Calgary offers the best of all worlds - a vibrant, cosmopolitan city of over 1,000,000 with outstanding adventure and pristine wilderness only an hour away in the Canadian Rockies. Prosperity in Calgary relates to more than simple economics; quality of life has always been a major consideration. A city cannot thrive without art, culture, entertainment and recreation.
Artistic expression can be found everywhere in Calgary; and for almost any kind of taste - from the eclectic to the classic. From street performers to major theatrical productions and small thought-provoking playhouses, art galleries, concerts, clubs and dance, the arts are an integral part of our social fabric.
As Canada's third most culturally diverse city, Calgary's variety will inspire and delight you. From restaurants to festivals, from groceries to art you can travel to other worlds without leaving the city. Calgary's crime rate is among the lowest of any major city in Canada.
Calgary is situated in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountain foothills at the confluence of the Bow River (a world-famous fly fishing destination) and the clear, mountain-fed Elbow River. At an elevation of 1,139 metres (3,740 feet) above sea level, Calgary enjoys wonderfully fresh, clean air. Combine this with more days of sunshine than any other major Canadian city and it is easy to see why Calgarians are so happy and friendly. Calgary acts as a gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, offering the convenience of a major urban centre within an hour of these spectacular settings.
Over 8,000 hectares (19,753 acres) of park land and open space can be found within the city limits, along with 300 kilometres (187 miles) of paved paths for biking, roller blading or quiet walking. You'll find urban hikes that are challenging or just easy and relaxing.
With the combination of a modern city skyline and incredible natural scenery, Calgary and the surrounding region have become prime locations for film and television productions in Alberta. Calgary is home to one of the three major art centres in Canada. Showcasing national, international and local artists, the Performing Arts Centre has lead the development of a vital and growing arts district in Calgary's downtown core.
Getting to and around Calgary
By Air: Calgary International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the city centre. The airport is served by many major airlines.
By Road: From the U.S. border, Highway 2 runs to Calgary. Continue on this highway to Edmonton. The TransCanada Highway runs west to east, from coast to coast.
City Layout: Calgary is laid out in four quadrants: northeast (NE), northwest (NW), southeast (SE) and southwest (SW). Avenues run east-west, streets run north-south. Numbering for avenues begins at Centre Avenue, for streets at Centre Street.
Residence
ACAD students can live at neighbouring SAIT Residence, Calgary's best student living. Living on campus in the SAIT Residence towers can also ease the burden of the daily commute and make late-night studio activity (and early morning classes) more productive.
- Great location and views
- Private bedrooms available
- Study lounges
- On-site laundry facilities
- Front desk service
- Individual leases
- Internet, free local calls and cable included
- Fully furnished units
- Academic and summer leases available
Contact 403.284.8013 for more information or visit www.liveatSAIT.com.
Off Campus Housing
ACAD is conveniently located on the Light Rail Transit system (C-Train) and is within minutes of downtown Calgary and easily accessible via local transit from different areas of the city. Students wishing to live off campus can check local rental newspapers and classified sections of the daily newspapers for daily housing postings. There are several websites that are available to help make your search for your new home easier:
Links to Calgary
Learn about all that Calgary has to offer online. Check out these local web sites:
