Living in East Calgary: Reasons to Love Living on Calgary's East Side

Founded in 1916, the East Calgary area was originally a village. It held that designation for three years until it became part of the City of Calgary in 1919. Today, the area is a residential district encompassing some of the best neighbourhoods in Calgary. Located east of the Bow River, the district's natural boundaries are east of Deerfoot Trail, north of Glenmore Trail SE, and south of Memorial Drive NE. With a mix of residential communities, industrial areas, and large commercial spaces, East Calgary is an eclectic area quickly gaining popularity. East Calgary has something to offer everyone, from its excellent downtown convenience to its blend of established neighbourhoods and new communities.

East Calgary at a Glance

• East Calgary offers a mix of residential and industrial areas with diverse communities.
• The area features affordable housing options and is steadily growing in popularity.
• Major employers include Canadian Pacific Railway and Enerflex Ltd.
• East Calgary offers easy access to downtown Calgary, just a 15-minute commute.
• Outdoor activities are abundant with parks like Elliston Park and Valleyview Park.
• Shopping options include centers like Marlborough Mall and Pacific Place.
• The Calgary Zoo and Cobb’s Adventure Park are nearby attractions.
• The area has excellent healthcare access through the Peter Lougheed Centre.
• East Calgary’s food scene is diverse, with International Avenue featuring global cuisines.
• Educational opportunities are available through the Calgary Board of Education and nearby post-secondary institutions.

The East Calgary Lifestyle

Once a village, East Calgary, a conglomerate of 17 different communities, is a unique, vibrant area in Calgary that is steadily growing in popularity. East Calgary is closer to downtown than most other districts in Calgary, so views of the skyline with the Scotiabank Saddledome in the foreground are fantastic.

A mix of residential and industrial, East Calgary has a warehouse and industrial park on the south end, creating plenty of job opportunities. Lying east of the Bow River, East Calgary's natural landscape is flatter than the western part of Calgary, with vast prairie lands covering the area.

Like many of Calgary's districts, East Calgary has many green spaces, with lots of parks and nature trails for residents to enjoy. One of the area's most prominent features is Elliston Park, one of the most popular Calgary parks. Elliston Park is the site of the annual GlobalFest, one of the most beloved Calgary festivals. Additional parks in East Calgary include Valleyview Park, Applewood Park, and Marlborough Park.

With diverse neighbourhoods, ample green spaces, and commercial spaces, East Calgary strikes a balance between residential tranquillity and industrial revitalization. With less than a 15-minute commute to Downtown Calgary, East Calgary is ideal for those searching for a more affordable, laidback lifestyle without sacrificing accessibility.

Employers in East Calgary

With more than 140 major companies headquartered in Calgary, the city has the highest concentration of head offices in Canada. Calgary is well-known for its diverse range of industries, but two of the most prominent industries in East Calgary are transportation and energy. One of the largest employers in East Calgary is the Canadian Pacific Railway, one of the biggest goods and service transportation companies in North America. Headquartered in East Calgary, Canadian Pacific Railway has over 11,000 employees worldwide. Another large-scale employer based in East Calgary is Enerflex Ltd, an oil and gas company providing energy for companies worldwide. Enerflex Ltd. employs over 1,800 employees.

Many residents are employed in logistics and manufacturing, thanks to the area’s proximity to major transportation routes like the Trans-Canada Highway and Stoney Trail. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Sobeys, and Home Depot have distribution centers here that provide warehousing and supply chain management jobs.

Beyond East Calgary, downtown is only a short commute away, offering finance, healthcare, and technology positions. Downtown is the heart of Calgary's economy, and it's home to the largest concentration of employers in the city. Major employers include Suncor Energy, Alberta Health Services, and WestJet, providing roles in energy, healthcare, and aviation sectors. The energy sector remains a significant driver of Calgary’s economy, but the tech sector is rapidly growing.

East Calgary Amenities

Whether relocating from another city or moving to another location in town, one of the most important factors prospective residents consider is the area's amenities. While East Calgary is just 15 minutes from downtown, it also offers many big-city amenities. East Calgary residents have plenty of options for neighbourhood conveniences, from fitness facilities to green spaces.

East Calgary is also a transportation hub. From its proximity to some of Calgary's main roads to its ease of access to Calgary's public transit system, residents can get anywhere they need to go.

Neighbourhood Services

Canada is one of the leading nations in the Western world in terms of quality healthcare, and East Calgary is no exception. Residents have easy access to the Peter Lougheed Centre, a full-service medical provider located on 26 Avenue in nearby Northeast Calgary.

In addition to healthcare, East Calgary residents thrive through access to athletic facilities, including the Bob Bahan Aquatic and Fitness Centre. This athletic facility in the Forest Lawn neighbourhood offers aquatics classes, a dive tank, cardio and weight training, and a fitness studio. Residents can also swim in the community pool during the warmer summer months.

Neighbourhood Shopping

Along with its commuting ease and vibrant communities, one of the many perks of living in East Calgary is its numerous shopping options. Home to four major shopping centers, residents have various shops and retailers to suit their shopping needs. Pacific Place, a local shopping center located on the 36th Street retail corridor, has many restaurants, boutique shops, retailers, and service providers. Marlborough Mall, one of Calgary's most popular shopping centres, is located just outside of Forest Lawn in the Marlborough neighbourhood. Along with these options, some of the most popular shopping centres in East Calgary are Northgate Village Shopping Centre and TransCanada Centre.

Things To Do in East Calgary

While downtown Calgary is most well-known for its sites, East Calgary has many attractions. The Max Bell Centre is a popular hockey arena in the Radisson Heights community, offering everything from free skating and recreational hockey leagues to semi-professional games. The Max Bell Centre can seat more than 2,000 spectators.

The Calgary Zoo, one of western Canada's largest zoos, is just a 10-minute drive from East Calgary and has wildlife from all over the world. This Bridgeland neighbourhood zoo has many iconic animals, including lions, penguins, bears, tigers, and gorillas. Along with the famous Calgary Zoo, East Calgary is home to many of the city's fabulous parks, restaurants, and one of the area's best amusement parks. Residents and visitors will always find something to keep them entertained in East Calgary.

Outdoor Activities

As with most Calgary districts, East Calgary residents have an avid passion for the great outdoors, incorporating much of their free time into exploring nature. East Calgary is home to some of the area's best parks. Big Marlborough Park, one of the area's largest parks, has playground equipment, walking paths, and more. Elliston Park, another famous park, offers many of the best amenities, including playgrounds, picnic areas, off-leash areas for pet owners, and a pond. One of the area's newest parks is Valleyview Park, located in the Dover community. This park has baseball diamonds, volleyball courts, a pond, a spray park, and more.

Restaurants, Breweries, & Bars

In recent years, Calgary has become one of the rising stars in the culinary world. The city is a top contender for one of the best foodie cities in Canada, competing with the likes of Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. For foodies, there's massive appeal to living near International Avenue in East Calgary. This cultural hub has many gastronomic profiles and a diverse range of dining options, from Portuguese to Tibetan and Sri Lankan. 

While Calgary's City Centre has the largest concentration of nightlife, there are still plenty of after-dark possibilities on the city's east side. Some of the best breweries in Calgary are located on the east side, as are several neighbourhood bars and nightclubs.

Nearby Attractions

Along with the global samplings on International Avenue, the vast array of green spaces, and the numerous shopping options, East Calgary is just a stone's throw away from one of the area's best theme parks: Cobb's Adventure Park. The attraction is a mix of zoo and amusement park; guests will have a blast at this dynamic adventure land outside the the Abbeydale neighbourhood. Go-carts, rides, and exotic animals are just some of the many perks of this one-of-a-kind attraction. Cobb's Adventure Park also hosts birthday parties, adult-only events, and private kangaroo visits.

One of East Calgary's unique features is its proximity to Chestermere Lake. The Chestermere community is less than 15 kilometres from East Calgary neighbourhoods, and its central feature—Chestermere Lake—is a massive recreational draw. There are tons of fun things to do on Chestermere Lake, from water recreation to golfing along its shores.

East Calgary Schools

When relocating to a new community, educational opportunities are among the most important factors to consider. Students residing in East Calgary are part of the Calgary Board of Education, which operates the public schools in Calgary and some of the surrounding areas. East Calgary, part of Area III, serves 17 communities and comprises public and private schools. With 27 elementary schools, one elementary/junior high school, one middle school, eight junior high schools, and three senior high schools, Area III offers an array of programs to suit students' individualized educational needs.

Area III's three high schools for students pursuing secondary education are Forest Lawn High School, Father Lacombe High School, and Jack James High School. For students interested in pursuing post-secondary education, East Calgary is just a short distance from some of the area's best universities, including:

• University of Calgary
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
• Cambrooks College
• Sundance College
• ABM College

Making an Informed Move to East Calgary

East Calgary has many wonderful aspects of life. In recent years, this area has transformed from an industrial area into a more vibrant residential community, and the best neighbourhoods in East Calgary are among the best in the city. Yet, when moving to East Calgary, it's crucial to explore the different neighbourhoods within this community to find the right fit. Every neighbourhood in this district has a distinct identity, and finding the right fit can enrich a resident's life. For those who enjoy all that Calgary offers, East Calgary strikes the right balance between a tight-knit community and vibrant city living.