Many Albertans yearning for that rural experience

As Alberta's major cities continue to grow, it would appear more people are being drawn in by the urban experience.

Yet many Albertans are still choosing the prairie skies over city streetlights. Perhaps unfathomable to urbanites, these rural dwellers are all too willing to cast aside conveniences of the "big city," and instead stake their claim in the hills, prairies and valleys of Wild Rose Country.

"I enjoy the opportunity to do what I want, within reason," said Ray Howell, who's lived on an acreage west of Calgary for the last 22 years. "We have a large garden and have had many animals throughout the years. Overall, you have more freedom to do what you want."

Doors Open YYC making stops at F&D Scene Changes and Calgary Stampede

A 30-year-old business that transforms dreams into reality and a century-old fixture on Calgary's landscape are just two of the expected bright spots at Doors Open YYC later this month.

F&D Scene Changes and the Calgary Stampede grounds will be among more than three dozen sites featured in this year's local program, scheduled for Sept. 27-28.

F&D is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having designed, fabricated and installed its products for theatre, television, movies, theme parks, museums and trade shows.

Petition forces secondary suites back on the agenda

Calgary's long-running debate on secondary suites has gone viral.

The latest salvo in the bid to gain wider acceptance for secondary suites comes by way of an online petition backed by the student unions at Calgary's two universities along with Vibrant Communities Calgary, a group dedicated to addressing poverty in the city.

The petition, titled Calgarians for Secondary Suites, began popping up on Facebook and Twitter over the weekend, demanding the City make a plebiscite on the issue part of the 2017 municipal election.

With flavours like frozen hot chocolate and salted caramel how can you not be tempted by the wares of Calgary's Fiasco Gelato, one of more than 30 sites included in this year's rendition of Doors Open YYC.

"We have so many amazing companies building great culture right here in Calgary, and we want to share it with the people," James Boettcher, chief idea officer with Fiasco said of the Doors Open experience.

Strong gains in Calgary's condominium apartment and townhouse sectors sparked a 3.4 per cent year-over-year growth in residential resale housing sales activity for August.

A total of 2,267 units exchanged hands in the city during the month, compared to 2,192 during the same period in 2013. The condominium apartment and townhouse sectors saw the biggest gains, increasing by nearly 14 and 20 per cent, respectively, for total monthly sales of 790 units.

WinSport Ice House allows for winter sport training all year long

With the thud of running feet and the unmistakable sound of blades on ice, the test sled rushes down the hill on a rainy summer day.

Even in Calgary, August and snow don't go hand in hand. Yet that isn't the case at the Ice House located in the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport Canada Olympic Park, one of more than three dozen sites to be featured in the third-annual Doors Open YYC program Sept. 27 – 28.

Importance of education system cast into spotlight with academic results survey

In the real estate world, the phrase "location, location, location" often arises. Referring to the amenities around a home rather than the home itself, having a good school nearby is often near the top of the list for many buyers.

"The most important thing for me was not that there was a school, but that there were several nearby schools," said northwest Calgary resident Pamela Haskell. "Because there is so much specialization with programs and charter schools, I didn't want to count on having a school available only to see it become [an immersion school] the next year. A few schools in the area opens up the choices."

Two families share their stories of moving from China to Calgary

This is the first of a four-part homebuying series for new Canadians in partnership with the Epoch Times. Each month, the series will explore hot-topic issues such as understanding market trends, processes for buying a home, determining factors that influence house prices and more.

Like many first-time homebuyers, Calgarian Helen Yao had three must-have items on her checklist: location, location and location.

Yet new to Canada and the  real estate process, she didn't know where to start.

Spectacular summer, PGA event, cast spotlight on Calgary's golf communities

After last summer brought with it plenty of heartbreak and hardship, it goes without saying Calgarians have earned the enduring warmth seen this  season. And what better way to celebrate the soaring temperatures than by sending a ball soaring down the fairway?

Boasting a bevy of neighbourhoods designed around the benefits of living along the links, golf communities in and around the city cater to duffers and non-duffers alike by offering a beautiful backdrop for both recreation and relaxation.

Driving only one option for Calgarians looking to access the downtown core

For Calgarian Eric Westrum, cycling to work downtown is a no-brainer.

While he now lives in close proximity to work, Westrum used to live in the northwest, meaning a 30-minute two-wheeled commute.

"I like my bike because I can get to where I need to go quickly and effortlessly, especially downtown, and not have to worry about parking," he said.