The concept of "home" is much more than just the house you live in. Home is a place where you feel welcomed, where everything you need is right at hand. And home means that you live in a community you're proud to be a part of.
Today's developments aren't just rows of houses stuck down on a street and then given a fancy name. They are carefully constructed to connect neighbours to neighbours, whether it's spacious, tree-lined boulevards or lovely landscaped walking paths. Communities are built to eliminate through traffic, meaning you can step outside your house at any time and enjoy peace, quiet, and beautiful views.
Central zones with playgrounds, sports field, and recreation centres serve as the hub for the community, allowing opportunities for neighbours to become friends.
A Place to Learn
All of us are lifelong learners, but our formal education begins when we are young and attend our first schools. Today's developments include plans for future schools as well as close access to a wide selection of choice schools, including both public and Catholic options.
Being close to schools is more than just convenience. Children feel more confident and relaxed when they know that home is just a short distance away. In some cases, kids can even walk to school, and parents can drop by at any time. And when it comes time for sports games, recitals, and other extra-curricular activities, having quality schools close by makes families stronger.
A Place to Work
Whether you work from home or you face a daily commute, work is a big part of your life. And one of the ways that today's developments make work easier is by being located within easy reach of major highways so that you can get to and from your job in a short amount of time.
Many of today's developments are located close to both planned office parks and shopping areas as well as existing ones. This makes it easier to find jobs close to home, including teenage members of the family who may be entering the labour force for the first time.
A Place to Play
We all crave and need fresh air, sunshine, and to feel the wind on our faces. Today's family-friendly communities make stepping outside comfortable and inviting. There are beautiful ponds, lakes, and bodies of water to explore, trails to hike and bike, and lovely parks perfect for enjoying a picnic or tossing around a ball with friends and family members.
Playgrounds, recreation centres, swimming pools, spray parks, and a host of other great outdoor activities are close at hand when you live in one of today's new developments, allowing residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle without ever having to leave their neighbourhood.
Let's take a look at some of these family-friendly developments that you can find in Calgary.
Redstone
Located in Calgary's northeast, Redstone has been carefully designed to create a small-town atmosphere, perfect for growing families, while still being close to jobs, museums, theatres, parks, and other amenities in the big city.
Redstone is the proud home of two brand-new school sites. An LRT station is planned for the area, making commuting to work or school even easier. The community has more than two kilometres of beautifully landscaped pathways that make connecting with neighbours, recreation centres, and parks enjoyable, safe, and easy.
The Willows of River Heights
Located in the scenic Bow River Valley, The Willows of River Heights is a beautiful community that has everything a family could need.
The Willows is in Cochrane, just west of Calgary. The town centre is popular for its boutique coffee shops and ice cream varieties as well as its rustic Western atmosphere. The nearby Big Hill offers panoramic views of the city as well as the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, bicycling, and wind sports such as paragliding.
Evanston
Located in North Calgary, Evanston has been designed with prairie values in mind. This is perfect for those who want to feel like they’re living in a small town but who still want to be close to a city. Rather than building up fences to keep the backyards private, you’ll find that the backyards here are open and flowing into each other. Your child might look out her bedroom window, see the neighbourhood kids playing a game of tag, and run out to join them. There are also open community spaces, playgrounds, and a gathering gazebo nearby. We know that you want to put down roots and really feel like you belong to a community when you choose a home in Evanston.
Ravenswood
If you live in the community of Ravenswood, you won’t have to travel far to get just about anything you need. Located in the city of Airdrie, you’ll have easy access to shops for groceries, clothing, home goods, and more. The community features numerous paths for strolling and safe bike riding. Try taking an evening walk to a nearby playground for the kids to let some energy out before they have to settle down for bed. Since it’s so easy to get to the QE2 Highway, you’ll have an easy commute into Calgary, but the suburban feel means that your kids will be able to take advantage of the larger-than-usual lot sizes.
Silverado
If you’ve always dreamed of having a stately home, but like rural areas, you’ll love life in Silverado. It takes advantage of distinctive landscaping and architectural styles to give the neighbourhood a unique look, but you’ll feel like you’re living in a rural area. This southwest Calgary community has almost 30,000 linear feet of trails that are perfect for a family bike ride. If you’re ready to get back in touch with nature, the nearby wetlands are the perfect spot to check out local plants and animals.
A Brighter Future
Building a strong sense of community for your children now is always a good idea, but you also want to think about the future. As more people move to the Calgary area, we know that it can put a strain on resources. That’s why we offer environmentally friendly choices to those who build with us. For instance, your home will incorporate water-saving techniques, such as low-flow faucets and low-watering landscape designs, to help protect the natural resources and secure a brighter future for your children.
Families have specific needs when it comes to their homes, and the best way to get everything you want is to build a new home is a community that understands families. Come check out the communities we build in and see how they are great places to raise the next generation.
Originally published July 7, 2016, updated January 9, 2018.
