Living in Northeast Calgary: Amenities & Things to Do

With its rugged natural beauty, ample employment opportunities, booming local economy, and high quality of living, it's easy to see why so many people are moving to Calgary. Northeast Calgary, in particular, offers many of the city's greatest amenities: museums, zoos, golf courses, upscale shopping, and more.

Located east of the famous Nose Hill Park, Northeast Calgary is a naturally beautiful district with wide-open green spaces and tremendous convenience. It's also home to several schools, recreation centers, and outdoor spaces, ensuring there are always things to do. Discover what makes living in Northeast Calgary an attractive option for residents looking for a well-rounded lifestyle.

9 Reasons to Love Living in Northeast Calgary

• Affordable Housing: Northeast offers a range of affordable housing options, from condos to single-family homes.
• Proximity to Calgary International Airport: Convenient access to the airport is ideal for frequent travellers and aviation-related jobs.
• Great Public Transportation: Excellent access to Calgary’s C-Train and bus systems makes commuting easy.
• Prairie Winds Park: A large park with walking trails, sports fields, a splash pad, and picnic areas for outdoor activities.
• Calgary Zoo: One of Canada’s top zoos, located just a short drive away, offering fun for all ages.
• Strong Job Market: Opportunities in aviation, retail, and logistics due to its proximity to the airport and industrial areas.
• Shopping and Entertainment: Easy access to shopping centers like CrossIron Mills and Sunridge Mall.
• Educational Facilities: The area features several schools and proximity to colleges like the University of Calgary.
• Growing Area: New developments and infrastructure improvements are adding value to the area.

The Northeast Calgary Lifestyle

Northeast Calgary is a vibrant area of Calgary becoming as well-known as the downtown area. With rolling hills and prairie views, Northeast Calgary also has ruggedly beautiful landscapes that rival nearby districts.

Like many other Calgary districts, Northeast Calgary provides access to the Calgary Pathway system. The system connects walkways throughout many of the best parks in Calgary. With ample hiking, dog parks, and green spaces, outdoor living is natural for many residents.

Along with its natural beauty, Northeast Calgary is home to some of the area's biggest attractions, including the TELUS Spark Science Centre, Prairie Winds, the Marlborough Mall, and more. From its lively festivals to its hidden gems, residents of this eclectic community will always find something to do.

NE Calgary Communities

There are a number of excellent neighbourhoods in Northeast Calgary, each with its own character and appeal.

Skyview Ranch is one of Calgary's master-planned communities, featuring modern homes, extensive pathways, and centrally located amenities.

Martindale is known for the Genesis Centre recreation facility and its community vibe, with diverse dining options and convenient LRT access.

Taradale features a strong sense of community with numerous green spaces, walking paths, and the nearby Genesis Centre.

Some neighbourhoods are also included in the City Centre area, but others in the main part of the quadrant include:

• Abbeydale
• Castleridge
• Cityscape
• Coral Springs
• Cornerbrook
• Cornerstone
• Coventry Hills
• Falconridge
• Harvest Hills
• Homestead
• Keystone Hills
• Lewisburg
• Livingston
• Marlborough
• Marlborough Park
• Mayland
• Mayland Heights
• Monterey Park
• Pineridge
• Redstone
• Rundle
• Saddle Ridge
• Temple
• Tuxedo Heights
• Vista Heights
• Whitehorn
• Winston Heights/Mountview

Each neighbourhood brings something unique to Northeast Calgary, from established communities with mature trees to new developments with contemporary amenities.

Employers Near Northeast Calgary

For many people, employment prospects are among the most significant factors for determining where to live. The growing economy in Calgary is projected to see continued growth over the decade to come, bolstered by a burgeoning tech industry and the many companies based here. Almost 200 major companies have headquarters in Calgary—one of the highest concentrations of head offices in Canada. Many of these major companies are based in Northeast Calgary, giving workers more employment opportunities.

Just a 15-minute drive from Downtown Calgary, Northeast Calgary is close enough to enable quick commutes to the rest of the city. That said, there are many businesses within the confines of Northeast Calgary.

For Northeast Calgary residents, one of the largest employers is the airport. Established in 1992, Calgary International Airport borders Northeast and Northwest Calgary and employs over 300 full-time workers. This airport offers many opportunities for aviation careers, including flight crew, ground crew, air traffic control, ticket agents, and more. WestJet, one of Canada's largest airlines, is headquartered in Northeast Calgary, with additional hubs in Toronto and Vancouver.

Other major companies with headquarters just a short commute for Northeast Calgary residents include:

• Shaw Communications
• Attabotics, Inc
• Obsidian Engineering Corp
• BP Canada

Northeast Calgary Amenities

When deciding to relocate to a new area, whether it's relocating from another city or moving to another location within the city, one of the most important factors prospective residents consider is the area's amenities. While Northeast Calgary is just outside of Calgary's City Centre, it offers many of the same amenities the busier downtown area provides, yet has a smaller, tight-knit community. Northeast Calgary is home to some of the area's best museums, shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities. Learn more about the array of amenities within this eclectic community.

Community Services

Among the many considerations before someone relocates to a different city or area is the services each neighbourhood provides. Like many areas of Calgary, public transit is easily accessible. Calgary Transit's Blue Line LRT Stations run through Northeast Calgary, with stations in the Saddle Ridge neighbourhood, Martindale, Marlborough, and others.

Another critical aspect of neighbourhood enjoyment is community engagement. In Northeast Calgary, this community heavily encourages civic engagement and hosts many events at the Genesis Centre in the Martindale neighbourhood. This well-equipped community center hosts a bevy of local events throughout the year.

Community Shopping

Along with its commuting ease and vibrant communities, one of the many perks of living in Northeast Calgary is its numerous shopping options. Home to three major shopping centres, residents will have a variety of shops and retailers to suit their shopping needs:

• Sunridge, a local shopping centre, has many restaurants, boutique shops, retailers, and service providers.
• In the popular Marlborough neighbourhood, Marlborough Mall is another local shopping centre with numerous chain stores, restaurants, and service providers.
• Deerfoot City, which has many department stores, specialty shops, and more.

Community Healthcare

Need a doctor or hospital nearby? You're covered.

The Peter Lougheed Centre sits right in the heart of Northeast Calgary. This major hospital handles everything from emergency care to specialized treatments. For everyday medical needs, dozens of walk-in clinics dot the area. These make it easy to see a doctor without waiting weeks for an appointment.

Alberta Children's Hospital is just a short drive west if you have kids. The Foothills Medical Centre and Rockyview General Hospital are also nearby for specialized care.

Things To Do In Northeast Calgary

While Downtown Calgary is most well-known for its sights, Northeast Calgary is home to many iconic landmarks–and extremely close to many more. The Calgary Zoo, one of western Canada's largest zoos, is located in the Bridgeland-Riverside neighbourhood, just outside of Northeast Calgary.

The TELUS Spark Science Centre is an immersive science museum that encourages a love for science and learning in Northeast's Renfrew neighbourhood. On the second Thursday of every month, it hosts Spark After Dark, an adult-only science event that sparks a lifelong love for learning.

Outdoor Activities

Nestled in Alberta's rolling hills, Northeast Calgary has some of Western Canada's most beautiful, rugged terrain. Outdoor enthusiasts will love some of the best hiking and biking in Calgary at places such as Prairie Winds and the Calgary Pathway system. For pet owners, a beautiful dog park in Northeast Calgary called Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park has off-leash areas, splash parks, and panoramic views of Calgary's skyline.

Beyond the community's many parks, Northeast Calgary is a haven for golf lovers, with many great courses nearby. Surrounded by a share of the golf course homes in Calgary, the courses in or near Northeast Calgary include:

• Winston Golf Club
• Wingfield Golf Club
• Fox Hollow Golf Course
• McCall Lake Golf Course
• The Golf Centre at Harvest Hills

Restaurants, Breweries, & Bars

In recent years, a growing culinary scene has made dining out one of the most fun things to do in Calgary. The city is a top contender for one of the best foodie cities in Canada, competing with the likes of Vancouver and Toronto.

Northeast Calgary residents can find restaurants that satisfy all of their food cravings, including Canadian cuisine, farm-to-table, Italian, Mexican, and some of the most iconic restaurants in Calgary. Some of the area's most popular brunch destinations include OEB Breakfast Co, Blue Star Diner, and Diner Delux.

Along with its food, Northeast Calgary is a hidden gem for innovative microbreweries, such as Minhas Micro Brewery and Tool Shed, Calgary's first microbrewery.

Nearby Attractions

Home to the Calgary International Airport, Northeast Calgary has become Alberta's unofficial aviation capital. It also happens to be the home of The Hangar Flight Museum, home to some of Western Canada's most comprehensive aviation exhibits. The museum is located at the southern edge of the airport. However, aviation attractions are not this community's only entertainment source.

Elliston Park is located in the Forest Lawn neighbourhood in East Calgary, just a kilometre or so south of Northeast; the park hosts the annual GlobalFest, which draws attendees from around the world.

Getting Around Northeast Calgary

Northeast Calgary has several major roads going through it, helping residents get to other parts of the city and beyond. Stoney Trail surrounds the outer parts of the quadrant, while the Trans-Canada Highway is in the southern portions. Deerfoot Trail is in the western section.

For commuters looking for public transit, Calgary Transit provides buses and trains. The Blue Line of the CTrain runs from Saddletown down to the City Centre into Southwest Calgary. The MAX Orange (from Saddletown) and MAX Green (from North Pointe Terminal) bus routes are other ways to get to City Centre.

A number of regular bus routes also serve the community. There are two designated bus terminals (North Pointe and 78 Avenue), but there are bus stops scattered throughout.

Northeast Calgary Schools

When relocating to a new community, educational opportunities are among the most important factors to consider. Students residing in Northeast Calgary are part of Area III in the Calgary Board of Education, which oversees all of the public schools in Calgary.

Area III has public and private schools, with 27 elementary schools, one elementary/junior high school, one middle school, eight junior high schools, and three senior high schools. They offer various programs to suit students' individualized educational needs. For students pursuing secondary education, Area III's three high schools are Forest Lawn High School, Lester B. Pearson High School, and Jack James High School.

Along with public education, Northeast Calgary offers area students an array of private education options. One of the most prominent private schools in the area is Heritage Christian Academy, a Catholic-denominational school for grades K–12.

For students who are interested in pursuing post-secondary education, Northeast Calgary is just a short distance from some of the area's best universities:

• University of Calgary
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
• Mount Royal University
• Ambrose University College

Pros & Cons of Northeast Calgary

The Benefits

Your money goes further here. Houses cost less than in many other Calgary areas, which means bigger homes, better yards, and more cash left over each month.

The airport is right there. Hop on a plane without the usual Calgary traffic nightmare. Great for business travelers or anyone who just loves to travel.

Jobs are everywhere. The airport brings tons of employment opportunities. Aviation, logistics, retail—take your pick. Many major companies have offices here too.

Transit actually works. The Blue Line LRT runs through several neighborhoods. No car? No problem. Getting downtown for work is simple.

It's growing fast. New developments mean modern amenities and rising property values. Buy now, benefit later.

The Potential Drawbacks

Airplane noise is real. Living near an international airport has perks, but quiet evenings aren't one of them. Some neighborhoods hear planes frequently.

Limited nightlife options. Want trendy bars and late-night entertainment? You'll likely be driving to other parts of Calgary.

Construction never stops. All that growth means construction zones, detours, and street closures. It's the price of progress, but it gets old.

Fewer mature trees. Many neighborhoods are brand new, which means smaller trees and less shade. Give it 10–20 years and this won't be an issue.

Living the Good Life in Northeast Calgary

From its abundance of community engagement to its easy access to big-city amenities, there are so many wonderful aspects of life in Northeast Calgary. In recent years, this suburban area has grown significantly, thanks, in large part, to its share of the best master-planned communities in Calgary.

When making a move to Northeast Calgary, it's crucial to explore the different neighbourhoods within this community to find the right fit. Northeast Calgary strikes a great balance between a tight-knit community and vibrant city living.