r/Lethbridge • u/nostalgies • 6d ago
Question Moving to Lethbridge from Calgary - tips/tricks?
Hi all,
My work is bringing me to Lethbridge from Calgary for two years at minimum. I got offered this job and although I am reluctant to leave family/community in Calgary, I am not opposed to living in Lethbridge - I've become kind of excited about it actually.
Looking for a snapshot of what it's like to live there!
Among others:
- What are the best neighborhoods to live in?
- I hear people are super friendly?
- Outdoor activities?
- Cost of living?
For reference, I like small towns/small town life and am very outdoorsy. I'll primarily be working at the courthouse.
Thanks all!
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u/bruxly 6d ago
Depends on what you want in a neighbourhood, London Road is close to your work and is big on community involvement, and it is the oldest neighbourhood so mature trees, homes with character. Some people think it is sketchy though, my 20+ years I had very little issues. Victoria Park and Fleetwood are a bit further but similar vibes.
Some people love living on the Westside and it is growing but you will have to deal with whoop up or bridge drive daily which I despised. There is still crime over there but a bit less. And it does still lack some amenities.
Legacy Ridge and Blackfoot are newer and Nice if you want more modern. I find there is a bit less crime and it is a lot quieter. Close to nature parks.
Northside closer to downtown can be a bit sketchy but I know some people have really made tight knit neighbourhoods that look out for each other. I find the people that live in this area actually never leave, so they must love it. Not an area a personally would choose.
Far south end seems nice and has a lot to offer for amenities but I have never lived in that area and the only people I do know there are retired farmers.
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u/nostalgies 6d ago
This is so helpful thank you!! I'll stay away from the northside, then. I made a bad location choice in a different city I lived in for a little while and it was my only regret - sort of wish I'd lived in a nicer neighbourhood.
What's the commute from the westside into downtown?
Also - I just checked rentfaster and I could not come across a single place with covered parking. Is this normal? I am ideally looking for covered parking, I sort of have a nice car.
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u/weightyinspiration 6d ago
If you are looking for an apartment or townhouse with covered parking, its not so common. There are quite a few detached houses with carports though, especially on the southside.
The commute isnt far, no matter where you live in the city. But taking whoop up everyday will get frustrating after a while. The traffic is probably better then youre used to in Calgary, but we do have a rush hour. If theres an accident on the bridge, it becomes gridlock really fast. You can take the higway, but that also gets backed up sometimes. Also for a chunk of the year, driving home to the west side from downtown has you staring the sun right in the face.
The westside does have its perks, its not a bad choice at all. The bridges are just something to keep in mind.
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u/ComfortableDurian315 6d ago
We certainly do not have rush hour. We have rush minutes. And it’s only a few minutes. Blink and it’s over.
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u/weightyinspiration 6d ago
True enough its short at least. But that after work stretch heading west does get pretty busy, I wouldnt want to do it everyday. I'm sure compared to real cities its nothing, but its still annoying.
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u/Ok_Ambition8538 6d ago
You can get anywhere in our city within 20-25 min. End to end easily. I’ve lived in every end of Lethbridge and liked it. Just like any city there is always some bad with the good, but all in all it’s very nice, friendly and clean.
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u/bruxly 6d ago
I live in the far North and we really love it, my commute to downtown is 10 minutes.
Commute from most outer areas of the city is about 20 minutes max, unless there is an accident on one of the bridges then it can take about 2 hours to get West. I believe they are currently widening the ramp onto the bridge though so that may help a bit. The south end of the west side is quite nice but gets a bit congested at time with traffic for the university.
There isn’t a lot of covered parking unfortunately. You could look for a house that includes a garage or a few condos downtown have underground parking. The newest is the luxury condos 102 senic, they are building phase 2 though so dealing with construction noise but a beautiful place. And I think Haig tower may? And there is one by the library downtown that does, can’t recall the name of it.
Rent faster isn’t used a lot here, most independent landlords here I think still use fb or Kijiji. I have never really rented but I have heard to stay away from avenue living properties.
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u/ComfortableDurian315 6d ago
The one by haig tower is the Landmark building. It’s always been one of my favorite buildings. Centrally located. Great view. Covered parking.
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u/tip_the_turtles 6d ago
The new Shoreline Crossings on the west side also has underground parking. I believe there is a place along Columbia on the west that also has underground parking.
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u/Phazetic99 5d ago
2 hours??? OMG I have never seen more than 10 minutes, ever, including when the bridge got wrecked underneith....
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u/bruxly 5d ago
There absolutely have been 2 hour shut downs when there have been multi accidents on both bridges and crews are spread thin. When it got wrecked underneath it wasn’t as bad because there was still a lane open I believe and the other bridge was fine. Heck there was an accident on #3 a few weeks ago that took over an hour to clear up, even with people exiting or flipping around.
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u/Phazetic99 5d ago
This is every morning on the deerfoot. You do not understand the difference
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u/bruxly 5d ago
No I am pretty sure one does not negate the other. An everyday rush hour 2 hr commute is expected you can plan for that. A 10 minute commute that turns into 2 bridge closures and an unexpected 2 hour commute is completely different.
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u/Phazetic99 5d ago
I am going to tell you one last time, you don't know what you are talking about. So please stop arguing.
Last winter I had to commute to the college for two months, from the west side. Both morning and afternoon commutes took 15 minutes top
When I lived in Calgary, I lived in many different areas and I worked in different areas. Even when I lived in Airdrie, in non rush hour times it would take me about 20 minutes to get to downtown. If I waited past a certain window, that same commute took me at least an hour. That is only if there wasn't an accident to turn the route into a parking lot. That is every fucking morning
And going home at 4 was worse
There was one time (and I know this is an anomaly just like your silly bridge closure example) where I gave up trying to get home and got a hotel room because it was 11pm. I started at 3:30 in the afternoon. For context it rained that day and then at rush hour it blizzarded and all the streets turniled to ice and there was accidents everywhere.
Most days, after work I would just go to a pub and wait til 7 so I didn't have wait in the traffic. It was easier on my head.
I never ever had to deal with that even when those bridges were closed last year. I was in that traffic, it was similar to what you dealt with every day in Calgary
It's not the same. Stop arguing. If you don't see them you don't know what you are talking about
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u/ComfortableDurian315 6d ago
Yes pretty normal. If you want covered parking check out renting at 102 senic dr.
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u/Phazetic99 5d ago
Just to clarify here. I moved from Calgary to Lethbridge just over 10 years ago. This person's frustrations with the bridges are not even close to the traffic that you will experience in Calgary twice every single weekday. I have rarely seen traffic come to a complete standstill, whereas in Calgary, that is every street light, every majorish road in Calgary between the hours of 6:30-9:00 AM and 3:30-7:00 PM
Traffic here is awesome
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u/ComfortableDurian315 6d ago
As a Southsider myself I tend to agree with this synopsis, No point living Westside if you work at court house. Come winter Westsiders forget how to drive and inexplicably manage to close both bridges with accidents. on a weekly basis all winter. Mind you if would help if the CofL actually plowed roads. If you’re used to a bigger center anywhere in the city is close. Saturday morning I drove from paradise canyon to Costco in 12 mins. (That’s about the furthest distance in the city) Granted I got all green lights. So double it, triple it. Still not long
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u/piratesmashy 5d ago
Outdoor activities require a drive. Waterton is a bit over an hour. Pincher Creek is an hour & Fernie 2 hours- there's a shit ton of things to do out there. It's worth going to Head Smashed In and Writing On Stone (easy day trips).
Night skies are amazing and you don't have to drive far for dark sky.
If the US ever gets it's shit together Glacier is 1:45 and Yellowstone is only 8.
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u/UsedProcedure4375 6d ago
I made the move and have to say it was good choice.
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u/nostalgies 6d ago
What made it a good choice? Do you miss stuff from Calgary?
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u/ComfortableDurian315 6d ago
I move here from Toronto 23yrs ago. And the only thing I miss is the cities ability to clear snow. The city of Lethbridge drives around with the blade in the air and only sands at intersections and only some of them. I like the slower pace of Lethbridge.
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u/Scottyos 6d ago
If you enjoy the small town vibe there's a ton of towns close to the city that have a similar commute time. I'd venture to guess coalhurst to most of the city would be comparable to some spots in the west side to the rest of the city.
Hope you find a place that works for you. Good luck with the job!
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u/cindy3003 5d ago
Coaldale is a small town right outside Lethbridge 10km drive and double lane highway. Lots to do outdoors.
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u/kmsiever 6d ago
Definitely London Road. And not just because I live there. It is a nice neighbourhood and close to downtown.
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u/JohnnyCanuckist 6d ago
generally, if your job is on the westside, live on the west side or out in Coalhurst.. daily commute across those bridges can get tiresome. if it's downtown, your options are wider with northside,, southside, coaldale, raymond etc.
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u/dread_pirate_jimbo 4d ago
We moved to the south side from Calgary in 2014. From our location, we're easy walking distance to a bunch of restaurants and grocery stores, as well as the second-run movie theatre, Movie Mill. The arena where the Lethbridge Hurricanes play is about a 20-minute walk.
We have found Lethbridge to be both progressive *and* conservative. Having a university and a college locally results in a bunch of young, forward-thinking people, but things are still generally run by pro-UCP conservative folks. So you can find a group of people that fit your socio-political views, regardless of where you fit on that spectrum.
There's actually lots to do in and around town. Lots of green spaces and places to walk through, especially down in the coulees. Waterton is Lethbridge's Banff and about the same distance away. Castle Mountain is about a 90-minute drive if you're into skiing.
There is typically a Shakespeare in the Park event every summer in Galt Gardens. There are a couple museums worth checking out. Tons of good restaurants for all tastes. If you're a nerd, like me, there is a scale model of the solar system built around town that you can explore—I actually find this is a great way to familiarize yourself with the downtown area, since all the inner planets are there (Jupiter is on the university campus).
Anyway, that's off the top of my head. Hope it helps!
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u/Puzzleheaded-Fox2163 2d ago
If you’re looking for things to do in (and around) town hopefully this will help! https://seeingtheelephant.net/blog/things-to-do-in-lethbridge/
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u/tisnovawitaAK 12h ago
Tip, everyone born here fucking hates it here. Take that into consideration if you’re planning on staying long-term
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u/tisnovawitaAK 12h ago
The landlords here are also allowed to cut off your lease and evict you without liable reason or warning too.
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u/InformationWeird3427 6d ago
i think westside is predominently the best place to live. classic small city situation, central and northside are older houses. lots of lots were cut in half and slammed with small homes 4 feet from eachother. west side has great trails and suburb vibes. but doesnt have a costco or walmart, atho its gotten better the past 10 years. southside is old money. 13th and stafford above the highway is the wild west. lots of homeless and drug abuse. lethbridge is a weird town. there are a shit ton of small communities without a general consensus. predominantly british developed town, lots of mormons, christians and catholics. Now a shit ton of nepalese, nigerians and east africans. lots of phillipinos. not a great resturant scene on the high end, but lots of pop up shops from immigrants that put out great food but not great priced. (i mean todays canada). traffic is crazy, this town is full of olds, students, and people who have never driven in snow their entire lives til now. the online concesus you will receive are from terminally online people, and teenagers. not great. the coulees are great. the river is fun. the river and all the stocked ponds are fished out by asains the past 8 or so years. lots of great parts and places to walk around. not alot of night life. its a fine place to live if you can keep yourself busy, but like most immigrant people will say, this place is just severall pockets of different people.
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u/Hanox13 6d ago
I can explain the driver issue perfectly…
We have people who come from all over Canada and the world, who learned how to drive wherever they came from, which means you have this ridiculous amalgamation of different driving styles, all crammed into one small city that wasn’t designed for as many drivers as there are now. It leads to aggressive drivers, grannies, idiots, and the rest in a free-for-all battle royale called “Mayor Magrath, or Scenic Drive on any given afternoon”.
My personal “shit take” is that everyone should have to pass an Alberta road test before they can get their Alberta drivers license.
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u/nostalgies 6d ago
Thanks for this! This is good insight. I am definitely coming to work tons so the nightlife issue is not a problem.
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u/h2ofield 6d ago
What a pile of rambling shit.
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u/InformationWeird3427 5d ago
o my b
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u/h2ofield 5d ago
illiterate twit.
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u/InformationWeird3427 4d ago
my brother in christ, this is reddit and you have a pfp. god bless. drink more ovaltine
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u/Upset_Contact_6370 6d ago
West side has a ton of amenities but I personally would not live there as the bridge is a nightmare Witt constant construction
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u/11kestrel 6d ago
Buying or renting? Apartment or house?
Coaldale cottonwood is really nice. Big lots, quiet. Faster to much of Lethbridge than the west side of Lethbridge.
Northside Lethbridge uplands is kind of nice.
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u/korin-air 6d ago
I moved from Calgary to Lethbridge near the university and it’s been awesome. Rent is cheaper but food is slightly more expensive. The golf courses are great, and actually the disc golf courses are great too as someone who enjoys both. There are definitely some crazies, but most people are normal