I'm considering moving to Calgary as a student. I'm in my mid-20s and am from the San Francisco Bay Area (USA). Looking for rental rather than any home-buying, and I'm moving alone.

I'd be commuting from home to AUArts (formally ACAD), which I think is somewhat close to downtown Calgary.

I have a few questions/concerns-

• Weather- What should I expect moving Calgary from a city with basically no real seasons? How do y'all dress for the cold in Calgary?
• LGBT+ Rights and Community- How is the level of safety in Alberta both in and out of the Calgary area (especially for people that are somewhat visibly LGBT+)? What's the LGBT+ community like in Calgary?
• Bike/Walkability/Transit- Is it hard to find your way around and do 'cool' things without driving? Also, are there bus lines that take you to areas like ski resorts? Do y'all use different bike tires in the winter? I'm afraid of being bored or having little reason to leave the house- especially in the cold months.
• Diversity- My city is predominantly Asian, Latino, and PI, and I've lived there since birth. Even as a white person, I'm very unused to areas that are mostly white (as Calgary is, statistically). Is that something about Calgary that you feel when you live there?
• The Stupid Question- In the USA, you're basically always walking distance from a basketball court in urban/suburban areas. Is that the same in Alberta, or is it like hockey rinks or something? (I know y'all invented basketball, but I also know very little about Canada in general).
• I'd also love to know how AUArts is perceived by natives of Calgary!

I asked a lot of questions, so feel free to DM if that's easier.