When you’re buying a home in Calgary, it’s easy to get distracted by cosmetic upgrades, square footage, or trendy finishes. But the real value comes from buying the right type of home—the kind that fits your lifestyle, holds its value, and gives you flexibility when life changes.
This guide walks you through the best types of homes to buy in Calgary—from home styles and resale potential to walkability, school zones, infills, and more.
Whether you’re a first time buyer or looking to move up, this guide will help you buy smarter.
Prefer to watch the video instead? Check out the full YouTube video here.
Best Calgary Neighbourhoods That Hold Their Value
Neighbourhoods like Brentwood, Varsity, Lake Bonavista, and West Springs consistently perform well…even when the market slows.
These areas are known for:
- Mature trees and larger lots
- Close access to transit, parks, schools, and retail
- A long track record of buyer demand
Buying in a proven community doesn’t just offer comfort, it offers stability. These neighbourhoods have strong resale, and in many cases, land value alone is a smart investment.
Best Home Styles to Buy in Calgary (And Who They’re Right For)
Not every home suits every buyer. Calgary has a wide range of home styles, each with its pros and cons.
Bungalows
Best for: Retirees, downsizers, and buyers who want main floor living or future suite potential.
- Easy to age in place
- Ideal for basement development
- Strong resale in mature areas
- Higher cost per square foot
- Larger lots mean more upkeep
Two-Storey Homes
Best for: Families that want space and privacy.
- Bedrooms are separated upstairs
- Most common resale layout in suburbs
- More stairs = less aging-in-place appeal
Split-Level Homes (3, 4, or 5-level, backsplit)
Best for: Buyers looking for square footage at a discount.
- Often lower price per square foot
- Unique layouts with extra space
- Odd floorplans can be harder to resell
- Not ideal for future renovations
Bi-Levels (Raised Bungalows)
Best for: Buyers wanting legal suite potential or bright basement spaces.
- Above-grade basement with large windows
- Great for legal or revenue suites
- Small or split foyers can feel tight
Townhouses
Best for: First time buyers or those seeking low maintenance living.
- Affordable entry point
- Less yard work
- Condo fees and shared walls
- Stacked layouts may feel cramped
Duplexes (Semi-Detached)
Best for: Buyers priced out of detached homes or interested in house hacking.
- More affordable than detached
- Can include garage, yard, and finished basement
- Shared walls reduce privacy
Condos (Low-Rise and High-Rise)
Best for: Downtown professionals, minimalists, or lifestyle-first buyers.
- Lower purchase prices
- No yard maintenance
- High condo fees are becoming an issue in Calgary
- Watch for post-tension cable buildings and poor reserve funds
Buying an Infill Home in Calgary: Pros, Cons & Best Neighbourhoods
Infills are modern new build homes on older inner city lots. They offer the best of both worlds—new construction in walkable, character rich neighbourhoods.
Infills are ideal if you:
- Want a custom or modern home without suburban sprawl
- Prefer to live close to downtown, parks, and transit
- Are investing in long-term land value
Great infill areas in Calgary:
- Altadore
- Killarney
- Capitol Hill
- West Hillhurst
- Mount Pleasant
- Parkdale
Infills offer higher end finishes, modern designs, and excellent resale if built by a reputable builder. Always research builder quality and resale history in the area before buying.
Best Calgary Lake Communities to Buy a Home
Lake homes in Calgary are limited and always in demand. People don’t just buy them for square footage, they buy them for lifestyle and they will always be popular.
Top Calgary lake communities:
- Mahogany
- Lake Bonavista
- Auburn Bay
- McKenzie Lake
- Lake Chaparral
- Sundance
- Midnapore
- Arbour Lake
- Coral Springs
- Chaparral
These neighbourhoods offer private lake access, year round activities, and higher resale due to limited inventory. HOA fees are worth factoring into your budget, but the trade off is lifestyle and lasting value.
Top Calgary School Zones That Boost Home Resale Value
Even if you don’t have children, school quality matters. Homes in top rated school zones almost always hold their value better and sell faster.
Top school areas in Calgary:
- West Side (Webber Academy, Rundle College, and many more)
- Brentwood and Varsity (UCalgary access, strong public options)
- Auburn Bay and Cranston (newer public and Catholic schools)
If you’re buying in these areas, your future resale audience includes both investors and families. And that puts you ahead.
Calgary Homes With a View: Why They Sell for More
Emotional connection = resale power. Whether it’s a skyline, mountain, golf course, or river view, buyers will pay more for homes with a view.
Views add value—especially when combined with a good floorplan and minimal obstructions.
Best Calgary Homes With Legal Suites or Suite Potential
Homes with legal suites or potential to add one are among the best investments in Calgary right now.
Look for:
- Bi-levels or bungalows on corner lots
- Walkout basements or separate entrances
- Proper zoning (R-C1, R-C2, R-CG)
Whether you want rental income or multigenerational flexibility, a secondary suite creates options and adds significant value.
Most Walkable Neighbourhoods in Calgary for Home Buyers
Calgary buyers today want walkability—especially younger professionals and downsizers.
Most walkable neighbourhoods:
- Beltline
- Mission
- Inglewood
- Marda Loop
- Kensington
- Bridgeland
- University District
Walkable communities often have better access to parks, groceries, cafés, and transit. Even a small condo in these areas may outperform a larger home in a remote suburb.
Calgary Homes to Avoid: Red Flags That Hurt Resale Value
Even beautifully staged homes can be hard to resell if they come with certain dealbreakers.
Here are just a few red flags to watch out for, and if you want the full breakdown, check out my complete blog post on Homes You Shouldn’t Buy.
Avoid homes that are:
- Backing onto CTrain tracks, busy collector roads, and sometimes even schools
- Located directly in the designated flood zones
- Near power lines or cell towers
- Post-tension condos can be harder to finance and sell
- The most expensive home on the block
- Unusual or over customized for the neighbourhood
Don’t Overbuild: Why You Should Match Your Calgary Neighbourhood
Smart buyers don’t try to stand out—they try to blend in.
If you’re buying a $900,000 custom home in a $500,000 neighbourhood, you’ll likely lose value. Instead, aim to fit the mould. You’ll protect your equity and improve your chances of resale when the time comes.
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