Calgary's Cost of Living: Income, Housing Prices, & Taxes

The cost of living in Canada is measured by Statistics Canadaʼs Consumer Price Index (CPI), or inflation rate, which indicates changes in consumer prices. The CPI is one of the most important indicators because it is used nationally and calculated monthly and annually. The CPI is calculated by many different indicators such as food, transportation, and housing. However, this overview will focus on household income, housing prices, and provincial income tax rates as indicators to determine Calgary's cost.

Calgary has just over 1.5 million people, making it the fourth-largest city in Canada, following Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. In relation to these cities, measured by the indicators mentioned above, Calgarians enjoy a lower cost of living. Read…

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Calgary Homes with Pools - Good Idea or Not?

The perennial question for homeowners considering a backyard pool is whether the return on investment will be positive. Pools are expensive, require regular pool maintenance and there may be no easy answer. There is no doubt that, at least for some, enjoying a private pool is as desirable as an expensive annual vacation. That enjoyment factor is a prime reason for installing a pool in the first place.

Other homeowners suggest, however, that over time a pool loses much of its appeal, and that long-term maintenance and upkeep costs climb. Some of those families believe that fitness club dues or a country club membership can represent a better long-term use of funds.

Prime Factors: Weather and Cost

In Calgary, weather is a limiting factor for…

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Millennials Have Become the Majority of Home Buyers

Millennials have been getting older and now make up the majority of home buyers. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors in the United States, 78% of the first-time home buyers are millennials.

What Makes a Millennial?

This is the largest generation that has been seen since the baby boomers came on board. This new influx of young adults has created a huge demand for housing. The millennials have come of age and are seriously taking a look at their long-range financial and real estate options.

The millennial generation includes individuals that are less than 33 years of age while Generation X. individuals are anywhere from 34 to 48 years old. Baby boomers are in the 49 to 58 age bracket while the silent generation…

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5 Upgrades That Won't Add to the Resale Value of Your Home

If you're thinking of doing some renovations around your house this summer, here are some of the upgrades that you may want to avoid. These renos are unlikely to add any type of resale value to your home.

Installing A Concrete Patio

Concrete patios can look great for the first couple of years but then they tend to crack. When this cracking starts, it's almost impossible to repair it so that it looks as good as new. Concrete can also cast a glare that is very harsh, which can be a concern to a potential buyer.

A Basketball Court

Basketball and tennis courts take up a lot of space in the yard. There are going to be only a handful of selected buyers that would consider purchasing a home that has a large court on it. You should only…

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5 Places in Calgary to Go For Good Pho

When the snow flies there's nothing like a steaming bowl of fragrant pho from one of Calgary's fine Vietnamese noodle houses. Pho, which is actually pronounced “fuh”, is basically rice noodles swimming in a chicken or beef broth. Always satisfying but never the same. Different restaurants like to prepare it in slightly different ways.

Good pho is clear broth. It should never be dark or even cloudy. It should be a harmonious blend of flavours. There should be plenty of options from beef flank to tendon or tripe or rare beef with a perfect balance of luxurious white rice noodles in broth so hot it will steam up your glasses.

Every good pho comes with a variety of toppings. A plate brimming with fresh bean sprouts, springs of mint or basil and…

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How to Prevent and Handle Mold Issues in Your Home

One of the biggest issues that a home owner may run into is mold and mildew. A lot of insurance claims have been made regarding mold since it can destroy your home and also be harmful to your health. In a perfect world mold would stay outside where it belongs and would not invade your home.

Unfortunately, mold spores tend to land on any moist, dark area anywhere and cause problems.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Many people are allergic to mold and it can cause complications in people who are dealing with respiratory issues. Mold buildup in a dwelling can cause a variety of health problems including the following:

• Red eyes
• Increased instances of asthma attacks
• Skin rashes
• Sneezing
• Irritated lungs
• Sore throats
• A variety…

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Community Profile: Quarry Park

When you can live around the corner from the office and walk to the grocery store or the restaurant down the street, you’ve got it made.

That’s what life in the south east neighbourhood of Quarry Park is all about.  Life all wrapped up in one beautifully designed package.

So far there’s no Calgary neighbourhood quite like it.  Sandwiched in between Riverbend to the north and Douglas Glen to the south, Quarry Park is on the east side of the Bow River and takes full advantage of it’s unique location.  It’s aptly named, as for many years the land served as a huge industrial gravel pit for the local cement plant on the other side of the river, accessed by a narrow construction bridge.  It was also used as a dumping ground for hard materials such as…

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Mardo Loop shows Calgary how urban density is done

One of the city’s very popular inner-city communities is Marda Loop, a trading/residential area that spans the south end of the community of South Calgary and the north end of the Garrison Woods/Altadore district.

The last 15 years has really seen a significant change where this once quiet community has turned into a hip destination.  Part of the desirability of the area has been the commercial area that runs along 33 Ave SW and 34 Ave SW between 20St SW and Crowchild Trail.

It’s become more urban and more walkable according to Bob van Wegen who is in charge of the Marda Loop business district.  He was asked for comment recently for an article in the Calgary Real Estate News.

Marda Loop History

The odd name goes back 80 years to a time…

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Calgary's busiest communities for single-family home starts

An award-winning community in Calgary’ deep southeast with not one but two lakes and a new community only it’s second-year of construction are commanding the city’s biggest demand for detached homes so far in 2017.

Mahogany at the south end of Calgary and Cornerstone way up past the airport are the two communities where the most permits for single-family homes have been dished out by the City so far this year.

Hopewell Residential is the developer of Mahogany which submitted the most applications in January and February with applications from Cornerstone’s Walton Group a close second.

Mahogany Leads the Charge

This is the third year running that Mahogany has led the pack for single-family home building permits in Calgary.  Hopewell…

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Conference Might Help Calgary Improve Walkability Scores

Calgary’s car culture is truly embedded in many of our communities, especially all communities built after 1950.  Urban planners have been trying for a while to undo everything that’s been done and rethink our reliance on the car which has significantly impacted urban sprawl.

The rethinking process really started with the construction of McKenzie Towne in Calgary’s south eastern quadrant.  McKenzie Towne was modeled after a village of old with a High Street similar to what you’d find in the English country side.  The community was avante garde – revolutionary.  A shopping district in the centre of the neighbourhood surrounded by residential areas completely within walking distance.  A church with a steeple for heaven’s sakes.  It was the foundation…

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