Nestled on the west side of the city, the upscale community of Aspen Woods has it all – a bevy of amenities, pockets of Aspen groves, picturesque ponds, stunning mountain views and a selection of home designs.

Jeannie Sturdy, interior designer and owner of Sturdy Design Co., lives just steps away from Aspen in Signal Hill. Her son goes to school in Aspen and many of her design clients are either in the process of renovating or building a home in this coveted west-Calgary community.

"I spend a great deal of time in Aspen and there is just so much here – workout studios, awesome grocery shops like Blush Lane and Cobs Bread, and a ton of restaurants," she said. "On a Friday night we just zip up to Mercato West for a great dinner. It's so convenient. We rarely go downtown anymore."

Location, location, location. "That's one of the top things that this community has going for it. Location and amenities," said Cindy Arevalo, co-area sales manager for Trico Homes's new townhome project in the Wentworth area of West Springs.

Bounded by Springbank to the west, Old Banff Coach Road to the north, Bow Trail to the south and 69th Street S.W. to the east, West Springs boasts easy access to the downtown core and the Rocky Mountains. With over 10,000 residents, it's a young and vibrant community where 97 per cent of the population is under retirement age.

Located in the family friendly community of Wentworth in Calgary's prestigious upper west side, Wentworth Pointe by Trico Homes is a collection of luxury townhomes surrounded by numerous amenities, shopping centres, highly sought-after schools, and transit routes.

For a city that merges cosmopolitan chic with shades of the Wild West, striving to attain the best of both worlds is nothing new. Lately, though, developers are taking the "have your cake and eat it too" approach, crafting trendy, downtown-style districts and amenities in up-and-coming Calgary suburban areas. If you're seeking to merge the benefits of the suburbs with the cool retail and cultural scene of the inner city, your search may be over.