What is the opinion on these areas: North Hill, Briar Hill, Hounsfield Heights

[Muji]

My wife in 2011 will be attending SAIT for a couple of years. As I seldom am in the area and have never lived nearby my impressions are worthless, she has mentioned these areas as possibilities to move to:

North Hill

Briar Hill

Hounsfield Heights

She needs to walk or take a one bus max. daily to the campus. Anyone have experience living in the above areas? Any alternative suggestions as to the better areas?

Thanks.

[Melinda]

Anywhere that has walking distance to the train is an option too, SAIT has a train station

[blueToy]

All decent communities .

Briar Hill .... closer to 16th. ave the cheaper it gets . Mostly 50 year old homes , yet being gentrified by the rich folk who are buying up the homes , removing the older houses and building their mansions . Fifteen - twenty minute walk to SAIT , or take the LRT one station . Can be costly for what you get though .

Hounsfield Heights ... area within two blocks of Lions Park station is cheapest , then it gets pricey . Same as BH , they tear out the old and build fancy shacks . Some really nice older home though . Five to fifteen minute walk to SAIT .

Rosedale .... five to fifteen minute walk to SAIT . Fairly pricey the further you get from 16th. ave . Very nice homes .

North Hill , Capitol Hill , Banff Trail .... north side of 16th ave . If you're looking to buy , much cheaper area then the top three , although because there are lots of rentals here , not as safe and lots of transients for neighbours . Still within a fifteen to twenty-five minute walk to SAIT , just the houses aren't as well kept .

All these are very good locations close to almost all amenities , but as mentioned by Melinda , since the LRT has a station right in SAIT , there are plenty of other decent places along the northwest route that you can look into . Dalhousie , Varsity , Brentwood , Charleswood , all have stations and are decent . Just a few stations out , thats all .

Are you looking to buy ? What price of home are you looking for ?

[Muji]

Originally posted by blueToy
All decent communities .

Briar Hill .... closer to 16th. ave the cheaper it gets . Mostly 50 year old homes , yet being gentrified by the rich folk who are buying up the homes , removing the older houses and building their mansions . Fifteen - twenty minute walk to SAIT , or take the LRT one station . Can be costly for what you get though .

Hounsfield Heights ... area within two blocks of Lions Park station is cheapest , then it gets pricey . Same as BH , they tear out the old and build fancy shacks . Some really nice older home though . Five to fifteen minute walk to SAIT .

Rosedale .... five to fifteen minute walk to SAIT . Fairly pricey the further you get from 16th. ave . Very nice homes .

North Hill , Capitol Hill , Banff Trail .... north side of 16th ave . If you're looking to buy , much cheaper area then the top three , although because there are lots of rentals here , not as safe and lots of transients for neighbours . Still within a fifteen to twenty-five minute walk to SAIT , just the houses aren't as well kept .

All these are very good locations close to almost all amenities , but as mentioned by Melinda , since the LRT has a station right in SAIT , there are plenty of other decent places along the northwest route that you can look into . Dalhousie , Varsity , Brentwood , Charleswood , all have stations and are decent . Just a few stations out , thats all .

Are you looking to buy ? What price of home are you looking for ?

Thanks for the detailed information, certainly able to make a decision now. As Melinda mentioned, a direct train line would also work.

As for the buying, not yet as I am not too sold on Calgary for more than a couple more years. Buying for that length of time is not logical, with 40,000 condos on the market for rent and sale we can find a condo for a better deal compared to the risks and headaches in owning.