Best Neighbourhoods for Families in Calgary

16 Family-Friendly Communities in Calgary

What are the best neighbourhoods in Calgary for families? This question can be hard to answer, as our city is home to many lovely and enjoyable communities, each with their own unique set of characteristics. But undoubtedly, some neighbourhoods are far safer and family-oriented, with locations and master-planned designs that are conducive to a more enjoyable, tight-knit living experience.

Here’s our shortlist of some of the top 16 Calgary neighbourhoods for families that should make you feel right at home. Begin your home search now — and contact us if you have questions or would like to know more about real estate opportunities in these best neighbourhoods for families in Calgary today!

Key Takeaways: Family-Oriented Areas of Calgary

• Diverse Options: Calgary offers a wide range of family-friendly neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character, from bustling inner-city locations like Altadore and Hillhurst to serene, nature-focused communities like Discovery Ridge and Aspen Woods.
• Amenity-Rich Living: Many of the top family communities offer extensive amenities such as private lakes (Arbour Lake, Lake Bonavista, and Mahogany), active community associations, and central plazas with shops and services, providing convenience in day-to-day living.
• Access to Recreation: Neighbourhoods for families often have exceptional access to outdoor leisure and recreation along Calgary’s extensive pathway systems, the Bow and Elbow Rivers, and quick getaways to the Rocky Mountains.
• Strong School Systems: The best family neighbourhoods are often characterized by their excellent access to schools, with many communities hosting their own elementary and junior high schools for both CBE and CCSD programs.

Altadore

Why Families Love Altadore:

1. Inner City Location: Short drive to downtown and the Beltline, adjacent to amenities in Marda Loop and the Elbow River parks and pathways, while downtown is just a 10-minute drive away.
2. School Access: Altadore families have exceptional access to education including Altadore School (K-6), as well as Rundle Academy, Masters Academy, and the nearby Mount Royal University.
3. Modern Infills: Rejuvenated ambiance with new infill developments from old fixer-upper bungalows to modern townhouses to stylish infills.

Altadore is one of the best Calgary neighbourhoods for families because of its close proximity to downtown and the Elbow River parks and pathways. Also, Marda Loop, a business improvement area (BIA) with more than 100 different restaurants, shops, and services lining its streets, is found on the north side of Altadore.

The convenience of living close to this BIA’s amenities contributes immensely to Altadore’s desirability from a family viewpoint. Urban professionals with young families who frequent the city centre often look to Altadore real estate for themselves and their families for all of the reasons above, in addition to the astounding sheer number of youths in the area.

#2 – Arbour Lake

Why Families Love Arbour Lake:

1. Central Lake: Enjoy exclusive access to year-round activities such as swimming and ice-skating at the community’s central lake
2. Diverse Real Estate: Arbour Lake West offers brand new condos such as The Ashford and The Westberry, while older properties built in the late 1990s and early 2000s – including lakeside estates – provide a variety of options for potential buyers.
3. Amenities & Highways: Residents enjoy convenient access to Stoney Trail and Crowchild Trail, while the adjacent Crowfoot Crossing shopping area is home to major department stores and over a hundred amenities – including the Crowfoot C-Train Station.

Arbour Lake’s features and proximity to nearby amenities make it one of the most family-oriented communities in Calgary. During the summer, residents and their guests flock to the central lake, enjoying exclusive access. In the winter, tbhe lake becomes an outdoor ice rink for shinny hockey and recreational skating. Arbour Lake’s community centre is highly active, with many family activities and events happening sometimes every week and serving to connect families.

Crowfoot Crossing is just a short drive from any property in Arbour Lake. Find a complete list of amenities at one of Calgary’s most prominent outdoor strip malls, including RONA+, Shoppers Drug Mart, Visions, Chapters, Safeway, TD Bank, Co-op, Community Foods, Party City, Cineplex Odeon, Sport Chek, and so much more. Escaping west to the mountains is as simple as driving onto Stoney Trail.

Aspen Woods

Why Families Love Aspen Woods:

1. Upscale Living: sometimes also called Aspen, the community is well known for its upscale real estate portfolio, ranging from townhouses to mansions that offer exceptional living in spacious homes.
2. Beautiful Scenery: Set amid the aspen groves and rolling foothills of the West district, Aspen Woods is home to breathtaking natural scenery enjoyed by residents through its various interconnecting ravines and paved pathway systems.
3. Amenities & Mountains: Easy access to several outdoor shopping centres including Aspen Landing, as well as direct access to the west city limits that provide easy access to the mountains, make Aspen a sought-after family-oriented neighbourhood to live in.

Aspen Woods has long been one of the best communities for families in Calgary for several reasons, including its large detached homes, semi to estate-sized lots, and paved pathway systems that are inherent to the West District’s neighbourhood. Find the Westside Recreation Centre – one of the best indoor recreation facilities in the city – just minutes away on 85th Street SW. To get there, you’ll pass by Aspen Landing, which is home to dozens of critical day-to-day amenities like restaurants, grocers and professional services.

Aspen Woods homes for sale are on the brim of the city limits, making the community ideal for families who frequent the foothills and Rocky Mountains out west. Easily access Bragg Creek, Kananaskis Country, Banff National Park, and several of the best lakes near Calgary within an hour. Spend less time stuck in Calgary rush hour and more time on your favourite trails or picnic spots out amid nature.

#4 – Brentwood

Why Families Love Brentwood:

1. Inner City Living: Get to downtown within ten minutes, walk to Brentwood C-Train station, shop at Brentwood Village, and enjoy the amenities of Northland Mall when living in the community.
2. University Students: Families with growing teenagers can easily walk to the University of Calgary and take the C-Train to Mount Royal University when living in Brentwood.
3. Nose Hill: One of Calgary’s largest urban parks is situated adjacent to Brentwood, offering easy access for outdoor leisure and recreation year-round.

Brentwood real estate is ideal for families looking to stay in place over the long term because of the public transportation infrastructure and post-secondary institutions that make life convenient for young teens and adults. The community is home to lots of green spaces and playgrounds. Designated nearby schools are within or near the community, making Brentwood very convenient for families to live and age in over the years.

Enjoy living just a few minutes from downtown and adjacent to several amenity-rich areas, including Brentwood Village and Northland Village. Crowchild Trail provides smooth access to the city centre and the mountains out west. An in-community C-Train station provides easy access to other parts of the city.

Cougar Ridge

Why Families Love Cougar Ridge

1. Westside Location: Situated in the West District, Cougar Ridge puts families just a short drive from amenities, churches, schools, and recreation facilities such as WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park and the Westside Recreation Centre.
2. Quiet Ambiance: Families enjoy the quiet, serene ambiance offered by Cougar Ridge, as the community is nestled at the top of the Springbank Plateau that overlooks the northwest quadrant.
3. Nearby Schools: Calgary International School, Rundle Academy, Webber Academy, Waldorf School, West Ridge School, and West Springs School are just some of the educational facilities located within or near the neighbourhood.

Cougar Ridge is well known as one of the best places for families to live in Calgary because of its upscale real estate, abundance of parks and green spaces, and exceptional location, which puts it near some of the city’s best amenities and recreational opportunities. Paskapoo is a highlight of Cougar Ridge properties; the subdivision is home to relatively new construction single-family houses and sits directly behind WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park.

Homes in the area are well connected to one another via an extensive network of paved pathways that meander through several ravines, making it great for younger generations to connect with friends and other families. Cougar Ridge’s location overlooking the Bow River Valley and the northwest provides many properties like those at the Cougarstone Villas and The VIEWS luxury condos, for example, with some of the city’s most spectacular panoramic views.

Discovery Ridge

Why Families Love Discovery Ridge:

1. Adjacent to Nature: Imagine walking a few minutes to a beautiful wooded natural reserve with stunning creeks and picturesque pathways; adjacent to Griffith Woods, that’s what Discovery Ridge offers outdoor leisure and recreation buffs.
2. Upscale Real Estate: Homeowners in Discovery Ridge enjoy upscale single-family properties, many of which back out onto natural reserve areas, providing high-level privacy for day-to-day living.
3. Ample Amenities: Apart from its in-community town centre with restaurants, shops, and services, residents enjoy easy access to the nearby Westhills as well as Chinook Mall not too far east on Glenmore Trail

Nature lovers, dog enthusiasts and fitness buffs all have one thing in common when it comes to Discovery Ridge homes — they love its location amid a natural reserve on the brim of the city! This community was carved out of thick forest lining the meandering Elbow River in the deep southwest. Paved pathways laid through the forest provide families in Discovery Ridge with second-to-none access to outdoor leisure and recreation year-round, including casual walking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.

Westhills provides residents with all the amenities they could ask for, just minutes away, including a Cineplex Odeon, great for a family movie night on the weekend. Chinook Mall is just a short drive from Discovery Ridge, as are Bragg Creek, Kananaskis Country and the Rockies to the west.

Edgemont

Why Families Love Edgemont:

1. Varying Elevations: Edgemont’s hilltop location features phases of development at different elevations between ravines, with paved pathways that provide exceptional leisure and recreation and connect families, particularly children and teenagers.
2. School Access: Home to Edgemont Elementary School, Mother Mary Greene Catholic, and Tom Baines Junior High, the established community offers easy access to schools for parents and children alike.
3. Parks & Green Spaces: Edgemont is known for its ample green spaces amid meandering ravines, great areas for children to play and create lasting childhood memories.

Edgemont’s “top of the hill” location is unique, as it is the highest point any community sits at in Calgary. Edgemont has a lot to offer families, including several ridgeside luxury properties with incredible views of the city as far as the eye can see. Inherent to the hilltop neighbourhood are beautiful parks and ravines, most of which have paved pathways running throughout and serve to keep youth connected. This pathway system also makes for a fun, yet adventurous jog or bicycle ride for healthy outdoor leisure and recreation.

Country Hills Village is a primary amenity resource for Edgemont homebuyers. Complete with a Superstore and several other restaurants, shops and services, the strip mall makes life convenient for residents, as do the in-community Tom Baines Junior High and Edgemont Elementary School.

#8 – Evanston

Why Families Love Evanston:

1. Diverse Real Estate: Find everything from starter condos to move-up homes to ridge estates in Evanston, catering to a diverse set of buyers and budgets.
2. Ample Schools: Parents don’t have to drive far to reach elementary and junior high, home to Kenneth D. Taylor Elementary, Our Lady of Love Catholic, and St. Josephine Bakhita all within the neighbourhood
3. Exceptional Design: Evanston’s master plan is exceptional, built for families from the ground up with several parks, playgrounds, in-community schools, and ample access to shops and services in Creekside and other nearby strip malls

Evanston is an award-winning, family-oriented neighbourhood in the North District of Calgary. Home to thousands of residential homes ranging from more affordable townhomes to semi-estate single-family properties, Evanston’s pristine prairie setting is the perfect place for families to grow with one another and make lasting memories.

With several parks and interconnecting pathways between the various subdivisions, living in a home in Evanston makes it easy for young children to connect. These pathways offer excellent outdoor leisure and recreation year-round. Today, Evanston is home to three schools, a thriving commercial centre at Creekside and Evanston Towne Centre, seven playgrounds, 16 green spaces, and more. It’s no wonder Evanston is by far one of the best neighbourhoods in Calgary for families!

Garrison Green

Why Families Love Garrison Green:

1. Low Traffic: A sought-after feature of Garrison Green is its low traffic nature, as well as its location amid the commercial buildings of Lincoln Park where you’ll find ATCO, Brookfield Residential, and other major corporate offices.
2. Inner City Lifestyle: Garrison Green offers urban professionals convenient access to downtown, less than a ten-minute drive away, walkability to Mount Royal University, elementary and junior high schools, and lots more.
3. Exclusive Living: Home to three major parks that serve as focal points within the neighbourhood, Garrison Green features a limited number of single-family, townhouse, and assisted-living homes built in the late 2000s onward.

Garrison Green is a highly sought-after neighbourhood coveted by family-oriented buyers looking for exclusive living. Well known as one of the best Calgary communities for families, Garrison Green real estate has a lot to offer including three large central parks, a tight-knit ambiance, interconnecting paved pathways, and a close-to-downtown location.

Most Garrison Green streets are lined with row townhomes, and others have laned or semi-estate properties, perfect for families of all backgrounds and sizes. Residents love utilizing the community’s ample park space in the spring and summer, where you’ll find several war memorials honouring Canadian soldiers who have fought in past wars and peacekeeping missions abroad. In the winter, it’s not unusual to see community members passionate about outdoor activities year-round create homemade ice rinks so kids can enjoy winter hockey. This could be one of the safest communities in Calgary for trick-or-treating with children, thanks to its low traffic.

Harmony

Why Families Love Harmony:

1. Year-Round Lake & Park Activities: The community is centred around two lakes and an adventure park, offering families access to swimming, paddleboarding, a skate park, a pump track, and beach volleyball.
2. World-Class Amenities: Harmony is home to the prestigious Mickelson National Golf Club and will feature a Village Centre with shops and dining, alongside over 30 km of pathways and numerous parks.
3. Strategic Location: Its location in Springbank offers the perfect balance of serene country living with quick and easy access to Calgary, Cochrane, and the Rocky Mountains.

Harmony is a seven-time Community of the Year winner, master-planned to provide a balanced and active lifestyle for its residents. The Rural Rocky View County community seamlessly blends luxury living with abundant nature, providing a resort-like feel just minutes from city limits. Its thoughtful design encourages an active, outdoor-oriented living for families at every stage of life, including access to the Mickelson National Golf Club and LaunchPad driving range.

With a variety of housing styles—from single-family homes to attached residences—Harmony real estate caters to diverse needs. The development preserves extensive green space while fostering a close-knit, small-town atmosphere through community gardens, gathering spaces, and a central town hub with day-to-day amenities. This vision creates a sustainable family-oriented neighbourhood that truly offers the best of both worlds.

Hillhurst

Why Families Love Hillhurst:

1. Kensington District: Enjoy walkability to hundreds of top restaurants, unique shops, and professional services in the Kensington Business Improvement area – including annual festivals.
2. Ample Parks: Riley Park and the Bow River pathways provide residents with exceptional leisure and recreation in the warmer months. At the same time, the latter offers walkability to downtown offices in the fall and winter, allowing executives to stay active and avoid traffic entirely.
3. Beautiful Infills: As one of Calgary’s most well-established neighbourhoods, Hillhurst offers an excellent and diverse selection of infill properties to buy, ranging from charming turn-of-the-century developments to state-of-the-art houses.

Hillhurst is a go-to inner city community for families for all the right reasons. Those looking to enjoy a walkable lifestyle near the river pathways and amid the business district of Kensington will seriously want to consider moving to the area. Downtown professionals love how close Hillhurst real estate is to work, so close in fact that walking or biking to work is convenient and takes little time. Green spaces like Riley Park, complete with a wading pool for young children, are hit destinations for families looking to enjoy the summer sun. Directly north is the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Calgary’s third-largest post-secondary institution with a focus on, you guessed it, tech.

New infill developments ensure there is more than enough room for families of all sizes. Also, more affordable townhome projects are popping up all over the area, providing several options for buyers looking to get their foot into the door of a Hillhurst property.

Lake Bonavista

Why Families Love Lake Bonavista

1. Exclusive Lake: The community is built around a central, private man-made lake, providing families with exclusive year-round access to activities such as summer swimming and winter skating.
2. Active Community Association: Lake Bonavista boasts a very active community association that organizes a full calendar of family-friendly activities and classes, including holiday events and fitness programs.
3. Convenient Location: Residents have easy access to major shopping centres like Southcentre Mall and Chinook Mall, as well as numerous other amenities along Macleod Trail.

Lake Bonavista is a neighbourhood where many families tend to stay long term because of all it has to offer, including a tight-knit, family-oriented vibe. The central man-made lake serves as a focal point, with an active community association that offers a wide range of year-round activities for families to enjoy, including swimming, skating, holiday events, fitness classes, and more

Lake Bonavista real estate was made for families from the get-go, with large lots, fenced backyards, mature vegetation, and an impressive selection of single-family homes along or within a few blocks from the lake. Amenities along Macleod Trail, like Southcentre Mall and Chinook Mall, but also several strip malls, make day-to-day living for young families as convenient as it gets.

Mahogany

Why Families Love Mahogany:

1. Exclusive Lake: Mahogany features a large private lake where residents can enjoy free access to watersports equipment rentals like paddleboards, paddleboats, and canoes, as part of their HOA fees.
2. Active HOA: The Mahogany Beach Club and community association provide a wide variety of events and activities, giving families ample opportunities to spend quality time together and create fond memories.
3. Diverse Real Estate: The community offers a wide range of housing options, from lakeside condos in Westman Village, ideal for retirees, to duplexes, front-drive garages, laned homes, and other homes that cater to different buyers.

Mahogany is an award-winning family-oriented neighbourhood in Calgary for many reasons, including its expansive real estate portfolio, which offers home-ownership opportunities for buyers from many walks of life. Westman Village lakeside condos are a highlight of the neighbourhood, ideal for empty nesters and retirees with nearby grandchildren. In the summertime, residents have exclusive access to a large central man-made lake with watersports and equipment available to rent free of charge. Enjoy a paddleboard, paddleboat, or canoe for a few hours under the summer sun with the kids or some friends.

The Mahogany Beach Club and the Copperfield-Mahogany Community Association offer a wide range of activities and events for both children and parents. Families have a real opportunity to spend time together and make lasting memories when growing up in Mahogany. Amenities are found close by, either at Mahogany Village, Auburn Village, or in Shawnessy.

Rockland Park

Why Families Love Rockland Park:

1. Renowned Developer: Brookfield Residential is an exceptional developer well known for its high-quality master-planned communities and home builds.
2. Central Amenities: The Rockland Park Homeowners’ Association offers extensive facilities, including a 6,500-square-foot central building, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a skate trail, a hockey rink, gardens, and BBQ shelters.
3. Ample Parks: Nestled on the edge of the Bow River, the community is designed to foster a close-knit spirit with its many open spaces, parks, and pathways.

Rockland Park is an ideal community for families because of its exclusive riverside location and family-oriented features, such as a very active community association and central amenity plaza. Located on the brim of the northwest quadrant/district, it is nestled between the Bow River and Tuscany and away from main throughways such as Crowchild Trail.

The Rockland Park Homeowners’ Association features a 6,500-square-foot building, outdoor pool and hot tub, playground, central fire pit and gathering space, casual skate trail, hockey rink, basketball court, picnic and BBQ shelters, amphitheatre, open spaces and gardens, and more. These in-community amenities are all ideal for nurturing a close-knit spirit, making it one of the best neighbourhoods in Calgary for families by a long shot.

Sunnyside

Why Families Love Sunnyside:

1. Bow River Access: The community’s prime location offers immediate access to the Bow River and its extensive pathway system for walking, biking, and recreation.
2. Kensington District: Sunnyside is adjacent to the vibrant Kensington district, offering a walkable lifestyle with easy access to unique shops, restaurants, and services.
3. Diverse Real Estate: Its close-to-everything location, including downtown and post-secondary institutions, makes it an attractive option for a diverse range of families and professionals, with varied housing to match.

Sunnyside is another one of the best family-oriented neighbourhoods in Calgary due to its close-to-everything location. The community provides quick and easy access not only to restaurants, shops, and services, but also to downtown work for a parent or to the classroom for a student at one of the nearby post-secondary institutions.

Feel like casually strolling along the river pathways on a warm summer day, then grabbing a meal on a Kensington patio before heading to Prince’s Island Park for a festival? Enjoy leisure at its best when living in Sunnyside, and have more time for what’s important in life by skipping the traffic while walking to and from work in the downtown core.

Tuscany

Why Families Love Tuscany:

1. Ample Amenities: Tuscany is a self-contained community built for families, featuring its own central amenity plaza, outdoor ballparks, and schools for both regular and Catholic students from K-9.
2. Mountain Access: Situated on the city’s western edge, the community offers residents quick and easy getaways to the foothills and the Rocky Mountains.
3. Active HOA: A very active community association encourages participation in year-round activities like winter ice skating and summer basketball, all connected by an intricate pathway system.

Tuscany real estate was built from the ground up for families. From the outdoor ballparks to the central amenity plaza, Tuscany offers all the amenities, leisure, and recreational opportunities any family would love. The neighbourhood’s active community association encourages youth to participate in activities such as winter ice skating and summer basketball. The area is also home to schools that host programs for both regular and Catholic students from kindergarten through to the end of junior high.

Located on the edge of the city, Tuscany offers easy access to the foothills and mountains to the west. The neighbourhood has an intricate pathway system that connects families at different stages of development. Home to the Northwest LRT’s newest C-Train station, residents enjoy convenient access to the city centre and other parts of town via public transit.

What’s Your Favourite Family Neighbourhood in Calgary?

Have questions about buying and/or selling in these family-oriented neighbourhoods? Contact Cody & Jordan, experienced Realtors® with RE/MAX House of Real Estate, anytime to discuss your real estate goals, and we will be happy to assist you!