Moving from Australia to Calgary?

G’day everyone,

Sorry for the long post!

My family and I are seriously looking into relocating to Calgary from Australia and would love some honest local insight before making the leap.

We’re an Australian family of Punjabi ethnic background (born/raised with very strong Aussie accents). We love Australia, but I’ve been offered a job by my current employer in Calgary.

A few specific questions,

1. Diversity & Racism Concerns

In Australia, multiculturalism is second nature for us and racism hasn't been an issue in our day-to-day lives.

We’ve heard mixed things about Alberta’s broader reputation, but we know Calgary itself is a major, modern city.

How is Calgary for South Asian / Punjabi families? Very welcoming to diverse backgrounds?

2. What is Calgary’s "Vibe" Compared to Vancouver or Toronto?

I’ve visited Vancouver and Toronto multiple times.

Vancouver felt very familiar, super similar to Australian cities with lots of outdoorsy things to explore nearby. Absolutely love it.

Toronto felt much more like a fast-paced American metropolis (Chicago/NYC lite). Not my vibe.

What is Calgary’s actual day-to-day feel? Is it more of a laid-back outdoorsy city, or does it have its own distinct personality?

3. Financials & Buying a House

We’ll be coming in with an income of around $240,000/year. We’ll also have $600,000 cash ready after selling our house back in Australia and paying off our mortgage.

Is this enough for a family to live comfortably in Calgary?
With $600k down, what kind of detached, single-family house can we expect in a good, safe, family-friendly neighborhood? Any recommended areas?

4. Public vs. Private Schools.

In Australia, the public school system is standard and excellent, so most parents send their kids to state public schools without second thought.

How is the public school system in Calgary? Do families generally stick with public catchment schools, or is there a heavy push toward private options for a top quality education? 

5. Work-life balance and culture.

In Australia, you do your 38 hours of work and that’s it. We also have a right to disconnect, so you can’t be contacted outside of work hours unless it’s an emergency.

Is Alberta/Canada similar or more like the US/Asian work culture?

Thanks in advance for the advice! Appreciate any honest feedback on what to expect. Cheers!