With Alberta’s deregulated energy market, Calgary residents have the freedom to choose their electricity and natural gas providers. While this flexibility can lead to savings and customization, it can also feel overwhelming if you're not sure where to start. This guide will walk you through how to choose the best energy plan for your needs.

🏡 Regulated vs. Competitive Retailers: What’s the Difference?

In Calgary, you have two main types of energy providers:

✅ Regulated Rate Providers (RRO)

• Prices fluctuate monthly based on the market.

• Provided by companies like ENMAX for electricity and Direct Energy Regulated Services for gas.

• Good for short-term or low-commitment users.

• No contract required.

✅ Competitive Retailers

• Offer fixed, floating, or bundled rates.

• Often include incentives, green energy options, or better customer service.

• Require contracts (usually 1–5 years).

⚡ Electricity Plan Types

🔹 Fixed Rate

• Pay the same price per kWh for the term of your contract.

• Ideal if you want predictability and budget stability.

• Good during times of market volatility.

🔹 Floating/Variable Rate

• Tied to the Alberta Power Pool rate, which changes monthly.

• Can be cheaper when market rates are low — but riskier when rates spike.

🔥 Natural Gas Plan Types

Similar to electricity, gas plans come in:

• Fixed Rates: Consistent cost per GJ (Gigajoule), great for budgeting.

• Floating Rates: Based on market rates, which can be lower — but volatile.

👉 Natural gas prices in Alberta can spike during cold winters, so fixed-rate plans are popular during the heating season.

💡 Things to Consider Before Choosing

1. Your Energy Usage

• Large households or electric-heated homes may benefit more from fixed plans.

• Seasonal usage fluctuations (e.g., AC in summer, furnace in winter) matter.

2. Contract Terms

• Look for cancellation fees, term lengths, and automatic renewals.

• Choose flexibility if you're planning to move.

3. Green Energy Options

• Some retailers offer renewable electricity plans (solar or wind offset).

• Great for eco-conscious households.

4. Customer Reviews & Service

• Check online reviews for billing transparency, customer service, and support.

5. Bundled Offers

• Some providers offer discounted electricity + gas bundles or include perks like smart thermostats or loyalty programs.

🏷 Common Providers in Calgary

📊 Average Energy Costs in Calgary (2025)

• Electricity: ~18–21¢/kWh (including transmission and admin fees)

• Natural Gas: ~$5.50–$7.00/GJ (plus fixed monthly fees)

Your total monthly bill varies based on usage, plan type, and provider fees.

📍 How to Compare Plans

Use Alberta’s official energy comparison tool:

🔗 UCA Helps

This free government tool lets you:

• Compare electricity and gas plans

• View provider terms and rates

• Understand additional charges and contract details

✅ Final Tips

• Read the fine print on cancellation and admin fees.

• Choose fixed rates if you prefer stable bills.

• Consider floating rates only if you're OK with market fluctuation risks.

• Review your plan every 12–24 months to ensure you're still getting a good deal.

Choosing the right natural gas and electricity plan in Calgary isn’t one-size-fits-all. By understanding your household’s energy usage, comfort with risk, and values (like supporting renewable energy), you can find a plan that works for your lifestyle and budget.

Container gardening is an excellent way to enjoy homegrown plants, herbs, and veggies in Calgary — even if you’re short on space or dealing with the city’s unpredictable climate. Whether you're living in a condo downtown or have a sunny corner in your backyard, container gardening allows you to grow beauty and nourishment with flexibility and ease.

🌤 Why Container Gardening Works in Calgary

Calgary’s unique climate, marked by a short growing season, cool nights, and unpredictable weather (hello, June snow!), makes container gardening a smart and adaptable option. With containers, you can:

• Move plants to catch optimal sunlight

• Bring them indoors during a cold snap

• Control soil quality and drainage

• Grow on balconies, decks, or patios

🪴 Best Containers to Use

When choosing containers, consider:

• Size: Larger containers retain moisture better and allow roots to grow freely.

• Drainage: Make sure pots have drainage holes to prevent root rot.

• Material:

  • Plastic – lightweight and retains moisture well.

  • Terracotta – great for dry-loving plants but dries out faster.

  • Fabric grow bags – breathable and lightweight, great for root development.

🌱 What to Grow in Calgary Containers

✅ Herbs (Easy & Productive)

• Basil

• Mint (keep in its own container to prevent spreading)

• Chives

• Parsley

• Thyme

• Oregano

• Cilantro

• Rosemary

✅ Vegetables

• Leafy greens (lettuce, kale, spinach)

• Radishes

• Beans

• Green onions

• Carrots (choose smaller or “baby” varieties)

• Peas

• Tomatoes (cherry or patio varieties are best)

• Peppers (hot and sweet)

• Zucchini (requires a large container)

✅ Flowers

• Marigolds

• Petunias

• Geraniums

• Snapdragons

• Nasturtiums (edible and great for pest control)

🛠 Calgary Gardening Tips

1. Know Your Zone

Calgary is in Zone 3b to 4a, so choose hardy plants or be prepared to bring containers inside during cold spells.

2. Start with Quality Soil

Use potting mix, not garden soil — it’s lighter and drains better. Add compost or organic fertilizer for nutrients.

3. Watch the Weather

Calgary’s late spring and early fall frosts can be tough. Use:

• Row covers or plant domes

• Bring containers indoors or into a garage during frost warnings

• Use black containers to absorb heat on chilly days

4. Sunlight Matters

Most veggies and herbs need at least 6–8 hours of sunlight per day. Use wheeled plant stands to chase the sun if needed.

5. Water Regularly

Containers dry out faster than in-ground gardens. Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry. Early mornings are best.

🌼 Design Ideas for Small Spaces

• Vertical gardening: Use stacked planters or wall-mounted pockets for herbs and flowers.

• Rail planters: Maximize balcony space.

• Tiered stands: Perfect for patios.

• Hanging baskets: Grow trailing flowers or strawberries.

🌻 Pros and Cons of Container Gardening

🌿 Final Thoughts

Container gardening in Calgary is a fun, low-commitment way to enjoy gardening despite the challenges of Chinooks, late frosts, and urban living. With the right plants, some sunlight, and regular care, you can grow an abundance of greenery and produce from your balcony, deck, or backyard.

Whether you’re growing herbs for the kitchen, flowers for beauty, or veggies for your plate — container gardening offers flexibility, productivity, and joy in every pot. Happy planting!

Calgary, Alberta, stands out as one of Canada's most affordable major cities, offering a high quality of life without the hefty price tag found in cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Here's a comprehensive look at the cost of living in Calgary as of 2025.

🏠 Housing Costs

Housing is a significant factor in Calgary's affordability.

• Rent:

  • One-bedroom apartment in the city center: approximately $1,500 per month.

  • One-bedroom apartment outside the city center: around $1,200 per month.

  • Three-bedroom apartment in the city center: about $2,500 per month.

  • Three-bedroom apartment outside the city center: roughly $2,100 per month.

    Check out rentfaster.ca to find rents in the area of the city that you are interested in.

• Home Purchase:

  • Average home price: approximately $585,000, which is significantly lower than in Toronto or Vancouver. 

  • Prices vary with the community within Calgary. Numbers sourced from CREB:

    • Average price of Detached home (April 2025): $839,000

    • Average price of Semi-Detached home (April 2025): $695,000

    • Average price of Row/Townhome (April 2025): $487,000

    • Average price of Condo Apartment (April 2025): $367,000

💡 Utilities

Monthly utility costs can vary based on usage and property size:

• Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage: Between $250 and $400.

• Internet/TV: Approximately $80 to $200, depending on the provider and speed.

🛒 Groceries

Grocery expenses in Calgary are moderate:

• Monthly grocery bill for one person: Around $400 to $600.

• Common item prices:

  • Milk (1 liter): $2.31

  • Bread (500g): $ 2.95

  • Eggs (12): $5.18

  • Chicken (1 kg): $14.28

🚗 Transportation

Calgary's transportation costs are reasonable:

• Public Transit:

  • Monthly pass: $112

  • One-way ticket: $3.60

• Gasoline: Approximately 1.60 per liter.

• Car Insurance: Ranges from $100 to $400 per month, depending on various factors such as:

  • Age of driver

  • Value of vehicle

  • Driver’s record

  • Multiple vehicle discounts

🍽️ Dining and Entertainment

Calgary offers a diverse culinary scene and entertainment options:

• Dining Out:

  • Casual meal: $20 to $30

  • Three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: $100 for two people

• Entertainment:

  • Movie ticket: $15 to $18

  • Monthly gym membership: $60 to $80

🏥 Healthcare

Alberta's healthcare system covers many services:

• Basic healthcare: Covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

• Additional health expenses (e.g., dental, prescription drugs): May require private insurance, costing between $70 and $100 per month.

👶 Childcare and Education

For families, childcare and education are essential considerations:

• Childcare:

  • Daycare fees: $1,000 to $1,300 per month per child.

• Education:

  • Public schools: Free for residents.

  • Private schools: Tuition ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 annually.

  • Post-secondary tuition: Approximately $7,000 to $9,000 per year for domestic

💼 Income and Salaries

Understanding income levels helps contextualize living costs:

• Average monthly income for a single individual: Approximately $4,500.

• Combined household income for families: Ranges from $7,500 to $10,000.

• Comfortable annual salary: Generally considered to be between $80,000 and $100,000.

📊 Summary Table

Calgary offers a balanced lifestyle with its combination of affordability, economic opportunities, and high living standards. While certain expenses like childcare and utilities can be significant, the overall cost of living remains manageable, especially when compared to other major Canadian cities. Whether you're a single professional or a growing family, Calgary presents a compelling option for those seeking both quality of life and economic viability.

As outdoor living becomes a top priority for homeowners, adding a structure like a pergola or gazebo can completely transform your yard. Both offer shade, style, and function—but which one is best for your lifestyle, space, and budget?

Whether you want to create a cozy retreat, a stunning entertaining area, or boost your home’s resale value, looking at the pros and cons between pergolas and gazebos will help you make the right decision.

🌿 What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is an open, roofed structure typically consisting of vertical posts supporting a grid of beams or slats. While it offers partial shade, it maintains an open-air feel, often used to define outdoor rooms or transition areas in the landscape.

✅ Pros:

• Modern, customizable design

• Great for patios, decks, or garden walkways

• Perfect base for climbing plants or outdoor lights

• More affordable and flexible than gazebos

• Enhances open, airy spaces without enclosing them

🔻 Cons:

• Minimal protection from rain or snow (unless covered)

• Less privacy than enclosed structures

• Not ideal for year-round shelter unless modified

🏠 What Is a Gazebo?

A gazebo is a freestanding, covered structure with a solid roof and open or partially enclosed sides. Typically round, hexagonal, or octagonal in shape, gazebos create a sheltered space ideal for dining, relaxing, or hot tubs.

✅ Pros:

• Full shade and rain protection

• Great for hosting or dining outdoors

• Can be screened in for privacy or bug protection

• Adds a traditional, elegant focal point to larger yards

🔻 Cons:

• Higher cost and more complex installation

• Requires more space (not ideal for very small yards)

• May block views or light in compact areas

💰 Which One Adds More Property Value?

Both pergolas and gazebos can increase your home’s curb appeal and property value—but in different ways.

🏡 Pergola:

• Adds definition and style to your outdoor space

• Appeals to modern buyers who value design-forward outdoor living

• Typically costs less, making the ROI (return on investment) higher for many homeowners

• Can be upgraded with a retractable canopy, lighting, or curtains

🏡 Gazebo:

• Seen as a premium feature, especially if enclosed or wired for electricity

• Great selling point for buyers seeking all-weather use - particularly if mosquitos are an issue.

• Larger investment with more impact in larger or estate-style properties

• Custom gazebos may significantly enhance appraised value

🪵 Style & Use: What Suits Your Lifestyle?

🏡 The Final Verdict: Pergola or Gazebo?

• Choose a Pergola if: You want a stylish, budget-friendly structure to enhance your patio or deck with a modern look and partial shade.

• Choose a Gazebo if: You have the space and budget for a fully covered, all-weather retreat that adds elegance and a standout feature to your landscape.

Either way, both structures elevate your outdoor space and add functional beauty—making your yard not just a place to look at, but one to live in.

💡 Bonus Tip:

No matter what you choose, integrating lighting, comfortable furniture, and landscaping will maximize the visual appeal—and increase buyer interest if you ever sell.

Whether you're sipping your morning coffee on the deck or hosting a summer barbecue, privacy in your backyard can make all the difference. In busy neighborhoods or tightly packed communities, it's natural to crave a more secluded, peaceful outdoor space—somewhere to unwind, recharge, and feel at home.

The good news? You don’t need towering fences or a massive yard to create it. With smart planning and the right design elements, you can transform your backyard into a private oasis—beautiful, functional, and uniquely yours.

1. 🌳 Use Vertical Landscaping for Natural Screens

Trees and tall shrubs are one of the most attractive and effective ways to create backyard privacy.

Try:

• Columnar trees like Swedish Columnar Aspen, Taylor Juniper, or Purple Spire Crabapple for narrow spaces.

• Evergreens such as Skyrocket Juniper or Weeping White Spruce for year-round coverage.

• Layered plantings with shrubs, grasses, and perennials to soften fence lines and block views.

🌱 Pro Tip: Native and drought-tolerant trees thrive in Calgary’s climate and reduce maintenance.

2. 🪵 Install Decorative Fencing or Screens

Standard fences offer basic coverage, but decorative solutions elevate both privacy and style.

Options include:

• Slatted wood or cedar fences (modern and warm)

• Lattice panels with climbing vines (like clematis or Virginia creeper)

• Metal or composite privacy screens with cut-out designs. Check out Hideaway Screens for a beautiful selection.

These elements can serve as feature walls, windbreaks, or visual anchors for seating areas.

3. 🏡 Create Cozy Zones with Pergolas or Arbors

Pergolas and arbors don’t just add architectural interest—they also provide partial shelter and seclusion when paired with:

• Draped outdoor curtains

• Hanging plants or lights

• Climbing greenery like honeysuckle or hops

They’re ideal for patios, hot tubs, or outdoor dining nooks.

4. 🌾 Add Height with Raised Planters or Privacy Walls

If you’re short on planting space, build up instead of out.

• Raised planters with tall ornamental grasses or bamboo alternatives (like Karl Foerster grass) create instant privacy.

• Living walls (vertical gardens) add greenery without taking up floor space.

These work especially well on balconies, decks, or in narrow side yards.

5. 🔉 Don’t Forget Sound & Light Privacy

Privacy isn’t just visual—it’s also about reducing noise and maintaining ambiance.

• Water features like fountains or bubbling urns help mask street noise.

• Strategic lighting (low and warm) keeps your space cozy without spotlighting it to neighbors.

• Noise Barrier fencing is also an option. Check out Tahm Enterprises local to Calgary.

• Use outdoor rugs, cushions, or hedges to absorb sound and create a soft, tranquil feel.

6. 🪴 Mix and Match for the Best Results

No one element works alone—combine plantings, hardscaping, and soft features to make your yard feel enclosed yet open.

For example:

• A corner seating area with a pergola overhead, lattice behind, and columnar trees along the side gives all-around protection without walls.

• A row of upright evergreens combined with a low fence creates privacy without making the space feel boxed in.

🛠️ Final Tips for a More Private Backyard:

• Check local bylaws for fence height or tree placement rules.

• Plant strategically—focus on sightlines from windows, patios, or neighboring decks.

• Start with one area, like your main seating or dining space, and build out from there.

🌟 Your Private Backyard Awaits

Privacy doesn’t have to mean isolation. By layering greenery, structure, and thoughtful design, you can carve out peaceful, private corners in your yard—spaces that feel like an extension of your home. Whether you're reading, entertaining, or just soaking up the sun, your backyard should feel like yours.

📊 April Real Estate Update 🏡

New listings higher this April, pushing inventory to 5,876 units - more than double last year’s unusually low levels and in line with typical seasonal trends. Home sales hit 2,236 units, down 22% from last year but still consistent with long-term April averages.

“Despite economic uncertainty, sales remain stronger than pre-pandemic levels thanks to stable employment, past migration gains, and improved supply,” says Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at CREB®.

With nearly three months of inventory, the market has shifted to balanced conditions—though lower-priced detached and semi-detached homes still face tight supply. Meanwhile, apartment and row homes are showing more balance.

🏷️ Home prices have held steady month-over-month. Compared to last year: ✔️ Detached & semi-detached: +2% ✔️ Apartment & row homes: ~unchanged

✏️Data sourced from Calgary Real Estate Board.

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April 2025 CREB Calgary Real Estate Full Report

April 2025 CREB Calgary REGION Real Estate Full Report