我是一个加拿大移民，虽然来到这里的时间不算长，但我已经游览了加拿大的许多城市，并最终选择在卡尔加里定居。尽管有人对我的选择持有疑问，认为我应该选择多伦多或温哥华这样的热门地区，但我并不打算一一解释。Instead, I choose to share my thoughts and reasons through this blog post, which I can simply refer people to when they ask me about it. Below is the content of my post, written from my own perspective.

When people think of Canada, two cities often come to mind first: Toronto and Vancouver. But what about Calgary? In this post, I'd like to give you a detailed introduction to Calgary, so you can have a better understanding of this city.

Calgary, also known as Cowtown, is the largest city in Alberta, one of the prairie provinces, and the fourth-largest city in Canada, with a population of around 1.2 million, only 10,000 less than Vancouver. Approximately 120,000 of its residents are of Chinese descent. Calgary offers some of the best public welfare benefits in Canada, which I will elaborate on below.

Safety is a key factor when considering a place to live, and Calgary ranks relatively high in this aspect. Compared to other major Canadian cities, Calgary has a lower proportion of refugees, many of whom are distributed among Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Calgary's refugee population is the smallest among the top four cities in Canada, which contributes to its safer environment.

In terms of the environment, Calgary boasts the cleanest air quality in the world, with an average of only 5 PM2.5 particles per cubic centimeter per year, significantly lower than in other Canadian cities. Moreover, Calgary is one of only three cities in the world without rats.

Taxwise, Calgary is a winner. Alberta is the only province in Canada without a provincial sales tax, which means a 5% federal tax on all commercial purchases, including goods and services. For new immigrants, this can amount to significant savings. For example, if you purchase a new car for 30,000 CAD, you would save 2,400 CAD in taxes compared to other cities. This saving could cover a month's rent for a basement suite in Calgary, including amenities like a separate kitchen and bathroom.

Healthcare is another area where Calgary excels. New immigrants can immediately access free healthcare services upon arrival, which is unusual as there is usually a three-month waiting period. Additionally, Calgary's medical benefits system covers emergency medical expenses abroad, reimbursing you for hospital stays, treatments, and medications, allowing you to avoid any out-of-pocket expenses.

When it comes to real estate, Calgary offers more for less. For instance, a four-bedroom lakefront home with a private dock in Calgary costs around 1.1 million CAD, compared to over 1.5 million CAD for a three-bedroom detached home in Toronto. Moreover, property taxes in Calgary are lower than in other cities, and there's no need to worry about bidding wars when buying a home, as listed prices are typically lower and not inflated like in cities like Toronto.

Gas prices in Calgary, being an oil city, are also quite affordable. When I first arrived, gas in Toronto was about 1.10 CAD per liter, while in Calgary, it was only 0.87 CAD, meaning you can drive further on the same amount of money.

Traffic in Calgary is a non-issue, unlike in Toronto where rush-hour congestion is common. Calgary's well-maintained roads ensure a smooth commute, with the only risk being accidentally going over the speed limit.

As for the climate, Calgary does get cold, but it's often just as cold in other Canadian cities. When Calgary experiences extreme cold, other cities like Toronto and Montreal are also affected. Even Vancouver, known for its mild climate, drops to around -15 to -20 degrees Celsius during those periods. However, Calgary has a unique climate feature called the chinook wind, which can quickly warm the city to temperatures of +15 to +25 degrees Celsius, offering a brief taste of spring during the winter.

Income levels in Calgary are generally high, with even the lowest-income earners making more than in other major cities. For example, the minimum wage in Calgary is around 15 CAD per hour, compared to 12.5 to 13.5 CAD in Toronto.

For entrepreneurs, Calgary's oil-based economy may seem restrictive, but it actually presents opportunities in sectors like music and art. With a lower supply of service providers in industries like music lessons, entrepreneurs can thrive by meeting the demand in Calgary.

In terms of education, Calgary has five high schools with International Baccalaureate (IB) certification, serving over thirty communities. The cost of living in these communities is reasonable, with two-bedroom apartments around 20 CAD and three-bedroom townhouses around 30 CAD.

The above points provide a broad overview of Calgary, aiming to present a more accurate picture of the city and challenge the common belief that only Toronto and Vancouver are worth considering in Canada. When you consider the lower costs of living, taxes, and daily expenses, along with higher average incomes, better healthcare, and business opportunities, it's easy to see why Calgary is a compelling choice for immigrants.

In conclusion, when you have a choice between Calgary and the other three major Canadian cities, with the potential to spend less, live better, earn more, enjoy a higher quality of life, and face less competition, the decision becomes clear. I believe that by choosing Calgary, you are making a wise decision that will lead to a more prosperous and fulfilling life in Canada.