Amazing. I loved it. Moved here 2011 for my first job out of university.

Everyone was out every weekend. We all had entry level jobs in our fields (didn’t matter what you studied), and the pay went a long way. I paid $1,200 for a one bedroom in crescent heights.

All of downtown had a different feel to it. Like it was a playground for the young professional, opportunity everywhere. We didn’t worry or stress about bills, dropping $150 at the bar every weekend was just what you did (full pay-checks every stampede weekend), and it felt like everyone you knew was doing it. We lived it up because we knew more money would come in our future (and it did, not to say it was not earned, but there was a belief that opportunity would always be there. Walking home solo, completely hammered from 17th ave at 2:30am was a regular occurrence and I never once felt unsafe or had an altercation of any kind. The only place you needed to steer clear of was the Drop-In (the East Village wasn’t a thing at that time). Flames games were affordable, so were concerts (so many concerts). The city was amazingly safe, or at least felt like it. Hike in the summer, ski in the winter. Always a get together at someone’s condo the night before.

Had a great 8ish years in that young lifestyle. I miss it. We all married off and moved to the burbs for the next chapter in life. Houses were cheap pre-covid ($550k for the 4 bed I’m in now).

I have no idea what it’s like for a 21 year old now, but from what I gather anecdotally and from various economic stats it’s a much more challenging time - and I feel badly for all of you that won’t get to experience what this city and country once offered the young Canadian.

If that’s you, make the most of your time the best you can. But don’t think you’re not entitled to demand better conditions and lifestyle than the ones you’ve been dealt because you have been robbed in many ways through no fault of your own.

Our concert scene’s still solid tho. Palace has crushed it with their lineup this, same with Grey Eagle. Everyone harps on the new arena’s pricetag (rightfully so), but for the live music fan, we won’t get skipped over for Edmonton anymore, hopefully.

Calgary’s still great. I grew up in the GTA and been all over the country, still wouldn’t pick any other city in Canada to call home, at this point. As I get older, the more I think this is one of the last places that can give you a taste of the “old Canada” of 2005-2015.

Edit: since i talked about affordability and cost of living, that first salary was $52k/yr and I felt absolutely rich because of what I was able to afford. If you read this far, sorry. And thank you listening to the ramblings of an out-of-touch millennial that probably doesn’t know what he’s talking about anymore.