Community Profile: Auburn Bay residents enjoy the lake lifestyle 365 days a year

"Life at the lake is just better," said Tannis Anstey, marketing manager for Calgary communities at Brookfield Residential, while explaining the vision behind the community of Auburn Bay.

"It was really inspired by the cottage lifestyle. We wanted to create a four-season lake community where everyone feels welcome and neighbours become friends."

That lifestyle is what attracted Justin and Jennifer Humphries to the community. They were looking for a new community that offered a lake lifestyle – one where they could design their own home, and meet and socialize with other young families.

"It was really inspired by the cottage lifestyle. We wanted to create a four-season lake community where everyone feels welcome and neighbours become friends." - Tannis Anstey, Brookfield Residential marketing manager

"Before we moved to Auburn Bay, we would have to pack up and go to the lake. Now we just walk out our backyard carrying fishing rods," said Justin Humphries. "We can go paddle boarding, swimming or canoeing right here, or just hang out at our dock."

Since moving to the community five years ago, the couple has designed and built two homes. Their current home is on a private lake access lot, within a pod of 25 homes that shares a private dock and green space. The homes are all tied together by a pathway that winds behind their backyards.

"At last count, there were 52 kids on our pathway, mostly between newborn and seven," said Jennifer Humphries. "There is always something going on – block parties, pub nights. It's really great."

The community is nearing the end of its development, and is in its final building phase. The final population is expected to hover around 17,000 residents.

Home styles run the gamut from condos and townhomes all the way up to estate homes, with condo prices starting in the $130,000s.