a key part of my story and the foundation of my career.
Being part of a city that drives Alberta’s energy economy makes living in Calgary feel exciting and full of possibility. It is a place where big ideas meet opportunity, and where the local and global impact of energy can be seen and felt every day. For anyone who has spent time here, it is clear that Calgary is more than just a city. It is the hub of Canada’s energy sector, and that plays a huge role in why Alberta is so prosperous!
Why Calgary Will Always Feel Like Home
There is something about growing up in Calgary that stays with you. Living in Calgary means carrying memories wherever life takes you. It is in the laughter of neighbours, the smell of a favourite café, the energy of the Calgary Stampede, the quiet moments in the mountains just an hour away, and the warmth of the sun in the sunniest city in Canada.
Growing up and raising a family here has taught me how a city can shape your heart and your life. Calgary is a city you carry with you, no matter where life takes you. That is why Calgary will always feel like home.
