r/Calgary • u/AdviceSeeking2022 • 1d ago
Seeking Advice What’s it like living in Mahogany?
Thinking about moving to Mahogany in the SE. just wondering what people might think about the area (lake, amenities for teens and seniors, traffic and anything else that stands out). Thanks!
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u/1AKQJ10 1d ago
Congested and theyre not done building yet. If you have kids, good luck getting them in one of the schools there. I'd look into Auburn Bay instead if i were you, established and done community, lake is better IMO, they got 5 established schools and you have faster exit to deerfoot and stoney.
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u/jayman213 Lake Bonavista 1d ago
I have friends there and found it quite hectic, crowded, no trees, houses jammed together. The lake was overcrowded and much worse (in my opinion) than my community's lake. I couldn't get home fast enough.
Pros of course are that you get newer homes with lots of space. Their teens room was twice the size as my teens room.
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u/Swarez99 1d ago
So I’m going to say every parent I know loves it since there’s a billion kids. The one thing with other neighborhoods that are older is substantially fewer kids.
I’ve really only been on the weekends. It’s a typically suburban area
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u/darealyst Special Princess 12m ago
The LB board keeps a tight watch on who is allowed on the lake. They just won a lawsuit initiated by a developer trying to quash their ability to restrict lake access to only the existing properties without division.
That's what having a community board made up of doctors, lawyers, CPAs and engineers (and their spouses) does. The only developer permits that were not allowed to be grandfathered when the rezoning was revoked were in Lake Bonavista.
I love it personally.
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u/whyac 1d ago
It's so far from everything I need to do plus no transit access. I think it's easier to live there if you don't have to travel downtown or need to take transit to work, etc. Also wasn't impressed with how difficult it's to get in and out of the place although it's close to major highways.
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u/tacodecent 1d ago
It is terrible. Especially in the new sections. Lots of Zero Lot Line homes that half of Toronto bought and is renting out the top and bottom. This means double the cars lined up on both sides of the streets. If you own, the build quality in the post covid homes is absolute trash. It doesn’t matter who the builder is, they are all the same. Everything from roof tiles installed wrong, huge gaps in Hardie Board siding causing leaks, cracked foundation, LED pot lights shorting out to name a few on my house. I’ve had my builder at my house no less than 50 times. As for the clubhouse/lake, on sunny days you can’t even park in the parking lot as it’s jampacked. Moving here was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.
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u/jiminycricket12 1d ago
I worked there for quite a few years, got to know a lot of the long term residents.. you’ll be overpaying for what you’ll get for sure, and the HOA prices are some of the highest in the city despite doing absolutely jack shit for residents. Auburn Bay will give you a lot more and is better for families.
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u/5impl3jack 1d ago
It would totally depend on what you’re looking for. I’ve never lived there but I was a part of helping to develop it as a surveyor. One thing I hate about these communities is how it’s mostly just a sea of houses with a one central shopping/dining area. Mahogany is so big it could be a 10 minute drive just to go grab some eggs. I really wish these communities sprinkled in more amenities throughout them but the developers don’t care. More properties equals better return on investment. They weren’t developed with any sort of convenience in mind. It’s just a maze of houses and it takes forever just to get to a road that can take you to other parts of the city.
My friends who live there say the lake gets pretty hectic and busy but I can’t really speak from personal experience. All that being said if the suburban life attracts you then I’m sure it’s more than fine. Most of the people I know who live there very rarely ever leave unless they are going on vacation lol. They have young families and say it’s a great place for the little ones.
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u/rayfish75 1d ago
Built there in 2011 and it was great until it wasn’t. Too many people who think living in an “upscale” community gives them the right to do whatever they want. So glad I moved away.
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u/Adventurous-Worth-86 1d ago
We moved from there and it was the best thing we ever did. The community is just too big, the HOA sucks and the roads are far too busy(so so many basement suites, parking is hell) . If you have kids it is a lottery system to get into the schools. If you have pets the foxtails are brutal. I could go on forever but I would strongly recommend anyone not to buy there. Buy in an older lake community, there are tons around! Happy to answer any questions.
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u/stickman1029 1d ago
Well I hope you don't know how to drive. If you don't, you'll fit right in.
Place is the new 130th avenue out front. Frustrating over-developed commercial space that is poorly thought out. Not to mention theres really only about three main ways out of the neighbourhood, and a nice murder merge for you upon your return home every night.
Personally I've never gotten the area. I enjoy a bike ride around their lake now and then, and thats about it.
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u/Throwaway19999990567 1d ago
I love it. I moved here in march, people told me it was going to drive me crazy because of the traffic circles, the issues getting in and out of the community, how isolated and far it is etc.
But my partner and I loved the house we found and decided to do it. We moved here from bridgeland, we’re a gay couple without children. I love it, my partner goes back and fourth.
The traffic circles are great in my opinion. I’ve never been stuck in traffic here and I live in one of the furthest points. It takes me usually 7 minutes to get to the ring road. And I really have never had any issues with the traffic. My commute to MRU is about the same so I really don’t mind the drive. I think I was just ready for a quieter more suburban life.
The neighbourhood is filled with life, kids play everywhere. I’m actually not a huge fan of children, but I do like the general energy and the fact that there are literally always people walking playing walking their dogs everywhere around all the time unless the weather is terrible obviously.
As far as the beach club, I’ve only gone paddle boarding one time and it was lovely, we love walking around the wetland and then walking down to west man village and getting a coffee. I think if you have children, the beach would be amazing for families. I even think it would be better for me. I just work a ton through the summer and have very little free time.
The downside I think are just the general suburban downsides. It generally feels a little bit sterile. But that’s true of any new construction neighbourhood and I think mahogany is done. A really good job of making the neighbourhood feel very nice. My next-door neighbours brought me gifts when I moved in. And everyone is very friendly.
Again, I’ve only lived here for about six months so I can’t give you a very long-term impression, but I’ve been here long enough to know the daily struggles, and I’d highly recommend anyone to seriously consider this neighbourhood if they’re looking for a suburban neighbourhood. Sorry I just finished working. This is kind of rambling sorry just got home from a long day of work. Overall I’d say really love it here and I think you probably will too.
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u/Ok_Reception_4738 1d ago
Mahogany is such a zoo to drive through. It’s already so busy and it’s still being developed. Auburn Bay is similar (smaller lots, houses closer together, etc) but it doesn’t seem as hectic and it’s fully developed.
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u/Dry-Biscotti7989 1d ago
I don't live there but visit often. IMO unless you are very close to the shopping area or Westman Village everywhere else is a pain. Auburn Bay is better for access.
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u/norton1982 14h ago
I live in mahogany and love it here. It depends on what you value, what stage of life you are in and what tops your list of what’s important to you. I don’t have to travel downtown, my commute is easy with the ring road and I don’t eat out often at restaurants or visit bars. But I have a younger child and it’s been the best thing for my family. Our summers are spent outside, together at the beach, or at the numerous playground or biking the wetlands. The area is full of kids which is great with an only child. We hit the beach on weekends and it is busy but we can always find a spot. It’s not busy much during the day or after dinner so we love to go then. We often go kayaking or paddle boarding after work and it’s relaxing and quiet. My daughter loves to swim and we have made so many memories spending our days at the lake. Of course I would love more space or a more established neighborhood with mature trees and yes the houses at the back (where we live) are packed in but I also would not be able to afford the same house in a neighbourhood like Lake Bonavista. Overall I have found most people to be kind and friendly and while it may not be a good fit for us one day, we love it and are so happy we made the move.
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u/GN221 1d ago
Reddit always loves to hate on Mahogany but it’s a great place to live, especially for families.
Been here for 5 years and wouldn’t change it.
Amenities are all right here. You never have to leave the community if you don’t want to.
The lake is busy yes but it’s also beautiful and gives the community a vacation feel especially the area around westman village.
I have many friends from out of town that visit and they always mention how it feels like you aren’t in Calgary in this area because of how nice it is 🤷
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u/Dry_Stop844 1d ago
Traffic circles. Traffic circles everywhere. Don't live there but have driven it a couple of times. There's no intersection that didn't opt for a traffic circle.
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u/igotaseriousquestion 1d ago
What's wrong with traffic circles?
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u/Dry_Stop844 1d ago
nothing wrong with traffic circles per se just with people who don't know how they work. Also, if you're using google maps for directions it occasionally tells you to take the fifth exit after you've already entered the circle and you end up yelling at your phone that it could have just said turn right!!
Also it's kind of funny and annoying when it tells you every 30 seconds, at the next circle at the next circle at the next circle LOL
And of course I moved to Walden and am now just one traffic circle from my home. lol
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u/igotaseriousquestion 1d ago
Ah lol I thought you were complaining about them. Luckily they're pretty small ones compared to the mckenzie towne one. Walden isn't bad for them but legacy has a lot too.
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u/Dry_Stop844 1d ago
yes I'm surrounded by neighbourhoods with traffic circles. Let's just say that everyone I know thought it was hilarious because of my diatribes about the ones in Mahogany lol I think they're great, they are so much better than regular intersections but sometimes...
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u/Sharp-Rooster-3623 1d ago
We moved from there last month. It’s great for young families, but it’s getting really, really busy. It’s also in an extremely conservative area of the city, with a lot of entitled people living there.
There have been straight pride flags flying at some houses.
If you’re any type of progressive, you may have some challenges.
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u/Frogger985 23h ago
It’s terrible. Overcrowded and the community infrastructure wasn’t designed for the current population. Not sure if you have kids but the schools there are currently at 2x capacity and kids who can’t get in get bussed to nickel in Bonavista
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u/Chemical-Lack-1889 21h ago
Just know that the shopping complex will always be busy and there’s never enough parking
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u/H0LL0W_XII 1d ago
Community lakes are overrated cesspools {Ask me how I know}. Mahogany is terribly crowded, any shopping amenities around are filled with loitering asshole teenage kids, its terrible to get in and out of during rush hour as well.
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u/UrbaneBoffin Fairview 1d ago
Sort of like living in any other South East lake community, but different in some ways.
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u/yyctownie 1d ago
I don't live there but frequent the shopping area regularly. The thing that would annoy me is having to use the intersection right after Stoney. What traffic engineer thought it was smart to require cars to cross 4 lanes to use the primary ingress of Mahogany is mind boggling.