Quote:
Originally Posted by MarchHare
And it's not like every Calgarian wants this lifestyle. We've created economic incentives where this is pretty much the only possible housing choice for most families. I personally know no fewer than three different Calgary couples who wanted to stay living in high-density urban communities but had no choice but to move to the suburbs (with regret) after they had kids because there wasn't available/affordable housing stock in the inner city that is suitable for families with children.
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I agree with most of your post. But the notion of what's 'suitable for families with children' has changed substantially. You can still find affordable houses with space and yards and parks. In the Southwest alone there's Fairview, Acadia, Southwood, Willow Park, Haysboro, Canyon Meadows, Oakridge, Braeside, Cedarbrae.
But those houses, built in the 50s to 70s, are regarded by many couples today as too small and too old to raise a family in. People who choose a new 2300 sq foot home with a tiny yard further out from the centre are making a choice of what they value. They could take that same money and put it into a 1500 sq ft home in a more inner neighbourhood. But they'd be giving up all that space indoors, the bonus room, the marbletop counters, the modern bathrooms, etc. It's all a matter of tradeoffs.