Airdrie is second to none

Airdrie has a lot going for it these days, as it continues to grow out from under the shadow of its big sister city to the south. With an eye firmly fixed on the future and continued growth, Airdrie has become a first option for young families to live in.

What started out as a small railroad outpost in the late 19th Century has today become one of southern Alberta’s most populous and progressive cities in the 21st, rivaling even Calgary as a premier destination for new home buyers, as more new communities and housing options are introduced.

Airdrie has enjoyed all kinds of growth, especially over the last decade, but it has not lost its small-town heart.

“I would tell people that Airdrie is a fantastic community to make your life in,” says Sara Chamberlain, Team Leader, Economic Development, City of Airdrie.

“Our growing city has been able to maintain its small-town feel. Neighbours are friends in Airdrie, all your daily shopping and service needs can be met within a 10-minute drive, and you benefit from Airdrie’s great location close to Calgary, the Rocky Mountains and an international airport,” she tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide.

Airdrie is now a major regional commercial and industrial hub, a steadily growing metropolis with its own distinct character and not just another one of Calgary’s bedroom towns. It remains on the fast track to growth – and picking up speed.

Today, Airdrie is a city with a population of 77,027, according to the 2021 Alberta Regional Dashboard, compared to the 48,641 it had just 10 years prior. There are now 27,239 dwellings in the city just north of Calgary, with 1,118 residential permits issued in 2021.

Airdrie was first established as a railway village in 1889 during the construction of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway. It is situated on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Alberta’s busiest), which connects Calgary and Edmonton. The Calgary International Airport is also just a short distance away, which further cements this reputation as a connectivity hub.

Fun for the family

Quena Skapin moved to Airdrie not too long ago with her husband, Josh, and their young daughter, Annika, plus their dog, Dexter.

“We’ve lived in Airdrie almost three years and I’m still learning all the various cool businesses and resources available,” she tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide.

“In this relatively short time, we’ve grown fond of many local businesses, farmers market and recreation facilities. I’m constantly amazed about the good nature and ‘small town’ feel of Airdrie. People greet you while walking down pathways, have many neighbourhood friends, our daughter has been involved in many recreational opportunities and all of our experiences since moving have been positive.”

When asked what the biggest surprise was about living in Airdrie, Skapin says it may just be the utter convenience the city offers. “Maybe the biggest surprise has been how little we need to go to Calgary for anything other than to visit family, friends and the occasional zoo outing. We have so many services and opportunities right here.”

“We believe Airdrie’s advantage is our quality of life,” Chamberlain says. “Year after year residents give their community a very high ranking in our Citizen Satisfaction Survey. We know what they value is our parks, green spaces and walking trails, the availability of services, our low crime rate and friendly neighbourhoods. Airdrie’s location matched with these attributes make our city a community of choice in the region.”

Best communities

There are several new communities in various stages of development that are sprouting in all sectors of Airdrie, a number of them coming in less than a decade ago, and more are opening. Among the newest is Lanark by Melcor Developments. Bayside and Bayview by Genesis Land Development and Cooper’s Crossing by Westmark Holdings are the biggest and the most established of these new communities. While Midtown, the first land development project from Shane Homes, is the newest in Airdrie’s inner-city.

The south part of Airdrie is where majority of the new growth is seen. Southpoint by Vesta Properties may just be the hottest right now. Southwinds by Mattamy is also making huge strides. Chinook Gate by Brookfield Residential is going strong, while Ravenswood by Qualico Communities and King’s Heights by Melcor Developments are all but complete.

All espouse the family-friendly traits of Airdrie, with tons of in-community amenities that promote a balanced lifestyle with an abundance of recreational opportunities for all ages and interests.

Shopping: big box to boutique

One of Alberta’s biggest shopping malls, CrossIron Mills, is just a short drive from Airdrie, and the city itself has its own retinue of independent and big box stores that offer tons of convenience to residents.

“There are so many great places to dine and shop in Airdrie. This is probably one of our best kept secrets!” Chamberlain says. “We have a number of boutique shops where you can find amazing home décor and gifts including Homegrown House & Pantry, Squiggly Pig Marketplace, Copper & Twine and Complete Home Collection,” she says.

“For dining, we have most of the major national franchises but also fantastic mom-and-pop restaurants with amazing chefs. Many people don’t know we have a French bakery in Airdrie called La Table with pastries that taste like they are straight out of Paris! Airdrie also has a growing brewery scene, and we encourage visitors to follow the Airdrie Ale Trail.”

Small-town vibe

Even with its rapid growth, Airdrie has worked to maintain its small-town heart through their numerous festivals and events, Chamberlain says. “A long-time favourite is the Airdrie Festival of Lights that has been running for the entire month of December for two decades. It’s so fun to stroll through Nose Creek Park and look at the lights. Newer to Airdrie is the Airdrie Children’s Festival, a two-day event in May that is quickly becoming a favourite for visitors and residents.”

When asked what she thinks the biggest challenges are facing Airdrie, Chamberlain says: “Honestly, I can’t think of any. I’ve lived and worked in Airdrie for 16 years and it is a great place to raise a family.”