Only a half hour drive away, High River is a picture-perfect backdrop for your family life or a quiet downsized lifestyle. And while single-family home prices have risen to be nearly on par with Calgary, you can still get in for much less, without compromising space or quality, at Prairie Sound townhomes.

Located in the northwest corner of the town, Prairie Sound offers views of the Rocky Mountains and farmers’ fields, as well as quick access to Highwood River. The project is now moving into its second phase, and there will eventually be 128 Prairie Sound homes in total.

There are a variety of floor plans, which, if pre-purchased, can be customized to the buyer’s taste. All Prairie Sound townhomes feature a first-level garage and basement utility room, with two floors of living space, and balcony, located above.

Two Prairie Sound townhomes are open for viewing in High River. The three-bedroom Goldfinch plan and the two-bedroom Oriole plan feature similar main floors, with the front foyer leading to the open living room, flex area and kitchen. The living room is at the front of the home, with a flex area, which works nicely for dining, at the middle and the kitchen at the back. In the Goldfinch, the kitchen is partially tucked behind a wall, allowing for the flex area to flow right to the back door; while in the Oriole, the kitchen overlooks the flex area, creating a separate space at the back door, perhaps for dining. Paula Jordan, sales representative for Prairie Sound, points out that the plans can be flipped to meet the buyer’s needs. Both plans feature a guest bath on the landing of the basement stairs.

On the top floor of the Goldfinch, two bedrooms sit at the back of the home, with the main bath and laundry closet situated along the hallway. The master suite is at the front of the home and features a full ensuite as well as a walk-in closet.

The Oriole’s top floor features an office area or flex space along the main hall, as well as a laundry closet with stacking washer and dryer. Each of the two bedrooms features a full ensuite and walk-in closet. The other available floor plans offer similar main floors and either two or three bedrooms.

The big draw of Prairie Sound in High River is that for as little as $131,900, you get your new home, along with the small-town feel and amenities, and the idyllic setting. Each townhome comes with dishwasher, stove, fridge, washer and dryer, all by Fridgidaire, as well as hoodfan and garage door opener. The homes feature carpet and linoleum throughout and will be landscaped as each building is completed.

“The thing about Prairie Sound is, you come out here and you get quality – you get something nice, that’s affordable,” says Jordan. “People that have been in Calgary and then come out here are like, ‘Wow.’”

Perhaps the biggest perk of buying at Prairie Sound is that values have already increased for the first buyers, and they are still rising. The multi-family market in High River has not taken off yet, and as a result, prices are still low. However, as Jordan notes with single-family housing prices, values are rising and multi-family housing should follow suit.

Home prices have been helped along by the presence of a Sobeys and a Shoppers Drug Mart, as well as the variety of both old-fashioned and modern diners, coffee shops and stores to serve the approximately 10,000 residents of High River. Southern Kananaskis country is a short drive away, and more big-name shopping is just down the road in Okotoks. If unwinding at the river isn’t your thing, how about giving the Highwood Golf and Country Club a shot?

High River is located 30 minutes outside of Calgary on Highway 2. Take Deerfoot Trail south, past the Okotoks overpass, and follow the signs. Prairie Sound townhomes are located at 1523 High Country Dr. NW in High River and are open from 4 to 8 pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 1 to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.