r/YYC

Why do we put up with this? Why do we pretend this is so hard to solve?

House these people in jail cells and downtown would be transformed overnight.

It’s just flip this one switch and the problem is solved. Blows my mind that it seems impossible.

We’re relocating to Calgary this year with 3 girls (K, Grade 3, Grade 7) and trying to narrow down neighbourhoods. We currently live in an inner-city area with a really strong family/community feel and are hoping to find something similar in Calgary.

What we love about our current area:

• Kids walking between houses to see friends
• Neighbours actually know each other / hang out
• Strong school community
• Close to parks + river/pathways
• Character homes and mature streets
• Family-oriented but still feels connected and social

We’ve been focusing mostly on:

• Aspen Woods
• Elbow Park
• North Glenmore / North Glenmore Park area
• Lakeview

A few things making this harder:

• Kids are currently in French Immersion, so strong FI pathways matter
• We’d prefer a newer / lower-maintenance home if possible
• We have a high household income, but Calgary prices still feel like a jump compared to where we are now
• We don’t want to end up somewhere that looks beautiful online but feels socially disconnected in real life

One thing we’re trying to understand honestly:
Some newer planned communities we’ve looked at elsewhere in Canada felt a bit “everyone stays inside their own bubble” despite being family-heavy. We’re trying to avoid that and find somewhere where kids naturally build friendships and families actually interact.

Aspen Woods seems to check a lot of boxes on paper (schools, newer homes, family demographic), but I’m wondering:

• Does it genuinely have a strong community feel?
• Are there pockets/streets that feel less cookie-cutter and more connected?
• Do kids actually play outside / walk to friends’ houses there?

Also curious whether North Glenmore or Lakeview might ultimately fit us better if we value character/community over “perfect newer suburban.”

Would especially love insight from:

• Families with kids in FI
• People who moved from another city
• Anyone who debated inner-city vs westside and either loved or regretted their choice

Guys even in 6 degree Celsius, my 450 sq ft apartment is at 23 degrees and it genuinely feels so hot. I have AC but I don’t want to start using it yet bec my electricity bill jumps from $100 to $300. I will in July and August. But how are we sleeping in the night without feeling hot. Are we using fans or ACs?? I have not seen anyone turning on the ACs yet but for a place where people are used to -40, isn’t this weather extremely hot and sweaty already?

/u/jeromyyyc since /r/Calgary blocked and deleted whom evers post on this issue, what CAN city council do about the loud muffler noises in the beltline, what can the Calgary police do?

How can we report this properly, 311 says to call non emergency line but every time ive called its over a 30 minute wait most of the time upwards of 45 minutes, nobodys going to stay on the line that long to report noise complains about motor bikes/cars.

With non emergency ive NEVER connected in under 30 minutes to them so this is NOT a viable method it appears, its a waste of our time and others time.

so in short WHAT CAN WE DO?

What is the city going to be doing this summer?

Edit: of course removed from r/calgary - all the mods are City employees who censor criticism of city operations.

Let me preface. I have nothing but respect for our individual front-line officers. Their job is amongst the most difficult in our world. They are expected to enforce laws, be social workers, and support communities all whilst being recorded 24/7 during a job that requires high-stakes split-second decision making.

I do, however, take issue with the broader issue of policing in our city. Particularly as an inner-city resident who has seen our downtown core completely over-taken by roving bands of smack-heads and tweakers who do nothing but destroy lives, families, and communities 24/7 while simultaneously receiving greater rights to engage in their community-ruining practices than decent and contributing members of our community.

Today was the last straw for me. I was enjoying a pint on a patio around 2PM. A completely aggressive and unhinged person - the type of which you can expect to see jeopardizing the feelings of safety and security of our populace without impediment all day every day without consequence - started waltzing down our completely unpatrolled 17th Ave. He was lifting up those metal grates that cover inner-city trees and slamming them on the pavement. This alarmed most of us, hoping a nearby police patrol would surely take action considering this was the nerve centre for crime and disorder in our city. 

But as per usual, there were no police or peace officers nearby. Despite the fact there are 300 active officers supposedly patrolling our streets at any given time, none will ever be seen in the high volume crime and disorder centre that defines the inner-city between the Chumir, Rouleaville Park, and 17th Ave. 

This individual then proceeded to pull an assualt rifle out his man-bag. Like 5 star, high alert shit you assume only happens in Austin Texas. He pointed at several people who screamed, dove for cover, and started crying. I've never seen anything like this. An individual showed me a video afterwards, and it is some real Columbine shit. It was, as explained by officers afterwards, just a realistic paint ball gun, thank goodness. But if this were a lenient firearm country like the US, could have been a very different result.

This was 1:50PM. At least a dozen people called 911. There was absolutely, no repsonse, for at least 30 minutes. None. No sirens, no officers, nothing. If there’s a minor fender-bender in this city you’ll see lights and sirens for ages. I would assume 17th Ave SW would almost have a permanent police presence. But, as per usual, nothing. I could not tell you where or what the officers assigned for patrolling our inner-city were doing at that moment in time.

Police did not respond to the scene of the crime for 30 minutes. I can prove this via video of both the offence and responding officers arriving. Apparently an active shooter can have their way in YYC with nothing resembling a serious or organized response for half an hour in the centre of our city.

I am sick of this shit. What do we pay police for? When was the last time anyone on this subreddit saw the police actively addressing the issues that concern them? Why are unhinged people who are hell-bent on threatening our populace afforded compassion and allowed to pull this shit? Why is do law enforcement organizations believe that enforcing law is optional?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently living in Edmonton but I’m seriously planning to move to Calgary in the next few months and I’ll need to buy a place there. It’ll be my first home purchase so I want someone experienced who knows the Calgary market well, preferably someone who’s good with first-time buyers and can explain things clearly without rushing me.

I’ve been doing some research and found a calgary realtor who seems solid and has good recent reviews in the area. Still, I’d love to hear from locals or people who’ve bought/sold in Calgary recently.