Varied lifestyles in apartment condos

From “Seinfeld” to “Friends” to “The Big Bang Theory,” TV sitcoms have a tendency of showing apartment condo life as a backdrop for comedy, but there’s so much more to the real-life lifestyle offered by single-level, multi-family homes.

Whether it’s a downtown tower, an inner-city mid-rise or a lifestyle-connected four-storey condo in the suburbs, apartment condos offer a rich, versatile, fulfilling option for new home buyers.

They remain the most economical way of getting into the homeowning market, or an answer to changing lifestyle situations. It can be a crash pad for nightlife-oriented singles, or a quiet retreat for empty-nesters looking to downsize from bigger family homes.

According to the experts NextHome spoke with, apartment condos are – by and large – a lifestyle choice.

Why buy a condo?

“It comes down to lifestyle choice,” says Bryan Logel, a Calgary multi-family sales and marketing expert for Brad Remington Homes. “Purchasers tell Brad Remington Homes that condo living gives them flexibility. It allows them to lock and leave, focus on things like travel, hobbies, career, personal life versus spending free time and money on home maintenance.”

Homes by Avi marketing specialist, Marni Chenier, agrees. “Condos are a great option for buyers who want to keep home maintenance to a minimum. They only need to maintain whatever’s within the walls of their apartment, everything else is maintained by the condo association or management company which is now regulated in Alberta.”

Kim Orr, senior marketing specialist for StreetSide Developments says the maintenance-free lifestyle is indeed a big appeal, but the fact that apartment condos are more budget-friendly is the most important factor going for it. “Apartment condos are perfect for many lifestyles as they are maintenance-free and are usually less expensive than townhomes or single-family homes.”

Besides its inherent affordability, Stuart Wen, senior marketing coordinator for Rohit Communities, says the opportunity to create a stronger community is more present in multi-family living, especially in condos. “There’s a greater opportunity to meet and socialize more with your neighbours in condos.”

Who’s buying?

Apartment condos do fit a variety of lifestyles, but first-time homebuyers and downsizers dominate the market. Recently, out-of-towners have played a major part in the market as migration to Calgary takes off.

“We see buyers looking to relocate to Calgary suburbs every day from people right across the city and the country. Calgary is seen as a top destination for life/work balance and the value is incredible,” Logel says.

“Calgary is a top destination for what I am referring to Post Pandemic Lifestyle changes people are going through and contemplating,” he continues. “Super affordable, clean, safe, economy is on upswing, great place to live, raise a family, work, get an education, business friendly and enjoy the great outdoors.”

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) there has been a surge in sales for apartment condos in the city in February, and supply is getting tight, in fact, the tightest it’s been since 2007, it says. Prices have been affected yet remain significantly lower than other property types, the CREB says, remaining over 14 percent below previous highs.

Orr says StreetSide has seen buyers from across the spectrum. “We have been seeing single and couples in between the ages of 20 – 34 years old who value community and affordability. The majority have been first time home buyers who want to leave the rental market or are moving out of their parents’ home. We’ve also seen a few downsizers who want to be in an inner-city neighborhood but want less space and a maintenance free lifestyle.”

Chenier says buying an apartment condo also sets one up for the future. “People are buying condos where they see future growth in the areas in the city where they can purchase at a lower price and build equity for the future.”

Edmonton-based Rohit Communities just finished their first Calgary condo complex in Seton in the southeast and are about to embark on their next development in the inner-city community of Currie. The range of buyers has always been first-time purchasers to young families to right-sizers, Wen says. “People can expect to live a connected lifestyle as you’ll be living near established amenities like restaurants, entertainment, shops and services, and health and fitness facilities.”

Best locations

It is easy to build equity with an apartment condo, as developers usually take care to find the most amenity-rich locations that serve the best interest of residents. Who wouldn’t want to buy a home near thriving commercial centres, or transportation hubs, or recreational opportunities? In this way condos have them all.
It really doesn’t matter if one chooses a condo in the downtown or in the suburb, most have this astounding ability to make the best of their location and fit the lifestyle residents want.

In the inner-city, StreetSide’s latest condo complex, Konekt, is ideally located in the vibrant, historic neighbourhood of Inglewood. Konekt is set along Inglewood’s pathway systems, which links Pearce Estate Park in the east to the River Walk and Fort Calgary in the west. “The site is steps away from the Bow River and all of the historic, unique shops of Inglewood, making it a popular choice.” No wonder it is already 70 per cent sold out.
But StreetSide does have a history of choosing strategic locations for their developments. Their recently sold-out Vivace townhome and apartment condo complex was in the heart of the thriving commercial centre of West 85th in the southwest, which truly enriched the experience of its residents.

In the blossoming University District in the northwest, Homes by Avi is in its second apartment condo complex development with Argyle, its follow-up to the all-but-sold-out August. “At Homes by Avi, we thoughtfully select where we build by selecting communities that provide homeowners quick access to transit, major roadways, amenities, services, parks and recreation. University District answers all of those needs.”

Suburban locations are just as appealing, Logel says, if not more so. Brad Remington’s latest developments in Sage Hill in the northwest and Legacy in the southeast have been very successful with the turnkey lifestyle they offer, surrounded by a host of commercial, shopping and dining amenities.

Brad Remington’s multiple successes in suburban developments like Copperfield Park, Legacy Park and Sage Hill Park have proven that.

“Brad Remington Homes chooses premier locations for building communities. Example: proximity to key transportation corridors, shopping, large urban park spaces. Brad Remington purchasers want to live where everyone wants to live; and life is easier when the amenities are built into the location.”

Brad Remington Homes

Current developments are Sage Hill Park II – Encore in the northwest, and My Legacy Park II in the south. “We are launching the final phase of Sage Hill Park Encore building 6, as well as a brand-new development in Legacy just west of Legacy Park and east of the new, massive Township mall next door,” Logel says.

“Additionally, new show suites now open in Legacy Park II and new show suites are opening in Sage Hill Park II – Encore on April 2nd! They look amazing too!”

Brad Remington Homes will be also announcing new developments later in 2022, he says, “so stay tuned.”

Homes by Avi

Argyle offers an active and convenient living style. Located in the trendy and urban community University District in NW Calgary. Residents are surrounded by parks, pathways, shopping and more.

Chenier says Argyle is an investment-focused residence comprised of 151 spacious, studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, conveniently situated above almost 30,000 square-feet of main-floor retail space.

“You’re never far from the amenities and services you need. You have the convenience of quick access to the Trans-Canada Highway for travel to the Rocky Mountains for a weekend getaway or a summer road trip to visit family out east,” Chenier says.

Homes by Avi also has Maverick at Livingston in the northwest closer to Stoney Trail. It offers a more suburban vibe with 1- and 2-bedroom condos located next to the future LRT Green Line.

StreetSide Development

The one- and two-bedroom options in Konekt have been very well received for the iconic inner-city lifestyle they represent. Starting from the low $300,000s, Konekt has proven to be just what was needed in a very specific spot in Inglewood.

StreetSide has taken extra care in providing all the easy-living features needed for the location. Top-notch sound attenuation features have been added to seal off most outside noises and even dampen the transfer of sound from one unit to another.

From 553 to 885 square-feet Konekt condos are ideal for those who want to live in a historic, yet happening, community.

Rohit Communities

Rohit starts sales of its newest condo development in Calgary in the history-rich southwest community of Currie on April 2. “Our project, Quesnay at Currie (pronounced: ke-nay) will be in the heart of the community adjacent to the new Burwood Distillery just off Flanders Avenue SW,” Wen says.

It is a 211 unit, two-building project with one-bedroom studios, one-bed + den, and two-bedroom suites. Sizes range from 463 to 963 square feet. Prices will start from the $200,000s.

Among Quesnay’s many features are secured delivery boxes in the vestibule for residents’ online purchases. “Homeowners can be confident that their deliveries will still be there when they come home.” It will also have on-title electric car chargers and the ability to add more should the need arise. “As more people shift towards plugin electric vehicles, we need to accommodate them by ensuring they will always be able to come home and plug into their dedicated charger.”