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5 Best Calgary Neighbourhoods for New Parents

Posted by on Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 at 12:02pm.

Calgary New Parents Having a child comes with enormous responsibility.  Many new parents have to navigate all that heavy-duty decision making with ease – some completely stress out.  Where to live is one of those life decisions that many don’t take lightly. 

When it comes to choosing the best neighbourhood for their new family, today’s new Calgary parents take many factors into account.  Where once a generation of parents based their decision on proximity to schools and churches, today’s young people want the whole lifestyle package.  Schools are important but with so many programs of choice in Calgary’s private, public and separate streams, the location of the school isn’t always that important.  

Parents want parks, playgrounds, bike paths, bike lanes, shopping, friends and family members to be close at hand.   They want a neighbourhood that’s safe, a neighbourhood where their peers also live and an area with strong community engagement. The type of dwelling is important; the price of the dwelling can also drive a new parent's decision. 

For new parents are looking to raise a child in Calgary, here are a few communities to consider:

Brentwood

This north west community is just 15 minutes north of downtown and is a beautiful 1950s era neighbourhood full of tidy bungalows and spacious split-level homes.  There is an abundance of green space with the wildlands of Nose Hill Park nearby. 

There are plenty of schools in the area with great connections to transit.  This older neighbourhood is filling up with younger families again who are enjoying the Brentwood library, the pool and indoor skating rink.  Homes in Brentwood are on the high side of average with many newly renovated homes pushing the $1 million mark.

Acadia

Like Brentwood, Acadia was built in the late 1950s, early 1960s and features moderately priced bungalows in the South East.  There are a nice variety of townhomes in Acadia with price points that are attractive for young families.  There are pre-schools, elementary schools and a high school in this neighbourhood, situated on the east side of Macleod Trail between Heritage Drive and Southland Drive.

Acadia is also where Calgary’s new indoor tennis facility is located, directly across the street from the Acadia Rec Centre with indoor rink, banquet rooms and curling ice.  There are restaurants, grocery stores and other services within walking distance.  Acadia is affordable and in a great location.

Arbour Lake

Another North West community, Arbour Lake was the first lake community in this part of Calgary. It’s like living in a cottage community only 30 minutes away from downtown.  Parents can take their kids swimming or canoeing or teach them to skate when the lake freezes over. It’s an active community with plenty of recreation events at the community centre.

It’s also very handy with several comprehensive shopping areas including movie theatres, a library and nearby YMCA. The Alberta Children’s Hospital is less than 15 minutes away, straight down Crowchild Trail.  Homes on the lake can be pricey but not as expensive as other Calgary lake communities.

Riverbend

A great neighbourhood for first-time buyers just south of Glenmore Trail.  Built in the 1980s, Riverbend is family-oriented, located on the east side of the Bow River near Carburn Park. 

Riverbend is right on the Bow River Pathway so parents can bike to work and families can cycle from one end of the city to the other.  There’s a large green space in the middle of the neighbourhood with several outdoor hockey rinks and elementary schools.  Homes in Riverbend are single-family homes or duplex homes, ideal for new families just entering the real estate market.

Skyview Ranch

This new neighbourhood in the extreme North East part of the city features new, affordable modern homes and is growing by leaps and bounds.  There are condos, townhomes and single-family homes in this neighbourhood.  Getting in and out of Skyview Ranch is easy via Metis Trails and Stoney Trails.  The end of the North East LRT Line is next door in Saddleridge. 

Schools are on the way to this part of the city and patient parents are finding great homes and settling in for the long haul.  There are new recreational facilities in this area too. The affordable nature of new communities in the north east is causing a building boom in this area.

Overall, Calgary has many great options for new parents of many different lifestyles and preferences. If you're interested in finding the right home today, please feel free to contact us at any time.

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