Calgary is home to several lake communities. Due to the pandemic, they may be more popular than ever as people look to outdoor activities closer to home as an important part of life.
All lake communities have an annual HOA fee for all residents (you cannot opt out). The amount ranges from about $300-500 per year. Residents and their guests have access to the lake, which generally includes some swimming/beach areas, fishing, non-motorized boats available for use and other recreation facilities such as playground, tennis courts, volleyball courts, frisbee golf and a clubhouse. In the winter, skating and other winter activities may be provided.
Some homes in the lake communities back directly on to the lake and have their own dock. These homes are in the $1M-plus range with some spectacular waterfront estates available up to $5M, right in the city!
One of the original lake communities is well-known Lake Bonavista. Situated in the SW with good access to Macleod Trail and the C-train to commute downtown, this is a very popular choice with buyers looking for a family friendly neighbourhood with mature homes and trees. Detached homes start in the low $500,000’s for a mostly original 1970’s home, up to the $1M+ range for substantially renovated older homes or a new build. There is a section of Lake Bonavista that also has access to smaller Lake Bonaventure – only a small number of homes can access this private lake, not the whole community.
Midnapore and Sundance were built next, in the late 1970’s and 1980’s on the south side of Fish Creek Park. These communities are more affordable than Bonavista, with detached homes starting in the high $300,000’s for a smaller, more dated house and the majority of homes selling in the $400,000 to $600,000 range.
As you continue heading south, Lake Chaparral was built on the south side of Hwy 22X, now Stoney Trail. Please note that the Chaparral Valley section of the community does not have lake access. Built in the 1990’s and 2000’s, houses are a bit larger and newer in this area with the majority of houses selling between $500,000 and $600,000 and lakefront homes as low as $1M.
In the SE part of the city, just off Deerfoot Trail, McKenzie Lake was built in the late 1980’s and 1990’s and is starting to have a more mature feel. Houses start in the $400,000’s with the majority of homes selling from $500,000 to $700,000. In addition to the lake, this neighbourhood has great access to the Bow River valley and walking trails, with some homes having beautiful views overlooking this area.
The new era of lake communities includes the SE neighbourhoods of Auburn Bay and Mahogany, near the new South Health Campus hospital. With a wider range of property types including affordable condos and townhomes, lake living has become more accessible to more people. These neighbourhoods are very popular with young families and the lakes are quite large with multiple access points. There is a wide range of house sizes and price points from $400,000 to $1M with more modern floor plans. Mahogany includes the large Westman Village complex with condos, senior living and retail.
We can’t forget about the one and only NW lake community of Arbour Lake. Built in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, this community offers close proximity to Crowfoot shopping and good access west to the mountains. Most homes are in the $400,000-$600,000 range.
Outside of the city, we have of course Chestermere Lake, which has public access, motorized boating and many lakefront homes. The town of Chestermere has a huge range of houses, townhouses, condos, retail, schools, etc.
And there is the new community of Harmony, which is west of the city near the Springbank Airport. This is a high-end neighbourhood with large homes, a golf course and future retail development. Homes start in the $600,000’s and the neighbourhood continues to be built out with several builders working in the area.
If you’re ready for an upgrade to a lake community in time for summer, give me a call!
-Amie
