Living in South East Calgary: 5 Reasons to Love South East Calgary

Welcome to Calgary, the largest city in Alberta. With nearly 1.5 million people in the metro area, it's also among the biggest in Canada. Spanning more than 820 square kilometres, the city of Calgary contains countless different neighbourhoods, each with its own amenities and style and spanning a wide price range. Still, it retains the undeniable western heritage of the province, helping give it the nickname "Cowtown". With home prices in the high $400s and rents ranging from $600–$1000 per bedroom per month, it offers a reasonable cost of living even with the increased demand for housing.

The Southeast Calgary neighbourhood is one of the city's largest, most diverse, and most popular districts. But those coming to the city from afar may wonder what life is like for residents. So we've looked at the most important aspects of life in "The Stampede City", from jobs and amenities to the best outdoor activities and places to grab a meal and drink.

The Southeast Calgary Lifestyle

Southeast Calgary spans a relatively large portion of the city and is centred around the Bow River and Highway 2. The district's northwestern edge is adjacent to Calgary's City Centre, while the southern boundary stretches to the more rural land near the city limits. Southeast Calgary is notable as the home of the Inglewood neighbourhood—Calgary's original neighbourhood—which remains one of the city's most desired and eclectic communities. Inglewood is just one of many residential neighbourhoods in the quadrant, providing a wide variety of living options for city residents.

Most residents live in apartments and condos in Southeast Calgary as they are in the most abundance. However, the area boasts a variety of single-family dwellings as well, including a wide selection of Southeast Calgary new construction homes.

Southeast Calgary is the perfect area for enjoying the outdoors thanks to the many parks and green spaces, not to mention the famous Calgary Zoo. Some of Calgary's best dining and cultural options call the area home. Southeast Calgary has numerous local breweries and distilleries within its borders, making it a great place to grab a drink or hit the town for a night out. The area is well-served by local mass transit and numerous provincial highways that provide easy trips both throughout the city and around the rest of Alberta.

Employers Near Southeast Calgary

Southeast Calgary offers an incredibly diverse job market, meaning there's something for every would-be resident. From manufacturing to medicine, there's no shortage of variety in the area's job market.

One of the area's major employers is Canada Pacific Railway, and one of the system's primary yards is located in Southeast Calgary. It's the primary location for rail car repairs and diesel servicing, employing many skilled positions. The railyard also supports many jobs in associated industries, including welders, fabricators, and more.

St. Mary's University, located in Southeast Calgary, provides various employment opportunities, from cleaning and food service to academic, professional, and other jobs across the education spectrum. Residents can find a similar bounty of employment opportunities at Alberta Health Services' South Health Campus. These are just a few of the many local businesses that operate and service the region, providing employment opportunities in abundance.

Meanwhile, Southeast Calgary also offers easy access to countless employers throughout Alberta, including the nearby Okotoks region, thanks to easily-accessible local roads and provincial highways. These make it easy to live in Southeast Calgary even when you don't work in the city, as you can still enjoy a relatively easy commute.

Southeast Calgary Neighbourhood Amenities

Living in Southeast Calgary offers easy access and proximity to a wide variety of amenities, from stores for everyday shopping to easy transportation around the city and province. This large, diverse part of the city provides just about everything residents could need. Here's a closer look at what Southeast has to offer.

Neighbourhood Services

As one of the most significant geographic areas of the city, residents of Southeast Calgary have access to various services to make life easy and convenient. The neighbourhood is well served by Calgary's public transportation, which operates bus and rail lines around the city. Numerous light rail stops are located throughout the Southeast area along Calgary Transit's Red Line, and several dozen bus routes criss-cross the city, making travel easy even for those without a car. Health services are provided by Alberta Health Services South Health Campus, while residents can also stay in shape with fitness classes and a gym at the Calgary YMCA.

Neighbourhood Shopping

There's no shortage of shopping options throughout the Southeast Calgary area. South Centre Mall is home to many stores, from national and international chains to local small businesses. Those looking for more local flair can head to Southeast's Calgary Farmers' Market. Held in the Fairview neighbourhood, the market features more than 75 vendors selling everything from clothing to home goods to produce and meat. Southeast Calgary Farmers' Market also has a food hall that offers on-site dining options.

Southeast Calgary is home to the vibrant International Avenue district along 17th Avenue SE. With businesses and restaurants representing many of Calgary's myriad cultures and nationalities, it's among the city's top culinary and cultural neighbourhoods.

Neighborhood Property Owners' Associations

Southeast Calgary is a quadrant of the city rather than a master-planned community or subdivision, so there aren't community-wide homeowners' association fees. Small individual communities within Southeast Calgary may have property owners' associations with varying fees and amenities, but this is the exception rather than the rule. There are, however, numerous organizations designed to improve the community and provide services to residents. These include the Southeast Calgary Community Resource Centre, which offers a variety of programs and help for Calgarians in need.

Things to Do in Southeast Calgary

Those living in Southeast Calgary will find no shortage of things to do, from relaxing walks in nearby parks to exciting nights out on the town or day trips to fun nearby attractions. Calgary offers a unique combination of big-city dining, nightlife, and the western frontier spirit in nearly every aspect of this amazing city. Here are a few top things to do for Southeast Calgary residents.

Outdoor Activities

It's so easy to get outdoors in Southeast Calgary, thanks to many parks, green spaces, and other outdoor attractions. Among the best choices is Pearce Estate Park, a 21-hectare space along the Bow River with wetlands, a walking trail, a playground, and the Bow Habitat Visitor Centre. It's a popular area for exercising, watching wildlife, or enjoying a peaceful oasis in the heart of Calgary.

Further south along the Bow River, Southeast Calgary residents also have easy access to Fish Creek Provincial Park, which has no shortage of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park, which is in the Deer Ridge neighbourhood, also offers a variety of nature-themed events and educational opportunities.

The northern edge of the district also contains the well-known Calgary Zoo. The not-for-profit zoo includes sections dedicated to penguins, African animals, native Canadian animals, and more.

Restaurants, Breweries, and Bars

Calgary has a unique and growing food scene, and Southeast Calgary is home to many restaurants, breweries, bars, and other nightlife spots contributing to it. A perfect example of this is Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, set in the woods near Fish Creek Provincial Park, which specializes in local ingredients and wild Canadian game. Other popular options include Fuji Ramen and Sushi, The Park Kitchen and Bar, and numerous local and national chains (located primarily along the highways).

Southeast Calgary is also the site of the Manchester Brewing District, home to many of the city's top beermakers. Today, more than a dozen breweries and distilleries are within walking distance, along with a cidery and a winery, meaning there's something for residents and visitors of all tastes. Southeast also hosts the Brewery Flats area of Inglewood, another popular neighbourhood for drinking and nightlife.

Nearby Attractions

Living in Southeast Calgary puts so much right at residents' fingertips, both in the city and around the province. Of course, the city hosts one of the biggest celebrations of Alberta's western heritage, the Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Stampede takes over the city for ten days every July, drawing more than a million visitors to the area.

Another great opportunity to connect with local history is at the nearby Heritage Park Historical Village. The sprawling waterfront facility includes sections on different periods of Canadian history, along with shopping, dining, and unique exhibits. Calgarians can also enjoy entertainment with their dinner at StageWest, which offers eight shows a week and a massive buffet. This is just a tiny part of the many exciting attractions around Calgary waiting for new residents to discover.

Schools in Southeast Calgary

Parents and students have various educational opportunities to choose from in Southeast Calgary. The area is served by numerous public schools operated by the Calgary Board of Education, Alberta's largest school district, with an enrollment of more than 120,000 students and a faculty of more than 10,000. The district has more than 240 schools, many located in the Southeast. These include:

• Banting and Best School
• Fairview School
• Chaparral School
• Auburn Bay School
• Forest Lawn High School
• Lord Beaverbrook High School

This large portion of the city also includes several private schools as alternative options for parents. Among the most notable is All Saints High School, a Catholic school located on the south side of the Walden neighbourhood. Secular private schools are also located throughout the region, including a campus of the respected West Island College.

Southeast Calgary residents can also pursue higher education right in their neighbourhood. It's the site of St. Mary's University, a private Catholic liberal arts college. Students can earn degrees in standard fields like English, history, and biology, along with more specialized programs in social justice and Catholic studies. In addition, other parts of the city offer more college and university options, including the University of Calgary.

There's Something For Everyone In Southeast Calgary

Southeast Calgary is truly a special place, from its outdoor attractions and drinking and dining experiences to the quality employment opportunities in virtually every industry. Residents can enjoy easy shopping for everyday needs, unique local goods, and quality fitness and health infrastructure. Even better, the quality education options and excellent access to local and provincial highways make it a top choice for those choosing a place to live in Calgary. Still, there's always more to explore in this exciting city.