When planning an upward move, everyone looks for more room in their new home, with greater amenities and accessibility to work and shopping. Perhaps even more importantly, people are happiest when they live in an area where they can establish lasting social connections.

Families want to live in a community of people that interact, not just exist in an attractive subdivision. This means finding a home in a neighbourhood that has abundant public spaces, access to green space and recreational facilities for the whole family.

NuVista Homes builds in communities that have this kind of connection built-in. Everybody’s dream is to find a new neighbourhood that’s close to shopping and restaurants, has good schools and is a community, not just a collection of homes. Front porches and verandas encourage people to get to know each other in these new neighbourhoods, and group amenities for children and adults bring families together.

Cooper’s Crossing

Cooper's Crossing is a highly popular new community for families, and the options for homes include everything from townhomes to estates. You can even get a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains and downtown Calgary from the area’s rolling prairies. Designed as a prairie-values community, it’s an attractive neighbourhood for those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. Shops and businesses, as well as schools and recreational facilities, are all within walking distance.

At Cooper’s Crossing, the brand new Genesis Place Recreation Centre is within walking distance of most homes. There are parks, baseball diamonds and skating rinks in the community, with plenty of shopping options and restaurants nearby. One of the most popular attractions of this neighbourhood is the 300 acres of parks, trails and play areas. More is on the way, with a planned splash park and skate park coming soon.

The Willows of River Heights

The Willows of River Heights is a master-planned community that includes townhomes, bungalows and attached garage homes. Like Cooper’s Crossing, this is a place where you can find a home to fit both your budget and your lifestyle. The mix of available home plans invites all ages and stages of residents to get to know each other and provides ample opportunity to do so with nearby recreational areas. The Town of Cochrane has a Structure Plan for this community that includes an employment centre, transit and shopping amenities.

Uphill from the Bow River, The Willows has wetland preserves and a pond with native plants to provide a habitat for wildlife. The pedestrian-friendly streets lead to green spaces and meeting places, and the neighbourhood’s central gathering spot is Willow Park (of course!). This is a preserve with grass and trees, and it has an active play park with a soft sand surface. At the Willows, you will be able to enjoy green spaces and country living. Downtown Calgary is only a 20-minute drive from this soothing and spacious community.

Silverado 

The Silverado Community Association is the hub of social activity in the Silverado community. Golf tournaments, community cleanup days and fun runs are just a few of the events sponsored by the association. The annual Silverado Stampede BBQ each September is located at the Silverado Marketplace, a local gathering spot for residents. This event features face painting, music, good food and fun times for the whole family. Homes in this community include elegant move-up homes on large lots, with a new school under construction in the area.

There are a variety of home models to choose from in Silverado, and homeowners have room for pools or gazebos on their spacious lots. Many of these estate homes also have three-car garages, and the final phase of the community is now being built. There are existing schools from elementary to high school, with daycare and preschool also nearby. Two new elementary schools have been built, and commercial developments such as a new hospital are a short drive away.

Evanston

The Calgary community of Evanston, with Phase 22 and Phase 24 currently in development,  attracts young families because of playgrounds, green spaces and a neighbourhood that is safe for children. There are open spaces, back lanes and verandas in Evanston that encourage neighbours to meet and greet each other on a regular basis.

Nearby Evanston Towne Centre already offers shops, restaurants and banking, and planning for phase two includes even more amenities. Pre-existing shopping is available at Nose Hill Park and CrossIron Mills, both nearby. New phases of this community include duplexes, lane homes and front-attached homes.

Evanston also has the distinction of being an environmentally conscious neighbourhood. All of the NuVista homes here are designed with water-saving appliances and water-conserving landscaping. Once the homes pass water-use inspection, each resident receives a free rain barrel for future water conservation. Becoming certified means that each of these homes goes beyond suggested environmental guidelines for responsible water usage.

NuVista Community Spirit

One thing that ties all of these high-quality communities together is their emphasis on social connections. Each development has been planned to include recreational opportunities for everyone, and there are abundant natural outdoor spaces. These neighbourhoods are built near retail and business outlets to meet homeowners’ needs, making small-town living convenient. Even better, all of these subdivisions provide local gathering spots for families.

Open space is plentiful and each neighbourhood can take advantage of group facilities designed to draw families closer to each other. New schools have been built or are under construction, making homeowners secure in the knowledge that their children are getting a good education. The City of Calgary is close by for homeowners to enjoy the benefits of the big city when the mood strikes. In the meantime, this is suburban living at its finest for hardworking families.