Two southeast communities conceptualized in the late '80s and early '90s are still turning heads 20 years later. McKenzie Lake and McKenzie Towne share a lineage and a location: they are both named after one of the first homesteaders in the area, James McKenzie, and they sit side by side on the east and west boundaries of Deerfoot Trail. But that is where the similarities end.

Perhaps one of Calgary's most beautiful neighbourhoods, Crescent Heights is a photographer's dream. Situated on a staggered bluff overlooking downtown to the south and the Rocky Mountains to the west, the community is peppered with two-century-old elm trees that create whimsical canopies along the streetscapes.

"We've lived in the neighbourhood for more than five years and the view just doesn't get old," said Victor Gallardo. "I'm always thinking how lucky I am to have my everyday running route include a spectacular view of downtown and the mountains."

On the northern edge of Okotoks, beside the pristine D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club, a new community is taking shape. D'Arcy, a master-planned community from Anthem United, will bring together people, popular amenities and natural beauty at the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains.

The established community of Aspen Woods is slated for some growth thanks to the optimistic outlook of a few developers. On the south side of 17th Avenue S.W., immediately south of Aspen Landing Shopping Centre, Ronmor Developers Inc. is in the conceptual stages of its latest project – Springbank Hill Market, a 20-acre, mixed-use, commercial and residential development.

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.

At first glance, the southeast communities of Ramsay and Ogden may seem as though they have nothing in common. Ramsay is an up-and-coming, inner-city, hipster hangout, while Ogden conjures images of a more family-centric, suburban lifestyle. However, these communities are threaded together by a common denominator that weaves through the city's landscape and is steeped in rich history – the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).

As one meanders along the narrow and hilly streets of Bankview, it's hard not to be struck by the eclectic nature of the streetscape. Century-old, Craftsman-style homes sit alongside 1960s-era, four-storey, walk-up apartment buildings, and swanky new duplexes and infills. Adding softness to the landscape, fifty-foot-tall trees pepper the greenspaces, arching across the boulevards and creating a canopy of enchantment. Steps away, coffee shops, pubs and the boutique shops on 17th Avenue S.W. thrum with the beat of the bustling city.

When one thinks about Calgary's southeast community of Forest Lawn, one of the first things that come to mind is its lively food scene.

"I try to take a meander through the area at least once a month, exploring new restaurants and grabbing some great ingredients from the local ethnic food stores," said Jenna McNab, who loves to whip up authentic culinary gems. Although she doesn't live in the neighbourhood, like many Calgarians she considers Forest Lawn's International Avenue a can't-miss destination.

However, Forest Lawn is about more than just food. It's also about diversity and inspiration.

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.

WestCreek Developments continues to make its mark on Calgary's suburban skyline with two new communities – Cornerbrook in the northeast and Wolf Willow in the southeast.