Buying New in North Calgary: Livingston, Carrington and Glacier Ridge

Written by Jessica Chan, a Calgary REALTOR® and broker serving the city since 1990. Last updated: June 2026.

North Calgary is where much of the city's new home construction has been happening. Communities like Livingston, Carrington, and Glacier Ridge have gone from open prairie to active neighbourhoods in a short span, and they attract buyers looking for modern homes, newer layouts, and an entry price that is often more accessible than comparable homes in established areas.

Buying into a brand-new community is a different exercise than buying a resale home, though. You are partly buying what exists today and partly buying what is promised. This guide walks through what each of these three communities offers, what to weigh when buying new, and the specific questions worth asking before you commit. For the wider area, see our North Calgary overview.

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$585,000

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3101 55 Lucas Way Nw, Calgary

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,406 SqFt Residential MLS® # A2306430

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45 Herron Mews Ne, Calgary

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1014 Carrington Boulevard Nw, Calgary

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,421 SqFt Residential MLS® # A2326361

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372 Carrington Way Nw, Calgary

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,801 SqFt Residential MLS® # A2324981

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257 Edith Green Nw, Calgary

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,481 SqFt Residential MLS® # A2323878

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33 Lucas Rise Nw, Calgary

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289 Lucas Avenue Nw, Calgary

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Livingston

Livingston is one of the larger master-planned communities in north Calgary, north of Stoney Trail. It has been built with a community hub concept at its centre, providing residents with shared recreation and gathering space, which is one of the features that distinguishes it from communities that rely entirely on city facilities.

The housing mix generally spans front-drive and laned single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, which means a range of entry points. Because Livingston is still building out, expect ongoing construction in parts of the community, and expect the amenity picture to keep improving over time.

Best for: Buyers who want a large master-planned community with built-in shared amenities and a range of home types.

Carrington

Carrington is another of north Calgary's newer communities, located in the same northern corridor and developed with a focus on green space, pathways, and a mix of housing. Like its neighbours, it appeals to first-time buyers and young families drawn by newer homes at accessible price points.

The housing generally includes single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, with some multi-family. Carrington's appeal is largely about value in newer construction, and about being close to Stoney Trail for getting around the north side and out to the airport.

Best for: First-time buyers and young families looking for newer homes at a more accessible price point.

Glacier Ridge

Glacier Ridge is among the newest of the three, in the earlier stages of its build-out on Calgary's northern edge. Being early has trade-offs in both directions. On one hand, you get first choice of lots and the lowest entry pricing the community will likely ever see. On the other, amenities, schools, and even nearby retail may still be some years away, and you will live alongside active construction for longer.

For buyers with a longer time horizon who are comfortable with that trade-off, an early-stage community can work well. For buyers who need schools and shopping in place on day one, a slightly more established community nearby may be the better fit.

Best for: Buyers with a longer horizon who want first choice of lots and the earliest pricing.

New Build or Resale? The Honest Trade-Offs

This is the real question underneath most new-community searches, so it is worth being direct about it.

What new builds give you: modern layouts that suit how people actually live now, current building standards and energy efficiency, new home warranty coverage, the ability to select finishes, and no deferred maintenance from a previous owner.

What established communities give you: mature trees and finished streetscapes, schools and shopping already in place, known traffic patterns and neighbours, and no construction next door for the next several years. Established northwest communities like Edgemont or Varsity are a very different proposition from a community still under construction.

Neither is universally better. The question is which trade-offs suit your situation, and how long you plan to stay.

What to Check Before You Buy New

These are the questions that matter most, and the ones buyers most often forget to ask in a show home.

• Amenities: what exists now versus what is planned. Ask specifically which facilities, parks, and retail are built and open today, and get planned timelines in writing where you can. Plans can shift with market conditions.
• Schools. New communities are frequently bussed to designated schools in other neighbourhoods until local schools are built, and those designations change. Confirm current catchments directly with the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District before you commit.
• Homeowners association fees. Many newer communities carry an annual HOA fee even on detached homes, separate from any condo fee. Confirm the amount and exactly what it covers.
• What is included versus an upgrade. Show homes are typically fully upgraded. Get a written list of standard specifications versus what would be extra.
• Possession timing and delays. Understand what happens if construction runs late, and how that interacts with your financing and any home you need to sell.
• Landscaping, grading, and fencing. Clarify what the builder completes and what becomes your responsibility and cost after possession.
• Resale outlook. While a community is still selling new homes, your resale competes directly with the builder. That is worth understanding if you might move within a few years.

Commute and Location

All three communities sit in the northern corridor with quick access to Stoney Trail, which connects across the top of the city and out to the airport. Realistically, downtown runs about 30 to 40 minutes by car depending on traffic and your exact starting point, typically via Stoney Trail to Deerfoot Trail, or down Centre Street or 14th Street.

The airport is the standout advantage, usually 15 to 20 minutes, which matters a great deal if you or your partner travel for work. Transit is more limited than in communities along the LRT lines, so most households here plan on driving. As always, test the drive yourself at the hour you would actually be commuting before you decide.

Nearby Alternatives Worth Comparing

If you like the north side but want something slightly more established, these communities are a few years further along and worth a look alongside the three above:

• Sage Hill
• Sherwood
• Nolan Hill
• Evanston

You can also browse all Calgary communities we serve.

Getting Help With a New Build Purchase

One thing worth knowing: the salesperson in the builder's show home works for the builder. Having your own representation costs you nothing directly in a typical transaction and means someone is reviewing the contract, the specification list, and the timelines on your side of the table.

If you are weighing north Calgary's new communities, we can help you compare them honestly, including the trade-offs builders will not lead with. Join the Home Finder to track listings in the area, or contact us to talk it through. You can also learn more about Jessica's 35+ years helping Calgary buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the newest communities in north Calgary?

Livingston, Carrington, and Glacier Ridge are among the newest communities in north Calgary, all located north of Stoney Trail and still actively building out. Nearby Sage Hill, Sherwood, Nolan Hill, and Evanston are slightly more established but still relatively new. All sit in the northern part of the city with quick access to Stoney Trail and the airport.

Should I buy a new build or a resale home in Calgary?

New builds offer modern layouts, current building standards, warranty coverage, and the ability to choose finishes. Resale homes in established communities offer mature trees, existing schools and amenities, and a known quantity in terms of neighbours and traffic. New communities often trade a lower entry price for amenities that arrive later. The right choice depends on your timeline, tolerance for construction around you, and how much you value being able to see exactly what you are buying.

What should I check before buying in a new Calgary community?

Ask which amenities exist today versus which are planned, and get the timelines in writing where possible. Confirm whether the community has a homeowners association and what the annual fee covers. Check school designations with the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District, since new communities are often bussed to schools in other neighbourhoods until local schools are built. Also ask about lot grading, landscaping requirements, possession timelines, and what is included versus an upgrade.

How long is the commute from north Calgary communities to downtown?

From the newest north Calgary communities, downtown is generally a 30 to 40 minute drive depending on traffic and your exact starting point, typically via Stoney Trail to Deerfoot Trail or via Centre Street and 14th Street. The Calgary International Airport is considerably closer, usually 15 to 20 minutes. Transit options are more limited than in communities along the LRT lines, so most residents drive.

Do new Calgary communities have homeowners association fees?

Many newer Calgary communities have a homeowners association with an annual fee that funds shared amenities, landscaping, or community facilities. This is separate from condo fees and applies to detached homes as well. Fees and what they cover vary by community, so confirm the current amount and what it includes before you buy.