Calgary's new communities

[Scrambler]

After having lived in Japan since 2012 I am ready to make a triumphant return to Calgary in 2017. I lived in Vancouver from 2006-2012 so this will really be a homecoming long in the making.

After looking at some options for housing I have more or less convinced myself that I would rather build new in a new community rather than buying an existing property in an established neighborhood.

Haven't nailed down which community I will be building in, but it will be in the North, somewhere like Evanston, Livingston west of Deerfoot or Firestone, Cornerstone east of Deerfoot.

Evanston would be by far the most established neighborhood out of them all. If we build there we are building in one of the last phases for the neighborhood whereas with Livingston that would be phase 1 that has not even started yet.

Anyone here already live in a new neighborhood? If you have any feedback to share it would be much appreciated.

From downtown Fukuoka City to a new community in the outskirts of Calgary's northern city limits... going to be quite a change.

[Amethyst]

Cornerstone may get better, but from my understanding right now, the only access road in and out is through Skyview to Metis Trail. It can get really backed up during rush hour, in bad weather, because Metis the roads are out in the open and can get filled with snow easily. If they make more access roads, it is very convenient in terms of Stoney Trail for getting around.

For new neighbourhoods in general, the negatives I've found are: your house gets very dusty due to on-going construction, you have to start from scratch with fences, etc, and your street could be full of construction vehicles and dumpsters.

[Fuzz]

I've heard Evanston has pretty bad access, and can take forever to get into/out of in rush hour. That may have changed...

[cSpooge]

if you want to go a little further west of Evanston, Sage Hill and Nolan Hill have much better access in and out of the area.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Evanston now has access via 14th Street.

But symons Valley whatever access still sucks.

[GGG]

I'd be weary of going into a brand new community given the market. It will be years before the neighbourhood fills in. So even 5 years down the road if you are looking to sell it might be difficult if the neighbourhood isn't fully sold out yet.

Also if you plan on having kids now check out the long term plans for schools in each area. A designated site does not mean a school will be built there in the near future. So the brand new neighbourhood might be 10 years away from getting a school so consider your timeline of that applies.

[Hockeyguy15]

I live in Sage Hill, I think it's a great location. Quick out of the city to go camping, nice access to Stony so you can easily get to Deerfoot or Crowchild. There is a Sobeys, City Market, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Costco close by.

If it was me I would hate being in a brand new community with all the dirt and construction, but that's just me. Our place is 7 years old so we missed having to deal with all that.

[taco.vidal]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I live in Sage Hill, I think it's a great location. Quick out of the city to go camping, nice access to Stony so you can easily get to Deerfoot or Crowchild. There is a Sobeys, City Market, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Costco close by.

If it was me I would hate being in a brand new community with all the dirt and construction, but that's just me. Our place is 7 years old so we missed having to deal with all that.

I'm curious about the first item you listed.

How many times a year do you camp and how many months of the year does that cover?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I sense an inner city vs the burbs pissing match brewing.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

I'm curious about the first item you listed.

How many times a year do you camp and how many months of the year does that cover?

May-September usually, maybe October if we really push it. If you hike or ski sub that in for camping.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I sense an inner city vs the burbs pissing match brewing.

I miss living "inner-city". Now that I have a wife and kid (and lots of material possessions!) we are suburbanites for now. Maybe one day I'll drink a latte again.

Scrambler- we live in Airdrie and it suits our needs (and the house was about 70k cheaper on a larger lot compared to the exact same house in Calgary proper). Depends on your guys needs, but for us it seems to be working out.

I never knew living in a construction zone was so horrible... I don't mind it (had an empty lot next to us for the past 2 years, it's framed out now, so we'll miss out space, but otherwise meh

[#-3]

evanston doesnt really have issues if your using beddington in the morning and deerfoot/stoney in the afternoon. you can use the back road with no traffic at all. i work south of downtown, and it takes me 20 - 25 min at 7 in the morning, and about 35 - 40 at 4 in the afternoon.

really as always depends on what you are looking for. careington / livingston there is absolutely nothing but show homes right now.

[Scrambler]

I've heard for Evanston that acess to the newly paved 144 Ave and 14 st (as noted in an earlier post) have opened more access getting in/out of the neigborhood.

Where would be building, phase 27 is one of the last phases, go a couple blocks and you are into parts of the neighborhood that well established with grass, trees, parks, etc along with Evanston Town Center which has a grocery store, bank, yoga studio, etc.

Evanston also just had two k4 elementary schools open which is good (we have a daughter who's 2 yrs old), albeit the public one is in the south part of the neighborhood, a good 2.5kms from phase 27.

I agree with earlier points that a very new neighborhood like Cornerstone or Livingston could be barren neighborless streets for some years given how new it is and how the economy is. I like to think optimistically and long-term but not sure if I have the patience.

I definitely care about having easy access to hwy 2 to go see family up in Coilerville and the airport and then most importantly Stoney trail to get out west.

[Scrambler]

Plus, I work from a home office so the commute (whether good or bad) is not really applicable. It could be for my wife should she get a job somewhere else in the city though.

[taco.vidal]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

I've heard for Evanston that acess to the newly paved 144 Ave and 14 st (as noted in an earlier post) have opened more access getting in/out of the neigborhood.

Where would be building, phase 27 is one of the last phases, go a couple blocks and you are into parts of the neighborhood that well established with grass, trees, parks, etc along with Evanston Town Center which has a grocery store, bank, yoga studio, etc.

Evanston also just had two k4 elementary schools open which is good (we have a daughter who's 2 yrs old), albeit the public one is in the south part of the neighborhood, a good 2.5kms from phase 27.

I agree with earlier points that a very new neighborhood like Cornerstone or Livingston could be barren neighborless streets for some years given how new it is and how the economy is. I like to think optimistically and long-term but not sure if I have the patience.

I definitely care about having easy access to hwy 2 to go see family up in Coilerville and the airport and then most importantly Stoney trail to get out west.

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Plus, I work from a home office so the commute (whether good or bad) is not really applicable. It could be for my wife should she get a job somewhere else in the city though.

Originally Posted by Scrambler

After having lived in Japan since 2012 I am ready to make a triumphant return to Calgary in 2017. I lived in Vancouver from 2006-2012 so this will really be a homecoming long in the making.

After looking at some options for housing I have more or less convinced myself that I would rather build new in a new community rather than buying an existing property in an established neighborhood.

Haven't nailed down which community I will be building in, but it will be in the North, somewhere like Evanston, Livingston west of Deerfoot or Firestone, Cornerstone east of Deerfoot.

Evanston would be by far the most established neighborhood out of them all. If we build there we are building in one of the last phases for the neighborhood whereas with Livingston that would be phase 1 that has not even started yet.

Anyone here already live in a new neighborhood? If you have any feedback to share it would be much appreciated.

From downtown Fukuoka City to a new community in the outskirts of Calgary's northern city limits... going to be quite a change.

Sounds like youve made a decision.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

I've heard for Evanston that acess to the newly paved 144 Ave and 14 st (as noted in an earlier post) have opened more access getting in/out of the neigborhood.

Where would be building, phase 27 is one of the last phases, go a couple blocks and you are into parts of the neighborhood that well established with grass, trees, parks, etc along with Evanston Town Center which has a grocery store, bank, yoga studio, etc.

Evanston also just had two k4 elementary schools open which is good (we have a daughter who's 2 yrs old), albeit the public one is in the south part of the neighborhood, a good 2.5kms from phase 27.

I agree with earlier points that a very new neighborhood like Cornerstone or Livingston could be barren neighborless streets for some years given how new it is and how the economy is. I like to think optimistically and long-term but not sure if I have the patience.

I definitely care about having easy access to hwy 2 to go see family up in Coilerville and the airport and then most importantly Stoney trail to get out west.

One more thing to check on schools is to see if they are currently capped for enrolment and what the process is for getting in if entitlement is capped (lottery, first come first server, etc) and if the entire neighbourhood is designated for that school.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Sounds like youve made a decision.

He asked for feedback on living in a new community. Not for random judgement on his decision process.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by GGG

One more thing to check on schools is to see if they are currently capped for enrolment and what the process is for getting in if entitlement is capped (lottery, first come first server, etc) and if the entire neighbourhood is designated for that school.

This. So many people I know have said "oh hey, there's a school there, we'll be fine" only to find the school's capacity is greatly exceeded by demand. Then they get bused 40 minutes (one way) and end up moving 2-3 years later.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

He asked for feedback on living in a new community. Not for random judgement on his decision process.

Yes, thanks, exactly.

I would admit that I am leaning towards Evanston but totally open to suggestion/feedback as I have not committed to anything yet.

Plus my reasons for leaning towards Evanston are based primarily on what I have heard from sources which would have good reason for their bias so it's good to hear feedback from others.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

With a 2 yr old, you should keep an eye out for things like libraries and particularly things like rec centers in mind. I think it was easier to get Tragically Hip tickets than get into swim lessons at the desirable pools.

Luckily, Evanston should have decent access to this:

http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreatio...-facility.aspx

The Vivo community center in Panorama is ridiculously small and crowded. Time will tell if the Rocky Ridge Center is equally as overcrowded but it will be much much larger.