Best Suburbs Near Calgary: Calgary, AB Suburban Living Guide
Posted by Justin Havre on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 at 7:45am.
Calgary is Alberta's largest city by population, with nearly 1.3 million residents. Located in the southern region of the province, where the Bow River and Elbow River meet, it is also the most populous city in all of western Canada.
The city has primarily built its economy around energy and financial services. Calgary has a thriving downtown, but also many unique residential communities and suburbs. It is well known for its many retail options, as well as its 20,000 acres of public parkland available for recreation. Those considering a relocation to the Calgary area should learn about these eight of Calgary's most prominent suburbs.
Tuscany
Tuscany Amenities
- Movie theatre
- Shopping
- Restaurants
- Community/event facility
- Paved walking/biking pathways
Tuscany is a residential community located in Northwest Calgary. It was established in 1994 and was named after the region in Italy of the same name. Located on an elevated plateau at the edge of Calgary, the community is known for its breathtaking mountain views, as well as a 170-acre natural ravine system that offers an abundance of paved pathways for residents to enjoy hiking and biking across the scenic landscape.
Tuscany offers a number of community amenities, including its own grocery store, post office, dry cleaners, and shopping. Nearby Crowfoot Crossing adds even more shops, as well as eateries and theatres.
Recreational opportunities abound. In addition to the walking paths and scenic ravines, the community gives ready access to Canada Olympic Park and the Rocky Mountains. Additionally, Tuscany features a community centre with basketball and tennis courts, as well as picnic areas, a wading pool, an ice rink, and a skating pond.
Tuscany Hotspots
Tuscany Shopping
- Sobey's
- Tuscany Market
- Spring Hill Village
Tuscany Nightlife
- Choices Coffee
- Last Straw Ale House
- The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
- Nottinghams Pub
- Schanks
Tuscany Cafés
- Starbucks
- Alpine Rocky Mountain Café
Tuscany Restaurants
- The Lookout Kitchen & Bar
- IL Forno Fusion
- Zaika The Indian Delicacy
Panorama Hills
Panorama Hills Amenities
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Parks
- Golf
- Theatre
Panorama Hills is a suburban community located in the Northwest quadrant of Calgary. Established in 1994, this suburb was developed on land previously owned by members of the Country Hills Golf Course, which it continues to border to the Southwest. The community has about 25,710 residents who call this suburban residential neighbourhood home.
Residents can enjoy a number of amenities. The neighbourhood is part of the Northern Hills Community Association as well as the Northstar Residents Association. The latter provides residents with access to the Panorama Hills Community Centre. The area sports several golf courses, as well as a number of restaurants, shopping centres, and a theatre.
Nearby parks include Cardel Place and Nose Hill Park. Cardel Place includes two skating rinks, three gymnasiums, a climbing wall, a workout area, and an aquatic complex. It also houses the Calgary Public Library.
Panorama Hills Hotspots
Panorama Hills Shopping
- Gates of Panorama Hills
- Panorama Hills Centre
- Coventry Hills Town Centre
Panorama Hills Nightlife
Panorama Hills Cafés
Panorama Hills Restaurants
Evergreen
Evergreen Amenities
- Parks
- Shopping
- Restaurants
- Walking/biking trails
- Neighbourhood school
Evergreen is a suburban residential neighbourhood located in Southwest Calgary. It has a population of just over 21,000.
Nearby Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, at nearly 2,300 acres. It offers walking, running, and biking trails, plus picnic spots. There are also several parks and greenspaces within the neighbourhood, featuring playgrounds, sports fields, and other activities. Just to the south of the community is picturesque Spruce Meadows, an equestrian complex that draws visitors from around the globe.
The community's neighbourhoods can be identified by two districts: the older, more-established section known as Evergreen Estates, with homes built in the early 1990s; and the more-recent Evergreen, developed in 2005. The neighbourhood has an elementary public school, Evergreen Elementary, serving grades K through 4. Shopping and restaurants are located nearby, in adjacent Millrise and Shawnessy.
Evergreen Hotspots
Evergreen Shopping
- Evergreen Centre
- Millrise Station
- The Boulevard Shopping Centre
- Shawnessy Village Shopping Center
- Your Dollar Store with More
Evergreen Nightlife
- Bull & Finch
- John Henry's Pub
- Coach & Horses Ale Room
- Dixon's Public House
Evergreen Cafés
Evergreen Restaurants
Auburn Bay
Auburn Bay Amenities
- Walking/cycling trails
- Parks
- Sport fields
- Shopping
- Neighbourhood school
The suburban neighbourhood of Auburn Bay is located in Southeast Calgary. The community is bordered by Seton Boulevard to the south, 52 Street E to the east, Stoney Trail to the north, and Deerfoot Trail to the west.
Southeast Calgary Hospital and the South Health Campus are located immediately to the south of Auburn Bay. A proposed expansion of the city's C-Train system to run along the eastern border of the community will provide residents with even easier access to public transit. It is home to a public elementary school, Auburn Bay Elementary, serving K through 4.
The neighbourhood is part of a residents' association as well as a community association. Residents have access to a number of amenities, including an off-leash dog park, Auburn Station commercial mall, 15 playgrounds, two soccer fields, numerous walking and cycling trails, and two baseball fields. The neighbourhood's beauty is enhanced by two ponds and a lake.
Auburn Bay Hotspots
Auburn Bay Shopping
- Auburn Station
- Mahogany Village Commons
- Mahogany Village Market
Auburn Bay Nightlife
Auburn Bay Cafés
Auburn Bay Restaurants
Edgemont
Edgemont Amenities
- Parks
- Playgrounds
- Walking trails
- Neighbourhood schools
Known for its incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, the luxury residential neighbourhood of Edgemont is located in Northwest Calgary. The community is home to about 16,000 residents.
Edgemont is one of Calgary's largest residential districts, at 6.6 square kilometres. It features the greatest number of parks and playgrounds of any neighbourhood in the city.
This neighbourhood is bordered by the community of Dalhousie to the south, Sarcee Trail to the west, Country Hills Boulevard to the north, and Shaganappi Trail to the east. Community development began in 1978.
With its rolling hills and ravines, Edgemont enjoys much of the topography of adjacent Nose Hill Park, the fourth-largest urban park in Canada.
Residents are part of the Edgemont Community Association, which gives them access to sports programs, community improvement projects, social programs, arts and cultural classes, and more.
The neighbourhood has two public schools: Edgemont Elementary and Tom Baines Junior High School.
Edgemont Hotspots
Edgemont Shopping
- Edgemont Shopping Center
- Hawkwood Village Shopping Plaza
- Edgepointe Village
- Country Hills Village Shopping Centre
- Spring Hills Village
Edgemont Nightlife
Edgemont Cafés
- S.T.A.Y 22 Café
- Friends Cappuccino Bar & Bake Shop
- Starbucks
- Choices Coffee
Edgemont Restaurants
- Surya Restaurant
- Hawkwood Palace Restaurant
- Papa Shunde Chinese Restaurant
- Bobby Chao's Restaurant
- Edgemont City Asian Cuisine
Arbour Lake
Arbour Lake Amenities
- Water sports
- Lakeside living
- Neighbourhood schools
- Sport programs
- Neighbourhood clubhouse
Located Northwest of Calgary, Arbour Lake is a residential community established in 1992 and named after California's Arbor Lake. The community is bordered by Stoney Trail to the west, Nose Hill Drive to the east, Country Hills Boulevard to the north, and Crowchild Trail to the south.
Although still in development, the neighbourhood is expected to eventually be home to about 11,000 people and 4,000 homes. In addition to residential housing, a freshwater lake is under development for the enjoyment of community residents. The Arbour Lake Community Association provides a community clubhouse, as well as sports, seniors, and child care programs.
The Arbour Lake community will offer year-round recreational opportunities, including water sports as well as skiing on the slopes in nearby Banff. Public transit is conveniently available in nearby Crowfoot and Tuscany CTrain stations.
The neighbourhood has two public schools: Arbour Lake Middle School and Robert Thirsk High School.
Arbour Lake Hotspots
Arbour Lake Shopping
- Springhill Village
- Hawkwood Village Shopping Plaza
- Royal Oak Estates Shopping Centre
- Amaranth Foods
- Urban Barn
Arbour Lake Nightlife
Arbour Lake Cafés
- Choices Coffee
- Denny's
- Tim Hortons
- EggsOasis
- Good Earth Coffeehouse Crowfoot
Arbour Lake Restaurants
- Ricky's All-Day Grill
- Takumi Sushi
- Mucho Burrito
- JOEY Crowfoot
- Green Chilli Grill
Signal Hill
Signal Hill Amenities
- Parks
- Shopping
- Neighbourhood school
- Tennis courts
- Sport fields
Signal Hill is located in the Southwest quadrant of Calgary. Established in 1986, Signal Hill is home to about 14,000 residents.
The community of Signal Hill includes the neighbourhoods between 17 Avenue, Sarcee Trail, Glenmore Trail, and 69 Street SW. As part of an elevated plateau, Signal Hill offers scenic views of the mountains and the Elbow River Valley. The Signal Hill Community Association operates an outdoor skating rink, sports fields, and tennis courts.
Signal Hill residents can enjoy Battalion Park, located on the southern slopes hillside within the community. The area previously served as a military reserve for the Canadian Forces pre-World War I, with the park opening in 1994.
Residents enjoy the convenience of several nearby shopping centres, including Westhills Towne Centre, Signal Hill Centre, West Market Square, and Signature Park Plaza. Signal Hill is home to one public school, the Battalion Park School, serving grades K through 6.
Signal Hill Hotspots
Signal Hill Shopping
- Westhills Towne Centre
- Signal Hill Centre
- West Market Square
Signal Hill Nightlife
Signal Hill Cafés
Signal Hill Restaurants
Brentwood
Brentwood Amenities
- Shopping
- Parks
- Walking/cycling trails
- Restaurants
The suburban community of Brentwood is situated on the Northwest side of Calgary. It is bordered by Crowchild Trail to the south, John Laurie Boulevard to the north, Shaganappi Trail to the west, and Nose Hill Park to the east. The community was established in 1960 and has a population of about 6,585.
Residents enjoy the convenience of public transit, served by the Brentwood station of the C-Train light rail system. The Brentwood Community Association operates a number of programs, including a community garden, playgroups, public ice skating, and other activities.
There are several shopping options in the community. Brentwood Village is home to a number of shops, businesses, and eateries. On the other side of the community is Northland Village, a large shopping complex.
Residents can also enjoy nearby Nose Hill Park, with its many walking and biking trails. The park's 11 square kilometres makes it one of the largest urban parks in North America.
Brentwood Hotspots
Brentwood Shopping
- Northland Plaza
- Brentwood Village Shopping Centre
- Northland Village
Brentwood Nightlife
Brentwood Cafés
Living in Calgary's Best Suburbs
Calgary is western Canada's largest community. While the city boasts a thriving downtown and central business district, its residential suburbs have much to offer. Parks, walking trails, water sports, outdoor skating rinks, and neighbourhood schools are just some amenities enjoyed by neighbourhood residents. Many of Calgary's suburbs offer beautiful scenic views of the Canadian Rockies, and there are several neighbourhoods near the Calgary International Airport. Many Calgary suburbs offer lower property tax rates, as well. There are also a variety of shopping options scattered across suburban neighbourhoods, from commercial strip malls to sprawling retail shopping centres. Residents will also find no lack of restaurants, whether in search of a quick cup of coffee or formal dining.
Those considering these and other popular Calgary neighbourhoods can also consider having their home custom-built to truly perfect their residential experience.
If you're looking for the perfect Calgary home, contact Justin Havre with eXp Realty and Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local Calgary real estate agent and discover your new dream home today.