4 minute read
Dream living
The lifestyle changes spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic are driving young families to communities outside of Calgary.
Working from home, spending more time with loved ones, reassessing what’s most important in life; all of these aspects have caused people to ask: What do I really want in a community?
For many, the answer is Vista Crossing in Crossfield.
Just 16 kilometres from Airdrie, Vista Crossing is a postcard-worthy community with 160 acres of surrounding natural beauty, numerous parks, wooded paths, a community centre, nearby schools and even a golf club.
“Vista Crossing is home to those that appreciate the smaller moments in life but yearn to do so without losing their connection to the wider world,” says Jennifer McDonald, marketing co-ordinator of Dream Unlimited, the community’s developer.
SIMPLIFIED YET SOPHISTICATED Although you may be attracted by the slower, small-town vibe, surprisingly it’s Crossfield’s impressive fast-paced technology that will help you decide to stay.
The entire community is wired for ultrafast fibre optic internet and Crossfield sits directly on top of Alberta’s SuperNet – a high-speed performance network connecting 429 rural and urban communities in the province.
“Vista Crossing opens the doors for programmers, graphic designers and any number of other ‘knowledge workers’ to take advantage of working from home, making mornings more about walking the kids to school than fighting traffic into the city,” says McDonald.
THE LIFESTYLE Of course, you won’t be spending all of your time in your home office and Crossfield has a variety of choices to get you out and about.
From scenic walks to lounging in a cozy coffee shop, Vista Crossing serves up an assortment of year-round amenities to keep you inspired, engaged and downright busy.
Nature lovers can heed the call of four kilometres of walking trails, five acres of protected wetlands, 20 acres of green spaces and the community garden.
“Amery Park is the heart of the community – complete with a community garden, playground, picnic areas with fire pits, and the recently upgraded rink offers hockey in the winter and basketball in the summer,” says McDonald.
The Main Street revitalization will put a medley of charming shops, cafés and eateries within walking distance.
“The town will continue to catch the eye of entrepreneurial spirits hoping to set up shop and establish themselves in a community where people care for each other and want to contribute to the success of small businesses,” adds McDonald.
FIND FAMILY WITHOUT LOSING TOUCH (in Vista Crossing) BY STACIE GAETZ
Add to that the numerous parks, Crossfield Elementary and W.G. Murdoch Schools, Collicutt Siding Golf Club, Crossfield and District Community Centre, Pete Knight Memorial Arena, and the library. Fancy retail therapy on a larger scale? Shopping at CrossIron Mills and New Horizon Mall is just a short drive south.
THE HOMES At the centre of it all you will find good old-fashioned craftsmanship cozying up to 21st century design sensibilities, which deliver Rockwell-worthy homes set along friendly streetscapes.
McKee Homes and Homes by Dream are the two builders in the community.
“Both McKee Homes and Homes by Dream have incredible designers that understand the needs of today’s families,” says McDonald.
“On the inside, the layouts are functional, flexible, and stylish – with opportunities to add your personal touch. On the outside, the homes are charming and full of character that sets Vista Crossing apart. Walking or driving down the street, you can see the extra care and attention to detail that have been put into the architecture and curb appeal of these homes.”
She adds there are only a handful of opportunities left for laned homes starting in the $280,000s and front-drive homes in the community start in the $410,000s. Sizes of the homes start at 1,255 square feet and go up to walkout homes with triple-car garage options.
Vista Crossing is four-and-a-half years into development and when is fully built out, it will be home to approximately 1,000 households. The 10-year community will be developed over eight phases.
McDonald says backyards and greenspace have become even more important than ever during the pandemic. With limited opportunities to travel, many people have turned to their own yards for an escape.
“Many homes front or back onto greenspace, almost like an extension of your yard, and even laned homes with detached garages have space to create your backyard oasis – the perfect place to concentrate on what really matters,” says McDonald. life
