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The thing about Calgary is that once people come here for a short visit – they often end up extending their stay.

In fact, many never leave!

As a result, Calgary city continues to have a growing and thriving population.  Spend some time here and you tend to get hooked.  There are a thousand good reasons to fall in love with this place, and here are my “Top Five” list.

1. Calgary young. – According to Statistic Canada’s 2016 census figures, Calgary city remains the most youthful metropolitan area in Canada. Young single professionals and young families continue to motor the city forward and the youthful energy is contagious – even if you are just young at heart.

2. Jobs – The oil and gas industries have endured a few rough years, but given the cyclical nature of these fields, the ongoing rebound in the unemployment rate is likely to continue for some time. More importantly, the energy industry is not the only sector of the economy offering employment opportunities in Calgary. The city hosts the home offices of leaders in manufacturing, health care, education, and business services.

3. Mountain Vistas with an Urban Vibe – When you put down roots in Calgary, there is no need to choose between the love of nature and longing for an active urban lifestyle. In Calgary, we have it all. Towering ski slopes and some of the world’s most beautiful mountain lakes are only an hour away from world-class dining and international entertainment.  In the midst of an urban setting, we can boast of over 800 hectares of parks and nature preserves and the largest network of walking/biking trails in North America. In winter, many of the pathways are cleared within 24 hours of snowfall and the locals spend 12 months a year enjoying outdoor life.  Calgary offers residents and visitors the best of all worlds.

4. Quality of Life – In 2017, the prestigious international magazine, The Economist, chose Calgary as the 5^th “Most Livable” city in the world for the fifth year in a row. 140 major cities are graded on topics such as stability, culture, environment, health care, infrastructure, and education and Calgary scored 96.6 out of a possible 100 points. The editors at The Economist are merely articulating what our city residents already know – Calgary is a great place to live, work, play, enjoy nature, and raise a family.

5. The People – The people of Calgary are its greatest resource and the city has one of the most diverse populations in Canada. Friendly, generous, hard-working, energetic, creative, and tenacious are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind in describing our people.  Calgarians love to have fun.  What starts with Stampede in July continues throughout the year.  There’s always a music or cultural festival, block party, or get together to keep everyone entertained and support the strong sense of community that permeates our many neighbourhoods.

Wind me up and I could go on all day as to why I love Calgary.

When did you first fall in love with our city and what was it that pulled you in?

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-465-0210 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

What happened with me?  Age is just a number – but be careful.

20 years ago in 1997 I was playing squash at the Charlottetown YMCA. In the change room, three friends arrived in their run gear – laughing, having fun and were now going for a swim. I asked why. This was the day I became aware of triathlon, and the last day I played squash.

Shortly after that I registered for Spudman – an Olympic Distance Triathlon in Prince Edward Island National Park. My wife begged me not to. She thought I may die, or at best – just be way too exhausted to be any help with our two kids under three and our Sea Kayaking business.

I did the race – loved it, and since that day – 90% of my workouts have been outside in nature with friends/training partners.

Two years ago I decided it would be fun to qualify for the Worlds ITU race, and race with Team Canada.

A year ago, I qualified at Challenge Penticton taking 2nd place in the age group in a time of 6 hours and 30min. (37th Overall).

Over the past 20 years, I raced lots, had great training partners, and did pretty well as an age group athlete. I have loved training and racing was the icing on the cake.

I would wake each morning and excitedly get out the door to meet a friend each day for a swim, bike, run or ski. We varied the intensity of each of those works outs … and I loved them all.

I recently turned 50.  I’ve been cranky.  I approach workouts as a chore, and just get them done – ‘out of the way’.

Until this very moment, I was thinking it was just the aging process. However, I think I know what changed!!!  I’ve been training alone.  For whatever reason, I haven’t sought out regular training partners. I hate training alone!

Back to yesterday’s race – the  ITU Long Course Triathlon World Championships.

I dreamed of being on the podium … visualized running strong. I finished 9th in the age group and 77th from 821 (not including Pro’s) in a time of 6 hours and 47 minutes.  I was 16 minutes slower than last year.   My swim 4 minutes slower, My bike 1 minutes slower, my run 10 minutes slower – and my transitions 2 minutes slower.

I was a whole 37 minutes behind the winner of my 50-54 age group.  Even if I raced equivalent to last year – I would have been 4th this year & 5 minutes off 3rd. It was a strong international group – as I knew it would be.

I gave everything I had yesterday, and had the best day I could based on my training the past year. I’m grateful for my health and to have made it to the start and finish line.  It was great having five days in Penticton with not much to do but hang out with my wife and adult son, visiting old friends.

I’ve heard “Age is just a number”.  I believe this. However, I think we need to be aware what age does to us.  As kids, we naturally seek out other kids to play. As we age, we get selfish with our time, our plan, our own schedules.

For the past 20 years, the sport of triathlon has been about play. I’d meet friends and have fun. When it turns into Training … for ‘training’ sake, it becomes less fun. I recognize that the past year I ‘trained’ … without the play.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-465-0210 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Welcome to Calgary, the largest city in Alberta located in the south-western part of the province. Downtown can be recognized by its numerous skyscrapers. Some of these structures, such as the Calgary Tower and the Scotiabank Saddledome are truly unique and have become symbols of Calgary…

Calgary is home to the world-famous ” Calgary Exhibition and Stampede ” which bills itself as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. One of the finest rodeos in the world.

Recreation is very popular with our residents the city also has a large number of urban parks and has developed one of the most extensive multi-use walking, jogging, biking and rollerblading, path systems in North America.

Our proximity to the Rocky Mountains has traditionally been a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.. with exciting downhill and snowboarding available.

In the summer, the Bow River is very popular among fly fishermen, Golfing is also an extremely popular activity for Calgarians with courses to challenge golfers of all skill levels.

Sports fans enjoy Football with the Stampeders, hockey with the Flames and Hitmen, Lacross with the Hitmen at the 19,000 seat Scotiabank Saddledome also a must-stop for touring artists on their international tours…

Education is exceptional, Professionally-staffed, well-equipped public, private, and parochial schools.

For higher education, there’s The University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, SAIT Polytechnic, and St Mary’s University College to name a few, training the next generation of professionals…

Health Care facilities are state of the art.

Calgary has half a dozen of the country’s most renowned hospitals including excellent specialty and outpatient centers easily accessible, along with the most advanced medical technology in the world at your disposal.

Locally, cultural opportunities are numerous. Visit Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Devonian Gardens one of the largest urban indoor gardens in the world, to name just a few.

Regardless of your personal religious preferences, you’ll find the right house of worship for you and your family.

The greater Calgary area is more than just friendly people living a great lifestyle… This area is HOMES… You will enjoy pleasant neighborhoods and beautiful homes… reasonably priced homes in planned communities, to spectacular homes in new developments… executive homes in elegant communities, the well-preserved older homes in mature neighborhoods, homes ideal for retirement or for raising a family…

Calgary offers an incomparable lifestyle-come and join us.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-465-0210 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

International publications such as The New York Times and The Economist are increasingly aware of what the residents of Calgary have known for a very long time – Calgary is a great place to call home!  For the past several years, London’s The Economist has consistently ranked Calgary in the Top 5 among the world’s “Most Livable Cities.”   In 2014, The New York Times awarded Calgary the No. 17 spot on its annual list of “52 Places to Go.”  We all have friends and acquaintances that took the advice of travel editors and planned a trip to Calgary only to end up moving here on a permanent basis.  They fell in love with Calgary for many of the same reasons we all love it.  Here are just a few of the reasons we all believe Calgary is such a great place to live.

The Best of All Worlds

Visitors and newcomers quickly discover that life in Calgary eliminates the sometimes-agonizing quandary of city vs. country.  Calgary has it all – clean, mountain living with a cosmopolitan vibe.  There are not many major cities in the world where you can enjoy a majestic mountain view from a downtown office or apartment loft.  It is a well-planned city that is simple to navigate. Designed on a grid and broken down into directional quadrants – North East (NE) North West (NW) South East (SE) and South West (SW).  Numbered streets and avenues make it easy to get around. Streets always run north-south and avenues always run east-west. At the axis, where the numbering originates, are Centre Street and Centre Avenue – navigational ground zero. The city has kept pace with its population growth with new infrastructure being introduced on a regular basis to quell any issues

Housing Choices In-Line with Modern Trends

The multitude of housing options available to residents of Calgary is perfectly in synch with the wants, needs and demands of today’s homebuyers and renters who are migrating back to city centres in droves.  While these people appreciate the lifestyle and amenities available to them in downtown living, they also yearn for the small-town feel that is alive and thriving in Calgary’s many diverse neighbourhoods.

A City Built for the Active Lifestyle

Most Calgarians are 100% vested in an active, outdoor lifestyle and the city’s beautiful landscape never ceases to impress.  The scenic Bow River wanders right through the city and some of Canada’s most epic landscapes surround Calgary.  Calgary’s world-class system of parks and trails keeps nature accessible to all who live, work and play here.  There are over 8,000 hectares of parklands and 800 km of multi-use pathways connecting them.  Some of the world’s finest winter resorts are only a little more than an hour’s drive.  Whether it’s camping at Mount Kidd, ski weekends at Sunshine or a simple stroll along the Bow, there are outdoor options for all ages and tastes. No matter what time of the year, there are always well-maintained parks and pathways to enjoy.  It is almost impossible to stay indoors with so many year-round options.

Calgary has earned its burgeoning reputation as a “must see” destination.  During a period of rapid growth and migration, the city has retained its small town charm and sense of wonder.  Many of the people who chose Calgary as their home over the past decade came here for the jobs and ended up staying for the lifestyle.  We are fortunate to enjoy an exceptional quality of life here in Calgary and are both proud and grateful to call this youthful, vibrant city our home.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

100km into a ride in Dominican Republic

I’m currently on a West Jet Flight – Toronto to Calgary. It’s 4:57am Calgary time. Yesterday we flew from El Catey International Airport in Semana, Dominican Republic to Toronto. We arrived at 6:30pm, and had to spend the night in Toronto. Yes, I had to take my bike to the hotel with me, and check it in again this morning at 5:15am. (Yes – it was one of the worst ever experiences I’ve had travelling with my bike … yet, still so worth it.)

The first time I travelled with a bike was in 2001, for Ironman Florida. At that time, I went to my local bike store and requested a card board box that the new bikes come in. I travelled for years using a cardboard box and even just a plastic bag.

However, the airlines are getting increasingly fussy about how they will let you transport a bike. The last time I travelled with my bike in a cardboard box, I think I had to sign a waiver that they would not be responsible if something went wrong.

Then I found a friend who owned two bike boxes … and I borrowed those for years.

In 2014 my son began travelling as a cyclist with Team Alberta. I broke down and purchased 2 Evoc Bike Boxes at Speed Theory. I think they were about $450 each … not inexpensive.

While I do not LOVE to lend my bike boxes, I do like to lend them.

Why:
– Karma. I borrowed for years, and want to ‘give back’;
– I feel people SHOULD travel with their bikes. I think people should feel safe biking most any place in the world;
– When you own a good quality bike, a rental bike does not normally cut it;
– The first few times you are traveling with a bike box … you will be a bit freaked out. You will not really understand how to take your bike apart and fit it into the box. You will be a bit stressed about putting down more cash to rent a box, or buy one. I want to help you get over this initial pain.
– Often renting a bike is cumbersome and not much fun. You have to find the bike store, work within their opening hours, then deal with more line ups, waiting, and probably a crappy bike and most probably crappy customer service.
– In my experience, travelling with a bike is cheap. It’s much cheaper then renting a bike … and really worth the expense to be able to have your bike with you. Even for just one ride on your travel. (The most I’ve ever paid to transport my bike was $200 … but more often then not, it was free.)
– I personally do most of my riding early in the morning – often finishing my ride prior to a bike store opening at 9 or 10am.
– If you are traveling with your bike, we would probably get along.
– If you are travelling for a race … you have trained, put in the work, and are excitedly looking for a personal best. I LOVE hearing about your experience.

West Jet are particularly friendly

Okay … I also do have a selffish motive.
I’m in sales. I’m realtor. Actually, I’m a very good realtor. Not to brag, but I consistently rank in the top 1% of realtors in Calgary. Most years I rank in Top 100 RE/MAX Agents in Canada. Like in training for endurance sports, I’m quite disciplined in my job. Discipline = Results for my clients.

If you borrow my bike box, and if you are looking to sell or buy a house or condo, or know someone who needs to move … please interview & hire me for the job! If you have a trusted realtor in your life (or are a realtor) … you can still borrow my bike box!

The final caveat: be nice. be polite. say thank you. Hopefully I’ll be around when you are retuning the box to my home or office in Central SW … and we will each have a few moments – so you can share your bike adventure story. I Love that.

//

You might also like, “Is Cycling in the Dominican Republic Safe?”
Youtube: Cycling in Dominican Republic
Youtube: Cycling in Laos
Traveling with bike – being Stoic.
Unpacking your bike – in 10min.

Staying in shape, enjoying the outdoors and connecting with other like-minded individuals are just some of the benefits of being a cyclist.  If you love to ride but you’re new to Calgary, there are plenty of great trails and parks where you can enjoy being outdoors.  Whether I am training for a race or just outside taking advantage of the nice weather, there are a few places nearby that I like to go.

BikeBike, located on 17 th Ave SW, does a great job organizing monthly rides for local cycling enthusiasts.  Regardless of your level of fitness, the rides are enjoyable for everyone and are a great way to connect with other people who share your enthusiasm for riding. They host a Full Moon Ride once a month where cyclists get together at night, ride through various trails within the city, and get together around a bonfire to enjoy marshmallows and hotdogs on the grill.

When time permits, I like to load my Mountain Bike into the car and drive to the Mountains.  Little Elbow Falls is one of my favorite destinations for trail riding.  The Little Elbow Trail is about 23KM one way.  It is an old fire road that runs south along the Elbow River over Tombstone Pass.  Along the way, you can catch a great view of Mounts Romulus, Remus and Glasgow.

For a quicker  ride, I head over to North Glenmore Park.  Lots of people use the trail system here to run and cycle.  The loop around the reservoir is approximately 18KM, so this is a great way to challenge yourself close to home and keep trying to improve your personal best. Fish Creek Park is also connected – to the Glenmore Reservoir Trails – which can make for a very long and fantastic ride.

For more serious riders, the Velodrome at Glenmore Athletic Park is the perfect place to train.  This 400 meter outdoor concrete track is usually fairly quiet.  In the early season, The Calgary Bike League have a few “Try the Track” for Free sessions.

Looking for a way to change up your fitness routine?  Even if you haven’t rode a bike since you were a kid, it’s never too late to get back on and see what you’ve been missing.  There’s so many scenic trails and beautiful parks for you to explore this summer.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Minnewanka Lake. Banff National Park. Alberta. Canada. by Breev Sergey

With so many beautiful parks, trails and hidden gems around Calgary, there is hardly enough weekends in the summer to visit all of the outdoor destinations that we would like to explore.  My family and I are always looking for new places that we haven’t yet discovered, but there are several favorites that keep us coming back every year. 

The hiking trails in the Bragg Creek area are one of our favorite places to enjoy nature and the outdoors.  The Elbow River and Elbow Falls are just a short distance away.  Although most of the picnic and camping areas were damaged during the flood, the river is still accessible, and the spring water flow has transformed the falls into a spectacular sight,

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is located about 90 kilometers west of Calgary along the Kananaskis Trail.  This is one of the largest provincial parks in Alberta and there are about a dozen regular and back country campgrounds to choose from.  This park is a great place to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.  Grizzly bears, elk, bighorn sheep and cougars are just some of the animals that roam around in this area.  If you are feeling really adventurous, you can plan a 3-4 day backpacking trip exploring the Northover Ridge and the Kananaskis Pass.

Of course, no summer would be complete without a trip to Banff.  One of our favorite activities in canoeing on Lake Minnewanka.  This glacial lake is located on the east side of Banff National Park.  There are several glacial streams that feed into Lake Minnewanka. Although there are hiking trails that surround the lake, exploring the shore in a canoe gives you a unique perspective and allows you to enjoy the landscape from a different point of view. Riding bikes on the fantastic trails between Canmore and Banff is also something many families enjoy.

Taking a break from our busy lives to enjoy the great outdoors leaves us feeling energized, relaxed and recharged.  We are looking forward to another busy and adventurous summer this year.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Planning on heading out to enjoy some of the summer festivals this year around Calgary? There are so many great events to choose from. Although nothing can quite stack up against the Stampede, each festival offers its own unique selection of food, vendors and entertainment.

Kicking off the summertime is the Lilac Festival, held on Sunday, May 25th . This one day celebration takes place on 4th Street between 13th Ave South and Elbow Drive. With spring in the air, it’s a great time to shake off the winter blues and come out for the parade and a full day of family entertainment.

In June, the Father’s Day Festival is taking place on 8th Ave between 4th and 7th . The street will be closed for pedestrian access only during the Father’s Day weekend and there will be street performers, live music and a cool car show.

The Banff Bike Fest, taking place on June 12th to 15th , is the perfect excuse to head out of town. Cycling enthusiasts will have a chance to participate in one of seven competitive and non-competitive races. There is over $20,000 in prize money up for grabs this year.

Craving some authentic souvlaki? The annual Calgary Greek Festival welcomes over 10,000 guests at the Hellenic Community Centre. This festival takes place on June 21st to the 23rd this year.

Ready for patio season? The Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival is the place to be on July 20th . This year marks the 21st anniversary of Kensington Village’s annual festivities. Visitors can sample a wide variety of salsas, shop from the street merchants and enjoy one of the many local restaurants.

This year’s Ironman 70.3, being held on July 27th , was so popular, it actually sold out. If you were lucky enough to get a spot in what is considered to be one of the most challenging and scenic Ironman courses, you are in for an exciting and memorable day.

You don’t need to go all the way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras – you can find it right here in Marda Loop! This family festival takes place on August 10th . The Kids Quarter will have bouncy castles, games and face painting. Check out the Art Tent to see some of our local talent on display.

Looking for your next favorite restaurant? The Taste of Calgary is a one-stop-shop where you can sample the best cuisine from local vendors. The event takes place from August 14th – 17th at Eau Claire Festival Plaza. Guests can purchase $1 food tickets that they can redeem for tasty snacks and beverages from over thirty local establishments. This is a great way to try something new and discover a whole bunch of great restaurants at once.

If you are planning on staying in the city for the August Long Weekend, you will want to check out the Dragon Boat Festival at Glenmore Reservoir.  This even draws hundreds of competitors who have been training hard all summer to be the fastest team on the water.  This exciting cultural event celebrates the ancient sport of dragon boat racing and has plenty of entertainment to make it worth spending the day.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He and his team sell an average of two homes a week–mostly single-family homes, luxury homes, condos and commercial properties. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. Bryon is above the pack because he aims not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell their dream home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is well-equipped to do this with his sterling education, capped by an MBA degree from Athabasca University and degrees from Acadia University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Universite de Bourgoyne in France.