Living in Northwest Calgary: 10 Reasons to Love the NW Calgary Lifestyle

Despite each of Calgary's quadrants offering significant advantages to residents, living in Northwest Calgary is especially appealing thanks to its access to a wide variety of amenities, natural spaces, and convenient transportation. This part of the city is known for its proximity to parks like Nose Hill and the Bow River, shops, restaurants, and schools. The top neighbourhoods in Northwest Calgary have something to offer everyone, from accessibility to luxury and everything in between. With easy access to downtown via major roads and public transit, Northwest Calgary provides both convenience and a sense of community. Explore what makes Northwest Calgary a great place to live.

10 Reasons to Love Living in Northwest Calgary

• Proximity to Nose Hill Park and the Bow River for outdoor activities.
• There is a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and services nearby.
• Quick access to downtown Calgary via major roads and public transit.
• Beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and the Calgary skyline are found in most neighbourhoods.
• Abundant educational options in the sector.
• Convenient access to Calgary International Airport in Northeast Calgary.
• A mix of modern and established neighbourhoods with diverse housing options.
• Home to the University of Calgary, one of the top research universities in Canada.
• Several of Calgary's best golf courses, including Silver Springs Golf & Country Club, are located in the city's northwest.
• Northwest Calgary encompasses several sought-after master-planned communities.

Northwest Calgary Lifestyle

Northwest Calgary, a conglomerate of over sixty different communities, is one of the largest districts in the Calgary Metropolitan area. With stunning mountain views and striking rivers, Northwest Calgary is home to some of the city's most naturally beautiful landscapes. Nestled along the Bow River, Northwest Calgary is home to Nose Hill Park. In addition to being one of Calgary's best parks, it's the fourth-largest urban park in Canada.

Like many other districts, Northwest Calgary is part of the Calgary Pathway system, which connects walkways to the city's parks and public green spaces. With ample biking trails, dog parks, and open spaces, residents find ways to stay active. Along with its natural beauty, Northwest Calgary is home to some of the area's biggest attractions, including stunning parks, fantastic restaurants, and more.

Employers Near Northwest Calgary

When relocating to a new city or even to a new district, one of the most important factors often considered is employment prospects. Fortunately, Calgary's economy is one of the strongest and largest in Western Canada. With over 143 major companies with headquarters in Calgary, this city provides ample job opportunities.

For commuters, driving, biking, or taking public transit to Calgary's City Centre comes down to personal preference and where in the quadrant they live. For example, the Hillhurst neighbourhood is located directly across the Bow River from downtown, so a five-minute bike ride could get you to work.

On the other hand, residents of Rocky Ridge in the northwest corner of the city will face 20-plus km commutes to downtown. Northwest Calgary has employment opportunities in many fields, including retail, education, home improvement, marketing, and more. There are also numerous professional services, such as real estate, law, medicine, and accounting, where job seekers can find employment.

Northwest Calgary Amenities

While employment prospects are one of the most important factors prospective residents prioritize before relocating to another area, it's far from the only thing they think about. One of the most important factors for many is the area's amenities. While Northwest Calgary is close to Downtown Calgary, it often feels even further away because the district is so close to nature: it's always easy to enjoy Calgary's walking trails, parks, and other amenities.

Northwest Calgary Services

When considering district amenities, one of the many important aspects of an area is the local services. Northwest Calgary's community centres are one of the most essential services. Because of its size, many of Northwest Calgary's best neighbourhoods have community centres. In addition to the area's community centres, Northwest Calgary is home to the University of Calgary, a prominent post-secondary educational institution. Another vital area service is the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, one of the area's leading non-profit organizations.

Northwest Calgary Shopping

While Northwest Calgary is most famous for its stunning natural beauty and pristine parks, it's also a large district known for its many shopping options. Home to five major shopping centers, residents will have a variety of shops and retailers for every type of shopaholic. With over 200 stores in the Varsity Estates neighbourhood, the CF Market Mall is one of Calgary's best shopping malls, with international retailers, specialty stores, and everything in between. Northland Village Mall, another indoor shopping complex, has over 80 retailers. Other area shopping malls include Beacon Hill, Crowfoot Shopping, and North Hill Shopping Centre.

Northwest Calgary Restaurants

Northwest Calgary is home to a diverse and vibrant dining scene, offering a wide variety of restaurants to suit every taste. You’ll find everything from cozy cafés and casual eateries to upscale dining establishments. Popular spots like the Lazy Loaf & Kettle in the Parkdale neighbourhood serve up fresh baked goods and hearty sandwiches, while JOEY Crowfoot offers contemporary fare in the Arbour Lake community. For those craving something more refined, restaurants like NOtaBLE offer elevated Canadian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients from its Montgomery area location. Whether you're in the mood for international flavours or local favourites, Northwest Calgary’s restaurant options deliver.

Things To Do in Northwest Calgary

Best known for its wild, rugged terrain, Northwest Calgary is one of the city's most naturally beautiful districts. And while it's well-known for its parks, there is a diverse range of activities and amenities for residents to enjoy. From world-class dining to exceptional shopping malls, residents and visitors of Northwest Calgary will always find something to pique their interest.

Outdoor Activities

The great outdoors is one of the biggest draws of moving to Northwest Calgary. As one of the closest districts to the Rocky Mountains, the area has many stunning parks and green spaces. Even in the winter, Northwest Calgary is a nature lover's paradise, with indoor and outdoor skating rinks. In the Bowness neighbourhood, for example, Bowness Park offers outdoor skating right on the Bow River. Northwest Calgary also has some of the area's most stunning parks. From Confederation Park and Nose Hill Park to Bowness and Dale Hodges Parks, there's a park for everyone in Northwest Calgary.

Nearby Attractions

Before becoming a major metropolitan area, Calgary was a western prairie city best known for its rodeos and ranches. Today, Calgary is one of Canada's largest cities that pays homage to its Western heritage. One of the area's largest annual events, the Calgary Stampede, is held in Southwest Calgary. Still, the rodeo is a mere seven kilometres away from Northwest communities like the West Hillhurst neighbourhood. The Calgary Stampede has many events, such as rodeos, races, and shows.

For those who enjoy modern architecture, Northwest Calgary is just a short distance from Peace Bridge, one of the area's most stunning bridges. Built over the Bow River in 2012, this modern bridge is known as the "Finger Trap Bridge" since it resembles the classic children's game.

Northwest Calgary Schools

In addition to job prospects and amenities, one of the most important factors many residents and area transplants should consider before moving to Calgary is a given area's educational opportunities. As with students in every Calgary district, Northeast Calgary schools are operated by the Calgary Board of Education, which provides public education to the area's students.

Northwest Calgary, part of Area I, serves twenty-eight communities in the area and is one of the largest areas in Calgary. Area I comprises public and private schools, with more being built to accommodate the area's growing population. There are numerous elementary, middle, and high schools in the area. For secondary education, area students can attend Bowness High School, Discovering Choies School, or Sir Winston Churchill High School. Additional junior/senior high schools also serve Grades 6-12.

The University of Calgary is one of the area's most popular universities for students interested in pursuing post-secondary education. There are many undergraduate and graduate programs available for students.

Life in Northwest Calgary

Northwest Calgary is a wonderful place to live, thanks to its stunning natural landscapes and fabulous community amenities. But before moving to the community, it's essential to explore the area to determine which neighbourhoods best fit you. After all, each neighbourhood has its own unique charm! Anyone considering life in Calgary will find that Northwest Calgary balances tranquillity, suburban amenities, and big-city living.