Nestled side by side, the northwest communities of Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge share an abundance of amenities, including grocery stores, community green spaces and walking trails. But two features that make these communities stand out are the jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountains and the brand-new Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge, a 284,000-square-foot health and wellness centre that opened its doors in January.

"The hunger and desire for this type of community space has been long anticipated," said Ken Lima-Coelho, vice-president of community engagement for YMCA Calgary.

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.

A new condominium project loaded with urban appeal has launch in the new-urbanist-style enclave of Sage Hill Quarter in the heart of Calgary's new northwest. The project, which is called Q Condos, is the latest offering from Morrison Homes Multi-Family.

"There is really nothing like this in the northwest," said Robert Toth, marketing lead for Morrison Homes Multi-Family. "It is very unique."

With its diverse mix of housing types, rich history and close proximity to Calgary's core, Tuxedo Park is rapidly transforming into a thriving community of hip, young families.

"There are so many young families in the neighbourhood. And I've met so many new people, just by walking around the community with my baby in his stroller," said Anne Johnson, president of the Tuxedo Park Community Association.

By the end of this year, Calgary's full secondary suite policies will put into play a "gentle density" housing market.
After consulting with community associations and collecting online public feedback, city administrators will send design guidelines for backyard suites to committee and city council for approval.

Lisa Kahn, the City of Calgary's legislation and land-use bylaws co-ordinator, says the new rules will govern how backyard suites look and interact with their communities.

"Life at the lake is just better," said Tannis Anstey, marketing manager for Calgary communities at Brookfield Residential, while explaining the vision behind the community of Auburn Bay.

"It was really inspired by the cottage lifestyle. We wanted to create a four-season lake community where everyone feels welcome and neighbours become friends."

Just an hour-and-a-half south of Calgary and only 30 minutes from the town of Vulcan lies a little-known gem. The Little Bow Resort and its collection of 250 bare land condominium properties is located along the sandy shores of Travers Reservoir, a 17-kilometre-long lake with crystal clear waters fed by the Little Bow River.

"It really is beautifully clean, and it is a deep lake and quiet, so you can really enjoy boating and all of the sports that go along with it," said Calgary real estate professional and Little Bow property owner Bill MacDougall.

The Beltline is a community experiencing a period of major transition – from the reconstruction of 17th Avenue S.W. to the reimagining of Victoria Park.

Through it all, the beauty and vibrancy of this inner-city neighbourhood just seems to be getting stronger and stronger.

As part of downtown's humming riverfront, the community of Eau Claire possesses a rich and varied history. With beginnings in the 1880s as an industrial site, the land was originally owned and developed by the Prince family, which founded the Eau Claire Lumber Mill.

South Calgary just keeps getting better and better. It's an area charged with arts and culture, natural beauty, public art, funky coffee shops, and stellar restaurants. It's also home to beach volleyball courts and a public outdoor swimming pool, one of only a handful still operating in the city.

"The community has so much culture and vibrancy. It's so fun to just walk down 33rd Avenue and people watch," said South Calgary resident Jude Savoy, who has lived in the community for almost five years.