When moving to Calgary with a family, you'll naturally be interested in knowing which areas you should aim for and which ones uou should avoid in terms of security and protection. The Crime Severity Index for all of Calgary fell to 62.3 in recent years, which is below the national average for Canada. Some areas, however, are more dangerous than others. Breaking down Calgary Police Service crime statistics and City of Calgary community data, we can offer rough idea for newcomers to the city.
Southwest Calgary
Aspen Woods and Springbank Hill
These areas are often ranked as the communities with lowest crime rate. Here, you will find large family homes, low population density, mountain access and great school like the Webber Academy in Aspen Woods. The flip side is that housing comes at a premium cost. Detached homes will set you back anywhere between $900,000 to well over $1 million.
Signal Hill and Strathcona Park
Signal Hill and Strathcona Park are classic southwest Calgary communities with low crime, lots of families, green spaces, commerce, and easy access to the west side. Signal Hill offers panoramic views and detached homes averaging around $988,000, while Strathcona Park has a more mature residential feel. Moving in Strathcona Park is generally straightforward, while Signal Hill’s steep streets and tighter parking can make truck access more challenging, particularly during icy winter conditions.
Northwest Calgary
Tuscany
This area is very welcoming of families and has some of the lowest crime rates. It features its own CTrain station which is great for families that need to commute regularly. Townhomes start at $558,000 while detached homes average around $797,00. Twelve Mile Coulee School is frequently cited among the city’s best elementary schools. Excellent Trans-Canada Highway access for families who ski or camp in the mountains.
The hills and ravine system running through the community can be a challenge for movers and some streets have significant grades that are tricky in the winter.
Edgemont and Hamptons
You can expect to find reputable schools and low crime rates in these established Northwest communities. There is plenty of recreation afoot as well. Detached homes in this area will set you back around $692,000 while Hamptons is decidedly more upper class and marked by HOA-funded amenities, with homes averaging around $942,000. It's pretty easy to move to either area although the higher terrain of Edgemont can make winter moving extra challenging.
South Calgary
Lake Bonavista and Maple Ridge
These are long-standing established communities in Calgary with neighbourhoods that have had a chance to grow and mature. The crime is low and easy access to Fish Creek Provincial Park makes this a desirable area. There is private access to Lake Bonavista and Maple Ridge features some gorgeous mid-century bungalows and split-levels with large yards. The older homes and narrow driveways can pose a challenge for movers as can some of the older trees.
Cranston and Auburn Bay
These ares are some of the newer communities in Calgary and are generally known to be safe and family-friendly with low crime rates and plenty of modern amenities and green spaces. The flip side is mandatory HOA fees. There's a beautiful private lake in Auburn Bay and you can get to South Health Campus easily. In Cranston, there is an excess of parks pathways, and community centres.
Because these communities were designed more recently, the streets tend to be more wide and easier to access for movers although the fact that they are farther away can add time and cost to the move.
Southeast Calgary
McKenzie Towne and New Brighton
These Southeast Calgary communities are marked by low crime rates and great nearby shopping and entertainment options. Detached homes here will hover around $580,000. McKenzie Towne tends to feel more like a walkable village while the defining feature of New Brighton is its private lake and many pathways.
The narrow streets and lanes of McKenzie Towne can make moving tricky because of limited truck access whereas New Brighton is easier to get around.
Northeast Calgary
Country Hills and Panorama Hills
Some of the most affordable housing in Calgary can be found in Country Hills and Panorama Hills. These areas are also family friendly with low crime rates, great schools and plenty of recreational options available. There's also easy access to the Stoney Trail.
You can find a detached home here ranging between $595,000 and $737,000 and moving itself is relatively simple and straightforward, except for Panorama Hills where terrain can be steep.
Lake Community HOA Fees
Three communities on this list are lake communities with mandatory annual fees registered on the land title. Budget for these when comparing neighbourhood costs:
Lake Bonavista: $409.50/year — covers access to Calgary’s original man-made lake and surrounding parkland
Auburn Bay: ~$475–$500/year — covers 43-acre lake, Auburn House community centre, beaches, playgrounds
Cranston Riverstone: ~$470/year — covers Century Hall, hockey rink, splash park, gymnasium ($167/year for Upper Cranston)
These fees are non-negotiable — they are attached to the property title, not optional memberships. Factor them into your annual housing cost alongside property taxes (Calgary’s effective rate is roughly 0.62% of assessed value, per the City of Calgary).
What Affects Your Moving Cost by Neighbourhood
Not all safe neighbourhoods are equally easy to move into and moving conditions tend to be different all across Calgary. In the winter, it's more challenging to Hilly southwest and northwest communities, which affects cost. McKenzie Towne’s narrow streets and rear lanes can also be challenging during poor weather months.
Meanwhile, there may be extra time needed to travel to Southern communities as these older homes have more stairs and are generally harder to access.
Our Calgary moving cost guide breaks down pricing by home size, distance, and add-on services. For street parking logistics, see our parking permits guide.
Calgary Moving Guides
We have built a library of Calgary-specific guides to help with every aspect of your move:
How Much Does It Cost to Move in Calgary? — pricing by home size, distance, and season
Best and Worst Times to Move in Calgary — month-by-month demand and pricing patterns
Calgary Moving Day Parking Permits — how to secure street space for your truck
Calgary Condo and Apartment Moving Rules — elevator bookings, COI, and building access
Calgary Rental Market 2026 — vacancy rates, prices, and best areas for renters
Pre-Move Decluttering in Calgary — where to donate, recycle, and dispose
Moving in Calgary During Winter — the chinook factor and cold-weather tips
Calgary’s Fastest-Growing Communities — where the city is expanding in 2026
Moving from Calgary to Edmonton — the complete QE2 corridor guide
Plan Your Move to a Safe Calgary Neighbourhood
Once you have chosen your neighbourhood, our Calgary movers can handle the logistics. We move families into every community listed above — and we know the specific challenges of each one, from Tuscany’s hills to McKenzie Towne’s back lanes to Lake Bonavista’s mature streets.
Get a free quote and let us know your new address — we will plan the most efficient route and handle the details so you can focus on settling into your new neighbourhood.
