There is something special about living close to the river – waking up in the morning to the sounds of water swishing along the banks and birds singing their morning symphony.

It's that sense of getting away from it all that is attracting people to the riverside communities of Bowness and Montgomery. Both communities boast a deep and storied history – originating as villages and then towns before being amalgamated into the city – which led to the development of a distinctive flavour and culture that is still visible today.

Tucked away just 15 minutes from Calgary's downtown core, the neighbouring communities of Glendale and Glenbrook might be two of the city's best-kept secrets.

For those who enjoy being surrounded by nature and other green spaces, the communities of Beddington Heights and Huntington Hills might be just the ticket.

Perhaps one of Calgary's most vibrant and eclectic communities, the Beltline has something for everyone – fabulous restaurants, hip cocktail bars, a variety of pubs and craft breweries, upscale grocery stores, green space galore, and an enticing selection of condo-style housing for buyers of all stripes.

Silverado is a community on the upswing of change.

Tucked away on the fringes of Spruce Meadows, Silverado began construction in 2005 and is now nearing completion.

Shovels broke ground in Evanston in 2007, but the community has quickly become one of the fastest growing and most desirable places to live in Calgary's northwest quadrant.

Tucked in amongst Calgary's northwest hills, brimming with prairie grasslands and high-plains formations, are the adjacent communities of Edgemont and Hawkwood.

Situated among some of Calgary's most picturesque landscapes, the adjacent communities of Valley Ridge and Crestmont – both originally developed in the 1990s – offer homeowners access to plenty of nature and established amenities, along with some compelling views.

Located just minutes from the Calgary International Airport, the established community of Saddle Ridge, and its community-within-a-community extension Savanna, are attracting homebuyers in droves, thanks to the area's strong sense of community and affordable home prices.

The community of Acadia sits in southeast Calgary, nestled between Carburn Park and the Bow River to the east and Macleod Trail to the west. Established in 1960, the community is home to nine schools from the public and separate boards – including the city's largest high school, Lord Beaverbrook – as well as a charter school and bilingual schools.