Calgary's Quadrants: Calgary, AB Neighbourhoods & Districts Guide

With more than 1.3 million residents, Calgary is Alberta's largest city by population—and the largest city in Western Canada. Calgary's thriving economy, combined with the natural beauty in and around the city, has contributed to its decades-long population growth. For prospective residents considering Calgary, getting a lay of the land is vital; to do so, you need to understand its four quadrants, how they differ, and what you'll find in each.

From business and industrial hubs to new construction communities and established neighbourhoods, each of Calgary's quadrants offers something for everyone. Let's examine them, their differences, what they offer, and, in the process, discover which one is right for you.

The Quadrants of Calgary

The hundreds of neighbourhoods in Calgary are often referred to and categorized by their location within the city's four geographical quadrants. Each quadrant has a lot to offer, from Calgary's most affordable neighbourhoods to its most expensive and from major employment hubs to sprawling provincial parks.

The primary quadrants are Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. Northwest Calgary is home to over 40 primary neighbourhoods, including Arbour Lake, Rocky Ridge, and Tuscany. Northeast Calgary includes about 35 primary neighbourhoods, including Livingston, Abbeydale, and Park Ridge Estates.

The Southwest quadrant contains about 14 distinct neighbourhoods, including Shawnee Slopes, Woodbine, and Bridlewood. Southeast Calgary has about 28 distinct communities, including Fairview, Sundance, and McKenzie Lake.

The four primary geographical quadrants have now expanded beyond the inner city limits to include many of the newer communities and suburbs. On some maps, the quadrants are further split into smaller communities like North, South, East, West, and City Centre, but we're just focusing on the primary areas for this guide.

Northwest Calgary

Considered to be among the largest of the four quadrants, the Northwest Calgary quadrant is an expansive district populated with residential neighbourhoods and modern suburbs, as well as ample green spaces.

Residents here can enjoy the sprawling Nose Hill Park—one of Calgary's best parks—which features grassy trails, off-leash dog areas, and magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains. There are also plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings—small mammals in particular. Nose Hill Park is one of the largest urban parks in Canada, covering over 11 square kilometres.

Additional parkland can be found alongside the prominent Bow River. Bowness Park includes a lagoon, which has become a popular spot for boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. The area is also home to several shopping malls.

In addition to all its recreational opportunities and retail options, Northwest Calgary is also the location of one of Canada's top research universities, the University of Calgary. The campus spans over 530 acres and houses 250,000 undergrads and 5,000 grad students. Most buildings were constructed between the 1960s and 1980s, featuring Brutalist and Postmodern architecture.

The Northwest quadrant is generally defined as west of the combination of Centre Street/Harvest Hills Boulevard, and north of a combination of the Bow River, Sarcee Trail, and Highway 1.

Northwest Calgary Neighbourhoods

There are more than 40 great neighbourhoods in Northwest Calgary. The master-planned Tuscany community was established in 1994, and its location on a plateau provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the cityscape. Arbour Lake is still in development but is expected to eventually be home to about 11,000 residents.

Northwest Calgary is known for its expansive recreational opportunities and greenspace, largely due to Nose Hill Park and the number of other parks dotting the area, particularly along Bow River. Many of its neighbourhoods offer commercial and retail districts that enable residents the convenience of having necessities close at hand.

Northeast Calgary

Northeast Calgary features scenic prairie landscapes and wide-open skies. Residents living in Northeast Calgary enjoy the best of both worlds: secluded rural areas that allow residents to get away from the sights and sounds of the city, as well as the convenience of nearby retail, dining, and entertainment. Shopping opportunities include major shopping centres like Sunridge Mall, CrossIron Mall, and Pacific Place Mall—not to mention plenty of grocery market options.

Northeast Calgary also offers an abundance of outdoor recreation, with 95 acres of parks and playgrounds and 14 kilometres of regional walking trails through protected wetlands and wildlife habitats.

Northeast Calgary is also home to busy and bustling neighbourhoods, many of them with strong international influences. These add to the many positive things that the Northeast quadrant of the city has to offer prospective residents.

In addition to its residential and business districts, Northeast Calgary is home to the Calgary International Airport, offering residents of the quadrant quick and easy access should they want to escape Calgary's chilly winters. The airport is the fourth busiest in the country and serves as WestJet's headquarters.

The Northeast quadrant is usually defined as being east of a combination of Centre Street/Harvest Hills Boulevard and north of a combination of the Bow River, Canadian Pacific rail line, Centre Avenue, and Memorial Drive.

Northeast Calgary Neighbourhoods

Northeast Calgary is home to around 35 distinct residential neighbourhoods. Cornerstone offers residents easy access to Stoney Trail and is just 10 minutes from the airport. Those living in Bridgeland enjoy a community known for its unique village vibe and gourmet food and is one of Calgary's oldest neighbourhoods.

The Northeast quadrant is a vast district with several attractions, including the TELUS Spark Science Centre and the Calgary Zoo. Residents can enjoy several shopping complexes, restaurants, golf courses, and city parks. It is also home to the Hangar Flight Museum, which houses rare aircrafts.

Southwest Calgary

Southwest Calgary is the location for many of the province's major attractions, from a premier sports training facility to a world-class equestrian centre.

The 1988 Winter Olympics was held here, with the large park and complex now home to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, the Naturbahn Teahouse, a zip line, an ice rink facility, and a newly built athletic complex.

For those who prefer equestrian sports, Southwest Calgary is also home to Spruce Meadows, a world-renowned equestrian venue that hosts equine events throughout the year. The facility also hosts other events, such as the International Christmas Market and the annual garden show.

Southwest Calgary is home to Heritage Park, a re-creation of a pioneer village, which also offers a magnificent view of Glenmore Reservoir. The reservoir is an artificial urban lake and adds beauty to the area. There are a number of smaller parks, such as Edworthy Park, which features picnic spots as well as walking paths.

The Southwest quadrant of Calgary also contains the city's largest shopping complex, Chinook Centre, located at Macleod Trail SW and Glenmore Trail. A major shopping destination since the early 1960s, the complex recently expanded with a high-fashion section.

The quadrant is typically defined as south of a combination of the Bow River, Sarcee Trail, and Highway 1, and west of a combination of Centre Street, Canadian Pacific rail line, Macleod Trail, and Sheriff King Street.

Southwest Calgary Neighbourhoods

Southwest Calgary contains about 14 distinct neighbourhoods. The Bridlewood neighbourhood is known for its proximity adjacent to Spruce Meadows equestrian facility, where residents enjoy shopping, golf, and restaurants. Woodbine was developed in 1980 and is set adjacent to Fish Creek Park.

Southwest Calgary's top neighbourhoods enjoy tremendous access to many of the city's largest attractions, from a major sports complex to a world-class equestrian centre. It also offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, with plenty of parks, walking trails, and greenspace. Additionally, the quadrant features a number of shopping options, including the city's largest retail shopping complex.

Southeast Calgary

Southeast Calgary is a large district of mostly residential neighbourhoods and scenic parkland following the edge of the Bow River. Like much of Calgary, the Southeast quadrant offers residents a mix of city and rural living. Thanks to its lakeside communities, Southeast Calgary's waterfront homes are plentiful.

Southeast Calgary is known for its many green spaces, playgrounds, picnic spots, and recreation along the Bow River. The neighbourhoods have diverse vibes, from vibrant Mahogany and Quarry Park to laid-back Mahogany, home to one of the city's largest man-made lakes.

The quadrant includes Fish Creek Provincial Park, a popular destination for residents and visitors alike due to its many trails and opportunities to view birdlife, such as great blue herons.

The indoor Calgary Farmers' Market is located in Southeast Calgary. It offers produce, meat, and hot snacks. Shopping includes Southcentre Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in Calgary with over 190 stores.

The Southeast quadrant is typically defined as lying south of a combination of the Bow River, a Canadian Pacific rail line, Centre Avenue, and Memorial Drive, and east of a combination of Centre Street, a Canadian Pacific rail line, Macleod Trail, and Sheriff King Street.

Southeast Calgary Neighbourhoods

The Southeast quadrant is home to about 28 neighbourhoods. Some of the best neighbourhoods in Southeast Calgary include Auburn Bay, which offers residents a lake cottage lifestyle as well as proximity to Seton's Urban District for shopping and entertainment, and Inglewood, home to many breweries, antique shops, and boutiques.

Southeast Calgary has traditionally been known as the city's industrial hub, but this varied district is also home to many of the city's waterfront communities, thanks to a combination of artificial and natural lakes and rivers. There are many parks and walking trails for outdoor enthusiasts and proximity to shopping, entertainment, and dining.

Visit These Neighbourhoods in Calgary Today

As a large metro area, Calgary has many diverse residential districts and nearby suburbs. Many parts of the city offer combinations of greenspace and wide-open spaces, as well as proximity to shopping, entertainment, and a variety of dining experiences. Calgary's most popular home builders work throughout the city, making it easy to get the perfect home in the perfect location.

Although known for the largest rodeo in the world, the city of Calgary is also a modern urban centre, rich with art and culture, community festivals, history, and sports. Residents are able to enjoy the area's natural beauty and spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies.