Medicine Hat, AB
Medicine Hat is Alberta’s sixth largest city, although it is not a large one, having a population of just over 65,000 people. Still, thanks to its natural gas fields, it has a strong economy, which pegs it as ‘The City of Gas’. Other major industries in Medicine Hat include coal mines, flour mills and bottle manufacturing plants, amongst other things. It is also a city of vegetation, as it is surrounded by the South Saskatchewan River valley, while the South Saskatchewan River runs through the city and marks its eastern border.
There are 19 different communities in Medicine Hat, with Southeast Hill being home to the downtown core. This is the trendiest area of the city in terms of living as well as being home to the majority of its nightlife. Most Medicine Hat locals will say that a downtown walking tour is the best way to explore this area. The Southview neighbourhood is also a popular area to live in, which is a predominately residential area, while Kensington is a great area if you are attending Medicine Hat College.
One reason why Medicine Hat is such a great place to live is that it is the sunniest city in the country. As well, it is quite an affordable city to live in and has a good transportation network. There are 10 bus routes that run throughout the city between 6:45am and 10:45pm. Other infrastructure in Medicine Hat includes an airport, a library and several schools, including École Les Cyprès, which serves the French community. Still, nearly 90 percent of the population say that English is their first language, though there are numerous residents that hail from European countries and still speak their mother tongue.
It is not all work and school in Medicine Hat, as there is also so much to see and do in the city. In addition to its great downtown core, there are also other areas to explore, like the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District and Strathcona Island Park. Any Medicine Hat guide will also say to go to the ultra-modern arts and heritage centre The Esplanade, the historic Saint Patrick's Church and the massive Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre. Let’s not also forget about the world's largest teepee that sits to the south of the Trans-Canada Highway.