The top 5 misconceptions about the suburbs

There are a lot of amazing brand new communities sitting on the outer edges of Calgary. Have you found yourself contemplating moving to the suburbs, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you?

If you’re debating between urban and suburban living, we’re here to dispel some of the common misconceptions people have about the suburbs.

1. They are too far from everything: with smart development and design, suburban communities these days are actually more like self-supporting cities, complete with an abundance of shopping, entertainment, restaurants and all the amenities a family needs. In fact, northern Calgary suburb communities like Sage Meadows offer a commute to downtown Calgary in just 20 minutes. Even living in suburban Airdrie communities like Bayside Estates will get you a drive to downtown Calgary in 30 minutes.
2. The homes are “cookie-cutter”: this is just the opposite, as newer communities offer a variety of homes from small to large and varying in design features. In communities where several home builders are working together, you really get the advantage of diverse variety. Some builders release upwards of 10 home designs in one community. Not to mention that newer homes comes with a number of benefits, such as updated technology, energy-saving features and the ability to customize your home.
3. There’s nothing to do: some of the best yoga studios, classes, dance studios and more reside in suburb communities. Plus, you don’t have to deal with the packed classes that some urban studios have. With plenty of nearby parks, playgrounds and cycle/walking trails, suburb communities offer a lot of outdoor recreation options. But, many suburb communities also boast top-of-the-line recreation facilities, like the Genesis Centre near Saddlestone in Calgary’s northeast.
4. There’s no green space: many people think that suburbs lack the nature that well-established communities in inner-city areas have, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Especially since many suburb communities are built out nature, or around nature. Because of the further proximity, residents of the suburbs can enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer, with the convenience of the city. Look at Pier 11 in Airdrie for example, the entire community was designed around the natural components at the hub of this neighbourhood.
5. “My kids will have to commute too far for school”: newer suburb communities have the added benefit of access to multiple schools, and newer schools that aren’t overcrowded. For example, the northeast Calgary community of Saddlestone has over 10 schools within nearby range.

There are many reasons to consider moving to a suburb community, and one of the biggest pros is getting more bang for your buck when it comes to a home. When compared to housing options in urban communities, suburban areas offer homebuyers a lot more for their money when it comes to home square-footage and yard space. In many cases, you can find a single-family home in the suburbs for the same price as a small condo in downtown Calgary.
If you’re interested in learning more about some of the new suburban communities in Calgary and Airdrie, check out where we’re developing, right here on our website.