Living in South West Calgary: 10 Reasons to Love SW Calgary

Divided by the Elbow River and the Glenmore Reservoir, Southwest Calgary is best known for its walkable neighbourhoods and gorgeous green spaces, notably Heritage Park. The Southwest is separated from the Southeast Calgary district by the Macleod Trail, which acts as a boundary between the districts. Living in Southwest Calgary offers a dynamic, lively lifestyle with some of the best attractions Calgary has to offer.

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, Southwest Calgary also has stunning mountain views that contribute to the city's well-earned reputation as one of North America's most beautiful. The Beltline neighbourhood, one of the city's most famous neighbourhoods, is home to hundreds of businesses spanning West Connaught's neighbourhoods and East Victoria Park. 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 city of Okotoks and the US border—Southwest Calgary is ideal for Downtown Calgary commuters. 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 historical 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.

Employers Near Southwest Calgary

While many jobs are in Calgary's City Centre, major companies have offices based 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. But for those who would prefer to work in the district they live in, Southwest Calgary has one of the largest concentrations of Calgary-based corporate headquarters, second only to Downtown.

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 in Southwest Calgary. Because there are many companies with headquarters around the city, Southwest residents commute to jobs all around Calgary. Fortunately, the expansive Calgary public transit system serves its residents. 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.

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. Home to a major shopping center and a boutique retail street, area shoppers have many different options, from international retailers and national chains to local boutiques and specialty stores—shoppers will find everything they need in this vibrant district! For residents who prefer indoor, one-stop shopping, Westbrook Mall has numerous retailers, restaurants, and service providers. For those who prefer a street-shopping experience, 17th Avenue SW is Southwest Calgary's premier retail and entertainment district, with many restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and shops for residents and visitors alike.

Southwest Calgary Property Owners Association

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 property owners' associations.

Like other Calgary quadrants, the presence of property owners' associations in the Southwest is the exception rather than the rule. However, three of the area's most prominent property owners' associations are Killarney-Glengarry Community Association, West Springs Farm, and the Homeowners' Association of the Springbank Hill community. 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 Southwest's center, 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:

• Battalion Park
• Bridlewood Wetlands
• Clearwater Park
• Douglas Fir Trail
• Edworthy Park
• Griffith Woods

For those who prefer extreme sports, Southwest Calgary is home to 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, Southwest Calgary is an artisanal brewing haven with modern microbreweries like 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, yet there is also so much to explore beyond Southwest Calgary. For those who love golf, Southwest Calgary is just a short distance from Shaganappi Point Golf Course, a premier course overlooking the Bow River. In addition to beautiful golf courses, residents are just a short drive from other beautiful parks in the area, including Edworthy Park in the nearby Patterson Heights and Prominence Point neighbourhoods.

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. Area IV's high schools include Central Memorial High School, Alternative High School, Ernest Manning High School, and Western Canada High School. There are also numerous post-secondary schools in the area, including Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary.

Life in Southwest Calgary

From its abundance of restaurants and shops to its lush parks and green spaces, Southwest Calgary is a vibrant area with 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.