Homebuyers’ Help
Choosing the right community by Heather Ryan Regardless of whether you’re shopping for your first
home or moving into your second or final abode, finding the right place to live – a good environment for raising a family or enjoying your retirement years – is as important as the house you choose. Communities in Calgary and surrounding areas each offer different amenities that are bound to suit your family’s lifestyle. The word “community” conjures up different images for buyers from streets lined with white picket fences and a canopy of trees to children playing in the park and swooshing down a toboggan hill. Depending on your lifestyle, you may dream of living in an area with nature trails, bike paths and sports facilities or you may desire a community that offers a lake and beach or a centre for hosting events. “The real estate adage definitely is a key to finding the home of your dreams. If you don’t love your ‘location, location, location,’ you won’t love your house after the initial excitement wears off,” says Donna Moore, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Calgary Region. “Many of the developments today are built with a master plan with sustainability in mind, so you will be able to live, work and play in your own neighbourhood, and the community has every type of housing available to provide choice,” she says. “Ask yourself what you want in a neighbourhood – whether it’s greenspace, proximity to work, bus service, schools, a diverse
80 calgary communities spring 2013
mix of neighbours, or a combination of all of these. That will help you rate the communities as you look to ensure you pick one that fits your lifestyle, your needs and your wants.” When it comes to newly started communities. “Again, ask questions,” Moore says. “What will the future of the community look like; what else is planned for the neighbourhood; when are other services and amenities planned? The more you ask, the better informed you will be to make the best choice for you and your family.” One way to help you choose the right place to buy a home is to take a drive through the newer communities in the city and the neighbouring municipalities to determine what will work best for you and your family. Often one of the most important elements families look for a community to provide is an opportunity to connect with their neighbours, where they can meet socially outside their homes in parks and greenspaces and interact in and around their homes. If this is a priority for you, you’ll want to find a community that presents a good balance between greenspace, parks, playgrounds and pathways for everyone to enjoy. Some communities may offer a central park or a residents’ centre where people both young and old can go to and interact. Some families may be drawn to water features such as a lake and beach front area, ponds with an extensive pathway system,