6 Reasons to Love Life In Southwest Calgary

Lesley Birkkjaer • December 31, 2022

South of the Bow River and west of the McLeod Trail sits Southwest Calgary in all of its glory, offering everything you could want, and catering to all lifestyles.


Keep reading to learn six spectacular reasons to love life in Southwest Calgary.

southwest calgary

Reason #1: Scenic Communities in Southwest Calgary


Situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the views from the neighbourhoods in Southwest Calgary are breathtaking. These quiet and scenic communities are full of green spaces, trails, golf courses, and parks for walking, jogging, cycling, rollerblading, and more.


There are a few must-see communities in Southwest Calgary:


Reason #2: A Healthy Work-Life Balance


If you work in downtown Calgary, you have the convenient C Train and plenty of public transit buses that run back and forth. There are also many routes for using your vehicle, and the commute from Southwest to Downtown is a short 15-minute drive.


You have plenty of employment options in Southwest Calgary, with many corporate headquarters located in the downtown area. Whether you prefer condo living, townhouse, apartment, new construction, or an established single-family dwelling with a beautiful yard and mature trees, Southwest Calgary has it all.


Accommodating a healthy work-life balance in Southwest Calgary is easy, with plenty of entertainment options like:

  • Stores
  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Theatres
  • Outdoor activities
  • Community Events
  • Parks
  • Schools


Reason #3: Fine Dining, Take Out, & Everything In Between


There’s definitely no shortage of restaurants here! Find good food and fine culture throughout the district with a few top restaurants, like:

  • Cassis Bistro - French
  • Rouge - Canadian
  • Namaskar - Indian
  • O'Sullivan’s - American
  • Gaucho - Brazilian
  • Pfanntastic Pannenkoek Haus - Dutch
  • Una Pizza & Wine - Italian


Reason #4: Boutiques, Specialty Shops, & 5 Malls


Southwest Calgary has five shopping malls, but the largest and most popular is the  Chinook Mall. Its many retailers, service providers, and restaurants make it an indoor shoppers' delight.


17th Avenue S.W. and its adjoining streets have over 70 retail shops making it one of the most iconic streets in Calgary. From high-end fashion boutiques and international chains to local boutiques and specialty shops. Take a coffee-to-go and experience window shopping like never before.


Reason #5: Popular Outdoor Destinations

Southwest Calgary has parks, playgrounds, and green spaces for every outdoor activity, making Glenmore Reservoir one of the most popular destinations for Calgarians and tourists. 


The Elbow River feeds the reservoir, which hosts sailing, disabled sailing, dragon boat racing, rowing, canoeing, and kayaking. There are walking trails in the many gorgeous parks like North Glenmore, South Glenmore, Sandy Beach, and Heritage Park.


For those who love skating, Southwest Calgary has Shaw Millenium Park, and WinSport for skiing, snowboarding, and more.



Reason #6: Many Bilingual Schools With Enrichment Programs


Many families with school-age children worry about finding a good school when relocating.


Southwest Calgary students belong to school district 4, with numerous elementary and junior high schools that offer French Immersion, Spanish Bilingual, Montessori, and other enrichment programs.


Southwest Calgary has four regular high schools (one being French Immersion) and a fifth high school geared towards Career and Technology. It’s also home to the Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, and other fabulous post-secondary schools.


The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and the University of Calgary are just north of the Bow River and are easily accessed by the Southwest communities.


Thinking Of Moving to Southwest Calgary?


As a true Calgarian, trust me when I say you won’t regret it. Calgary is a rapidly growing city that has a lot to offer. The hardest part is finding the perfect neighbourhood to call home.

Are you looking for:

  • An excellent work-life balance
  • Amazing employment opportunities
  • Peaceful, friendly communities
  • An abundance of shops and restaurants
  • Beautiful parks and green spaces
  • Endless outdoor adventures and experiences
  • A fantastic choice of schools
  • A breath-taking view of the Rockies

 

Then we need to chat! When it comes to my clients, I go above and beyond to provide a seamless experience every step of the way. I follow my HEART and offer Honest, Energetic, Attentive, Resourceful, and Trusted advice.


Ready to start looking for your dream home, and elevated quality of life in Southwest Calgary? Search my available listings or Call Me!





By Lesley Birkkjaer December 4, 2024
As we wrap up 2024, here's a quick look at what happened in November. Inventory levels continued to rise, helping balance demand. However, we’re still seeing price decreases as some sellers adjust from the spring’s high prices. Pricing your home correctly remains crucial—it's the key to selling quickly and for the best value. Here’s an example: I recently listed a home in Acadia at a competitive price, and within days, it sold for $30,000 over asking with seven offers—three of them unconditional. This just goes to show the power of strategic pricing in today’s market. If you’re thinking about selling or want to know more about the market, let’s chat ! Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season, and I’ll see you in 2025. Cheers to a bright and successful new year!
By Lesley Birkkjaer November 27, 2024
Sorry for the late November newsletter—I thought I had already sent it! You’ll hear from me again soon with my December update, so stay tuned for that. November tends to slow down as we move closer to the holiday season. Inventory levels have continued to increase, and we are seeing more price reductions as sellers adjust from the high prices we saw during the spring’s strong seller’s market. The market is becoming more balanced, though it still leans slightly in favour of sellers. I have an exciting new listing coming up in Acadia this week— reach out if you’d like more details or if you want to chat about what’s happening in the market!
By Lesley Birkkjaer October 3, 2024
Happy October, everyone! The leaves are changing, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous—such a lovely time of year! Let’s soak it all in before the snow hits. Here’s a quick update on the September market. We’re seeing more listings, especially in the entry-level price range (up to $600,000). It’s a bit surprising to think of homes under $600,000 as “entry level,” but Calgary’s benchmark price has now topped $600,000! We’re not in a buyer’s market just yet, but it’s definitely leaning more towards balance, with sellers still holding an edge—but nowhere near the extreme seller’s market we had this spring. Interestingly, we’re also seeing some movement in the $700,000 to $1 million price range. Plus, with interest rates dropping and potentially another cut ahead, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on how that affects things. All in all, things are moving along smoothly. If you're looking to buy or sell, I'd love to help! Just give me a call . And a quick reminder—October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so throw on your pink and support those who mean the most to you.
By Lesley Birkkjaer September 5, 2024
I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely weather! Recapping the Calgary real estate market for August. We have seen supply levels increasing with more properties hitting the market, in part due to new construction. We have moved away from the extreme seller's market we experienced in the spring. The Bank of Canada has just dropped the interest rate to 4.25% so that's great news for buyers! Have a great rest of September and I'll see you next month!
By Lesley Birkkjaer August 15, 2024
Welcome to August! I hope you're enjoying a wonderful summer and the cooler weather. We saw more listings hit the market in July which has increased both inventory and time on the market. While it's still very much a seller's market, buyers now have a few more options to explore. We're also anticipating another interest rate drop in September, so it will be interesting to see how that impacts the market as we head into the fall. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to catching up in September!
By Lesley Birkkjaer July 8, 2024
Welcome to July! I hope you're enjoying the wonderful weather after a fairly rainy June. Here's a brief recap of June: We experienced a slight decline in sales due to low inventory. However, sales of higher-end properties (above $700k) saw a slight increase. The benchmark home price also rose by 8.5% year-over-year to $608,000. As we move into the second half of 2024, I remain optimistic about continued improvements. However, we should anticipate a slower pace through the summer as people are vacationing and enjoying the beautiful weather. Have a great rest of your July, and I will see you again in August.
By Lesley Birkkjaer June 19, 2024
I hope you're doing well! It's been a busy month , but as we move into July, I'm optimistic things will continue to stay steady. Generally, summer is a slower time of the year. We have seen a small slow down but with demand remaining high multiple offers are still common. The Bank of Canada drop the interest rate by 0.25% which is helpful for prospective homebuyers . As always, if you are buying or selling I am very happy to help you out ! 
By Lesley Birkkjaer May 21, 2024
Welcome to May. April has come and gone and along with it we have seen another month-over-month price increase. Low inventory continues in the lower price ranges which continues to add pressure to market and increase prices. However, we have seen an increase in inventory in the above $700,000 range. We are remaining optimistic about lower interest rates. If you need any help buying or selling please give me a call !
By Lesley Birkkjaer April 4, 2024
Spring is here, and with it we are hoping to see some new listings hitting the market.
By Lesley Birkkjaer March 20, 2024
It's definitely still a seller's market which has made it hard for buyers these days.
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