A clearer start in Calgary
Calgary-specific preparation, practical local guidance and a personal action plan—before you arrive or while you are finding your footing.
You are not paying for access to free public information.
You are paying for clarity, preparation, Calgary context and a real human conversation.Start where you are
The essentials overlap, but the order and emphasis change with your household, work and arrival circumstances.
Your pathway
Connect institutional onboarding with housing, Alberta identification, working rules, transportation, phone service and a realistic monthly budget.
Customized emphasis
Free and accessible
Use these official sources whether or not you ever purchase Calgary Essentials. We add value by helping you understand the sequence and apply it to your circumstances.
Search federally funded settlement services and check your eligibility.
Open official source ↗Service CanadaSee current application options and required documents.
Open official source ↗Government of AlbertaReview eligibility, timing and how to apply after moving.
Open official source ↗City of CalgaryStart with the City’s official information for transportation, recreation and local services.
Open official source ↗Calgary Essentials toolUse ReadyCase to organize a simple tax-clinic appointment without entering identity details.
Open official source ↗Simple by design
We organize the systems, explain what you will encounter and help you build the next steps in the right order.
Receive the Before You Arrive guide and choose the five areas that matter most.
Join a focused 60-minute video session with a born-and-raised Calgarian.
Leave with a personal action plan, official starting points and a clear sequence.
Your Calgary foundation
Free Calgary Essentials downloads
Choose the checklist or worksheet that matches the decision in front of you. Each PDF is printable, plain-language and designed to stay free of private identifiers.
Stabilize accommodation, communication, transportation and immediate needs.
Download PDF ↗Organize the first month without trying to complete every task at once.
Download PDF ↗Track lease, inspection, utilities, insurance and household setup.
Download PDF ↗Put income, essentials, savings and irregular costs into one monthly view.
Download PDF ↗Verify the listing, viewing, payment request, lease and move-in process.
Download PDF ↗Compare rent, transport cost and door-to-door time for two possible homes.
Download PDF ↗Track health coverage, registries, licence, vehicle and household changes.
Download PDF ↗Prepare employment, payroll, housing, commute and worker-support questions.
Download PDF ↗Organize questions and records for a tax clinic or qualified preparer.
Download PDF ↗Turn what you learned into three priorities and an owned action sequence.
Download PDF ↗Private by design
Use the calculators without creating an account. Your entries stay in this browser and are not saved or sent to Calgary Essentials.
Check whether your expected funds cover setup, three months of living costs and a reserve.
Free Calgary Essentials tool
ReadyCase asks a short series of plain-language questions and helps you organize what you have, what may be missing and what a trained volunteer should verify.
About Calgary
Choose a quadrant to open its Google map, major transit connections and quick searches for nearby groceries and hotels. Always test the exact trip from a possible home to work or school.
Map shortcuts
Independent information. Map results are supplied by Google. No hotel, grocery store or transit provider has paid for placement here.
Choose your level of support
Self-directed
$47one time
Prepare at your own pace with the complete Calgary Essentials foundation and worksheets.
Guided
$129one time
The guide plus a focused conversation that turns information into your personal next steps.
Personal
$249one time
More time for a family, multi-part arrival or a customer who needs a deeper setup conversation.
Working launch prices in Canadian dollars. Final service terms are confirmed before payment.
Local representation matters
I’m Lee Lawson—a born-and-raised Calgarian with decades of experience helping people find their way through busy, unfamiliar environments.
I love this city, know how its everyday systems connect and built Calgary Essentials because people prepare for exams, interviews and major purchases. They should be able to prepare for a new city too.
Privacy by design
We explain purpose and sequence. You enter, sign and submit your information yourself.
We do not ask you to send SINs, passport images, banking credentials or completed applications.
Immigration, legal, tax and regulated financial decisions go to the proper authority or qualified professional.
Start with a booking request
This short form asks about timing and priorities only. Do not include a SIN, passport number, immigration file number, banking information or other sensitive identifiers.
Common questions
No. We can explain what a common form is for and show you the official instructions. You complete, sign and submit it yourself.
No. Calgary Essentials does not provide immigration representation or decide status questions. We refer those questions to IRCC or an authorized representative.
No. The service is for people preparing to arrive and people who are already in Calgary but still establishing their household systems.
Yes. Employers and partner organizations can purchase worker or family readiness packages. The fee must not be recovered from an LMIA worker.
Virtual delivery is standard. Optional local support can be discussed after an initial video meeting and is priced separately.
Calgary Essentials is not an emergency service. Call 911 for immediate danger, 811 for health advice, 311 for City information or 211 for community support navigation.