Came For the Mountains, Stayed For the City

I am not from here; neither born nor raised in this beautiful city called Mohkinstsis, also known as Calgary. 

A year ago, when people asked me, "Why would you move to this city?" my answer was simple: mountains and hockey (and sorry, no, I'm not a Flames fan — go Jets go!). 

But after just a year of living here, my answer has changed. Yes, I still love the mountains and go almost every weekend, but now I would also say I'm staying here for the city itself, and most importantly, the community. Within my first year of living here, I've realized I've barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer. 

I still vividly recall the first show I attended at the Jack Singer Concert Hall: the Calgary Philharmonic's Sci-Fi Spectacular. Not only did I rediscover my love for classical instruments that night, but the experience became a lovely bonding moment with my new roommate. It turned out we both loved live music and anything related to Star Trek, Star Wars, fantasy, or sci-fi. Since then, we've enjoyed many more concerts at the Jack, and seeing the Philharmonic play is now one of my favourite things to do on a Friday night out. 

As winter was looming on the horizon—my first Canadian winter!—I was repeatedly warned by friends, colleagues, and family that it would be harsh and unenjoyable. I can confidently say that is not what I experienced. 

Instead, I found plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy it. After work, I’d meet up with friends, and we'd discover all the cute, free ice-skating rinks in different neighbourhoods. I attended hockey games and enjoyed hot apple cider at the Christmas markets (no, they're not like the ones in Germany, but they're still fun to go to!). My roommate and I — whom I now call a good friend — even created a new festive tradition for the holiday season: seeing The Nutcracker by Alberta Ballet at the Jubilee. We’re even thinking of adding to the tradition with Theatre Calgary's A Christmas Carol!

When I look back on my first year, I didn't just attend different events; I genuinely connected with new friends, colleagues, my roommate, and my new community. 

Together with them, I discovered new bands and music at the Palace Theatre and Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, and made deeper connections with my friends at the Downstage production of ARE YOU THE ONE? None of us had ever attended a play structured like a game show –– we still laugh and talk about it! 

My first birthday in the city was a gathering of friends. By hearty recommendation, we had dinner at Annabelle’s Kitchen (the olives are superb) before attending Theatre Calgary's Legally Blonde. Some of those songs are still stuck in my head because, OMG YOU GUYS, it was brilliant and everything I wanted to see.

Just two blocks away from where I live, BUMP Festival held a free crash-out party to end their summer festivities, featuring my favourite sandwich shop: Scozzafava's Deli. Along with live music and drinks, it was so cool to see the community come together and encounter people I know in the wild, discovering just how many festivals happen right in the centre of the city. As a girl who grew up in a small town in the German countryside, the opportunities to connect here are truly heartening.

Country Thunder was my chosen festival this year, and it turned out to be one of the best I have ever attended (that's inclusive of one of the world's largest electronic music festivals, the infamous Tomorrowland). I can say with 100% certainty that I am fully immersed in the country scene now!

Do I even need to talk about Stampede? Loved or totally avoided by locals, for me, it's a time when a whole city comes together to celebrate. People from all over the world visit and enjoy the grounds — I watched the parade, attended Stampede parties, visited the tents, and I even saw my first rodeo! I could go on and on.

I may sound repetitive, but there is so much going on in this city. When you finally discover it, it's like turning a black-and-white TV into colour. And I'm not going to lie, floating on the Bow River with my friends has become one of my favourite summer activities (but people, please wear your life jackets!). 

From free events to ticketed experiences, anything is possible here. This isn't just a journey of discovery for me; it's almost like my personal love letter to this city. Every time I go hiking and people ask where we are from, I can proudly say that I live in Calgary. I might be biased, but it may just be the best city in Canada.