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Living in Altadore

Why You’ll Love Living in Altadore – Voted One of Calgary’s Best Neighborhoods

People love living in Altadore and I’m here to tell you why.

Author: Bryon Howard

As a top producing Realtor and Altadore resident, I know you’ll love living in Altadore, and why it was named one of the best neighborhoods in Calgary for both for young professionals and families alike. If you’re planning a move to Calgary’s Inner City, Altadore is located in the city’s south-west quadrant between Crowchild and 14^thStreet, which includes Sandy Beach and River Park.

While the majority of the Altadore homes reflect the 1950s styles, since it was in this decade the community came about, Altadore was named one of the Calgary’s best neighborhoods in 2010 for its proximity to River Park – one of Calgary’s best parks on the Elbow River and Marda Loop. Speaking of Marda Loop, it’s one of the main reasons why you’ll love living in Altadore. Marda Loop is known to be the largest and busiest outdoor shopping area in Calgary. It’s even known to have a rich cultural scene. Marda Loop has more than 125 independently-owned stores, which includes everything from markets, grocery stores, ice cream parlors, pubs and clothing boutiques.

In addition to shops, Altadore has a vibrant party and cultural scene, with events such as the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival and Marda Gras, a summer-themed street affair that attracts more than 35,000 Calgarians every August.

Altadore is also close to a massive expanse of greenery and they are: Sandy Beach, River Park and the Glenmore Athletic Park. These three parks provide not only a serene environment; they also offer one of the largest off-leash dog parks in the inner city. Not only that, but during the summer it offers the best spot to raft down the Elbow River.

Aside from leisure spots, Altadore homes are close to a wide range of schools from both the public and private sectors. Notable public schools are: Mount Royal Junior High, Bishop Carrol, and the designated public senior high school Central Memorial High School. For private schools, Masters Academy Private School serves Altadore and Garrison Woods.  In addition, Glenmore Christian Academy and other private schools in the South West are close by. Many kids also attend Elboya and Western Canadian High for the French Immersion and IB programs. Of course other numerous elementary and high schools are within convenient distances and some are even minutes away from Mount Royal College.

This is also one of the main reasons why in the last ten years, many high-end, luxury semi-detached homes are being built in the area. Infill buildings and the community changing from 1950s bungalows to modern two homes being put in one lot are also viable properties, too. These kinds of lifestyle and homes are preferred both by trendy, young professionals and families alike.

Living in Altadore sounds fun, right? Why not take a look for yourself on why it was voted one of Calgary’s best neighborhoods. From families who want a comfortable, but close to amenities lifestyle, to the young professional who wants an active social life, Altadore has it all.

I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business.

Do you know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate within the next six months, forward this video to them or my contact information. I’ll send them important information about Calgary and the surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. So, give them my email (bryon@thehowardteam.net) or my phone number (403-475-7368) and I’ll even do a free market report on value of their home.

Bryon Howard is a top producing real estate agent in ReMax House of Real Estate, in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad & crazy about endurance sports. If you want to learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

Chances are you’ve heard the mantra when it comes to real estate that it’s all about “location, location, location.”

Now, what does it really mean exactly?

Before, it used to describe the specific location of your potential home. How it should be on a big lot in a quiet and safe neighborhood in a good quadrant or district of Calgary.

While these requirements still hold up, the new mantra is Actually “Amenities, amenities, amenities,” purchasing a home that’s within close proximity to facilities and things that people need and want.

I’m talking about shopping centers, schools, hospitals and viable transportation options, too. This all accumulates to a good, safe and comfortable lifestyle and environment that has strong potential when it comes to resale value.

In a recent residential study by RBC, it states that a majority of potential homeowners prefer living in a walk-able and transit-accessible neighborhood in the suburbs or city that fits in to a modern day-to-day life.

In the same study, it notes that if cost was not an issue, 80 percent of residents would give up a large lot for a smaller one if it means they will be within walking distance to amenities, have easy access to transit and less driving time.

When asked what residents value the most in choosing a place to live, amenities were noted in three of the five the top answers:

1)      Living in a detached single-family home (14.7 percent)

2)      Easy access and walking distance to shops, restaurants and other services (13.3 percent)

3)      Transit time to work that takes less than 30 minutes travel time (13.3 percent)

4)      Easy access to rapid transit, such as subways, GO Train or streetcars (11 percent)

5)      Privacy from neighborhoods (10.7 percent).

For a lot of people – especially families, a house near school districts are often considered an indicator of a good location. The region surrounding what is considered the best part of a town often has the same or similar boundaries as the school district itself. Sometimes, the quality of the school is even the reason the region has increased value over the years – thus proving how big of a role amenities play in a property’s value.

Age also plays a heavy factor in determining potential homes as people aged 60 and over showed the strongest preference for living in walk-able and compact neighborhoods (roughly 70 percent). This is despite the higher cost of homes in the area. This is in direct contrast to families that have two or more children, who strongly prefer large detached homes in car-dependent neighborhoods with lower housing costs (59 percent). While amenities might not mean the exact same thing to two different age groups, regardless of age, it still plays a large factor in how a person or family determines their home.

If you’re looking to buy, sell homes or even investment properties, then you should take note of these trends and how the modern household now puts amenities in the forefront of their purchases. While the “location” golden rule is still applicable, it needs to work hand-in-hand with the new golden rule, which is “amenities, amenities, amenities.”

Do you know someone who is looking to make a decision in real estate? If you know any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate within the next six months, forward this video to them or my contact information. I’ll send them important information about Calgary and the surrounding area real estate market and politely ask for their business. So, give them my email (bryon@thehowardteam.net) or my phone number  (403-475-7368) and I’ll even do a free market report on value of their home.

I greatly appreciate your valued referrals; it’s the only way I build my business