Living in Nolan Hill, NW Calgary

Nolan Hill is one of the communities I show buyers who want a newer detached home in the northwest without going all the way out of the city. It is one of five communities in the Symons Valley area, sitting on rolling hills at the north edge of Calgary. Anthem Properties developed the land between about 2012 and 2020, with plans for roughly 2,000 single-family homes, seven multi-family sites and two commercial sites. The City’s 2016 census counted 3,756 residents in 1,583 homes, more than double the year before, and the community has kept filling in since. Here is what I tell buyers, based on public information as of November 2026.

Why people move to Nolan Hill

• A distinct look. Anthem gave Nolan Hill a British Isles theme, and the castle-ruin style entry features are hard to miss. The streets follow the hills, so take a look at the views and the slope when you tour homes.
• Newer homes, finished streets. Most of the community was built in the last decade or so, so you get modern layouts, attached garages and finished landscaping instead of living beside a construction site.
• Easy road access. Sarcee Trail runs along the west side and Shaganappi Trail along the east, and both connect to Stoney Trail, which makes trips to the airport, the west side and downtown more direct.
• Shops next door. Neighbouring Sage Hill, just across Shaganappi Trail, has Sage Hill Crossing with a Walmart Supercentre and other stores, so errands are close.
• Schools on the way. Two new schools are coming to Nolan Hill (details below), which is a big deal for families who are tired of long bus rides.

Schools in Nolan Hill

• Catholic (Calgary Catholic School District): a new K–9 Catholic school is under construction in Nolan Hill. The CCSD held a ground blessing in June 2025, and the Alberta government’s major projects list shows a 2025–2027 schedule and room for about 505 students at first, growing to 905. It will serve Nolan Hill and nearby Sage Hill.
• Public (Calgary Board of Education): the CBE is planning Nolan Hill Elementary at 590 Nolan Hill Blvd NW. It is at the design stage, with a target completion of 2029–2030 and final grades and boundaries to be set closer to opening.
• High school: in a 2022 notice, the CBE designated Nolan Hill’s regular-program Grade 10 students to Robert Thirsk High School starting in 2023–24, with the IB program at Sir Winston Churchill High School.

Until the new schools open, students are designated to schools in other communities, and designations in growing areas change often. Always confirm your designated school and busing with the school board before you buy.

What kinds of homes can you buy?

• Detached homes: the bulk of Nolan Hill. Expect mostly two-storey family homes, and on the hillier streets some lots have walkout or partly exposed basements.
• Townhomes and multi-family: Anthem set aside several multi-family sites, so there are townhomes and some apartment-style options for first-time buyers and downsizers.
• Resale over new build: Anthem lists Nolan Hill as a completed project, so most purchases now are resale homes.

Prices change with the market, so ask me for current sales in Nolan Hill and how they compare with Sage Hill and Evanston.

Tips before you buy in Nolan Hill

• Check the slope. A walkout lot can be a bonus, but a steep driveway or a backyard that drops away matters in a Calgary winter. Look at the lot, not just the house.
• Read the title. Like most planned communities, homes here can have architectural guidelines and restrictive covenants on title. Your lawyer can walk you through them before you plan a fence, deck or garage.
• Plan for school timing. If walking to school matters, ask both boards for the latest timelines and plan for busing in the meantime.
• Test your commute. Drive it at rush hour, and check Calgary Transit routes for the exact street if you will ride the bus.
• Compare the neighbours. Sage Hill is right across Shaganappi Trail and Evanston is a short drive east. If you are new to buying, start with my mortgage basics guide and Alberta closing costs guide.

Thinking about Nolan Hill? Let’s talk.

I help buyers and sellers in Nolan Hill and across NE, SE, NW and SW Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Balzac, Langdon, Cochrane and Okotoks, in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. Call or text me and I will send you the Nolan Hill homes that fit your budget, or tell you what your home could sell for.

Frequently asked questions