Parade of Homes

OAK BLUFF WEST A Tight-Knit Yet Spacious Community Oak Bluff West residents share one thing, and that's the desire to be able to leave the rush of the city behind. This Qualico community of- fers a home-owning experience un- like any other, with its abundance of space, wide-open prairie views, and altogether friendly atmosphere. Jenn Shantz, her husband and two daughters didn't think they'd be able to find what they were looking for: a home and yard that gave them the room they needed for their growing family, yet the feeling of really be- longing to a community. Today she's a proud Oak Bluff resident. One of the first things they noticed when looking at the lots in Oak Bluff West was the spaciousness it offered. "We didn't want the homes to be on top of each other, and im- mediately we saw that yards were bigger, homes weren't almost touching, there was openness and privacy," explains Shantz. Having lived in the community for several years now, Shantz says she's seen significant growth and that much of that is coming from people who are relocating because of the exceptional lifestyle the community has to offer. In fact, the newer development is al- ready bigger than the original town of Oak Bluff, with 210 homes expected to be occupied by the end of 2017. Sarah Anderson of Qualico Com- munities describes the community as being more like the ones today's home buyers' parents and grandpar- ents grew up in. "There's not a lot of traffic and you have people walk- ing around after dinner, kids riding their bikes to their friends', or to the nearby playgrounds," she says. "It's got that small-town, country feeling I can best describe as neighbourly." "When you're sitting out on your front steps you'll see 20 people that you actually know," says Shantz. "We have all made such great friends in the time we've been living here." The new online residents' forum is another way to bring Oak Bluff West and the original town of Oak Bluff, together. "It's a place for everyone to discuss news, and to ask and an- swer questions that come up," says Anderson. "Residents can connect with each other, post upcoming events, lost and found, generate ideas and discuss community issues as they happen." Established community amenities, including Oak Bluff Community School (K-8), day care and rec cen- tre are all within a short walk or bike ride down limestone trails. "The Oak Bluff Recreation Centre has been a gathering place for families from nearby rural communities and local residents for years," says Anderson. "Just down the street, there's a credit union, Tim Hortons and neighbour- hood diner. Then 10 minutes down McGillivray, there's an abundance of other shops and services that resi- dents can easily access." "Everything is closer for us now than when we lived right in the city," Shantz notes. "There's Cost- co, Rona, Sobeys, and so many restaurants. We can make a quick trip to Kenaston and get anything right there." Wider than typical lots and lower than average property taxes add to the attraction. "These larger lots provide the flexibility to cre- ate a home and yard plan that suits the homeowners' quality of life," explains Anderson. "So, whether you're looking for a big open kitchen and great room combination, a sep- arate master suite, an ample deck for family barbecues, or more space to store your recreational vehicles, lots in Oak Buff West can pretty much ac- commodate it all." Another incredible advantage of wider lots is that they create the open streetscapes that encourage residents to get out and experience the prairie sunrise, allow more day- light inside of homes, and set the stage for breathtaking sunsets that are reflected in the lush wetlands throughout the community. "When we moved here we really didn't know what we were going to get — it's turned out to be one of the best decisions we've ever made," says Shantz. QUALICO — OAK BLUFF WEST ' ' 54 Parade of Homes FALL 2017

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