Moving to a new city is a lot to organize. Finding the right home shouldn’t be the hardest part.
If you’re moving to Calgary, here’s the short version: narrow down a few communities that fit your commute, budget and lifestyle, get pre-approved with a lender before you visit, and plan your purchase around your move date. Alberta has no land transfer tax and no provincial sales tax, and a lawyer handles the closing, so the process is straightforward once you know the steps.
Getting to know Calgary
Calgary is one of Canada’s largest cities, with the Rocky Mountains about an hour’s drive west. Every address includes a quadrant (NW, NE, SW or SE), which helps you get your bearings quickly. The city is known for its sunshine, its warm chinook winds in winter, an extensive pathway system along the Bow and Elbow rivers, and the CTrain light rail system.
Choosing where to live
Inner city. Established communities close to downtown, with character homes, infills and condos, and shorter commutes. Lots tend to be smaller and prices per square foot higher.
Established suburbs. Communities built from the 1960s to the 1990s, with mature trees, larger lots and good access to schools, shopping and transit.
Newer communities. Master-planned neighbourhoods on the edges of the city, some with lakes or residents’ associations, newer homes and growing amenities.
Nearby towns and cities. Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks are popular with buyers who want more space or a smaller-town feel and don’t mind a longer drive. Start with our area guides.
Think about where you’ll work, how you’ll get there at rush hour, schools, and whether you want a newer home or an established neighbourhood.
Buying from out of town
- Get pre-approved first. Talk to a lender early, especially if you’re moving from another country or changing jobs.
- Shortlist by video. Live video walk-throughs let you rule homes in or out before you travel.
- Plan a focused visit. A few well-planned days can cover your top communities and homes.
- Protect yourself with conditions. Financing, inspection and condo document review are common conditions in Calgary offers.
- Line up your dates. Match possession to your job start, school term and the sale or lease-end of your current home.
How buying works in Alberta
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll usually pay a deposit and have a set number of days to remove your conditions. After that, the deal is firm and your lawyer prepares the transfer, mortgage documents and statement of adjustments. Closing costs include legal fees, title insurance, land titles registration fees and adjustments for property tax or condo fees. There’s no land transfer tax in Alberta. See our guides to closing costs for Calgary buyers and down payments.
Your settling-in checklist
- Health care: register with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.
- Driver’s licence: exchange an out-of-province licence at an Alberta registry agent.
- Schools: Calgary has public, Catholic, francophone and charter school options. Check school designations for any address you’re considering.
- Utilities: set up electricity, natural gas, water and internet before possession day.
- Property tax: pay through your mortgage or directly to the city, including through a monthly instalment plan.
How we help
We help people moving to Calgary from across Canada and abroad. We start with a call about your job, family, budget and how you like to live, suggest a short list of communities, show homes by live video, make the most of your visit and plan your purchase around your move. With 25+ years each in Calgary-area real estate, we can give you straight answers about commutes, schools and value.
Choosing an agent for your move? Our guide on how to choose the best realtor for relocating to Calgary covers what to look for and the questions to ask.
Moving to Calgary? Send us a message. We’ll help you find the right community and the right home, with no pressure.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is there a land transfer tax in Alberta?
No. Alberta doesn’t have a land transfer tax. Buyers pay land titles registration fees based on the price and mortgage amount, plus legal fees and other closing costs.
Does Alberta have a provincial sales tax?
No. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so most purchases only carry the 5% federal GST.
Can I buy a home in Calgary before I move?
Yes. Many buyers shortlist homes by video, visit for a few days to see their top choices, and write an offer with conditions such as financing and inspection. Some buy based on a live video walk-through. Your lawyer can handle the closing remotely.
Should I live in Calgary or a nearby town?
Towns like Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and Okotoks can offer more space for the money and a small-town feel, with a longer commute. Inner-city Calgary offers walkability and shorter commutes downtown, often with older homes or condos.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and programs change, so confirm details with the relevant agency, your lender and your lawyer.