6 Neighbourhoods In Walking Distance of Calgary's 17th Avenue

The best neighbourhoods in Calgary have so much to explore! From easy access to the best employers to stunning views of Alberta's best natural landscapes, there's something for everyone here. Those who love shopping, dining, nightlife, and attending exciting events are often drawn to 17th Avenue. Stretching approximately 2.5 kilometres west of the Scotiabank Saddledome, residents and visitors alike can enjoy dozens of restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques, and other unique small businesses. Many of Calgary's most desirable inner-city homes for sale are just a few steps away from the sights and sounds of 17th Ave. Read on as we explore the six best neighbourhoods within walking distance of 17th Avenue.

Beltline

Those looking to live right in the center of it all will have a hard time finding a better location than the Beltline. Set south of 10th Avenue SW, the community is wedged against the 17th Avenue corridor and the hustle and bustle of downtown.

While residents are at most a few blocks from 17th Avenue, there's also plenty within the community, like grabbing dinner at Bridgette Bar, a drink at Last Best Brewing and Distilling, or checking out a diverse mix of shopping, public art, community events, and more. There are also plenty of parks and other green spaces sprinkled throughout the Beltline, the most notable of which is Central Memorial Park. With an ultra-central location, there are few better choices for walkable life in Calgary.

The dense nature of the Beltline real estate market means housing is mostly made up of mid- and high-rise condos, supplemented by a few townhomes. On the more affordable end, modest one-bedroom properties can be found in the mid-$100,000s. On the flip side, spacious, luxury condos of three bedrooms and 2,000 square feet or more can reach the $1.5 million range. Most others fall in the middle to the low end of this spectrum, selling from the high $200,000s to the high $500,000s.

Lower Mount Royal

The compact community of Mount Royal hugs the southern edge of 17th Avenue, between 14th St SW and College Lane Southwest. It provides some of the best access to central portions of the corridor, including longtime local favourite restaurants like Buon Giorno Ristorante Italiano or coffee shops like Caffe Beano. In addition, shoppers can enjoy an eclectic mix of stores that range from big box options to quirky local businesses. Thanks to its long, narrow shape, Lower Mount Royal residents are never more than a few hundred meters from 17th Avenue, making it a clear choice for homebuyers with walkability in mind.

While it runs along 17th Avenue, the community remains almost entirely residential outside this northern border. Homes for sale in Lower Mount Royal consist of a mix of condos and semi-attached homes ranging from under 500 square feet of living space to more than 2,000. While some date back to the post-World War II era, the neighbourhood has seen many newly redeveloped properties hit the market in the past decade. Lower Mount Royal's one- to three-bedroom properties can be found from just over $100,000 to the high $600,000s.

Mission

The Mission neighbourhood offers would-be residents access to two of Calgary's top retail, food, and nightlife corridors right outside their front doors. Its eastern and southern borders are formed by the idyllic, winding Elbow River, while the western edge consists of hip and lively 4th Street. This area is home to some of the city's most talked about restaurants, with diverse cuisine from Asian to Mexican to barbecue.

Just to the north and east, residents can also take advantage of the many sports and entertainment venues that dot the area, including Flames games at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Stampede events at GMC Stadium, and a variety of conventions and consumer trade shows at the BMO Centre. Mission is also home to Calgary's iconic annual Lilac Festival, which draws tens of thousands to the community to celebrate the flower.

Real estate in Mission Calgary is a mix of condos, townhomes, and quaint single-family detached homes. Condos can be found from as low as the mid-$100,000s, though luxury units can top $2 million. Small single-family homes and townhomes can be found from just over half a million to more than $1.25 million. While they may be more compact than some less dense communities, it's hard to beat the proximity and walkability of the area.

Bankview

Slightly more removed from the hustle and bustle of central Calgary, Bankview offers a primarily residential escape with a mix of housing styles and price points. At the same time, owners will find the edge of the 17th Avenue corridor at the northeast corner of the neighbourhood, including popular restaurants like Moti Mahal, along with the area's characteristically hip shops, health food stores, tattoo parlours, and more. Even the furthest reaches of the community are just 2-3 kilometres from the heart of 17th Avenue.

Closer to home, residents can relax at numerous local green spaces, like Buckmaster Park, which is also the site of the Bankview Community Garden. It's also home to an active community association, which organizes neighbourhood issues and holds events for residents.

Bankview's roots date back to the early 1900s, making it one of Calgary's oldest neighbourhoods. However, the community's current mixed multifamily nature only emerged in the post-World War II era. Condos and townhomes can be found for as low as the $150,000-200,000 range, while single-family homes start at around half a million. The area's newest, most spacious, or most luxurious properties cost around $1 million. With so many real estate options, Bankview homes for sale are not to be missed.

Upper Mount Royal

One of Calgary's highest-end neighbourhoods, Upper Mount Royal is made up of an elevated area overlooking the city and nearby 17th Avenue. The area was once known as "American Hill" due to the area's popularity among American immigrants who'd moved to the region. It's separated from Lower Mount Royal by Royal and Bagot Avenues, where the land rises sharply to the south.

Upper Mount Royal consists almost exclusively of high-end single-family detached homes instead of the multifamily options of Lower Mount Royal. While some can be found in the high six figures, most top $1 million and can reach the $4.5 million range for the largest and most luxurious homes for sale in Upper Mount Royal. These four- or five-bedroom homes sometimes measure 6,000 square feet or more.

While it's separated from 17th Avenue by Lower Mount Royal, residents are still incredibly close to the area's most popular restaurants, shops, and other attractions. The furthest reaches of Upper Mount Royal are still barely 1.5 kilometres from the corridor, with many homes much closer. Meanwhile, the community's western border of 14th Street SW also offers plenty of services, from popular chain restaurants to various local businesses. Even closer to home, residents can join the Mount Royal Community Association, which provides sports facilities and a rentable event hall and organizes local events throughout the year.

Sunalta

Between the Bow River and 17th Avenue, Sunalta combines the convenience of its central location with a quieter residential feel. Sunalta homes are typically a kilometre or less from the western end of 17th Avenue, with its wide variety of shopping and dining options. Residents who commute downtown and elsewhere in central Calgary will love the convenience of the area's stunning Sunalta LRT Station. Those who want to be more active can also walk, jog, or bike along the river on the popular Bow River Pathway, which runs for miles in each direction from the community. With several parks and green spaces, it's a great neighbourhood for those who like to get outdoors in a walkable way.

Houses for sale in Sunalta include low- and mid-rise condos, supplemented by heritage single-family detached homes. Homes can vary widely from charming two-bedrooms that sell for less than half a million to spacious luxury properties for $1.25 million or more. Condos can be found as affordably as the high $100,000s but are more commonly sold in the $200,000-400,000 range, typically including one or two bedrooms.

Stroll to Calgary's Famous 17th Avenue

There's always something going on along Calgary's popular, bustling 17th Avenue Southwest. From hot new restaurants and bars to unique shopping to some of the city's top community events, it's all happening along this delightful corridor. And the best way to experience it all is from one of these incredible communities, all within walking distance of 17th Avenue. From high-rise condos to humble single-family homes, there's a dream waiting home for every would-be buyer. Love walkable neighbourhoods? Be sure to check out Calgary RiverWalk and Bridgeland restaurants, too!

If you're interested in Calgary real estate, contact Justin Havre Real Estate Team with eXp Realty with Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your Calgary dream home today.