If you’re moving to Calgary (or even if you’ve lived here for years),
you’ve probably heard the debate:
“South vs North Calgary — which is better?”
And here’s the truth:
Calgarians have strong opinions about their quadrant 😅
But the real answer is more nuanced.
Both sides offer amazing amenities, beautiful communities, and great lifestyle options —
but they’re also surprisingly different.
Let’s break down what actually separates the North from the South.
🌿 SOUTH CALGARY
Nature, lifestyle, amenities, and “mini-city” communities
South Calgary is known for its master-planned communities, easy access to nature, and strong amenity clusters.
⭐ The Highlights:
• Fish Creek Park — One of the largest urban parks in North America
• Seton — A full “city within a city” with shopping, dining, entertainment, and the South Health Campus
• Brookfield YMCA — The largest YMCA in North America
• Newer communities — Legacy, Walden, Belmont, Rangeview, Cranston, Mahogany
• Great walkability pockets
• Quick access to mountain routes (from West & Southwest quadrants)
🏡 Housing Vibe:
• Lots of newer homes
• More front-drive architecture
• Modern designs + contemporary layouts
• Strong sense of planned community structure
🚗 Commute Notes:
• Commutes vary depending on where you work
• Deerfoot & Macleod can bottleneck during peak hours
• Stoney Trail helps — but construction is still an ongoing storyline in much of the South
🏞 NORTH CALGARY
Access, affordability pockets, rolling hills, and huge parks
North Calgary feels spacious, scenic, and incredibly convenient for commuting.
⭐ The Highlights:
• Nose Hill Park — Massive, open, beautiful nature reserve
• Airport access — Ideal for travel, aviation careers, and relocators
• CrossIron Mills — Huge shopping & entertainment hub
• Strong new-build growth — Livingston, Carrington, Evanston, Keystone
• Quick access to Airdrie + Balzac
🏡 Housing Vibe:
• Mix of established communities + brand-new developments
• More split-levels and older architectural character in some areas
• Newer communities often have flexible pricing and strong value
🚗 Commute Notes:
• Fantastic for anyone working in North Calgary, Airdrie, or industrial/warehouse corridors
• Deerfoot and 14th Street can be busy, but access is usually more predictable than the South
📊 SOUTH VS NORTH AT A GLANCE
🏡 Which Area Is Better?
Neither.
And both. 😄
This is why in my buyer process, we build an Ideal Property Profile to understand your:
✔ commute
✔ lifestyle
✔ amenities you need (or don’t)
✔ school districts
✔ neighbourhood personality fit
✔ long-term goals
Because choosing a Calgary quadrant is less about “which is better” and more about:
“Which side matches your real life?”
📝 Final Thoughts
Calgary is unique because NO quadrant is “bad.”
Each one has:
✨ strong amenities
✨ mature + new communities
✨ great parks
✨ family-friendly areas
✨ and tons of growth
The magic is finding the area that lines up with your daily life, your must-haves, and the lifestyle you’re excited to build.
📩 Want My Full North vs South Calgary Breakdown?
It includes:
• commute times
• school areas
• neighbourhood matches by personality
• quadrant buyer traps
• where pricing is shifting
• best communities for 2025
💬 DM “MAP” and I’ll send it to you.
❓ FAQ
Q: Is South Calgary more expensive?
A: Not necessarily — it depends on the community. Some south communities are premium, others excellent value.
Q: Which side is better for families?
A: Both — but for different reasons. South = master-planned. North = affordability + new builds.
Q: Which side has better resale value?
A: Both sides have strong pockets. Community growth + demand matter more than quadrant.
Q: Where is the best nature access?
A: South = Fish Creek.
North = Nose Hill.
Both are huge wins.
Q: Where should relocators start?
A: Depends on airport vs mountain access, job location, commute, and lifestyle.
📚 Related Reading
🏡 Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Calgary? Here’s the 2025 Reality Check
🚗 What It’s Really Like Living in Northwest Calgary — Costco, Coffee & Commuting
About Kristen Edmunds
Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.
