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Pine trees in Altadore Park (photo courtesy of John Vetterli)

It’s been 10 years since I bought Altadore real estate in southwestern Calgary to take advantage of the best schools here for my two children. And I wasn’t wrong—my children’s education is going great! But a lot of other people have been moving to Calgary for many years for other reasons besides the impressive schools—like the especially strong economy! That has in fact made this part of Canada one of the best places in the country to own property.

Hill of gold

I’m particularly happy to have chosen to live here in Altadore because it’s on high ground—in fact its name means “hill of gold”—yet it’s within walking distance of one of the city’s busiest business and shopping centers, Marda Loop, and first-class schools, hospitals, parks and other recreation areas and amenities. No wonder it’s been voted one of Calgary’s best neighborhoods and is luring a great many families and trendy young professionals to settle here. If you’ve decided to move here or are still thinking about it, you’ll be glad to know you have lots of housing types to choose from.

Full range of homes

Luxury single-family homes and condominiums that sell for more than a million dollars abound, with stylish classic to modern designs, high-quality interior and exterior features, and city, downtown or mountain views, and in secure new or mature neighborhoods. There are also lots of more affordable single-family homes, townhouses and maintenance-free low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise condos for first-time buyers, young professionals and investors. House prices average $531 per square foot, and condos, $401 per square foot. If you want brand-new homes, you’ll also find them here! That’s what’s great with a still fast-growing community like Altadore.

Know something else that’s great here? Utility cost is low, and residents can choose between the many electricity and natural gas companies that are based in Calgary.

With all these choices offered by Altadore real estate, you’ll just have to decide on what location, amenities and home features you and your family need and want, and then check out my home listings at http://www.thehowardteam.net/community-profiles/calgary/altadore_river%20park or else come on over and take a look around. I’d be happy to show you around myself and help you narrow down your choices; call me at 403-589-0004 or contact me at TheHowardTeam.net, and let’s set a date!

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 8% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

A fence with character in Altadore (© Some rights reserved by JMacPherson)

In my earlier blog post on the history of Altadore real estate, I said Altadore literally means “hill of gold.” That got me wondering: where’s the gold? Now after living here for a decade, I’m not asking anymore. This neighborhood that’s nestled like a king on a hill and has a commanding view of the mountains but sits beside a river, is close to a number of popular parks and is just minutes from Calgary’s culture and shopping hub–this is the gold. No wonder it has attracted a great mix of people!

If you’re thinking of living here, pump up your energy because four out of five people here are below the age of 54. What’s more, they’re family people! We love walking around here (like walking our kids to school and other places because lots of places here are within walking distance), watching our kids play in the park with other kids, walking our dogs in the pet park or pampering them at our high-end dog boutique, hanging out at the great shops and restaurants in our first-class shopping center that’s just minutes away, watching a movie downtown, racing our bikes, hiking up our mountains, boating, swimming and skating outdoors, skiing and playing hockey. And there’s lots of room here to do all these, as we’re still a pretty low-density community, though the recent record flood in Calgary has been luring an unusual number of people to move here to higher ground.

But wait–not everything we do here is play! Three out of four people here aged 25 and above are gainfully employed, seven out of 10 people here have college degrees or diplomas and own their homes, and only 15% belong to low-income households. And if you want diversity, some 17% of our population are immigrants from the U.S. and Asia, though 98% of us can speak English and/or French. And you know why? Because of all the jobs from the more than 100 business establishments on our northern border, which is the well-known business district of Marda Loop!

I can keep ranting on about Altadore real estate here and our great community, of course, but what’s best is if you can come check out my neighborhood for yourself so you’ll see what I mean. Give me a call at 403-589-0004 or contact me at TheHowardTeam.net and I’ll be glad to show you around!

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad and crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.

Just Listed this wee bungalow in Marda Loop. $319,900. It’s pretty much Land Value – lots of redevelopment happening on the street and in the hood. Know anyone crazy enough to buy this property? (The buyer: Someone who could imagine living in a 600 sq foot condo … but hates condo’s and condo fees … and sees long term potential of increased land prices in this great neighborhood. Or an investor who is happy with $900-$1200 per month in income.) Currently has a long term tenant who is paying $900 and would love to stay.

See the Exterior Video here!
2025 35 Ave SW, Tiny Bungalow in Marda Loop / Altadore

2nd Video – is the Interior

INTERIOR – 2025 35 Ave SW

And for some Pictures!

Interior Pictures

Sneak Peek – Altadore. 1628 49 Ave SW. R1 zoned lot coming on the market! ALTADORES ONLY CUL-DE-SAC!!! Should be offered at $670,000. 733 Sq. meters.

Call Altadore’s ReMax Realtor Local Specialist Bryon Howard today to get the jump on this great 1230 sq foot home / building lot.

Also have back pocket listings for two R2 zoned 50′ Altadore Lots.

“You’ve got to get out and walk.”
– Jane Jacobs, writer & urban visionary

Spring is here … and I’m organizing a Jane’s walk near my home in Altadore on Sunday, May 2 at 2pm.

We’ll depart from Kiwani’s Park on the corner of 16 ST SW and 38 Ave SW. (Close to “The Moon” convenience store.)  We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours.  Learn more about this walk and many others in Calgary at www.thecalgaryfoundation.org.  There is also one departing from Calhoun Library.

Who’s Jane Jacobs … and Why Walk?

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. She had no formal training as a planner, and yet her 1961 treatise, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, introduced ground-breaking ideas about how cities function, evolve and fail that now seem like common sense to generations of architects, planners, politicians and activists.

I’m leading this walk in hopes of getting to know my neighbours, share my love on our community, and learn more stories from anyone I can recruit on this walk!

Hope to see you on my walk on May 2 at 2pm!

For a Youtube video invitation of my walk … visit http://tinyurl.com/ykt7bfo

Not much is for free anymore … but the South Calgary Community Association is bringing back the 1970’s and offering a FREE Community Event, Sat, Feb 27!  Anyone is welcome … but this Community Association serves Altadore, Marda Loop, and Garrison Woods.

Skate and Coca are from 4-5:45.

Hot Dogs (oh boy!) 5:45-6:15

Movie and Popcorn 6:15-8:00

It’s all happening at 3130 16 St SW on Feb 27, 2010.

I can’t wait! See you there!

scca-family-skate-and-movie4

This below article is meant to be used as my editorial in South Calgary Community News – March 2010

We’ve been off the water for just a few hours, and it was an incredible experience. We saw whales breaching, spy hopping, eagles, countless gulls, auks, seals, huge tidal currents and amazing stars!

Sea Trials - Pedal The Ocean

Bryon Howard
-editor-
Add me as a friend on facebook: Bryon.Howard