Parade of Homes

OAK BLUFF WEST It's All About Community Oak Bluff West is the ideal choice for people who want to build new in an established community where they can spread out, avoid the urban rush, and still have all the amenities of the city just a short drive away. It's taking new homeowners beyond the limits of country living, while deliver- ing all of the conveniences. That's what first attracted Glenn Houser and his family, including his wife and four children, to the new community six years ago. The Hous- ers were moving from out of prov- ince and had no other connections to Manitoba. "We were looking for a place with a friendly, small-town feel," Houser says. "Because we have a growing family, it was especially important to find a place that had more space physically, including a large yard." "The extra space, a nice clean community, and nearby school were big factors that attracted us to Oak Bluff West. I've lived a lot of places and moved around with work. Oak Bluff West offered everything we needed in terms of proximity to services and the great neighbours. These things are hard to come by so people really should come and check it out." For Houser, after he covered all the essentials for his family, it was im- portant to find a commute that was practical and enjoyable. "The proximity to the city was also appealing. It's a safe, short drive through a controlled intersection on the Perimeter, so it's easily acces- sible to the businesses that we visit on a weekly or daily basis." "The drive to work in downtown Winnipeg is super easy, about 25 minutes," he says. "Coming home you just have to know when to leave, but that's no different than if you live anywhere else in the city." Houser feels strongly that the at- traction of small-town life is different than the big city. "People that move into a community like Oak Bluff West are looking to get to know their neighbours and I think that's what makes it a fun place to live." The choice has paid off for the en- tire Houser family. "Our kids are in- volved in soccer, baseball, hockey and ringette so there's lots of op- portunity for them in terms of com- munity sports," he says. "There's also events for the kids like movie nights or community breakfasts and open skate nights that make it easy to get out and be active with your neighbours." Tara Reid, of Qualico Communities, says that this dynamic atmosphere is what's making Oak Bluff West appealing to growing families, as well as young couples and retirees. She says that just taking a drive through Oak Bluff West answers the question as to why it's becom- ing so popular for a variety of new homeowners. "The lot sizes allow for more breathing room between homes, which creates a really attractive streetscape," she says. "The builders have created some stun- ning homes and the homeowners are taking pride in their landscap- ing. The trails and wetlands with- in the community add beauty as well as an opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors." 2018 will see a selection of new lots serviced in the southern part of the community, providing even more choices in terms of both lot and home sizes within the community. Reid believes the design of the com- munity aligns with Qualico Commu- nities' efforts to ensure its develop- ments are welcoming to a diverse range of new homeowners. "Having diversity within our lot sizes gives purchasers options," Reid says. "More variety of lot widths and lot prices helps to ensure there's some- thing for everyone, whether they are building their first home, building a larger home for a growing family, or downsizing their square footage." QUALICO COMMUNITIES — OAK BLUFF WEST ' ' ' 104 Parade of Homes Spring 2018

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