10 Best Neighbourhoods in City Centre Calgary: Where to Live

City Centre Calgary, a vibrant and bustling hub, is known for its various neighbourhoods, each offering unique experiences and lifestyles. Exploring the best neighbourhoods in City Centre Calgary showcases their distinct qualities, from historical significance to modern amenities and green spaces. When you're seeking a lively urban atmosphere, you can find it living in City Centre Calgary. Understanding each area's unique charm and characteristics helps discover the perfect spot in Calgary's heart for work, leisure, or residence.

Walkability & Nightlife: Beltline

If you’re looking for a great city centre neighbourhood with excellent walkability and nightlife, you’ll find it in the Beltline. This vibrant district offers an abundance of restaurants, pubs, lounges, and bars, as well as plenty of boutique shops and grocery stores. It also has convenient access to amenities such as a library, parks, playgrounds, and a school. 

The Beltline is one of Calgary's most pedestrian-friendly communities, with a Walk Score of 91, a Transit Score of 80, and a Bike Score of 90, thanks to its network of bike lanes. It’s also a relatively accessible neighbourhood, as homes in Beltline typically list from around $200,000 to just over $1.5 million. 

Beltine’s newest and most unique park and event space is High Park, situated atop the parkade at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 4th Street S.W. High Park captivates visitors with its vibrant and creatively designed installations and leisure areas. But the real highlight is its 17th Avenue, where you’ll find an impressive concentration of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and shops. During the 2004 playoff run of the Calgary Flames, 17th Avenue earned the nickname ‘Red Mile’ for its enthusiastic fans. With so many nightlife options, the Beltline stands out as Calgary’s premier nightlife destination.

Community Events: Eau Claire

Eau Claire is the perfect urban destination for a lively community atmosphere, offering a variety of events from the Calgary Folk Music Festival to Shakespeare by the Bow. Located between downtown Calgary and the Bow River, this vibrant community has transformed from its industrial roots into a mix of Calgary condos and commercial properties. Its focal point is the Eau Claire Market, which offers shopping and dining options alongside a spacious public plaza and parkland. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out or a tranquil escape, Eau Claire has something for everyone.

The parks in the neighbourhood are always buzzing with activity during festivals and events, and the riverside pathways provide a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle. The Calgary Folk Music Festival and Shakespeare by the Bow are just some of the events held in the area, making Eau Claire one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the city centre. There’s also a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and other attractions located in the area.

Eau Claire is the ideal destination for anyone seeking an active lifestyle in the city centre, and the neighbourhood’s desirability is reflected in its higher home prices. Homes in Eau Claire typically list from $400,000 to more than $5 million. From its lively festivals and events to its peaceful pathways and parks, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you’re looking for a place to call home or a great spot to spend the day, Eau Claire has something for everyone.

Affordability: Renfrew & Crescent Heights

Looking for affordability in the city? Look no further than Renfrew and Crescent Heights. Situated across the Bow River from Downtown Calgary, the Renfrew neighbourhood is charming and budget-friendly. Home to just under 6,000 people, it offers a variety of amenities such as a school, playground, parks, and recreational facilities. Real estate options include detached bungalows, apartments, luxury homes, and modern infill properties.

The Crescent Heights neighbourhood is an established community with a rich history, located along the Bow River escarpment and offers breathtaking views. This neighbourhood has diverse housing options to suit different preferences and budgets. It is conveniently located in the city centre and has plenty of opportunities for participating in community events.

Renfrew and Crescent Heights are ideal neighbourhoods for those looking for affordability and an active lifestyle. Both neighbourhoods have excellent amenities and facilities for staying engaged. With its budget-friendly real estate options, Renfrew is a great choice for those looking for affordable living in the city centre. Crescent Heights, on the other hand, is perfect for those looking for an established community with stunning views.

Luxury Homes: Upper Mount Royal, Elbow Park, & Britannia

Experience luxurious living in Upper Mount Royal, Elbow Park, and Britannia, three of Calgary’s most upscale districts. Located close to one another, these neighbourhoods offer some of the best city centre areas for luxury homes in Calgary. Though it has some of the highest prices in the city, the Upper Mount Royal neighbourhood is a highly sought-after enclave of exquisite residences, from classic character homes to contemporary architectural masterpieces. 

Elbow Park offers discerning buyers the opportunity to enjoy riverside living in one of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods, plus access to a wealth of shopping and dining options. The Britannia neighbourhood, characterized by its location along a stunning ridge with views of Altadore and Riverdale Park, is home to the renowned Calgary Golf & Country Club. Residents of these neighbourhoods are surrounded by spacious lots and easy access to the Elbow River pathway system, all of which add to the luxury of living in these high-end districts.

Live Music: Inglewood

Inglewood is the perfect place to enjoy some of Calgary’s best live music spots, with its unique shops, restaurants, and venues forming the lively Music Mile. From High Line Brewing to Cold Garden and Ol’ Beautiful, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can also find Japanese knives at Knifewear, wood-fired rotisserie chicken at The Nash, and brunch at Deane House. Plus, Ironwood Stage & Grill offers big band swing and live jazz standards. This is why Inglewood was voted the Best Neighbourhood in Canada in 2014.

Inglewood is also a great place to call home. Homes in Inglewood are plentiful and varied, starting in the high $200s, making it a great option for first-time buyers and those seeking luxurious living. You’ll be close to all the amenities and entertainment Calgary has to offer. Plus, the neighbourhood is steeped in history, with its original main street still in use.

Heritage Homes: Cliff Bungalow

If you’re looking for a neighbourhood in Calgary’s city centre that has plenty of heritage homes, look no further than the Cliff Bungalow community. This charming community is nestled alongside the picturesque Elbow River and has a history spanning over a century. The tree-lined streets, dotted with heritage homes and multifamily buildings, still retain their hidden gem quality as you venture further away from the bustling perimeter. Many of the residences in Cliff Bungalow are condominiums, giving you a great range of housing options.

You’ll also enjoy convenient access to the Fourth Street and 17th Avenue Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), where you can find plenty of bars, restaurants, boutiques, and the scenic Elbow River promenade. This convenience is compounded by Cliff Bungalow’s status as one of Calgary’s most walkable neighbourhoods.

Whether you’re looking for a place to call home, or just a place to explore, Cliff Bungalow is a great neighbourhood to check out. With its inner-city location, it provides the perfect balance of peacefulness and convenience.

A Bit of Everything: Altadore

The Altadore neighbourhood provides everything you need when looking for a city centre location, offering a lively atmosphere with plenty of amenities. Located in the highly desirable Marda Loop vicinity in southwest Calgary, this community offers a vast array of dining and shopping options and recreational activities. It’s no wonder Avenue magazine ranked Altadore as one of its best neighbourhoods in the city in 2023! 

With three of the city’s finest parks nearby, it’s an ideal spot for those seeking real estate in Calgary. River Park and its off-leash dog park are on the eastern edge of Altadore, while Marda Loop shopping is to the north. To the west, you’ll find Mount Royal University and one of Calgary’s best golf courses, Calgary Golf & Country Club. Plus, there are more detached homes here than in other city centre neighbourhoods. Altadore is the perfect choice for those looking for a bit of everything.

Vibrant City Living in Calgary

The neighbourhoods in City Centre Calgary each offer a unique slice of urban life, reflecting the city's dynamic character. From trendy and bustling areas to more scenic locales, these neighbourhoods cater to various tastes and preferences. For anyone considering moving to Calgary or seeking a different area of the city, these neighbourhoods represent the city's diverse urban housing market, offering an array of choices to find a place that resonates with their lifestyle amidst the vibrancy and charm of City Centre Calgary.

If you're interested in City Centre Calgary real estate, contact Justin Havre Real Estate Team with eXp Realty with Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your City Centre dream home today.