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Calgary Nature Abounds Around These 5 Neighbourhoods

Posted by Justin Havre on Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 at 9:36am.

Calgary Best Neighbourhoods for Enjoying Nature

Homebuyers have been moving to Calgary by the thousands in recent years, and it's easy to see why. Calgary's economy is booming, and the city offers a diverse dining and entertainment scene, plus affordable housing. But one of the top draws to this gorgeous Alberta city is the access to nature, both around town and right in residents' backyards. Let's explore five of the top communities for enjoying nature in Calgary.

Silver Springs

When enjoying nature in Calgary, there are few better choices than the idyllic Silver Springs community in Northwest Calgary, located between Crowchild Trail, the Bow River, and Nose Hill Drive. There's no more prominent attraction in the area than Bowmont Park, a sprawling green space along the Bow River covering more than 160 hectares. Residents can enjoy hiking trails, sports facilities, a playground, off-leash dog areas, Bow River access, and amazing views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Meanwhile, the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs provides an opportunity to stroll gorgeous landscaped gardens filled with native and non-native plants. Golfers can also enjoy nature with a round at the Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. These are just a few of Silver Springs' many places to get outdoors alongside convenient amenities like nearby shopping, restaurants, and major highways.

Homes in the community are mainly made up of single-family detached properties, supplemented by several townhouse communities. The former start under half a million, but homes for sale in Silver Springs can reach the $800,000 range, while townhomes usually sell between $300,000 and $500,000.

Silver Springs Amenities

  • Bowmont Park
  • Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs
  • Silver Springs Golf & Country Club
  • Bow River access
  • Convenient to Highway 1, Crowchild Trail, Sarcee Trail
  • Close to Crowfoot Crossing shopping centre
  • Crowchild Twin Arena Association

Edgemont

Visit Nose Hill Park in the Edgemont Neighbourhood

Those wanting to take advantage of one of Canada's largest urban parks should head to Edgemont, on the city's northwestern side. This community of rolling hills and ravines is adjacent to Nose Hill Park, which covers more than 11 square kilometres, full of hiking and biking trails, off-leash dog parks, and extensive wildlife-watching opportunities. Green corridors stretching from the park weave through Edgemont's smaller parks, often steps from residential streets.

But Edgemont isn't all greenery, homes, and schools. The northwestern tip of the community, near the intersection of Sarcee Trail and Country Hills Boulevard, is home to a grocery store, several restaurants, and various local businesses.

Edgemont's residential areas were developed as part of a master-planned community between the late 1970s and mid-2000s. The result is a mix of condos, townhouses, and single-family detached homes. Condos provide the most affordable options, selling in the mid-$200,000s, with townhouses in the mid-$300,000s. Detached Edgemont homes for sale offer the most variety, starting in the mid-$500s to more than $1.25 million.

Edgemont Amenities

  • Nose Hill Park
  • Edgemont Park
  • John Laurie Park
  • Edgebyne Community Playground
  • Edgebrook Park
  • Convenient to Sarcee Trail and Crowchild Trail

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is another nature-friendly community tucked away between Stoney Trail and Country Hills Boulevard in northern Calgary. Walking paths weave through this green subdivision, connecting to Calgary parks and nearby areas. An active community association also works to support local amenities and hosts events.

Hidden Valley isn't far from Nose Hill Park, just a short trip to the south. Additionally, those who love golf will find one of the area's best courses nearby at Country Hill Golf Club. It's also simple to escape the city to the beautiful rural areas to the north with just a few minutes of biking or driving on Symons Valley Road. This stretch offers convenient shopping, restaurants, and even nightlife spots like Scotsman's Well.

Hidden Valley homes are single-family detached properties, ranging from three to six bedrooms and 1.5 to 3.5 bathrooms. They often have large garages and sometimes front porches, among other desirable features like finished basements, media rooms, and spacious yards. Homes start in the low $400,000s but can reach the $700,000 range or more.

Hidden Valley Amenities

  • Hidden Valley Park
  • Hidden Ranch Park
  • Community walking trails
  • Country Hills Golf Club

Discovery Ridge

Visit Griffith Woods Park in the Discovery Ridge Neighbourhood

The Discovery Ridge neighbourhood is located in West Calgary, south of Stoney Trail and north of the Elbow River. Its location provides easy access to the waterway and a quick, direct drive to the city and nearby Westhills shopping and services. The community's southern boundary is part of Griffith Woods Park, an unspoiled piece of Alberta nature spanning over 90 hectares. Residents can explore the park's extensive trail system to check out all types of the region's native flora and fauna or have some fun on the basketball courts and soccer fields at the nearby Discovery Ridge Rec facility.

This planned community offers would-be buyers condos, townhomes, and detached houses at diverse prices. Those on a budget can find one- or two-bedroom condos from the mid-$200,000s to the low- to mid-$400,000s. On the flip side, the area's high-end, spacious single-family homes start around $900,000, topping out at over $1.5 million. Townhouses split these price ranges, selling in the half-million range.

Discovery Ridge Amenities

  • Griffith Woods Park
  • Discovery Ridge Ponds
  • Discovery Ridge Recreation Facility
  • Discovery Hill Playground
  • Elbow Springs Golf Club
  • Convenient to Stoney Trail
  • Westhills Town Centre shopping mall

Lakeview

Lakeview takes its name from its location above Glenmore Reservoir, just south of the community. The green areas surrounding this lake are among the best in Calgary, most notably North Glenmore Park. With walking trails, sports facilities, canoe launches, picnic areas, and more, the region's water views are hard to beat.

Further west, Weaselhead Flats provides nearly 240 acres of hiking and wildlife-watching in an unspoiled river delta, a unique treat within a city the size of Calgary. As if all of this isn't enough, nature lovers can quickly escape the city to the Rockies in the west, thanks to the location next to Glenmore Trail/Highway 8.

Homebuyers shopping in the Lakeview community will primarily find single-family detached houses, including some luxury homes closer to the reservoir. Homes typically start in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. However, it's not uncommon for them to reach $2 to $3 million or more, especially south of 66th Avenue. Condos are available just to the north, providing more affordable options in the $200,000 to $300,000 range.

Lakeview Amenities

  • North Glenmore Park
  • Weaselhead Flats
  • Lakeview Community Association
  • Earl Grey Golf Club
  • Lakeview Golf Course
  • Grey Eagle Resort and Casino
  • Convenient to Mount Royal University

Big-City Convenience & Natural Beauty Await in Calgary

Those looking to enjoy Alberta's gorgeous natural environments don't have to sacrifice their closeness to jobs, entertainment, and other perks of city life. Calgary offers the best of both worlds for would-be homebuyers, with a diverse selection of communities, each with extensive park access and other chances to enjoy nature. These delightful communities offer high-quality homes for all budgets and space needs, but residents might prefer spending most of their time in the great outdoors anyway!

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.

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