Living in McKenzie Towne, Calgary: A Guide to SE Calgary’s Urban Village

In a sprawling city like Calgary, the search for a neighbourhood that feels like a true community can be a challenge. We crave connection, walkability, and a sense of place. Deep in Calgary’s southeast quadrant, one community was designed from the ground up to deliver just that. Welcome to McKenzie Towne, a place where a charming clock tower stands as a central landmark, front porches encourage neighbourly chats, and a bustling main street makes you feel like you have stepped into a modern urban village.

For anyone considering a move to SE Calgary or simply curious about what makes this neighbourhood so distinct, this guide explores everything you need to know about living in McKenzie Towne.

The Vision Behind McKenzie Towne: Calgary's New Urbanist Pioneer

McKenzie Towne is not just another suburb. When development began in the mid-1990s, it was a trailblazer for a design philosophy called “New Urbanism.” The goal was to move away from conventional suburban sprawl and create a self-contained, walkable community with a distinct small-town atmosphere.

The concept was so successful that McKenzie Towne was recognized by the Urban Land Institute as one of the world's best-planned communities. Its design intentionally mixes housing types, integrates commercial and residential spaces, and uses a network of pathways and parks to connect everything seamlessly. The result is a neighbourhood that feels both nostalgic and incredibly functional for modern life.

Exploring the Four Villages of McKenzie Towne

The community is thoughtfully divided into four distinct "villages," each with its own architectural theme and character. This design prevents the neighbourhood from feeling monotonous and gives each section a unique identity.

Inverness

The first village developed, Inverness, features a beautiful mix of architectural styles, including Georgian, Craftsman, and Queen Anne. Its centerpiece is the picturesque Inverness Pond, surrounded by pathways perfect for an evening stroll. This area has a mature, established feel with beautiful tree-lined streets.

Elgin

Elgin draws its architectural inspiration from European styles like English Tudor and French Eclectic. It is home to the scenic Elgin Pond and a sprawling park with a playground and tobogganing hill. Many homes in Elgin back onto the escarpment, offering stunning views and a sense of being close to nature.

Prestwick

Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, Prestwick is the largest of the four villages. It features a wide variety of home styles and is anchored by Prestwick Pond. The community’s popular splash park and skate park are located here, making it a hub of activity for kids and teens during the warmer months.

High Street

While technically a commercial area, High Street functions as the fourth and central village. It is the commercial and social heart of the entire community, designed to be a walkable destination for residents from all four villages.

High Street: The Heartbeat of McKenzie Towne

The most iconic feature of McKenzie Towne is undoubtedly High Street. Centered around the famous clock tower, this open-air commercial hub is where the community’s small-town vision truly comes to life. Unlike a typical strip mall, High Street was designed with wide sidewalks, charming storefronts, and second-floor residences, creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

Here, residents can walk to grab groceries at Sobeys, pick up a coffee, visit the dentist, or enjoy a meal at a local pub. Key amenities on High Street include:

Major banks (RBC, TD, BMO)
Restaurants and pubs (like Brewsters and Kilt & Caber)
Cafes and fast-food options
Professional services (doctors, dentists, lawyers, chiropractors)
A public library branch

This ability to run daily errands on foot is a rare luxury in many parts of Calgary and is a primary reason why residents love the lifestyle here.

Real Estate in McKenzie Towne: Homes for Every Stage of Life

One of the core principles of New Urbanism is offering a diverse range of housing options, and McKenzie Towne real estate delivers on that promise. This ensures the community is accessible to people at all stages of life, from first-time homebuyers to growing families and downsizing retirees.

You will find a complete spectrum of property types:

Apartment-style condos: Perfect for young professionals or those seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Townhomes: A popular choice for couples and young families, offering more space without the full maintenance of a single-family home.
Laned homes (or carriage homes): These single-family homes have a detached garage at the back, accessed by a lane. This design keeps streets looking clean and emphasizes charming front porches.
Front-drive garage homes: Larger single-family homes designed for growing families who need more space and storage.

The architectural controls in each village mean that even new builds maintain the community’s character, with styles ranging from Victorian and Colonial to Craftsman and Greek Revival. This thoughtful design prevents the "cookie-cutter" look found in many other suburban developments.

Amenities, Parks, and Recreation

Life in McKenzie Towne extends well beyond your front door. The community is rich with amenities designed to foster an active and engaged lifestyle.

Green Spaces and Pathways

An extensive network of paved pathways connects all four villages, winding around ponds, through parks, and along green belts. These paths are perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling. For those seeking a bigger adventure, the community offers easy access to the vast wilderness of Fish Creek Provincial Park and the Bow River pathway system.

Community Hubs and Facilities

Residents of McKenzie Towne have exclusive access to the McKenzie Towne Hall, a private facility managed by the community council. This beautiful building includes:

A gymnasium
A banquet hall for events and private functions
Meeting rooms
A full-time staff that organizes community programs

Outside, the splash park is a summer favourite for families, while the nearby skate park provides a dedicated space for teens.

Shopping and Services Beyond High Street

While High Street offers daily conveniences, residents also have easy access to the massive commercial hub at South Trail Crossing on 130th Ave SE. Just a short drive away, this area features big-box stores like Walmart, The Home Depot, Safeway, and dozens of other retailers and restaurants.

Schools and Education in the Community

Families in McKenzie Towne are well-served by schools within and around the community.

McKenzie Towne School (CBE): A public elementary school (K-4) located right in the heart of the community.
St. Albert the Great School (CCSD): A Catholic school offering instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 9.

For middle and high school, students are designated to nearby schools in neighbouring communities. As school boundaries can change, it is always recommended that parents verify designations directly with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD).

Community Life and Events in McKenzie Towne

A strong sense of community is not just a byproduct of good design; it is actively cultivated by the McKenzie Towne Council (the residents' association). The council organizes several signature events throughout the year that bring neighbours together:

The McKenzie Towne Christmas Parade & Celebration: A beloved annual tradition where Santa Claus parades down High Street, culminating in a tree-lighting ceremony at the clock tower.
Community-wide Garage Sale: A massive spring event that sees hundreds of homes participating.
Summer festivals and outdoor movie nights: Events that take advantage of the beautiful parks and warm weather.

These events foster a strong sense of belonging and make McKenzie Towne a fun and vibrant place to live year-round.

Getting Around: Commuting from McKenzie Towne

Located between Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail, McKenzie Towne offers excellent access to Calgary’s main transportation arteries.

By Car: A drive to downtown Calgary typically takes 20-30 minutes outside of peak rush hour. Stoney Trail provides a quick connection to all quadrants of the city, including the Calgary International Airport (YYC) and the foothills.
By Transit: Several Calgary Transit bus routes service the community, including express routes to downtown. The MAX Teal and MAX Purple BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lines have stops nearby, offering faster and more frequent service.
Future LRT: The planned Green Line LRT will have a station near the community, promising even better transit connectivity in the future.

The community’s proximity to the South Health Campus also makes it an ideal location for healthcare professionals and their families.

Is McKenzie Towne the Right Calgary Community for You?

McKenzie Towne offers a lifestyle that is hard to find elsewhere in Calgary. It successfully blends the charm and walkability of a small town with the amenities and convenience of a major city. It is a community for those who value front-porch conversations, evening walks around the pond, and the ability to leave the car at home for daily errands.

If you are looking for a neighbourhood with a strong identity, a vibrant community spirit, and a home with character, your search might just end here. The best way to know for sure is to experience it yourself. Take a drive, park your car, and walk down High Street. Grab a coffee, explore the pathways, and see if this unique corner of SE Calgary feels like home.