A pretty hamlet to the south of Calgary, Heritage Pointe offers the beauty and serenity of country living just minutes from the action of the big city.

While many homeowners cross their fingers that a flood to match 2013 never comes again, the City of Calgary has been crossing t's and dotting i's on a plan to protect those who would be affected in a worst-case scenario.

The booming U.S. Sun Belt, a drooping Canadian dollar, and a new speculation tax applied to popular B.C. vacation areas could all benefit Alberta's recreational property market this year.

I've lived in this fine city now for close to four decades, but what I've discovered is despite all that time, I still haven't experienced everything Calgary has to offer.

To change that, my goal in recent years has been to take in some of the top attractions in the city and surrounding areas that are popular among tourists who visit Calgary.

Where can you take in mountain views, watch wildlife and enjoy a peaceful acreage lifestyle, all while still being able to access downtown Calgary in under half an hour? According to residents, the answer is the communities of Springbank and Bearspaw on Calgary's northwestern fringe.

If the idea of living on an acreage appeals to you, but you don't think you can afford the price of admission, don't despair. There are some areas around Calgary where affordable acreages can still be found.

Alberta vacation communities for Calgarians

During the summer months, it's always nice to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R and R – whether for a few weeks or only a weekend – which is why the idea of owning a vacation property is so appealing to many Calgarians. Thankfully, there are no shortage of options here in the province for vacationers of all stripes.

Here are 10 popular vacation communities within three hours of Calgary:

Though there's nary a house in sight at this stage, it's easy to feel at home in Hamilton Heights Estates. After a long day at the office, what could be homier than peace, privacy and captivating mountain views, all within 10 minutes of south Calgary and Okotoks?

Airdrie resident and REALTOR® Matt Carre was always a big-city guy. He was born in Montreal and grew up in Toronto, with a few years spent in major U.S. centres. In 2004, he moved to Calgary.

But in 2006, he left the big city and moved to Airdrie with his wife and fellow Realtor Michelle, who was born and raised in the charming, community-centric city of just over 68,000 people. It didn't take long for him to change his allegiances.

Much like Calgary, the bedroom community of Chestermere didn't escape the real estate market pitfalls of 2018. However, some experts say that the worst is over, predicting that as the spring of 2019 takes root, sunnier days lie ahead.