Renting Downtown (and area) in Calgary - Advice!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Well, they try and hide it, but that 2 bedroom is 744 square feet. That's barely big enough for a 1 bedroom.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by jroc

If you have similar requirements to Cecil, I have a great 2 bedroom unit in Victoria Park! : https://www.rentfaster.ca/ab/calgary...riendly/409462

CP discounts available!

Nice place! A little out of my range, but appreciated.

[Sr. Mints]

Avoid wood frame buildings and all cost if you're noise sensitive. The only time I ever lived in a wood framed building was when I went to UofL. Maybe it was that building in particular, I don't know, but it was without a doubt the worst living conditions I had ever lived in in my life. Foot stompers, door slammers, phones ringing, TVs, stereos, laughing, I could hear it above and below me for the year I was there. Swore I would never do it again.

Wouldn't be an issue if you moved into a high-rise downtown.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by peter12

$1950 for a two bedroom in a new cool building. Haha kill me.

I’m planning on spending a few months in Vancouver this winter. Want to swap places? I mean, Calgary in February, how can you say no?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

This has me wondering what the average rent is downtown/beltline.

I had a 1 bedroom just behind the Wicked Wedge, the cost was $300 all in/month. This was mid/late 90's.

What do 1 bedroom places go for now?

My old unit across from Sheldon Chumir (500 sq ft 1 bedroom with stacked laundry built in) is going for around $800 a month but you pay your own utilities (electricity and internet are the only ones not included in condo fee and combined is probably around $100 a month depending on the internet speeds you want).

But it's little lower monthly rent than many others a few blocks further because of the proximity to the safe injection site. I don't own it anymore, but my property manager keeps tabs on the area and updates and rants to me because of his disdain for the SIS.

When I lived there though, I loved the area. IMO, it was a perfect sweet spot between being able to walk over to work downtown in about 5-8 minutes and a short 3-4 minute jaunt to the red mile for fun (while not being overly exposed to the sounds of it when I ultimately want to sleep). Several green spaces within 2-3 block walk and with tall building density relatively lower, it wasn't as shadowed and dark as some other streets nearby.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Anyone live in the Rouleau buildings in Mission? That location intrigues me and I like the unit layout. But the google reviews are mixed at best, but that seems normal.

Anyone with recent first hand experience?

I had a friend who lived there very recently - moved out late last year.

I had been a few times and even stayed there (that kind of friend) and it seemed fine to me. She seemed to like it for what it was (eg. the finishings aren't world class but its a rental so who cares?); although i think she said it was too expensive, but that's pretty easy to compare nowadays.

The location is nice. Easy access off mcleod, its very quiet and you are right on the elbow park pathway system.

The gym was decent and it has a party room that gets used quite a bit (pre covid)

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Igottago

By the time I left you could definitely feel the economic downturn having its impact on the vibrancy of the area, but I'm sure it'll come back at some point.

Oh it is still bumpin! Even during the pandemic, 17th has been packed which is one reason i think many people moving out of the beltline for more "space" will ultimately move back at some point.

A few of the restaurants that have closed are getting new tenants.

I think 17th is undergoing a bit of a transformation. When i first moved to Calgary for university, 17th was gears toward young people - lots of bars and nightclubs (Melrose, Tequila, those types of places), then it moved to more restaurants. Now there are a few restaurants that are leaving and more beer joints and faux-dive bars coming in (Chemical Steve's, One Night Stans) which are attracting more young people again. It's becoming more of a mix.

There really isn't a better spot to live in Calgary if you want "vibrancy". The fact that this generally doesnt extend into the surrounding avenues is great as well for people living there

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Cappy

I had a friend who lived there very recently - moved out late last year.

I had been a few times and even stayed there (that kind of friend) and it seemed fine to me. She seemed to like it for what it was (eg. the finishings aren't world class but its a rental so who cares?); although i think she said it was too expensive, but that's pretty easy to compare nowadays.

The location is nice. Easy access off mcleod, its very quiet and you are right on the elbow park pathway system.

The gym was decent and it has a party room that gets used quite a bit (pre covid)

Thanks!

Finishings are a low priority for me. And I see the price is currently lower than comparable places with similar square footage.

I'm definitely a big fan of the location. I'm trying to decide between more central but dealing with the downsides that come with that and a place like Rouleau that is a bit further from the core but still has good access to 4th st and a grocery store super close by.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Oh it is still bumpin! Even during the pandemic, 17th has been packed which is one reason i think many people moving out of the beltline for more "space" will ultimately move back at some point.

It’s gonna be really interesting to see how the next 3-5 years play out.

I’ll say this spring I’ve noticed a definite uptick in younger folks moving into our complex in Canyon Meadows, I’ve seen more VW Rabbits & influencer hats in the last 3 months than I had in the previous 9 years, but I imagine when the inner city starts bouncing back those folks are gonna get as bored as I am here.

Yes it’s more space for your stuff in a 3 bedroom two story townhome, but the fried chicken & pizza joint next to Macs don’t really provide much of a gather space in the community. But I could be wrong, maybe the strip mall at Elbow & Anderson really turns it around and the Monograms/National/Village Ice Cream shops start moving in.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

It’s gonna be really interesting to see how the next 3-5 years play out.

I’ll say this spring I’ve noticed a definite uptick in younger folks moving into our complex in Canyon Meadows, I’ve seen more VW Rabbits & influencer hats in the last 3 months than I had in the previous 9 years, but I imagine when the inner city starts bouncing back those folks are gonna get as bored as I am here.

Yes it’s more space for your stuff in a 3 bedroom two story townhome, but the fried chicken & pizza joint next to Macs don’t really provide much of a gather space in the community. But I could be wrong, maybe the strip mall at Elbow & Anderson really turns it around and the Monograms/National/Village Ice Cream shops start moving in.

Yeah to me Canyon Ghettos is the high point of poor suburb planning. I mean it literally is a bunch of homes with........well nothing around within walking distance.

I think newer designed areas have avoided that pitfall, but I might be wrong.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah to me Canyon Ghettos is the high point of poor suburb planning. I mean it literally is a bunch of homes with........well nothing around within walking distance.

I think newer designed areas have avoided that pitfall, but I might be wrong.

You’re not wrong at all, but heading further south to Evergreen or Cranston… I’m not convinced they have it much better, just shinier and newer.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

This has me wondering what the average rent is downtown/beltline.

I had a 1 bedroom just behind the Wicked Wedge, the cost was $300 all in/month. This was mid/late 90's.

What do 1 bedroom places go for now?

My condo unit at the Mark on 10th (south facing, 9th floor, 530sqft, 1 bedroom) rents for between $1,400 to $1,500 a month. But then, you're also paying a bit for the amenities (rooftop bbq, gym, sauna, common area on the top floor, and outdoor garden area on the 3rd floor).

[Swift]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah to me Canyon Ghettos is the high point of poor suburb planning. I mean it literally is a bunch of homes with........well nothing around within walking distance.

I think newer designed areas have avoided that pitfall, but I might be wrong.

I don't think I'd agree with this. Within walking distance are two C-Train stations, Fish Creek Park on one end, and Southcentre, Willow Park, Macleod Trail on the other. Not to say that's all great, but I think it's still better placed that quite a few suburbs in the area. Braeside for instance feels much more isolated.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Swift

I don't think I'd agree with this. Within walking distance are two C-Train stations, Fish Creek Park on one end, and Southcentre, Willow Park, Macleod Trail on the other. Not to say that's all great, but I think it's still better placed that quite a few suburbs in the area. Braeside for instance feels much more isolated.

Agreed on Braeside.

While Southcentre is close it is a pain in the ass to walk.

I look at Mackenzie Lake and there really aren't an amenities in that community, it is an old shool suburb.

I would say Cranston has better, grocery store/liquor/pub/coffee shop/pizza. Those are two placed right next door to each other that are designed differently.

Auburn Bay/Mahogany/MacKenzie Towne/Seton all have a much higher walkability to services than a Mackenzie Lake or Canyon Meadows style suburb.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

The area around the midtown COOP has lots of options.

Any thoughts on the Nova/Stella buildings?

[Shazam]

I'd avoid anything right next to the 10 ave train line.

I really did like living near 17 Ave SW, but the noise can be rather extreme if that kind of thing bothers you.

I would walk to work from 13 street and 12 ave SW to Encor Place. If I was really lazy I'd take the bus. Cycling was also a great option - it was something like a 3 minute bike ride for me.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I'd avoid anything right next to the 10 ave train line.

I really did like living near 17 Ave SW, but the noise can be rather extreme if that kind of thing bothers you.

I would walk to work from 13 street and 12 ave SW to Encor Place. If I was really lazy I'd take the bus. Cycling was also a great option - it was something like a 3 minute bike ride for me.

You mean CP rail right? I've heard that before and have excluded any buildings too close.

Stella/Nova are on 12th so I'd assume they are not affected as much, if at all.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

You mean CP rail right? I've heard that before and have excluded any buildings too close.

Stella/Nova are on 12th so I'd assume they are not affected as much, if at all.

I lived in the Aura tower which is also on 12th to the east of Stella/Nova and the CP rail train noise wasn't that bad. Keep in mind there is also the beltline fire station nearby that you hear sirens often. Avoid the Vantage Point building to the north as when I visited a friend who had a north facing balcony the CP Rail noise was really bad.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

You mean CP rail right? I've heard that before and have excluded any buildings too close.

Stella/Nova are on 12th so I'd assume they are not affected as much, if at all.

If at all possible be in the building while a train goes by. It's not just noise, it's also vibration.

[soreshins]

I rented in the Stella for 7 years until 2015. Really liked it. I’m out in Cochrane now so a bit of a change but if I was to move back downtown I’d try to get in that same vicinity.