Winner: Mission
Average Home Price: $405,153
Once known as Rouleauville, this inner-city community was historically home to French immigrants, French-Canadians and Métis peoples. These days, it draws a vibrant cross-section of the population, including a significant contingent of seniors. There are numerous options for different levels of independent living, from concierge-attended multifamily buildings to residences such as the longstanding Chartwell Fountains of Mission, and capacity is building with the advance of nearby projects such as the Riverwalk Retirement Residence. The pathways along the Elbow River are suited to daily walks, while fitness programming and rehabilitation services are close by at the MNP Community & Sport Centre (formerly Repsol Centre) in neighbouring Lindsay Park.
Unique Feature: Located on the southeastern side of Mission as the Elbow River rounds the bend, the aptly named Rocky Beach is one of the city’s optimum spots for sitting in the river in a lawnchair on hot summer days.
What the judges said: “When thinking about where one chooses to live, adjacencies reign supreme, after all.” -Joshua Taron
Runners-Up
Currie, Bridgeland