Even though it is chock-full of cutting-edge design and brimming with bells and whistles, that's not what's drawing buyers towards Westman Village, a new neighbourhood within the award-winning community of Mahogany. Instead, it's the lifestyle, including convenience, walkability, access to Calgary's largest man-made lake, and loads of downtown-style amenities.

"What really sets the development apart are the amenities and the self-contained structure of Westman Village," said Jay Westman, chairman and CEO of Jayman Built, the developer and builder behind the project. "The only thing that we don't have is a gas station."

Nearly ten years into the East Village Master Plan, which was developed in 2009, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) has invested close to $400-million into its delivery.

"That has attracted nearly $3 billion in private investment, including RioCan's urban retail centre, now under construction, and various condo developments," said Clare LePan, CMLC's director of marketing and communications.

Nestled side by side, the northwest communities of Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge share an abundance of amenities, including grocery stores, community green spaces and walking trails. But two features that make these communities stand out are the jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountains and the brand-new Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge, a 284,000-square-foot health and wellness centre that opened its doors in January.

"The hunger and desire for this type of community space has been long anticipated," said Ken Lima-Coelho, vice-president of community engagement for YMCA Calgary.

Appealing to a variety of demographics, the dynamic community of Cranston offers a taste of the good life.

"It's a great community with so much to offer, including schools and shopping right in the area," said Justin Castelino, marketing manager for Brookfield Residential, the developer behind upper Cranston and the niche community of Cranston's Riverstone.

As one of Calgary's oldest communities, Sunnyside weaves together a poignant blend of architectural styles. Modern infills sit alongside century homes, while walk-up-style apartment buildings wink at neighbouring new-build, mid-rise condo towers.

The community of Varsity spreads out from the University of Calgary's campus and endowment lands, expanding north of 32nd Avenue N.W. on the west side of Crowchild Trail.

The community of Redstone in Calgary's new northeast has been a resounding success since its launch in 2010.

Fringing the Bow River Valley with stunning views of the Rockies, the neighbouring northwest communities of Scenic Acres and Silver Springs offer a connected lifestyle in an established area.

With new residential developments popping up everywhere – along with a growing selection of culinary gems, coffee shops, yoga studios, craft breweries and funky boutiques – the buzz around Calgary's inner-city community of Altadore just keeps getting stronger.

When it comes to housing, the northeast riverside community of Bridgeland and its under-the-radar neighbour Renfrew offer loads of diversity. Both communities feature everything from wartime bungalows and mid-century character homes to modern infills and innovative condo projects.