After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan, she moved from Saskatoon to Calgary in the winter of 1992, living in a variety of rental apartments, the last one being just one block off the Red Mile.  She loved the idea that living near the downtown core was convenient so she could walk everywhere. “I lived in lower Mount Royal for ten years and I just decided it was time.”   Two things convinced her to move from the 17th Avenue SW area:  “it was getting noisier” in the “very eclectic neighbourhood”, and the crime rate was increasing with two shootings one block from her apartment.  “I survived the Red Mile”, she says but “it was time to go,” adding how “the interest rates were low and it makes much more sense” to buy “with housing prices the way they are” instead of continuing to rent.  She wanted to build up equity and “it was time to own something more than my car.”

“I did a lot of research for a couple of years before buying. Within two to three weeks of seriously looking, I had secured this unit.” After checking out other condos in Mission, Marda Loop and Garrison, she decided West 69th was right for her. “I wanted new.  I didn’t want to fix things in six months. Everything is still on warranty, including the appliances and the Alberta New Home Warranty.”  The West 69th condo development located in Springborough on Springbank Hill in the SW quadrant of Calgary, was built by APEX, and consists of 122 one and two bedroom units. Being from prairies with wide open spaces, the one bedroom floor plan appealed to Judy because of its open concept. “It’s in my nature.”

Originally, she thought the condo was located “too far out”, but she has changed her opinion since moving in just over a year ago.  Being socially active, “I still do lots of things downtown and along 17th Avenue”, and with quick access utilizing Bow Trail, getting to her destinations as well as to work, traveling does not take as long as she had thought.  She misses walking, but the condo’s location also makes it easy to get to the mountains where she enjoys hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.

Judy’s one bedroom condo is 692 square feet.  She paid $150,000 + GST and then received a partial refund on the GST from the Federal Government which was worked into the purchase price.  She pays $216 per month in condo fees.  A storage locker and parking is located underground.  “I’d never go back to uncovered parking.  You can’t beat the warmth of the car in the winter”, first thing in the morning.

Her realtor “threw the blinds in” when she was to sign the papers to purchase.  Judy feels that “some of the standard features in here were upgrades in other places and that really appealed to me.” Another incentive was the one year membership at the Westside Recreation Centre, which Judy “uses as much as possible.”

What initially caught Judy’s attention about the condo was the kitchen’s design and décor with its maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliance package.  “It wasn’t cut up like others I had seen”, she says.  “There’s tons of storage space for the kitchen.”  The black mini-tile backsplash ties the cabinetry in with the brown arborite counter tops and the breakfast bar is sufficient for Judy’s dining needs.

The space normally dedicated to a table and chairs has been turned into a little office nook, where Judy has placed the computer desk her father had built.  This arrangement of furniture keeps the openness of the condo apparent.  The living room has a lovely gas fireplace and built in cabinet on one wall with a picture window and door to access the deck to the side.  A loveseat, chair, small tv and stand, plus end table and large freestanding cabinet complete the living room.

Her elegant bedroom includes a queen sized bed and a generously sized chest of drawers.  She admits she has had to “downsize a lot”.  Judy has very efficiently utilized her closet space.  A point Judy makes about her condo is how she wishes she had a dedicated linen closet.

The neutral tones throughout Judy’s condo allow her furnishings to blend together with splashes of colour found here and there in paintings, pillows, her curtains and accent pieces.  Linoleum and carpet are the floor coverings of choice for Judy at this time.

She likes her stackable washer and dryer and  the fact that her laundry facilities are somewhat hidden. “The laundry is inbetween the bathroom and master bedroom closet, forming a small hallway.”

Judy lives on a fairly busy road and “it took some time to get used to the traffic noise.  69th Street is busy, but the view is better” compared to looking in the other directions. Judy also chose an East facing unit because of the early morning sun.  Her condo looks over soccer fields with no future development planned there.  “It’s also nicer at night,” she says.

Judy enjoys a clear view of the Rocky Mountains practically every morning on her way out of the complex on her way to work, brightening the start of her days.  She is thrilled to see those mountain vistas with the wide open spaces nearby.  The Saskatchewangirl has melded with the Alberta woman, bringing together the best of both.   CL