You Grow Up One Way Or The Other
User Story
By Emmy Stuebing
I grew up in Red Deer, which is located smack dab in between Edmonton and Calgary. When you grow up in Red Deer, you are either an Edmonton fan or a Calgary fan. I was raised an Edmonton fan. (My mom's family is from Edmonton... several generations of proud Edmontonians!)
When I completed my first couple years at Red Deer College and it was time to move onto a university to complete my education, there was no question where I wanted to go Edmonton.
I moved to Edmonton in 1996 and have since built my career and my life here. I am a very proud Edmontonian.
To me, Edmonton has soul. It isn't too "shiny" (like other cities I know). It is naturally beautiful. It has real people making a real difference. A thriving arts community and great sporting events, nobody can complain about "nothing to do".
I didn't grow up wanting to live here - growing up, I was just excited to visit Edmonton. But now, I can't imagine living anywhere else. I love our distinct seasons, our traffic circles, our beautiful city hall (which, thanks to my job, I get to visit often) and all of the Edmonton action.
I love how subtle Edmonton is - we're not TRYING to be anything but what we are. As one former mayor coined, Edmonton is the "greatest city in the greatest province in the greatest country" and I have no desire to live anywhere else. (Although, I will admit, tropical beaches ARE a lovely place to visit.)
