Short answer: Saddle Ridge is an established NE Calgary community bounded by Airport Trail, Stoney Trail, 80 Avenue NE and Métis Trail, with the Saddletowne CTrain station, Saddletowne Circle shopping and one of Calgary's largest Punjabi and South Asian communities. Most homes are 10–20 years old, and many detached homes have basement suites.
By Taran Bains, REALTOR® with Real Broker · Updated October 23, 2026
Saddle Ridge is one of the largest and best-connected communities in northeast Calgary. It is bounded by Airport Trail NE to the north, Stoney Trail NE to the east, 80 Avenue NE to the south and Métis Trail to the west, and it includes the Savanna area. In the 2021 municipal census it had 24,365 residents, which makes it bigger than many Alberta towns. If you want a settled community with a CTrain station, schools and shops already in place, Saddle Ridge belongs on your list.
Why people move to Saddle Ridge
The CTrain. Saddletowne station opened in 2012 and is the last stop on the northeast CTrain line, so you can ride to downtown without driving or paying for parking. That is a big plus for commuters and students.
Everything close to home. Saddletowne Circle is the shopping hub, with a Chalo! FreshCo grocery store, halal butchers and plenty of South Asian restaurants and sweet shops. The Genesis Centre is right next door in Martindale: a large recreation hub with a YMCA, a Calgary Public Library branch, indoor field houses and event space.
A strong community. About 62% of residents are immigrants, and Saddle Ridge has one of the largest Indian, Pakistani and Punjabi communities in the city. Places of worship, including the Bilal Islamic Centre (opened 2021), are nearby, and the Saddle Ridge Community Association has been active since the 1970s.
Close to the airport and jobs. Calgary International Airport and the Saddle Ridge Industrial Area are just to the west, and Stoney Trail makes it easy to reach the rest of the city.
Schools in Saddle Ridge
Unlike brand-new communities, Saddle Ridge already has schools inside the neighbourhood:
- Public (Calgary Board of Education): Saddle Ridge Elementary (K–4), Peter Lougheed School (Grades 5–9, opened 2016) and Nelson Mandela High School on Saddletowne Circle, which opened in September 2016 with room for about 1,800 students.
- Catholic (Calgary Catholic School District): Light of Christ School (K–9), the first school to open in the community. Check the CCSD school finder for the designated Catholic high school.
School boundaries and programs change, so always confirm the designated school for a specific address with the school board before you buy.
What kinds of homes can you buy?
Saddle Ridge started as acreages and was mostly built from the mid-2000s on, so most homes are 10 to 20 years old: newer than inner-city homes, but already landscaped with parks and pathways around them. Want something newer? Savanna, the newest neighbourhood inside Saddle Ridge, has its own guide. About half of the homes are single-detached, roughly one in five is an apartment, and the rest are duplexes and townhomes. Around 69% of households own their home, and a few original acreages still remain.
Many detached homes here have basement suites, which appeals to multi-generational families and buyers who want help with the mortgage. That brings me to my first tip.
Tips before you buy in Saddle Ridge
- Check that a suite is legal. A “basement suite” in a listing is not always a legal, permitted suite. Ask for permits and check the City of Calgary’s secondary suite rules before you count on rental income. My legal basement suite guide shows how to check the City’s registry.
- Look at parking. Streets with suites and big families can fill up. Visit in the evening and see what parking is like.
- Listen for planes. The airport is next door. Visit at a few different times of day so you know what to expect.
- Walk to the CTrain. If transit matters, time the walk from the home to Saddletowne station yourself.
- Want something newer up north? If you work in north Calgary and want new construction, compare with Carrington. Looking for detached homes just south? See my Taradale guide.
Thinking about Saddle Ridge? Let’s talk.
I help buyers and sellers across Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Cochrane and Okotoks, in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. Tell me what you are looking for in Saddle Ridge, and I will send you homes that match your budget, including new builds and quick possessions.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a CTrain station in Saddle Ridge?
Yes. Saddletowne station, opened in 2012, is the last stop on the northeast CTrain line with a direct ride downtown.
What schools are in Saddle Ridge?
Public schools include Saddle Ridge Elementary, Peter Lougheed School and Nelson Mandela High School; Light of Christ School is the Catholic K–9. Confirm the designated school for each address.
Can I buy a home with a basement suite in Saddle Ridge?
Many detached homes have basement suites. Confirm the suite is legal and permitted under City of Calgary rules before counting on rental income.
Are there new builds near Saddle Ridge?
Saddle Ridge is mostly resale. For new construction nearby, compare Cornerstone, Redstone, Skyview Ranch and Carrington. See the new build guide.
Is there a Punjabi-speaking realtor in Saddle Ridge?
Yes. Call or text Taran Bains, REALTOR® (Real Broker), at 587-839-8030. He works in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.
Taran Bains, REALTOR® | Real Broker. Information is believed accurate as of October 2026 but should be independently verified.