Distinctive architecture sets the tone for Melcor Development's master-planned community of Sunset Ridge in the picturesque town of Cochrane. Inspired by arts-and-crafts and craftsman design elements, homes feature deep and rich natural colour palettes, varied roof pitches and decorative elements like gables, brackets, blocks and false trusses. Old-world charm abounds, with large porches and usable, covered landings.

New communities are sprouting up in all four corners of the quaint mountain town of Cochrane to meet rising demand for a range of housing types and lifestyles.

Chestermere maintains its charm amidst rapid growth and development

When Toni Lynne Cousineau and her husband, Larry, moved to Calgary in 1996, they weren't familiar with the city. Even though they initially lived in Applewood Park, on the city's eastern edge, they did not know about Chestermere. "We didn't even know it existed," said.

It was through her employment with a local builder that Cousineau first discovered Chestermere, when she ended up working in a show home there. It was a case of love at first sight.

Snapshots of Calgary's lake communities

Life at the water's edge may not be the defining Calgary experience. But for thousands of Calgary homeowners, life by the lakeside was a key reason they chose to buy in one of the city's many man-made lake communities. Here's a look at each of the Calgary neighbourhoods with a blue jewel of H2O at its heart, making them among the most desirable communities in
the city.