Living in Southwest Calgary: Reasons to Love Calgary's SW Quadrant
Posted by Justin Havre on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 at 12:40pm.
Living in Southwest Calgary offers a blend of urban convenience and natural beauty, making it a popular choice for those looking to enjoy everything the city has to offer. This area is known for its well-maintained parks, easy access to the Glenmore Reservoir, and vibrant shopping districts. With access to Calgary's public transit options, schools, and a variety of restaurants, Southwest Calgary provides a balanced lifestyle for its residents. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, local cafes, or quick access to downtown, Southwest Calgary combines city living with the quiet charm of suburban spaces. Explore why this neighborhood is an excellent place to live for anyone seeking convenience, recreation, and amenities in one of Calgary's most desirable areas.
Highlights of Living in Southwest Calgary
- Diverse Housing Options: Southwest Calgary offers a variety of housing styles, from modern condos to spacious single-family homes.
- Green Spaces and Parks: The area is home to many parks, including North Glenmore Park and Fish Creek Provincial Park, providing excellent opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and picnicking.
- Proximity to Glenmore Reservoir: Residents enjoy easy access to the Glenmore Reservoir, offering recreational opportunities like sailing, rowing, and walking trails.
- Shopping and Dining: Southwest Calgary features several shopping hubs, such as the CF Chinook Centre, alongside trendy local restaurants.
- Educational Facilities: The area boasts many educational opportunities and is home to Mount Royal University, making it appealing for those prioritizing education.
- Public Transit and Connectivity: Southwest Calgary is well-served by Calgary Transit, with CTrain stations and bus routes providing quick connections to downtown and other parts of the city.
- Suburban Atmosphere: Despite its urban proximity, Southwest Calgary maintains a peaceful, suburban vibe with tree-lined streets and family-friendly neighborhoods.
- Thriving Arts and Culture Scene: Residents have access to cultural activities, including local galleries, theaters, and music festivals, enhancing the area's vibrant community feel.
Southwest Calgary Lifestyle
Southwest Calgary is home to many residential neighbourhoods and some of the most beautiful nature parks and green spaces. With its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest Quadrant also has a number of Calgary's neighbourhoods with Rocky Mountain views. These areas contribute to the city's well-earned reputation as one of North America's most beautiful. Like many other Calgary districts, Southwest Calgary is part of the area's progressive transit system, with many trains and buses leading to Downtown Calgary.
Along with its proximity to some of the area's main thoroughfares—which provide easy access to the Okotoks community to the south and Downtown Calgary to the north, Southwest Calgary is ideal for commuters and residents who frequently travel around the city. And while plenty of those commuters live in Southwest Calgary's condos and apartments, this section of the city also offers a variety of new construction homes and historic neighbourhoods.
Another reason Southwest Calgary is one of the area's fastest-growing districts is its abundance of amenities, from parks and museums to esteemed universities. Southwest Calgary has a variety of offerings for its residents. Learn more about Southwest Calgary living, and you'll see why so many residents and companies are moving into this dynamic district.
Real Estate Market in Southwest Calgary
From the new construction homes and condos in Southwest Calgary to historic and luxury homes, this district offers a broad range of real estate options. Homes typically list from around $200,000 to $1.75 million. However, the most expansive luxury homes in Southwest Calgary can list for more than $5 million.
Employers Near Southwest Calgary
While the highest concentration of jobs is located in Calgary's City Centre, major companies have offices in Southwest Calgary, so opportunities abound for job seekers.
Being less than a 15-minute drive from Downtown Calgary, the Southwest is a popular area for commuters to all city points. It also has many public transportation options, including buses and trains. For those who prefer to work in the district they live in, Southwest Calgary has a share of the city's 140-plus corporate headquarters, which have a tremendous positive impact on Calgary's economy.
For Southwest Calgary residents, one of the largest employers is Suncor. Established in 1919, Suncor is one of the nation's leading energy companies, with over 30,000 employees worldwide. Other major companies just a short commute for Southwest Calgary residents are Gibson Energy and South Calgary Health Centre, among others.
Southwest Calgary Amenities
While residents can easily access all that Downtown Calgary has to offer, the Southwest has tons of amenities, including lush green parks, excellent museums, fantastic dining options, and more. Learn more about some of the area's amenities, services, and attractions.
Southwest Calgary Services
Southwest Calgary provides abundant services to its residents, from transportation to healthcare and recreational facilities. For healthcare, residents are primarily served by Rockyview General Hospital on the northern edge of the luxurious Eagle Ridge neighbourhood. Because there are many companies with headquarters around the city, Southwest residents commute to jobs all around Calgary. Fortunately, Calgary Transit serves its residents with a comprehensive public transit system. The C Train is the area's main line that regularly runs routes to and from Downtown Calgary and beyond. Numerous bus lines go all over the metropolitan area.
For those who prefer driving in Calgary, the quadrant is bordered by Macleod Trail to the east and Stoney Trail SW to the south and west.
Southwest Calgary Shopping
Along with its commuting convenience and stunning parks, one of the greatest aspects of living in Southwest Calgary is its numerous shopping options. Area shoppers have many different options, from international retailers and national chains to local boutiques and specialty stores. For residents who prefer indoor, one-stop shopping, the CF Chinook Centre is in the Meadowlark Park neighbourhood. Meanwhile, smaller retail areas like the Glenmore Landing Shopping Centre, which is in the Bayview community, are scattered throughout Southwest Calgary.
For those who prefer a street-shopping experience, 17th Avenue SW is a short distance from most parts of the quadrant. The avenue forms the southern border of the vibrant Beltline neighbourhood and is one of Calgary's premier retail and entertainment districts. 17th Avenue SW features many restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and shops for residents and visitors alike.
Southwest Calgary Community Associations
Community events occur year-round throughout neighbourhoods in Southwest Calgary; these, combined with the area's community outreach projects and recreational facilities, have a wonderful impact on residents' lives. Many of the Southwest's lifestyle enhancements are thanks to the efforts of community and property owners' associations.
Like other districts of Calgary, the presence of property owners' associations in the Southwest is the exception rather than the rule. However, neighbourhood-level community associations are very common. From the Canyon Meadows Community Association facilitates an outdoor skating rink every winter, while the Haysboro Community Association runs racquet and hockey leagues throughout the year. The volunteers of these associations work very hard to enrich and enhance the neighbourhoods they live in, elevating residents' quality of life.
Things To Do in Southwest Calgary
With Downtown Calgary just 12 kilometres away from the heart of the city's southwest, residents will always find something to do in close proximity. That said, residents can find endless entertainment options within their neighbourhoods. From local events to parks and recreational facilities, Southwest Calgary has many activities to keep residents and visitors entertained. Learn more about some of the best things to do in Southwest Calgary.
Outdoor Activities
Nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Southwest Calgary has some of the most beautiful urban acres in Western Canada. One of the area's most naturally beautiful parks is Glenmore Reservoir, a nature retreat located on the Elbow River. Some of the best parks in Calgary are located in the Southwest, including:
- Fish Creek Provincial Park
- Bridlewood Wetlands
- Clearwater Park
- Douglas Fir Trail
- Edworthy Park
- Griffith Woods
For those who prefer extreme sports, Southwest Calgary is near some of the area's best skating and winter sports parks: Shaw Millennium Park and WinSport. Shaw Millennium Park has many ramps, halfpipes, and over 75,000 square feet of skateable surface for skateboarders. For skiers and snowboarders, WinSport is a winter sports paradise.
Restaurants, Breweries, & Bars
Like other major metropolitan areas in Canada, Calgary and its quadrants have a great food culture. The area's most popular cuisine options are Canadian casual, Italian, Japanese, Ethiopian, Thai, Indian, and more. Along with its exquisite food, the southwest is home to some of the best breweries in Calgary, including Marda Loop Brewing and Inner City Brewing Company.
Nearby Attractions
Southwest Calgary has some of the city's best parks and green spaces, including Heritage Park. But there's so much to explore beyond Southwest Calgary. For those who love golf, Southwest Calgary is home to Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, Lakeview Golf Course, Earl Grey Golf Club, and much more.
In addition to the western stretch of Fish Creek Provincial Park, Southwest Calgary is home to North Glenmore Park, Weaselhead Flats Natural Environment Park, and the Spruce Meadows equestrian centre.
Southwest Calgary Schools
In addition to employment opportunities and amenities, one of the most critical factors many prospective residents consider is educational opportunities. Students residing in Southwest Calgary are served by the Calgary Board of Education. Southwest Calgary, part of Area IV, is comprised of 56 communities and is one of the largest areas of the district.
Area IV covers both public and private schools, with numerous elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools offering an array of programs to suit students' individualized educational needs. Some of Area IV's high schools include:
- Central Memorial High School: Located in the North Glenmore neighbourhood
- Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School: Located in the Canyon Meadows community
- Henry Wise Wood High School: Located in the Kelvin Grove neighbourhood
For higher education, Southwest Calgary is home to Mount Royal University, one of the largest in the city. Mount Royal offers a broad range of programs, from undergraduate to graduate degrees and world-class facilities like the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts. Plus, the University of Calgary is 15 kilometres north in Northwest Calgary.
Life in Southwest Calgary
From its abundance of restaurants and shops to its lush parks and green spaces, Southwest Calgary's top neighbourhoods have much to offer. In recent years, this dynamic district has provided its residents with tremendous employment opportunities and the excellent work-life balance many strive for. Yet, when moving to Southwest Calgary, it's crucial to explore the different neighbourhoods to find the right fit. Every neighbourhood in this district has its own distinct identity, and it's worth exploring as many of them as possible before settling into the area. For those who want to enjoy all that Calgary has to offer just a short distance from downtown, Southwest Calgary has it all.
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.