Humming with an eclectic, urban vibe, Calgary's inner-city community of Connaught attracts a variety of residents, from millennials to empty nesters. The community brims with multi-family housing, tree-lined parks, community vegetable gardens, purpose-built dog playgrounds, and a variety of unique restaurant and retail offerings. As an added bonus, many of these businesses, such as Kalamata Grocery and Analog Coffee, are spearheaded by local entrepreneurs.

"There is just this huge appeal – there are the parks and the trees and you are also in the thick of it. It's a real community where there is something for everyone," said Connaught resident Patricia Insole.

Calgary's "new northeast" has recently captured the spotlight, as several new communities within established communities are being unveiled – giving house hunters a refreshing taste of new home designs, in addition to the bevy of resale product that already exists in the region.

Among these, the triad of communities accessible via Metis Trail and 80th Avenue northeast – Saddle Ridge, Martindale and Taradale – are turning heads. Located a stone's throw from Calgary's International Airport and many of the major thoroughfares that frame it, the area offers quick and easy access to a wealth of established amenities.

Taradale (N.E.)
This northeast neighbourhood shares bountiful amenities, from schools to recreational centres, with its neighbouring communities of Saddle Ridge to the north and Martindale to the west. The three communities seamlessly flow into one another, with no sharp boundaries. The Genesis Centre acts as a hub for all three communities, with sport and wellness offerings for the entire family.

A growing family often means it's time to grow the home as well – a space that once seemed roomy and open often feels cramped once a little one is running around.

Depending on your priorities, it might also mean the time has come to relocate from an inner-city area to a quieter, family-focused community in the suburbs. If you're struggling to pick a new neighbourhood to call home, or have no idea where to even start looking, these are Calgary's top-10 communities for young families (based on percentage of population 14 years old and under):

Calgary's Genesis Centre earns its name

The word genesis means a beginning or origin. When it comes to this definition, the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary was aptly named. Opened in January of 2012, the centre filled a longstanding void in sport, recreation, wellness and cultural services for residents.

Joshua Smith achieved his ideal downtown lifestyle at the right price point with a new Beltline condo

Joshua Smith, a 31-year-old communications adviser, was living in the northeast community of Taradale with his brother, commuting close to two hours a day to his job in the downtown core and back. His goal was to save some money and purchase a condo in the inner city. He yearned for the downtown lifestyle, where he could be close to coffee shops, restaurants and workout facilities. He wanted to be able to walk to work, and to meet friends for dinner or drinks without having to worry about a lengthy drive or an expensive cab fare. He also required a home with a great view, and it had to be affordable.