Late to chime in but here's my two cents anyways
I recently moved back to Calgary after living in the lower mainland for over 20 years. The transition has been difficult for many reasons but Calgary has a lot to offer long term although the economy is to shits due to the oil situation.
It's already been discussed in here but the housing is affordable, much more so than in the lower mainland. <--- this is a major plus
Commute is relatively easy, can get to most places in 20-30 mins due to the free flowing freeways that intersect within the inner city.
I do miss the food scene in the lower mainland. It's mainly chinese/taiwanese cuisine that Calgary is lacking. The vietnamese food here is definitely a strong contender and I would bet that it's better than 80% of the vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver.
The weather has been good overall, it's a dryer climate but I don't quite mind it. At least when it's 29 degrees, it's bearable unlike Vancouver or Toronto. However, due to the dryness, it's been a constant struggle keeping hydrated and moisturized.
My main reason for the move is to buy a place and eventually start a family and I think that can be achieved much faster and efficiently in Calgary, over Vancouver.
Also, car insurance is wayyy cheaper here. My insurance coverage went from $1400 (ICBC) to $800 (Calgary) per year. I was stoked!
Haha.
O
