Let's Talk About Calgary's Lake Communities

[pylon]

As a kid growing up in a lake community is awesome. I grew up in Lake Bonavista and summers were magic. We'd head over to the lake almost everyday on our bikes and waste hours swimming, boating, fishing, playing tennis, basketball. Winters were equally awesome playing hockey on the lake. The other great benefit of the older lake communities is MASSIVE back yards, and nice quiet little culdesacs and crescents. And there is usually nice little playgrounds in each little cluster of streets. And the side streets are very street hockey friendly. Used to also love the fact you could pretty much navigate the entire community on your BMX using only back alleys. My parents used to encourage us to use them so we weren't riding our bikes on the main roads. I can still navigate Bonavista using alleys only. Lol

It might be a bit different for kids today, as I was part of that 70's/80's free range children program. After 9 or 10 years old, you just kinda got on your bike and ran your own program without parental supervision. That's just the way it was then. Now it would be tougher to spend as much time using the lake facilities, as parents are kinda expected to be around their kids at all times, especially around water and boats. But needless, I'm sure kids would still love the lifestyle, even if they didn't get to use the amenities as much.

When we actually decide to have kids, we will be likely looking at coming back into the city, and buying a house right on the lake or with direct lake access.

[Clarkey]

Arbour Lake is pretty good but the rest of the suburb outside of the lake/perimeter is BLAH.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by pylon

It might be a bit different for kids today, as I was part of that 70's/80's free range children program. After 9 or 10 years old, you just kinda got on your bike and ran your own program without parental supervision. That's just the way it was then. Now it would be tougher to spend as much time using the lake facilities, as parents are kinda expected to be around their kids at all times, especially around water and boats. But needless, I'm sure kids would still love the lifestyle, even if they didn't get to use the amenities as much.

I wonder if I ever ran into you at Mr. Soft Drink. I was a Bonaventure kid. Haha. We got both lakes out of the deal. But as for your post about riding bikes all day, we did the same. Summer schedule was something like meeting at one of the guys' houses on bikes around 9-10, and then f-ing off until 2? Going to another guy's house and raiding the pizza pops, back on the bikes until dusk, and then eating whatever leftovers mom saved you.

I survived. Didn't get mugged, kidnapped, or murdered. That said, if my daughter wants to do the same, she's going to have a cell phone with GPS in it lol.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Commute from either Sundance or Midnapore won't be nearly as bad in another year or so when 162nd is finished (south of 22X is another matter since that still has to be done). As far as the lake itself goes Midnapore's is better, but the advantage Sundance has is the nice open space where you can play soccer (they have nets, or did when I went), and you could always move those aside and play football or rugby in your case UCB. Otherwise they have the same other things to do pretty much.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I wonder if I ever ran into you at Mr. Soft Drink. I was a Bonaventure kid. Haha. We got both lakes out of the deal. But as for your post about riding bikes all day, we did the same. Summer schedule was something like meeting at one of the guys' houses on bikes around 9-10, and then f-ing off until 2? Going to another guy's house and raiding the pizza pops, back on the bikes until dusk, and then eating whatever leftovers mom saved you.

I survived. Didn't get mugged, kidnapped, or murdered. That said, if my daughter wants to do the same, she's going to have a cell phone with GPS in it lol.

Yup, that was pretty much our deal. I forgot to put in crashing your face off on that super steep hill, across from the church on Canyon Meadows Drive and Acadia Dr going down into Fish Creek Park. We found some awesome caves down there we'd hang out in.

Those frikking penny candies at Mr Soft Drink were rocket fuel for the day. 3 bucks and you had an all day sugar high. Plus the punch out and track and field arcade games were a great way to burn some energy. Those suckers took some effort.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Without exception, every lake community is better than every other non-lake community, so you can't really go wrong here.

Having not grown up in a lake community but having friends from school and sports who did I can confirm living in a lake community results in a 25% increase in smugness.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Having not grown up in a lake community but having friends from school and sports who did I can confirm living in a lake community results in a 25% increase in smugness.

Sounds like something a non-lake community peasant would say!

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Auburn Bay or Mahogany. Which lake is better?

We live in Auburn Bay so here is my take on the two communities:

Mahogany seems to be a bit more high end, you will likely pay a bit more for a house in Mahogany then Auburn but you can go from low 500's to 1.8 million in both areas. Amenities are similar as Both areas are near Seaton which has shopping, a movie theatre, YMCA with hockey rinks going in and a future high school.

As for the lake I feel Auburn has a more open lake but I believe Mahogany lake is actually larger. I think Mahogany has a nicer community centre then Auburn but both are nice and I have always been happy with Auburn.

I love Auburn bay, we have a couple young kids and we use the lake a lot in the summer and skate a bunch in the winter. Only complaint is the loooong drive downtown for work.