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Calgary Districts: Map & Community Guide

  • March 19, 2024
  • By Cody Battershill

Calgary Districts: Everything You Need to Know

Districts in Calgary - NW NE N S SE E W CC

Most Calgarians think of Calgary as quadrants: the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. They are right, of course, but not many who live here know that all changed in 2016 when the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) decided to subdivide Calgary into eight separate districts.

Today, these Calgary Districts include:

  • City Centre
  • North
  • Northwest
  • Northeast
  • West
  • South
  • Southeast
  • East

Some people get confused by the fact that there is no longer a "Southwest" district in Calgary, but if you look at the shape of our city, it kind of makes sense:

Map of Districts in Calgary

Despite having no “southwest” district, homes south of the Trans Canada Highway and West of Macleod Trail retain “SW” in their address.

How CREB® Calgary Districts Affect You

CREB's implementation of the new Calgary districts in 2016 came with some other changes that affected real estate agents and consumers in specific ways. However, these changes had marginal effects on how people buy and sell real estate in the city.

If you are a real-estate-savvy person familiar with the city, perhaps you've noticed some of these changes already:

  • As previously mentioned, the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast quadrants were subdivided into the North, Northeast, Northwest, West, South, Southeast, East and City Centre Districts
  • Subdivisions within communities with names ending in 'estate' were consolidated into their respective areas. For example, Arbour Lake Estates listings are now part of Arbour Lake MLS® search results.
  • Names for all communities now match those specified by the City of Calgary for congruency. For example, Saddleridge is now known as 'Saddle Ridge'

CREB's division of the four city quadrants into eight separate districts allows Realtors® and homebuyers to compare the market values of similar homes more easily.

The North District in Calgary, for example, used to be part of the Northwest and Northeast quadrants and was home to areas such as Evanston, Harvest Hills and Coventry Hills (NW addresses) that have a much different real estate portfolio than Skyview Ranch, Redstone or Coral Springs (NE addresses).

While most communities have retained their name and district, others may have seen a complete change. Panorama, for example, used to be part of the Northwest quadrant; today, it is part of the North District. Meanwhile, Tuscany remains in the Northwest Calgary District, as always.

These are just a few examples of how CREB’s change in 2016 affected homeowners. Today, these changes are a thing of the past and likely long forgotten, although not everyone yet knows about Calgary’s districts, which we explore below.

City Centre District (CC)

Calgary's City Centre District includes all downtown and inner city communities. That includes neighbourhoods as far southwest as Killarney, as far southeast as Inglewood, as far south as Glenmore Trail and as far north as Highland Park.

The City Centre is perhaps one of the most desirable areas to live in Calgary for its close-to-everything location, with convenient access to the river, Eau Claire, East Village and other vibrant areas of the city.

Most of Calgary’s premier condominium buildings are located in the central part of the city, including the downtown business core, East Village, Kensington, and the Beltline.

North Calgary District (N)

Calgary's North District includes all communities on the east and north sides of Nose Hill Park that are also west of Deerfoot Trail. Evanston, Panorama and Nolan Hill, for example, are three award-winning neighbourhoods found in the region.

The North District is known for its diverse terrain which includes everything from plateaus to valleys amid the beautiful rolling foothills of Southern Alberta. Many communities in the area are well interconnected via beautiful ravines and paved pathways, making them family-oriented by design.

North residents benefit from quick access to major shopping areas like Beacon Hill and Creekside. Balzac’s Cross Iron Mills and North Horizon Malls are also easily accessed via Stoney Trail.

Northwest Calgary District (NW)

The Northwest Calgary District is to the west of Nose Hill Park and north of the Trans Canada Highway. It is home to popular family-oriented communities such as Tuscany, Bowness and Arbour Lake and is an excellent place for Calgarians who frequent the foothills and mountains.

Calgary's northwest is serviced by a C-Train line that runs along Crowchild Trail all the way to Tuscany, and even as far as Rocky Ridge. It is also home to many green spaces and parks from the Bow River to the plateaus of Edgemont Estates.

Northwest residents have some of the best access to the foothills and mountains. Cochrane and other rural destinations out west such as Kananaskis Country, Banff and Jasper National Parks are conveniently accessed via Stoney and Crowchild Trails as well as the Trans Canada Highway.

Northeast Calgary District (NE)

The northeast is a popular district in Calgary for those looking at more affordable living arrangements on a comparative basis with most other areas of the city. However, some exceptions exist, such as Coral Springs, a lake community home to semi-estate properties and an exclusive homeowner’s association that hosts activities and events year-round.

The YYC International Airport is located in the northeast part of the city, making this Calgary District an ideal place to live for those who frequently travel. Serviced by a C-Train line, it is a great area of Calgary for those who use public transportation services.

Northeast residents benefit from having some of the best access to a full spectrum of cultural restaurants, shops and services. Several new construction communities like Cornerstone offer opportunities for homeowners looking to live in a brand-new home.

West Calgary District (W)

The West District in Calgary is perhaps the most sought-after in the city. Known for its high-end real estate portfolio in reputed communities such as Wentworth, West Springs and Aspen, it is also ideally located for families looking to live a suburban lifestyle not too far away from the City Centre – about a 15-minute drive.

Like the Northwest, Northeast, and South, Calgary's West District is also serviced by a C-Train line that extends to 69th Street SW. The area is home to many private schools, such as Rundle College, Calgary Academy, and Webber Academy.

Outdoor enthusiasts also love the west for its close proximity to the mountains. This allows residents to skip the city traffic and escape to the west much more efficiently than if they were living on the east side of the city, for example.

South Calgary District (S)

The South District in Calgary is perhaps better known by many Calgarians as the 'Southwest.' Today, the South includes communities on both the east and west sides of Macleod Trail with Southwest and Southeast Addresses.

This area is sought-after by many for its tight-knit, family-oriented communities that provide residents with easy access to areas such as Bragg Creek and Kananaskis Country. The South is also home to the massive Fish Creek Provincial Park, which spans from west to east, and exclusive lake communities such as Midnapore and Sundance with very active homeowner associations, where families tend to stay for the long term.

Calgary's South District is serviced by the South LRT line, making it convenient for teenagers and young adults who may rely on public transportation to get from point A to point B. For all the reasons above, it is a top choice for many families.

Southeast Calgary District (SE)

The Southeast District in Calgary is another family-oriented part of the city home to award-winning lake communities like Auburn Bay, McKenzie Lake and Mahogany. These neighbourhoods have a diverse real estate portfolio, ensuring an opportunity for buyers from many walks of life to gain exclusive access to the Homeowners Association and its facilities + events.

Calgary's southeast is well connected to other parts of the city via Stoney and Deerfoot Trails. It has quick and easy access to amenities in the Seton, Shawnessy and 130th Avenue complexes, new amenities at Belvedere via Stoney, and so much more!

The new South Campus Hospital, our city’s newest healthcare facility, ensures residents have ample access to the necessary health services. Set amid Seton, the area also offers a full spectrum of restaurants, shops and services, including home department stores and movie theatres.

East Calgary District (E)

Calgary's east district is known for its affordable real estate—perhaps the most affordable in the city compared to similar properties in other districts. Home to 17th Avenue SE, also known as 'International Avenue,' it is also one of Calgary's most ethnically diverse parts, with many cultural centres and temples dedicated to various faiths.

The East District in Calgary is home to an up-and-coming mixed-use community called Belvedere. Here, you'll find Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot, and many more stores that make living nearby as convenient as possible.

With access to the Stoney Trail ring road, East District residents can conveniently access other parts of the city. It is also not too far of a drive if heading west for leisure and recreation in the foothills and mountains is on the agenda.

Questions about Districts in Calgary?

Calgary Real Estate Agents and Realtors Contact

As highly experienced Realtors® in Calgary, we would love the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about Calgary districts. Don't hesitate to contact us anytime to discuss your real estate goals -- we are looking forward to connecting with you!