One of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods, Sunnyside is one of those rare communities that is close to everything but also quiet enough to make you feel you’re living in the suburbs. A stroll along the streets, past the shops and restaurants, will reveal a unique community with both historic charm and modern ambitions. And there is a lot going on, particularly in the shopping and entertainment district of Kensington, which overlaps with Sunnyside. This trendy area of the city is known for world-class restaurants, one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities, and unmatched entertainment. It doesn’t take long to understand why Sunnyside is one of the most desirable places to live in Calgary.
Located immediately north of downtown Calgary, you would expect this community to be busy, loud, and congested, but luckily the natural barrier of the Bow River separates the downtown core from the quiet neighbourhood of Sunnyside. The shops and restaurants in Kensington draw in many people from around the city. The main streets can be busy during evenings and weekends as Calgarians enjoy the unique possibilities in the area.
Set behind the trendy street-level stores and the modern condo developments is a perfect family community. Beautiful, classic single-family homes line the quiet streets. You can occasionally find some small corner stores in Sunnyside that are as old as the community itself. On the outer edges of the neighbourhood are major roadways, including Centre Street and Memorial Drive, which offer a quick commute for Sunnyside residents who work in downtown Calgary.
With Kensington right at the community’s doorstep, entertainment is not in short supply. The Plaza Theatre is an off-beat cinema that offers up unique movies and special events – their Rocky Horror Picture Show nights are incredibly popular among fans of the cult classic! Being right alongside the Bow River means that there is a wealth of summer fun. Renting a raft and heading out to enjoy the water on a hot day is a staple in most Calgarians’ summer plans.
Sunnyside is also a very walkable community. Going out for a nice dinner and then strolling and window shopping can be the perfect evening out! The great restaurants in the area deserve an article of their own, but some popular choices to get you started include Vero Bistro Moderne and the River Café.
Real Estate
You would be hard pressed to find a community in Calgary with a wider range of real estate options than the one offered by Sunnyside. In the Kensington area you’ll find beautiful modern apartments and condos for sale built atop street-level shopping and dining venues. These new buildings are a popular choice among young professionals who want to be close to the trendiest spots in the city and just a short commute from the downtown core. Whether you need an apartment or condo for just yourself or for the entire family, there are several developments that offer a range of sizes and features to meet your needs.
If you move away from the Kensington area and look further, you will find plenty of single-family homes in Sunnyside. The properties in this area are unique and the huge selection, taken collectively, would surely check every box on your list of needs and wants. Because the community is one of the oldest in the city, there are many older homes with character that simply cannot be found anywhere else. However, during the last decade, as the city has boomed, many homes have been renovated or even entirely rebuilt. And scattered among the historic buildings are also modern single-family homes that would fit right into any newly developed suburban community.
Calgary is widely regarded as a very clean city. Smog warnings are almost non-existent here and the air quality is very good. Noise pollution may be a concern for residents living along some of the major roadways in the area. For the most part, these roads are busiest during the morning and afternoon rush hours and should not be a major nuisance late at night, for example. If you choose to live right in the Kensington shopping district then you should be prepared for typical noise from people browsing the shops and enjoying the restaurants. Overall, the area is considered very clean and relatively quiet.
Crime Rate
Calgary as a whole has a very low crime rate per capita when compared with other major cities in Canada. The city police keep an updated interactive crime map which allows you to compare neighbourhoods throughout the city.
Schools
Within the community is Sunnyside School, a K to 6 elementary school. Older students in Sunnyside will usually travel to neighbouring Hillhurst to attend Queen Elizabeth High School.
Post-secondary students often choose to live in Sunnyside because of its proximity to both Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. Both are just a short drive or a transit ride away.
Public Transportation
Speaking of transit, Sunnyside residents enjoy the luxury of having a C-Train station right within the community. The C-Train offers fast, light rail transportation to all areas of the city. Students traveling to the University of Calgary will enjoy the quick ride to school, and residents working downtown can utilize the C-Train system to quickly get to work and avoid rush hour on the major roadways leading into the core.
There are also many bus stops throughout the community for shorter trips or for getting to areas of the city not serviced by the C-Train. In addition, Avenue Magazine has given Sunnyside a very high “walkability” rating, which will come as welcome news to those who enjoy using their own two feet to get around.
Family Life
Most parents dream of being able to give their children the experience of culture, excitement, and community spirit such as Sunnyside offers, and kids dream of growing up in a vibrant, trendy area of the city. Whether your family enjoys trying the latest restaurants, catching a movie together, or just going for a long walk to see the sights, Sunnyside has it all.