Most Affordable Neighbourhoods in Calgary: Calgary, AB Affordable Living Guide

Calgary’s distinction as one of the world’s most livable cities has made it a highly sought-after location due to factors such as clean air and water, excellent healthcare, and more. However, desirability as a place to live can lead to elevated real estate prices. Fortunately, Calgary still boasts many affordable neighborhoods that offer proximity to art, culture, and entertainment, along with convenient access to nearby amenities and a lower overall cost of living. These neighborhoods provide everything one could want in an affordable new home in Calgary.

Deer Ridge

Amenities

Deer Ridge Community Gardens
Outdoor hockey and skating rinks
Tennis courts

Situated in the southeastern part of Calgary, Deer Ridge was established in 1978 following the city’s annexation of the land in 1961. The community is bordered by Deercliff Road and the Bow River to the east, Canyon Meadows Drive to the north, Deer Run to the south, and Bow Bottom Trail to the west.

Residents of Deer Ridge have the advantage of easy access to Fish Creek Provincial Park, located directly east of the neighbourhood, which offers over 100 kilometres of both paved and unpaved trails for hiking, biking, and bird watching. The park’s man-made lake is ideal for swimming during the warm summer months, while the Bow River is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts.

Deer Ridge is home to Don Bosco Elementary and Junior High School and a vibrant Community Association that organizes local events and strives to maintain the neighbourhood’s excellent living standards. Moreover, the community offers affordable housing options for those seeking proximity to art, culture, entertainment, and necessary amenities.

Huntington Hills

Amenities

Eight sheets of curling ice
Hockey rink
Private ice rink rentals

Located in the Northeast quadrant of Calgary, Huntington Hills stretches from Beddington Boulevard in the north to 64 Avenue North in the south, with Deerfoot Trail and Nose Creek on the east and Nose Hill Park on the west.

This neighbourhood was established in 1967 after the land was annexed by the city in 1961. Several schools, including Catherine Nichols Gunn Elementary, Alex Munro Elementary, Huntington Hills Elementary, St. Helena Junior High, and John G. Diefenbaker High School, serve the area.

Huntington Hills’ community association offers numerous programs to keep residents active and engaged, such as curling, hockey, figure skating, yoga, and children’s dance. Outdoor enthusiasts can participate in pickleball, soccer, lacrosse, and slow pitch softball. These amenities have helped to secure Huntington Hills a top 20 spot on Avenue Calgary’s list of the city’s most desirable neighbourhoods.

Coach Hill

Amenities

The Calgary Gymnastics Centre
Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre
Olympic Oval Ice Skating Rink
Trails West Hockey
Several soccer fields

The Old Banff Coach road, a former stage coach route, is the namesake of Calgary’s Coach Hill neighbourhood. This Southwest quadrant neighbourhood was established in 1979 on land annexed by the city in 1956. Its proximity to natural settings is highlighted by the Sacree Trail to the east and the Bow Trail to the south.

Coach Hill’s mixed residential development includes single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments, offering a diverse selection of housing options. Its high elevation affords stunning views of the surrounding area, and abundant green spaces, parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields provide endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.

A.E. Cross Junior High, a Spanish bilingual school, is among the public and private educational institutions available to students in the area.

Renfrew

Amenities

Renfrew Hall
Renfrew Community Garden
Tiny Tots child activities
Local skating rink

Renfrew’s location adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway makes it an appealing and convenient neighbourhood to live in. It is situated just north of Bridgeland, while Nose Hill Creek and the Deerfoot Trail define its eastern boundary, and the Edmonton Trail separates it from Crescent Heights on the west.

Prior to its residential development, Renfrew was home to a Royal Canadian Air Force training base and served as Calgary’s airport. The area now offers a diverse mix of living options, including condos, apartments, and single-family homes.

Evanston

Amenities

Well-designed green spaces
Evanston Community Park
Evanston Creekside Soccer

Evanston is a community situated in the Symons Valley area of Calgary, which is one of five communities in the region. Its boundaries are the Shaganappi Trail on the Southwest and the Sarcee Trail on the West. Over the last decade, this highly sought-after neighbourhood has experienced significant growth, with its population increasing by approximately 10%. Prospective homeowners can select from a variety of single-family homes, as well as duplexes and townhouses.

The neighbourhood’s advantageous location in Northwest Calgary provides easy access to the TransCanada Highway and the Calgary International Airport. With three established schools and two additional ones expected to open soon, residents have excellent educational options. Numerous green spaces, trails, and playgrounds are available, allowing for plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

Beddington Heights

Amenities

Community after-school program
The Butterflyway

Beddington Heights was initially established as a stop on the Canadian Pacific railway line and was named after the English village of Beddington. It is one of Calgary’s well-established neighbourhoods.

The community was founded in 1979 and is now surrounded by various amenities, including small shops, eateries, and bars, as well as essential services such as pharmacies. The majority of homes in the area are single-family homes, with a limited selection of condominiums and apartments available.

Rocky Ridge

Amenties

Rocky Ridge Ranch Centre
Rocky Ridge Community Garden
Active soccer and baseball leagues

Rocky Ridge is situated at the far western edge of Calgary and is considered one of the newer neighbourhoods in the area, having been established in 1998. The southern border of the neighbourhood is defined by the Crowchild Trail, which provides residents with convenient access to stunning natural landscapes.

Moreover, the Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association organizes a wide range of events throughout the year, including movie nights, Easter egg hunts, and large community-wide garage sales.

Prospective Calgary residents have several highly desirable and affordable neighbourhoods to choose from, each catering to a diverse range of preferences, from culinary enthusiasts to outdoor enthusiasts. It is recommended that new residents explore the neighbourhoods that interest them the most to help them find their ideal new home.

In addition to these affordable neighbourhoods, Calgary offers affordable housing in master-planned communities, gated communities, walkable neighbourhoods, condominium neighbourhoods, and other areas.