From the east part of Alberta’s grassland to through the middle of Canada, the prairies start to roll. Calgary is also known as the gateway into the Rocky Mountains. If you are into winter sports, the town of Banff and its world famous skiing around 2 hours away.

Alberta is the Canadian province most similar to the way things are in the United States. If you are into the cowboy way, Alberta is your place with its rodeos, cow festivals and cowboy boots. In addition, Alberta has a pattern of conservative views. They have one of the lowest crime rates compared to other provinces. However, the crime rate has increased by around 30% since 2015 after getting better for 11 straight years.

Jobs and Business

In terms of the oil industry in Canada, Alberta has the majority. Alberta has a great deal of oil sands in reserve that come second to only Saudi Arabia’s reserves. When you’re talking wealthy cities in Canada, Calgary is right up there with the best of them.

Part of the reason for the wealth in this city is because Calgary has made it easy for businesses to come and work out of the city. Calgary is known for their low taxes which is enticing to small business and in Alberta, they pay only 14% and there is no payroll tax for these businesses.

The unemployment rate, as of September of 2016, was just under 10% in Calgary. This is a higher rate than the national average of 7%. Just a year ago, the unemployment rate of Calgary was also at 7% and during the oil boom of 2013 and 2014, the rate was at 5%. Around 16,000 jobs have been lost from September of 2015 to 2016 in Calgary. The rates dropping in the cost of oil has impacted Calgary and the many residents that work in the oil industry because employers had to cut costs by trimming their budgets. Calgary’s construction and manufacturing sectors have also been hit hard by the lower oil rates.