FIND THE PERFECT FIT LIVING IN THE GARDENS
Parks of Harvest Hills duplexes offer flexibility for families of all sizes
Judy Wong is a mom, recently retired from a career in banking, whose two adult sons still live at home. She feigns despair when she says that the boys, ages 27 and 31, may not get married and leave home for another five years. Secretly, despite her laments about the amount of cooking she does, it would appear that she really doesn’t mind having them underfoot.
When she downsized this year from a large home in Edgemont to a duplex in the Parks of Harvest Hills by Cedarglen Homes, she made sure there was space for her young men.
“My house in Edgemont was a lot of work, but I stayed in that house after my divorce because of school. But now, both boys have finished university. And because they stay with me, I was looking for a small house. A condo would be too small,” says Wong.
She first looked at homes in the Hamptons and Edgemont areas, the only two places she has ever lived during her 30 years in Calgary. But there was nothing in her budget.
“It’s no use going from a big, expensive home to another slightly expensive home,” she says bluntly.
The duplex she found in the Gardens in the Parks of Harvest Hills was half the size and half the price of her Edgemont home.
“It was perfect. I didn’t have to worry about getting a mortgage. Being retired, it’s not easy to get one. And, if my boys move out, I can live here by myself. If they come back with girlfriends or wives, it’s a good size to accommodate everyone,” she says.
Wong bought the 1,788-squarefoot Orchid model, a two-storey, three-bedroom plan with 2.5 bathrooms. It has a driveway and a single-car garage with nearby parking for the third vehicle in their household.
It was a spec home that was 80 per cent complete when she walked through it the first time. Cedarglen finished the basement for her, adding a fourth bedroom, bathroom and living space.
The laundry is upstairs and the open concept main level includes a living room, kitchen and informal eating area. Wong says everyone has their own floor.
Her home is one of just 50 paired homes laid out in a cul-desac. The road going through the development is one way, so the only people who drive through are residents or visitors she says.
As an owner, she’s responsible for the upkeep of her yard. A small condo fee covers the rest.
“The fees are minimal — $110.75 a month — and they cover the cost of snow removal on the main road and garbage/recycling pickup,” says Allison Harvie, sales and marketing manager for Cedarglen Homes.
The developer has installed state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly Molok waste containers that require fewer pickups than conventional bins.
The Gardens has four model
homes — the Orchid, Blossom, Peony and Lotus, from 1,788 to 1,993 square feet, priced from $439,900 including GST and basement development.
“Each paired home offers its own unique layout and there are both walkout lots and lots that can accommodate single or double car garage homes,” she says.
Homes circle a central green space with community gardens where residents can interact, Harvie says.
Work continues on Harvest Park, which now has tennis and pickle ball courts, workout stations and a new play structure.
Additional landscaping includes a new walking path around the pond and throughout the community.
Wong moved into the Gardens at the end of August. When she’s not standing over a hot stove or picking up socks, she’s out on the pathways checking out the community. When winter comes, she’ll continue her walks indoors at Cross Iron Mills, just 10 minutes north on Deerfoot Trail.
“Harvest Hills is so close to everything. Restaurants, grocery stores, fast food. My boys are happy,” she says, smiling.