Inner city Calgary is populated with schools within the Calgary Board of Education as well as the Calgary Catholic School District. Parents also have options like French immersion programs for their elementary-aged children.

The schools are as diverse as the residents that live there. With School Missions like “A collaborative culture that respects and values all voices. To support all learners to meet their potential within a collaborative culture” and mottos like “Reaching for Excellence”, inner city schools in Calgary have a lot to offer families and students.

Connaught School is close to our hearts as one of our team members had the opportunity to do one of her teaching practicums at this school and another member attended the school during his elementary years. One of the oldest buildings in Calgary, Connaught School was completely renovated on the inside in 2007. The renovations were completed in 2009, leaving the outside Sandstone structure preserved. This building truly represents Calgary’s rich heritage and history and stands proudly on 12th Ave SW, between 10th and 11th Streets.

The following excerpt from the Calgary Board of Education school profile is just a small glimpse into the uniqueness of this school and just one example of the amazing things Inner City schools in Calgary have to offer.

“Connaught School serves children in kindergarten through grade 6 school, thriving in the heart of the inner city. Our learning environment is diverse as our children come from 53 countries around the world. There are more than 40 languages spoken at Connaught. We have a full day kindergarten program and strong literacy programs to support multilingual learners. As well as the regular curricular programs, Connaught students have access to a breakfast program, lunch program, a before- and after-school program, and an after-school activity program. Decidedly Jazz Danceworks has been in residence since 1994, offering classes, performances and scholarships to our students.”

For more information on specific inner city Calgary Schools, their programs and other specifics about them, visit the Calgary Board of Education’s website or The Calgary Catholic School District’s website.

If schools are a consideration in your next home search, don’t overlook the inner city; some of the best programs are right at your doorstep.

Marda Loop Justice Film Festival presents Urban Roots

Location: River Park Church – (3818 14A St. SW)
When:  Tuesday, May 8, 7pm
Admission: Just drop-in, free of charge
Email: justicefilmfestival@gmail.com
Website: Justice Film Festival

As an NGO initiative, the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival is a hub of global citizen engagement – promoting the understanding of justice issues while advocating for the well-being of local and global neighbors through film & discussions afterwards. The film Urban Roots follows the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit. Amidst the collapsing industrial town, urban farming is providing individuals a way to take control of their well-being as well as create a new approach to community, the economy, and life overall.

The Wayans Brothers

Location: The Laugh Shop Comedy Club – (5940 Blackfoot Tr. SE)
When:  Thursday, May 10, 7pm / Friday & Saturday, May 11 & 12, 7pm & 10pm
Admission:  $49.95/person
Contact Number: 403-255-6900
Website: Laugh Shop

Shawn and Marlon Wayans, recognizable for their appearances in Scary Movie, White Chicks, In Living Color, Dance Flick, and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, return to Calgary by popular demand. Their comedic genes and brotherly banter is sure to have the whole audience rolling on the floor.

CBC Calgary Reads Book Sale

Location: Calgary Curling Club – (720 3 St. NW)
When:  Friday, May 11, noon – 9pm / Saturday, May 12, 9am – 6pm / Sunday, May 13, 9am – 4pm
Admission:  Adults $2, children 12 & under free of charge
Contact Number: 403-777-8254
Email: info@calgaryreads.com
Website: Calgary Reads

The National Music Centre is providing live music keep you grooving and moving while you shop. Further inspiration will be provided by some book-based artwork that will be on display. All of the book sale profits will be used to lead Calgary Reads programs. Little Free Libraries, which promote literacy and the love of books by building free book exchanges worldwide, will be on hand to provide information on how to build your own. Don’t skip out on the best book sale of the year!

Playing with Fire: The Theo Fleury Story

Location: EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts – (215 – 8 Ave SE)
When:  Tuesday, May 11 to Saturday, May 19
Admission:  From $28.50 to $60.75
Contact Number: 403-294-9494
Email: info@epcorcentre.org
Website: Alberta Theatre Projects

A bold and honest one-man show about one of Calgary’s brightest Flames, this stage adaptation of Theo Fleury’s best selling memoirs takes us on an emotional journey both on and off the ice. A retelling of the highs and lows of this complex anti-hero of our city and our time, this performance is sure to instill new found respect and appreciation for No.14.

The Grant Thornton Chairman Series presents Boléro

Location: EPCOR Centre’s Jack Singer Hall – (205 – 8 Ave SE)
When:  Friday, May 11 & Saturday, May 12, 8pm
Admission:  From $19.00 to $87.00
Contact Number: 403-571-0849
Email: info@cpo-live.com
Website: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Courtesy of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the flavour of Spain is infused in some of the most colourful works ever written, including the sultry Boléro. Rachel Barton Pine brings her fiery style to the stage with two stunning performances on the violin.

World Fair Trade Day

Location: Ten Thousand Villages – (220 Crowchild Tr. NW)
When:  Saturday, May 12, 10am – 5:30pm
Contact Number: 403-270-0631
Email: calgary.crowchild@villages.ca
Website: Ten Thousand Villages

This World Fair Trade Day the store will be focusing on the impact fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate has on the farmers. Learn how fair trade makes a difference and how it tastes too. Sample the various fair trade chocolate, coffee and tea they have to offer. Perhaps you’ve been wondering which of their coffees or chocolates you like the best, well this is the time to try them all. Bring a cup and they’ll fill it for you, or use one of their compostable cups. They will also be serving some baked goods with fair trade ingredients and sharing the recipes. So come and bring your friends!

Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run & Walk

Location: Chinook Centre – (205 – 8 Ave SE)
When: Sunday, May 13, 8:45am – 11am
Email: Link
Website: Mother’s Day Run & Walk (Register online)

It’s Alberta’s largest family fundraising event in support of the Calgary Health Trust Neonatal Intensive Care Units at the Foothills, Rockyview and Peter Lougheed Hospitals. The Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU’s) not only help Calgary’s newest arrivals, but receives babies from all areas in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Join in this year’s run and help give everyone a good start in life!

The Calgary International Children’s Festival

strong>Location: EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts– (205 – 8 Ave SE)
When:  Tuesday, May 22, to Saturday, May 26
Admission:  $13.99 per ticket, per performance
Contact Number: 403-294-9494
Email: admin@calgarychildfest.org
Website: Calgary Children Festival

A dynamic performing arts festival that presents critically acclaimed professional theatre, music and dance for young audiences. Since its inception in 1987, the Festival has grown to become an international leader in arts presentation with productions tailored from the very young to 16 years of age. Bringing young people into contact with artists through workshops, theatrical productions, and creative arts events, your children will have an unforgettable and engaging experience.

Big Rock Brewing Course

Location: Heritage Park – (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
When:  Thursday, May 24, 6:30-9pm
Admission:  $89.95 + GST, registration required
Contact Number: 403-268-8500
Email: info@heritagepark.ab.ca
Website: Heritage Park Events (registration link)

Discover the basics of the complete craft brewing process taught by an experienced brewer. This hands-on course will allow you to gain knowledge and experience the brewing process while learning about the specific type of beer that you will be brewing. Enjoy appetizers and a beer tasting of commercial samples similar to the beer that is being produced. Best of all, 4 weeks after the course is finished, you will pick up a 500ml sample of beer from the park that you personally brewed at the course!

Hot One Inch Action

Location: SIT Interiors – (820 11 Ave SW)
When:  Saturday, May 26, 7-10pm
Facebook: Link
Email: Link
Website: Hot One Inch Action

Hot One Inch Action is the original, one-night only show of button art and social interaction from Vancouver, BC. The tiny art of fifty different ACAD (Alberta College of Art & Design) artists is reproduced on one inch buttons. These one inch buttons are displayed on the gallery wall and the audience is offered the opportunity to buy randomly selected buttons in mixed bags of five for $5. Didn’t get the button you want? Trade with the people around you…how bad do you want that button?! That’s when the hot action starts.

Avenue Magazine’s Dinner Series

Location: NOtaBLE Restaurant – (4611 Bowness Road NW)
When: Wednesday, May 30, 6pm Cocktails, 6:30pm Dinner
Contact: Jasmine Croteau for reservations, tickets are limited
Contact Number: 403-240-9055 ext 248
Email: jcroteau@redpointmedia.ca
Website: Dinner Series / NOtaBLE (restaurant)

At the monthly Avenue Dinner, each delicious course is paired with a great wine and you’ll receive great overviews of the food and drink from chefs and sommeliers. This month’s focus is on NOtaBLE, where gourmet comfort food is served up in a large and inviting dining room, with a view of the open kitchen and its grand wood-fired rotisserie. While known for their prime rib and rotisserie meat offering that changes each day, be sure to save room for chef (and owner) Michael Noble’s famous Stilton cheesecake!

City of Calgary residential sales continued to rise in April 2012, reaching 2,133 units, an increase of 30.7 percent over last April.

Overall Residential Market:

• Year to date (YTD) sales are up by 16.7 percent over the same period last year
• Monthly new listings rose slightly with a 4.5 percent increase over last year, whereas YTD figures show 0.3 percent fewer listings have come onto the market
• The year-over-year decline in new listings, combined with improving sales, has pushed down inventory levels to 10,082 units from 9,115 last year, in addition to a decrease in months of supply.

The tightening supply has brought many multiple offers on houses and condos. If this continues the market should sway towards the sellers’ side.

Single Family Homes: 

• Continuing to record strong activity, with sales increasing by 30.6 percent compared to last April.
• Active listings remain 19 percent lower, resulting in a tightening of supply.
• The benchmark price reached $449,500, while the MLS® Home Price Index points towards a price growth of 5.5 percent compared to last year.

Apartment Condominiums: 

• Finally exhibited some life, with 351 sales recorded for the month, a increase of 13.2 percent compared to last year.
• New listings recorded a year-over-year improvement of 5.9 percent for the month of April, but still remain 0.3 percent lower than last year to date. Overall market conditions fall into balanced territory.
• The condominium apartment and townhouse benchmark price for the month of March was $248,300 and $294,500, representing a 0.8% and 2.7% increase over the same time last year.

The surge in sales in the Single Family market continues to lead the housing growth, while the condominium market appears to be gaining some momentum. Overall, the Calgary Real Estate market is moving in the right direction, with confidence building and values slowly appreciating. Home owners are starting to take the leap and move forward with real estate plans which should lead to an increase in listings and purchases.

If you would like a full statistics package or more detailed community statistics, please let us know. Feel free to drop us a line if you have any comments, questions or suggestions for us – it will be greatly appreciated as we continuously strive to provide you with an unparalleled experience when it comes to your real estate needs.

She has a unique passion for Real Estate and guiding her clients through their Real Estate related journeys. As a Realtor, she delivers an honest, client-centered experience. Having worked in Commercial and Residential Real Estate in the city of Calgary she is equipped with a unique and in-depth insight into Calgary’s changing market.

Raised in Calgary, Salimah has developed a wealth of knowledge about the city as she has lived and worked in all 4 of its quadrants. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo where she majored in Legal Studies. She returned home, where she recently completed her Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Calgary.

Her previous clients have described Salimah as an approachable and personable agent and she strives to provide her clients with a relaxed, but full-service experience.

As the newest member of our team, Salimah is prepared with the necessary skills and tools to complement our current new-age approach to Real Estate. Salimah can be contacted at 403.618.7654 or sal@needlav.com for information on any and all of your Real Estate needs.

Here’s a quick summary of the basics:

• 31 storeys, with a sky garden lounge, spa pool, 24 hour concierge, 5 star restaurant and more
• Layouts (230 units):
• one bedroom: 449 – 534 sqft
• one bedroom + den: 615 – 669 sqft
• two bedroom: 768 – 1,650 sqft
• two bedroom + den: 941 & 1,950
• pricing starting from $230,000

They’re holding an invite only VIP event on May 5, starting at noon and we will be there. If you would like to come with us please fill out the form below. This is sure to be a sell out event, with the current very active new construction market in Calgary. Let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to helping you with your next purchase (there is a benefit in using us for this purchase – ask us what it is).

Here are a few of the pros and cons of buying new homes that will help you make an educated purchasing decision.

Pro: Everything is new! This goes without saying, but when you purchase a newly built home, everything from shingles to wiring to sheetrock to floors; is brand new. Many people prefer this, others do not.

Con: Everything is new. Some home buyers prefer homes built in the past because they have character. Their walls have stories to tell, and their structures have stood the test of time. You are more likely to find fault with foundation and electrical systems if an older home hasn’t been well maintained, but upon a satisfactory inspection, homes with history are appealing to many.

Pro: Energy efficiency. It makes little sense to build a new home without energy efficient windows, insulation and Energy Star rated appliances. With all the options available to builders to “build green,” most are.

Con: The risk of low quality for high speed. We’ve all seen homes pop up in what seems like overnight, and while some scrupulous builders simply have the manpower and connections to make this happen, others do not. Be wary of rapid build times, and guarantee your builder isn’t cutting corners for a quick paycheque.

Pro: Rapid turnaround. This can also be a positive aspect when buying a new home. If you’ve done your research, read reviews and are confident your builder is reputable and skilled, being able to have your new home ready in a matter of months can be an incentive to buy new. In many older homes, repairs will be necessary; however, the time it takes can increase if a builder pushes back closing and move in times again and again.

Con: Is your new home being built in a brand new, planned community? Or, how about on a large tract of land far away of urban amenities? If so, consider this; your neighbourhood doesn’t have a personality or sense of community intact. Many people prefer to buy older homes in established areas because they appreciate the sense of camaraderie and community that already exists.

Pro: Fewer repairs. As mentioned, one of the downfalls of buying an older home (especially a neglected property) is the need for repairs. With a new home, it’s unlikely you will have to make extensive repairs in the near future.

Con: Curb appeal and landscape. With newly built homes, it is rare that mature trees and plants are installed. Chances are you’ll need to foster growth, water, plant things and watch them grow for a few years until they reach maturity. For many, this is an unappealing cost, not to mention effort, associated with buying a new home.

There are clearly benefits to buying new homes, and among them is space. Most new homes are built bigger. Older homes tend to have smaller rooms, fewer bathrooms and less functional kitchens – unless they’ve been remodelled.

source: TBR

If you’re considering buying a new home, remember to look at both the pros and cons to guarantee it will be a purchasing decision you’re pleased with for years to come. We are experienced in both new construction and re-sale, and can help with the process. Fill out the form below or call us at 403.478.3258.

• Lougheed House - 707 13 Ave SW.
• Devinish Center - 908 17 Ave SW.
• Anderson Apartments - 804 18 Ave SW.

The neighbourhood houses a mix of apartments, commercial and retails stores. It’s also home to the famous Red Mile (17 Avenue) and caters to a variety of unique tastes appealing to everyone from business professionals to students, mainly aged from 20 – 40. As a result of its eclectic mix, you’ll never see a dull moment  and it’s definitely a perfect place for people watching. The greatest feature of Connaught is its proximity to downtown, which on average is a 10 minute walk to the core. It is therefore no surprise that the community has grown substantially with 10% increase in population the last 5 years. This growth also translates into the area’s Real Estate market with the average apartment being 25 years old, 570 sq ft, 2 bed/1bath and costing around $250,000. We will soon see a change on this front as well with numerous condo projects recently developed or in development. They command a price of $350,000 and up for 2 bedroom averaging at 850 sq ft – quite a change!

Take a look at some of these great condos here.

Being located in the Beltline means access to a wide variety of amenities. You can find numerous restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores. With too many to mention, we’ve listed our favourites.

• Kawa – amazing atmosphere serving great coffee and live music.
• Brava Bistro – good food with a modern vibe, great for being seen out on the town.
• Holy Grill – family owned cafe, serving tasty paninis, beet chips and burgers.

• Altadore: 5.5%
• Bridgeland: 4.2%
• Crescent Heights: 4,3%
• Downtown West End: 6.4%
• East Village: 2.1%
• Eau Claire: 2%
• Mission: 1%
• South Calgary: 4.3%
• Sunalta: 3.6%
• Victoria Park: 1.2%

It is notable how many areas have experienced increases and with the economy on the mend and employment rising, these areas will continue to be in high demand. This trend will serve to further boost the value of the homes in these areas, making it an excellent time to invest or realize on an investment.

The Calgary Condo Guys specialize in the Inner City and can help you navigate through your next move in or out of the Inner City. Make sure to contact us if you would like more information on these areas or want to get a better understanding of Real Estate market trends in the city.

 Overall Market:

• After the first quarter of 2012, sales are up by 7.3 per cent over the same time last year

• Monthly new listings remain slightly lower than last year, whereas year-to-date figures show 7.2 per cent fewer listings have come onto the market in the first quarter of this year

• The year-over-year decline in new listings, combined with improving sales, has pushed down inventory levels to 5,092 units from 5,866 last year, as well as months of supply.

Single Family Homes:

• Continuing to record strong activity, with sales increasing by 10.3 per cent at the end of the first quarter.

• Quarter totals for listings of single-family homes remain 8.3 per cent lower, resulting in a tightening of supply.

• The benchmark price reached $433,500, while the MLS® Home Price Index points towards a price growth of 3.6 per cent compared to last year.

Apartment Condominiums:

• Continuing to exhibit lower sales, with 782 sales recorded in the first quarter of 2012, a decline of 2.1 per cent compared to last year.

• March sales activity did post a 7.2 per cent gain over last year and is closer in line with typical March sales in this sector.

• New listings recorded a year-over-year improvement of 9.1 per cent for the month of March, but still remain 2.3 per cent lower than last year at the end of the first quarter. Overall market conditions continue to favour the buyer.

• The condominium apartment and townhouse benchmark price for the month of March was $247,800 and $293,600, representing a 1.39% and 4.34% increase over the same time last year.

The single family market continues to lead the housing growth in both sales activity and pricing, while the condominium market appears to be gaining momentum. Overall, the Calgary Real Estate market continues to move in the right direction, with all indicators pointing towards stable growth and a move towards typical levels of activity.

If you would like the full statistics package or more detailed community statistics, please let us know.