Developers are teeing up a new community on Calgary's southwestern edge designed to appeal to both golfers and non-players alike.

Tucked away in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Sirocco at Pine Creek is a master-planned community with a prime location, a variety of front-drive and paired homes, and a picturesque golf course that shares its name.

Community, sustainability and design.

These are the pillars of the Ivy, Brookfield Residential's innovative townhome project in the 200-acre University District.

Brookfield Residential is renowned for creating communities that shine.

"We build communities for life – where residents can work, play and thrive," said Tannis Anstey, marketing manager for Calgary communities with Brookfield Residential. "At the core of what drives us is how we can contribute to someone's sense of belonging and quality of life."

During the 1990s and early 2000s, a wave of new golf course development swept across Canada, with many of these courses serving as centrepieces for residential communities. Since then, that growth has slowed as golf's popularity has waned. Some of those courses are now closing, opening prime real estate that, in many cases, is being redeveloped into new subdivisions.

The result has been a boon for builders and homebuyers, as land becomes available for new residential development within desirable, well-established communities. However, it has also created resentment among long-time residents of these neighbourhoods, who originally purchased their homes with the golf course as a major selling point.

A special stretch of residential development in Calgary, including communities that took root more than 100 years ago, continues to be a treasure trove for today's high-end homebuyers.

New listings coming onto the market continued to decline in June, which is helping to reduce the oversupply of homes in Calgary.

Finding a home you know you can live with can be difficult.

Whether it's a brand-new house from a builder or a resale home, there are a number of things you should look for.

While the Smiths were first drawn to Harmony because of its lake access and proximity to the Rockies, a golf course development involving PGA icon Phil Mickelson was the icing on the cake.

"It was a slam dunk when we knew the Mickelson National (Golf Club) was coming in," said Kevin Smith, director of communications for Alberta Golf.

Throughout the past 39 years living in Calgary, I've always been fascinated by one roadway in the city: Elbow Drive.

It very well might be my favourite road to travel by vehicle, with its picturesque views of the river, parks, commercial development and interesting homes.