Lynn, who works as a business analyst for Telus, purchased her one-storey townhome-style condo from its previous owner two years ago for just over $260,000. Located in Streetside Developments’ Blue Sky condos, in the northwest community of Rocky Ridge, Lynn’s building is one of 16 total in the development. Buildings on the north side feature three-storey townhomes, each with their own single car garage, but Lynn opted for a suite on the south side, where buildings offer the choice of single-storey homes on the bottom level or two-storey townhomes on the top level.

Lynn’s building has eight units on the top, and eight on the bottom. All of the homes on the south side have a titled heated underground parking stall complete with extra storage space. The condo complex has a small fitness centre, and homeowners also have access to the Rocky Ridge Ranch Residents’ Club, with residents’ building, tennis courts, basketball courts, a pond with paddle boats, playground equipment and a wading pool.

For Lynn, the timing was right — currently the only units available at http://www.blueskytownhomes.com are two-bedroom units starting in the low $300,000s — and so is the location. “The number one thing that sold me on it was the view,” she says of her south-facing address. “On a clear day you can see both Canada Olympic Park and the mountains.” It’s also a huge bonus, considering how new the community, located on the very edge of the city, is, that there is a Calgary Co-op shopping centre (along with an Alberta Treasury Branch, Subway, dentist, and other stores) just two minutes down the road. For those days when she does go in to the office, Lynn says she usually waits until after the morning rush hour when it’s only a half hour or so commute into downtown.

At 768 square-feet, Lynn’s condo is a nice size for a one-bedroom floor plan. Certainly enough room for one person and, she says, there’s lots of storage space when you factor in all of the closets — including a walk-in in the bedroom — and the extra space beside the stacked washer/dryer. The kitchen, as well, “has tons and tons of space”, she says, thanks to ample overhead cabinets and two (yes, two!) lazy susans down below.

After owning a single-family home in New Brighton, “I just couldn’t fathom going from a house to an apartment,” she says. “I needed my own front door, and this was in my price range. I did NOT want to downgrade.”

And she hasn’t. Lynn’s condo came with standard features such as in-floor heating, stainless steel fridge, stove and dishwasher, maple kitchen cabinets, laminate countertops and natural gas barbecue hook-up. The hardwood flooring in the living room and ceramic tile in the front entry and bathroom were upgrades made by the original owner although, she says, “they never actually moved in before I bought it from them.” Lynn has since added personal touches like shoe and hat racks by the front door — she’s a self-confessed shoe and hat person — as well as additional shelving above her dining room computer nook.

In addition to working part time from her home, Lynn is also quite crafty. In fact, her dining room doubles as her craft area and you’ll often find her sewing machine sitting on the table. That’s no problem for Lynn, however as she usually eats her meals in the living room anyway. “This year,” she says, “my family agreed that all our Christmas gifts had to be hand-made, so I’ve been busy sewing pyjamas, crocheting some hats, making some keychains and necklaces.”

When she’s not working, doing crafts, or curled up in her favourite spot in front of the TV, this busy gal likes to head outdoors. An avid camper, hiker and cyclist, she moonlights part-time at a local bike shop. With a patio and greenspace right outside her south-facing front door, she can also often be found relaxing in the sun with a good book or firing up the barbecue. “I cook a mean steak,” she says, adding that using her stove adds to her utility bill, while the natural gas for the barbecue is covered by her $265 per month condo fees.

So what does Lynn like most about her condo? “I like the touches I’ve added myself,” she says, “and I love my big walk-in closet.” She also likes the privacy that comes with having her front door on the opposite side of the building from the main drive and parking lot, and the peace of mind offered by the lock-it-and-leave-it lifestyle of a condominium. “I’m going to Vegas next month,” she says, “the Domincan next spring, and I went to Europe last May.”

On the other side of the coin, there’s not a lot Lynn doesn’t like about her condo. Like many condo owners, sometimes she can hear her upstairs neighbours. “Mainly plumbing and laundry noise,” she says, not footsteps. And she’s not crazy about how people’s headlights shine directly on the top of her bedroom windows when they park in the visitor parking. “But,” she says, “all in all, I love my place.”