Calgary Districts: Map & Community Guide
- October 14, 2024
- By Cody Battershill
Calgary Districts: Everything You Need to Know
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:
Some people get confused by the fact that there is no "southwest" district in Calgary. Yes, there is a SW quadrant, but how the new districts have been subdivided (as shown by the map below), it makes sense:
Despite having no “southwest” district, homes south of the Trans Canada Highway and West of Macleod Trail retain the SW quadrant designation in their address.
How CREB® Calgary Districts Affect You
CREB®'s implementation of the eight Calgary districts in 2016 brought changes that affected real estate agents and consumers in certain ways. However, these changes had marginal effects on how people buy and sell real estate in the Calgary Metropolitan Area (CMA).
If you are a real-estate-savvy person familiar with the city, perhaps you've noticed some of these changes already --- and if you’re a Realtor®, then you should know for sure.
What changed when the City of Calgary’s Districts were implemented?
- The NW, NE, SW, and SE quadrants were subdivided into eight districts: the North, Northeast, Northwest, West, South, Southeast, East, and City Centre.
- Subdivisions within communities that had 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 was changed to 'Saddle Ridge.'
Property Comparisons & Name Changes
CREB's division of the four city quadrants into eight separate districts allows Realtors® and homebuyers/sellers alike to compare market values of MLS® listings more easily.
The North District in Calgary, for example, used to be split between the Northwest and Northeast quadrants and was home to neighbourhoods such as Evanston, Harvest Hills and Coventry Hills (NW addresses) that have much different real estate portfolios than properties found in Skyview Ranch, Redstone or Coral Springs (NE addresses).
While most communities have retained their names and previous quadrant/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 each of 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.
In general, the City Centre district is characterized by vibrant and eclectic urban streetscapes where people can access all the amenities they could hope for.
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 area.
The North District is known for its diverse terrain which includes everything from plateaus to valleys amid the beautiful rolling foothills of Southern Alberta. Its neighbourhoods 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.
Escaping out west to the foothills and mountains is also an easy task when living in the North District of Calgary via the Stoney Trail ring road.
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 area for Calgarians to live 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 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.
The northwest is also home to major amenities including CF Market Mall, Royal Oak Centre, Crowfoot Crossing, Northland Mall, Brentwood, and many other strip malls that make life convenient.
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 newly built 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 Woods, it is 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, Webber Academy, and the Calgary French & International School.
Outdoor enthusiasts love the west for its close proximity to the mountains. This allows residents to skip the city traffic and escape to the Rockies much more efficiently than if they were living downtown or in the northeast, 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 Bonavista with highly active homeowner associations, neighbourhoods 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 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 home ownership and rental opportunities for people from many walks of life.
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 South Campus Hospital, our city’s newest healthcare facility, ensures residents have ample access to the necessary health services. Set amid Seton, it is part of the Gateway Retail Distict, home to more than 130,000 square feet of retail space and various in-demand amenities such as 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 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.
Calgary Districts: Frequently Asked Questions
City Centre
What is the best district to live in Calgary?
Calgary’s districts each have their own unique features that would make any one of them the best to live in based on your wants, needs, and lifestyle.
For example, wealthy homeowners who value private school access may love the West District, while others who work for an airline company and enjoy convenient access to the mountains may prefer living close to the YYC airport in the north or northeast.
The City Centre District, for example, is ideal for downtown workers who enjoy an urban lifestyle close to the office, and also for young adults who want to live, work, and play in the heart of the city.
The South and Southeast Districts are home to many family-oriented suburban communities with central lakes and active homeowner associations, which make them great places to grow up for children and make lasting memories with family/friends.
What are the residential districts in Calgary?
Calgary’s primary residential quadrants (not to be confused with its eight districts) include the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. Most of its downtown and inner-city neighbourhoods are located in the SW and NW.
What divides “north” and “south” Calgary?
The Bow River divides Calgary’s north and south regions in the City Centre District. To its north are inner city communities like Sunnyside and Crescent Heights, while to the south you’ll find Eau Claire and the downtown business core.
Memorial Drive separates north and south Calgary to the east of downtown, while to the west, a plateau south of the meandering Bow River is all considered part of the SW quadrant.
What divides “east” and “west” Calgary?
North of 9th Avenue SW in downtown Calgary, Centre Street divides the east and west parts of the city. South of 9th Avenue SW, however, Macleod Trail divides the east and west.
What is the oldest district in Calgary?
Inglewood is Calgary's oldest neighbourhood, located directly across from Fort Calgary at the confluence of the two rivers (Bow and Elbow). Other old communities nearby include East Village, downtown, and the Beltline.
However, the City Centre wins by far in terms of the oldest district. It is home to many historical buildings dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s—about as old as it gets for the City of Calgary.
Questions about Districts in Calgary?
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!