Now and then, Calgarians going for a morning walk in their community are stunned to discover that a house on their street has disappeared overnight.

No, the house wasn't whisked away by a tornado like in The Wizard of Oz – it's all part of a a way to "recycle" homes that ends up benefiting landowners in two locations.

Located at the confluence of Nose Hill Drive and Crowchild Trail in Calgary's northwest, the community of Ranchlands – developed in the 1970s – retains some of the unique, natural features of its namesake ranching lands.

In the centre of the community, Ranchlands Park sprawls across 12 hectares and provides examples of some of the last remnants of the typical northwest geological formations known as knobs and kettles. Retreating glacial deposits of ice carved these small rounded hilltops (knobs) and depressions (kettles). Much of Calgary's northwest featured these fields of undulating hills before development reshaped the landscape.

Located in the heart of Calgary's new northwest, Panorama Hills is Calgary's most populated community, with almost 26,000 residents calling it home.

Nestled into the sweet spot between several major arteries, the community is bordered by Stoney Trail to the north, Country Hills Boulevard to the south and Beddington Trail to the west, providing quick and easy access to surrounding areas and the downtown core.

One of the fastest growing communities in the city, Evanston was designed with lifestyle in mind. Located on the city's northern edge and bounded by two major arteries – Shaganappi Trail and Stoney Trail – the community features easy access to the downtown core and the mountains.

"Evanston's vision was wide-open spaces and a place for families to grow and flourish. It was achieved by creating parks, soccer fields, green spaces and amenities right in the community," said Laura Field, marketing co-ordinator for Qualico Communities, the developer behind Evanston.

One of the first communities to establish a foothold in Calgary's new north, Skyview Ranch has been steadily growing ever since its inception almost 10 years ago. In fact, its population has more than doubled in the past five years, growing from 4,519 residents in 2013 to more than 10,000 in 2017. It has attracted a young and diverse demographic looking for an affordable lifestyle that's close to everything.

The master-planned community is located in Calgary's northeast quadrant and surrounded by several major thoroughfares. Skyview Ranch is bounded by Metis Trail to the west and is minutes away from the Stoney Trail ring road. Where once it stood as the lone new community in the area, Skyview Ranch is now surrounded by a bevy of vibrant and unique new neighbourhoods, including Redstone, Cityscape and Cornerstone.

Appealing to a variety of demographics, the dynamic community of Cranston offers a taste of the good life.

"It's a great community with so much to offer, including schools and shopping right in the area," said Justin Castelino, marketing manager for Brookfield Residential, the developer behind upper Cranston and the niche community of Cranston's Riverstone.

The new southwest community of Hudson in Creekstone makes the most of its spectacular setting – perched on a ridge overlooking the Pine Creek coulee with the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Dennis Inglis, development manager with Highfield Land Management, says the community's location alongside a protected reserve means its scenic surroundings are here to stay, unlike some new communities where development eventually encroaches on natural lands.

Courtyard homes in Cornerstone offer buyers their own private oasis

For those homebuyers seeking privacy when it comes to their outdoor living spaces, Jayman BUILT's Courtyard homes in the northeast community of Cornerstone offer just that. What makes these homes unique is their rear-facing, double-attached garages, and yards at the side of the home.

"When you have a backyard, you often lose your privacy," said Nishi Saraswat, area sales manager for Jayman BUILT, describing the Courtyard's side yards as "verandas" between dwellings that allow residents to garden, entertain and play with increased privacy.

Carnaby Heights offers sustainable townhomes in a tranquil setting

Nestled within the northwest community of Nolan Hill is Carnaby Heights, a collection of urban and estate townhomes that mesh seamlessly with the softness of the rolling prairie landscape.

"It's a very lovely place to come home to, said Hal Pike, area sales manager for Jayman BUILT, the builder behind the townhomes. "The architecture is very quaint, and it is so quiet."

Artesia in Heritage Pointe merges luxury and landscape

Ordinarily, luxury and sustainability are not exactly two peas in a pod. However, Artesia at Heritage Pointe is no ordinary community. Situated just outside Calgary city limits south of the Bow River, the development combines urban and rural living, offering more space to roam, less maintenance and a tremendous sense of community, not to mention spectacular views.

"Our vision is to create a lifestyle community in the Heritage Pointe tradition that functions in tandem with the natural landscape and focuses on sustainability," said Bill MacDonald, project manager for land development at Heritage Pointe Properties.