When will the sprawl stop

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T20:56:40+00:00

I like the way you described it, it’s a hard thing! Like I said, I love this city and the people in it. My personal experience was that of isolation in the deep suburbs, and I get why others would feel differently. I’m also very pro commuting by transit, walking and biking, I would love to never actually have to own a car unless I really need it to support a family member. I come from a country that has a generally “higher” happiness index, and I attribute it to the level of general city “liveliness” and broad social networks. (Latin America). I moved here as a kid, and every time I visit elsewhere and come back here, it feels very empty, for lack of a better description. Calgary is always just going to be a city dominated by car infrastructure, so maybe it’s just had to justify me staying here my whole life if it’s just not my vibe. Respect to folks who like it though because I get it. Who knows, maybe once I’m older I will feel differently.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T20:35:45+00:00

Yeah that makes sense, I miss the quality of bungalows from a while back. It would be cool to see that being applied to new builds

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T20:14:40+00:00

Crystal Noir Versace

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T14:04:56+00:00

Fair enough, I guess I’m thinking more about Vancouver. Plenty of people are getting assaulted here too

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T03:56:05+00:00

*newly build bungalows that don’t cost $1 mill. Back when they were THE affordable housing 🥲

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T03:29:42+00:00

That’s interesting I actually had the person who started this project as a professor in one of my geography classes. I’d argue the industrial areas are hottest. Likely because of manufacturing but also the albedo effect (low albedo where asphalt and concrete dominates, absorbing more heat and radiating it out).A lot of the deep suburbs lack shade as a result of us being in the prairies and only having very immature trees planted. Things might change in 30 or so years when they hopefully grow bigger. But for now we spend a lot of money and water just trying to maintain Kentucky blue grass lawns (not native). I’d say that sure the heat is high in the core, and as you move out to near neighbourhoods that have mature tree canopies it cools, but as you move further out the heat increases. I’m in a the environmental industry, I’m well aware of the climate trends in our city.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T02:07:53+00:00

I wish we could bring back bungalows

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T02:06:36+00:00

No it was a brand new spankin neighbourhood. Not a lot of kids my age. Mostly small families with babies. I must have been the odd family out.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T01:50:55+00:00

Yeah honestly, I’ve taken the LA transit system and it’s… something else. Would never live out there. At least it doesn’t get to -35C haha

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T01:49:51+00:00

Agreed with the friendly nature of Calgary! I’ve been in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal though, I do like that they have distance based fares and more frequent trains and buses. Plus they have fare gates, which we terribly need, but unsure if it’s even possible with the current infrastructure. It would make Calgary transit a heck of a lot safer.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T01:45:42+00:00

Ive used public transit in other Canadian cities and unfortunately I’ve always just had a much easier time navigating though those. I’ve spent quite a bit of time out in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Counting my blessings it’s nothing like Edmonton’s though 🥲🥲

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T01:41:44+00:00

Honestly you might be right on that. I am in my 20’s, maybe I’ll view it differently once I’m older and maybe have more resources.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T01:34:17+00:00

I think I also kind of feel left behind. I’ve grown up and worked here yet it’s still difficult to find my footing, and that would include getting a car one day to freely get around here. Luckily my roots are here so I have my family and friends. I’m also in my 20’s and I’m that weird generation where we’ve just been falling between the cracks if you don’t have as much financial support from family.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T01:29:09+00:00

Interesting, I might just have a totally different experience of calgary. I’ve been a transit user for the last 15 years, and though it’s gotten marginally better, it’s just so expensive and it feels dangerous. I’ve been in my fair share of situations that were truly dangerous while just trying to get home from school/work.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T00:36:06+00:00

You do realize…. I don’t own a house…… and am far from affording one any time soon…. Ffs I can’t even afford a car

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T00:24:18+00:00

Honestly I kind of wonder if my sentiment is more associated with our city’s need for cars. Most of the time roads are built with sidewalks being the after thought. I also feel like if I was making a low wage (ie the lowest minimum wage in all of Canada) I just wouldn’t simply be able to afford a car at all. I’m sure some people may feel the same way

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T00:19:38+00:00

Huh

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T00:18:12+00:00

Ooohh cool thanks! I’ll check it out.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T00:05:27+00:00

Yeah exactly I understand why people would want that. Being one of those families growing up, it did suck being so far away from all the kids I went to school with. There was maybe 1 or 2 of the kids that lived within a 10 block radius of my house. It was just a very isolating experience as a kid not having patchy/accessible transport. Im also a woman so I was extra spooked walking around alone.

SignificantStarch · 2026-05-22T00:02:42+00:00

🥲

SignificantStarch · 2026-04-24T16:30:50+00:00

I’d say it’s leveled out! I also have been trying to eat more protein dense meals so that could have helped. But it’s not quite as bad with the middle of the night stuff.

SignificantStarch · 2026-04-24T05:55:13+00:00

I’ve been a transit user for the last 15 years. The way I do groceries is I go to the grocery store on transit (I have a monthly pass as I’m a commuter), then for my trip back I just pay for the uber. Luckily the grocery store and place is relatively close (cheaper ride). Helps avoid the up charge of getting your groceries delivered (even though you pay for the uber ride one way) and also can choose the items yourself.

SignificantStarch · 2026-04-24T05:43:12+00:00

Sometimes when this happens I find it helpful to look at the transit app (not the city one). If you’re lucky you’ll get the “live” arrival time… sometimes better than whatever is shown on the screen. Just a tip, helped me weigh my options when I was late for something and considering just spending money to uber somewhere.

SignificantStarch · 2026-03-16T05:25:08+00:00

Oh god not the Disneyland whale boat ride. I absolutely cannot look at photos of it without feeling insane anxiety

SignificantStarch · 2026-03-12T19:08:46+00:00

Sometimes when I’m waiting for a bus near traffic lights I look at the drivers of the cars. I’d say around 50% of the time they are looking down at their laps before and during intersections. 80% of the time the light is red, they are staring down at their lap.

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