Hillhurst, one of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods, is much more than just a place to lay down your head at night. Many of the city’s trendiest businesses and festivals call this unique community home. Hillhurst is also bordered by some major Calgary landmarks including the beautiful Bow River and the many paths and trails that run alongside it. Whether you want to live near incredible restaurants, one-of-a-kind stores, endless recreational opportunities, or all of the above: Hillhurst is a must-see community.
Hillhurst is just beyond the north western edge of downtown Calgary. Kensington is one of the most well-known districts in the city and resides within the community of Hillhurst. Simply ask any Calgarian about Kensington and their eyes will light up as they share stories of the dining and entertainment opportunities in the area that draw in residents from across the city. Hillhurst is also a fantastic mix of single family homes and high density housing.
About 50% of the area is made up of apartments and condos. This creates a unique selection of housing that appeals to people from all walks of life. The nightlife in the area is very laid back with more patios and casual dining than dance clubs and loud bars.
Year-round entertainment is the rule in Hillhurst. From Christmas in Kensington Village in December to the Sun and Salsa Festival in July; there’s never any lack of things to see and do in the area. In between the festivals you can enjoy cuisine inspired by countries from all around the world, stop at one of the many coffee shops for a caffeine kick, or meet some friends for the tried and tested “beer and bar food” at one of the pubs in the area. The Plaza Theatre is also a place you should check out – built in the 1920’s, it is the oldest building in the community. So you can get a taste of Calgary’s history while also taking in a movie. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest events at The Plaza Theatre as they often host some wonderful film festivals.
Real Estate
As already mentioned, Hillhurst consists of about 50% high-density real estate. There’s a variety of apartments and condos of all sizes throughout the community that will meet the needs of individuals and families alike. Renting is very popular throughout Hillhurst and there is always a great selection of rentals available, especially if you’re looking for an apartment or a condo. Single family homes to suit a range of budgets are also available in Hillhurst. Since the community is one of the oldest in Calgary you will be able to find plenty of homes with a classic, older charm.
If you’re looking for something more modern then you should also be able to find something to suit your tastes. With the rapid growth in the city over the past 20 years, Hillhurst has seen plenty of redevelopment and revitalization. Some older properties have been heavily renovated or entirely rebuilt to reflect modern styles and comforts. The mixture of trendy, modern homes and older-style homes is unique within the city and certainly offers something for every buyer.
Calgary, in general, is a very clean city. The revitalization that Hillhurst has undergone has helped to clean up the look of the community. The Kensington Village businesses work hard to keep their unique piece of the city clean and inviting for visitors and residents alike. Hillhurst is also located outside of Downtown, which helps to greatly reduce any noise pollution that comes with being in any downtown core. Vehicle and foot traffic in Hillhurst will increase greatly during major festivals but those are temporary events and chances are, if you live in the area, you’ll be taking part in the festivities yourself so you may not even notice the noise! Smog warnings are not common at all in Calgary and you’ll find that litter is less prevalent than in many other major cities.
Crime Rate
Calgary is regarded as very safe city to live and work in. Hillhurst is a community of young families and young professionals, so it would be unlikely that you would run into much crime in the area. Any crimes that might occur can often be prevented by following basic tips such as locking your doors and not leaving any valuables on show to entice would-be criminals.
Schools
There are plenty of schools within Hillhurst that serve families in the area. Parents will be excited to know that their kids will not have to travel far to get to class during the school year. Elementary students attend Hillhurst School or Queen Elizabeth Elementary School. Queen Elizabeth High School serves the older kids in the community. Post-Secondary students living in the area will be glad to know that the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is located at the Northern border of Hillhurst.
Public Transportation
Hillhurst is served by buses, which connect residents to the rest of the city. The community is also very pedestrian – and bike – friendly. At the north edge of Hillhurst, at the SAIT campus, you can find a C-Train station on the Northwest Line. The C-Train gives residents quick light rail access to all areas of the city and having a stop right in the community is a huge advantage of living in Hillhurst. The C-Train is also undergoing expansion plans to further increase its reach and service area in the city. As the project is advanced you can expect C-Train services to only get better and better.
Family Life
Hillhurst is a great community to raise a family in. There are a number of great schools that are close to home. Walking and bike riding is made easy with the city’s new dedication to walking trails and bike lanes. In addition, the shopping and dining in Hillhurst is arguably the best in the city. Take the kids to Livingstone & Cavell Extraordinary Toys (or treat your own inner child!) and see the most amazing selection of toys, old and new. You can buy fair trade items from around the world at Ten Thousand Villages. Living in Hillhurst also gives you the chance to enjoy flavours from around the world at much-loved restaurants like Julio’s Barrio, Vero Bistro Moderne, and Delicious Thai Restaurant. The things to see and do in Hillhurst make this community a pleasure to call home.