NW Calgary homes and communities

NW Calgary stretches from the older streets of Hillhurst and Sunnyside near downtown out to the newer communities along Stoney Trail. It’s the city’s university quarter and its gateway to the mountains, with the Trans-Canada Highway heading west to Canmore and Banff.

What the NW is like

Close to the centre, communities like Varsity, Dalhousie, Brentwood and Charleswood grew up in the 1960s and ’70s around the University of Calgary: bungalows and split-levels on large, mature lots. Further out, the Hamptons, Edgemont, Arbour Lake, Royal Oak, Rocky Ridge and Tuscany filled in from the late 1980s through the 2000s with two-storey family homes, many on hills with views. Evanston, Sage Hill and the newest communities along Stoney Trail continue to grow.

Homes you’ll find

• Detached homes, the most common type, from older bungalows to large newer builds.
• Townhouses and duplexes, especially in the northern communities.
• Condos near the university, the Red Line stations and Crowfoot.
• Homes with suites near the university, which some investors look for.

For a similar home, NW prices have generally been higher than in the NE, and in many communities closer to those of the SW. Ask Rene for this month’s numbers in the communities you’re considering.

Getting around

The Red Line CTrain runs from downtown through the university area to Crowfoot and Tuscany. Crowchild Trail, Shaganappi Trail, Sarcee Trail and Stoney Trail carry most of the car traffic, and the Trans-Canada (16 Ave N) heads west to the mountains.

Everyday life

The Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary’s largest hospital, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital are both in the NW. Market Mall, Crowfoot Crossing, Beacon Hill and North Hill Centre cover shopping. Nose Hill Park, one of the largest urban parks in Canada, is a natural grassland in the middle of the quadrant, and Bowness Park sits on the Bow River.

Who it suits

Families who want an established community with good access to the mountains, people who work or study at the university, SAIT or the Foothills hospital, and investors looking at rentals near campus.

Communities to look at

Tuscany and Rocky Ridge

Family communities at the west end of the Red Line, near Tuscany station and the Shane Homes YMCA. Mostly detached two-storey homes, with views toward the mountains from higher streets.

Royal Oak and Arbour Lake

Detached homes and townhouses close to Crowfoot Crossing. Arbour Lake residents have access to a private community lake.

Panorama Hills, Evanston and Sage Hill

Larger northern communities along Stoney Trail, from established streets to newer builds, with detached homes, duplexes and townhouses.

Hamptons and Edgemont

Established communities on the hills above Crowchild and Shaganappi Trails, mostly larger detached homes.

Varsity, Dalhousie and Brentwood

Mature communities near the University of Calgary and the Red Line, with bungalows, split-levels and condos. Popular with university staff and students.