The southwest community of Evergreen is snuggled against the southern edge of one of Calgary's most beautiful and accessible natural areas – Fish Creek Park. But perhaps its greatest claim to fame is an unexpected one.

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.

Calgary's "new northeast" has recently captured the spotlight, as several new communities within established communities are being unveiled – giving house hunters a refreshing taste of new home designs, in addition to the bevy of resale product that already exists in the region.

Among these, the triad of communities accessible via Metis Trail and 80th Avenue northeast – Saddle Ridge, Martindale and Taradale – are turning heads. Located a stone's throw from Calgary's International Airport and many of the major thoroughfares that frame it, the area offers quick and easy access to a wealth of established amenities.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi is in his third term in office after winning the municipal election in October. Recently he spoke with CREB®Now about issues facing the city and what he sees moving forward in 2018. Here is an edited version of that conversation.

Tree-lined streets, cul-de-sacs brimming with children at play, 1970s architecture, easy access to nature, and plenty of parks, trails, local shops and schools make the southwest communities of Cedarbrae and Oakridge desirable on many levels.

"We have a true continuum of the life cycle here, with a variety of demographics, from singles to families and retirees," said Steven Brown, president of the Cedarbrae Community League Association. "Life here really offers something for everyone."

An established northwest community that attracts buyers in all stages of life, Tuscany offers a variety of attractions, from beautiful scenery and quick access to nature, to schools, sports facilities and retail developments.

Located on the plateau along Calgary's western edge, Tuscany provides panoramic vistas that embrace the Bow River valley to the south and the foothills and Rocky Mountains to the west.

On the north side of the Bow River, the inner-city communities of Bridgeland and Renfrew are attracting young, vibrant buyers in droves thanks to their funky vibe and smorgasbord of cool restaurants, coffee shops and eclectic boutiques. Here you can find local clothing designs, loads of vinyl and good local eats. Many of the venues pair up unlikely offerings, making the vibe even quirkier. Enjoy an old-fashioned shave while sipping on a vodka martini at barbershop/cocktail lounge Cannibale, or grab one of the best coffees in town at Lukes Drug Mart.

Altadore is one of Calgary's hottest inner-city communities, and its appeal just keeps on growing, as a stream of new mixed-use condo projects, funky boutiques, grocery stores and fitness centres is rising along the 33rd and 34th Avenue corridors. The new additions stack the deck for a community that's already known for its quality pubs and restaurants. The coffee shops alone – think Monogram, Phil & Sebastian, Starbucks and, the latest addition, NHBR – are enough to attract the lion's share of latte-sipping Calgarians on frosty February mornings.

It's early afternoon on a chilly Saturday in January, and in Calgary's southeast community of Sundance, groups of teenagers gather to play a friendly game of shinny on the frozen, manmade lake that serves as a hub for the community. There is camaraderie here – an old-fashioned feeling of belonging. A fire pit takes centre stage at the upper skating rink, and an oversized sculpture of Santa Claus and his sleigh – remnants from holiday festivities – graces the promenade level of the park.

As big-box theatres stretch their reach into new communities, independent cinema is being kept alive in the heart of the city by two theatres that continue to draw a crowd, decades after they first opened.

The Plaza Theatre in Kensington and the Globe Cinema downtown have stood the test of time, as Calgary has shifted, expanded and sprouted skyward around them.

The Plaza began life as a garage in the 1920s, debuting as a theatre in 1935. It has held its ground over the years, as the area went from a little working-class community to a run-down relic in the '70s, and finally became a revitalized, gentrified gem in the present.

"There are a lot of things about the Plaza that make it special," said Logan Cameron, operations manager for the theatre.