Living in Forest Lawn, Calgary: Community Guide for Home Buyers

by George Brown

Quick answer: Forest Lawn is a former town in east Calgary, about 6 km from downtown. International Avenue (17 Avenue SE) runs through it, MAX Purple links it to downtown, and homes range from older bungalows to duplexes, townhomes and condos.

I'm George Brown, a Calgary REALTOR® with LPT Realty. Here's what buyers should know about Forest Lawn.

What it's like to live in Forest Lawn

Forest Lawn runs from 36 Street SE to 52 Street SE, between 8 Avenue SE and 26 Avenue SE. Homesteaders settled the area around 1910. It became a village in the 1930s, grew into a town, and was annexed by Calgary in 1961.

17 Avenue SE runs through the middle. Known as International Avenue, it's lined with markets, shops and restaurants from many cultures. Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre on 14 Avenue SE has a lane pool, dive tank and weight room, and there's also an outdoor pool. Schools include Forest Lawn High School, Patrick Airlie School and Holy Trinity School.

Types of homes

Forest Lawn has a real mix. About 28% of homes are units in duplexes, 25% are detached houses, 23% are low-rise apartments and 19% are row houses. Most were built before 1981, and about 30% date to 1960 or earlier, so many homes are older bungalows and walk-ups, with some newer infills.

Getting around

MAX Purple runs along 17 Avenue SE on its own transitway, with stations at 36, 44 and 52 Street SE, and continues west to downtown. Bus Route 155 links the community to Franklin CTrain station on the Blue Line.

Who Forest Lawn suits

Forest Lawn suits first-time buyers and investors who want an inner-east location with good transit to downtown. It's also a fit for people who like being close to the shops and restaurants of International Avenue.

Buying tips for Forest Lawn

Plan for an older home. About 80% of homes here were built before 1981. Get a full inspection and ask about the roof, furnace, foundation, electrical and any past updates.
Know what you're buying. Many homes are units in duplexes, row houses or small apartment buildings. Confirm whether the unit has its own title or is a condo, and review any condo documents.
Think about location on the block. Homes near 17 Avenue SE are close to shops and MAX Purple but can be busier. Visit at different times of day.

See homes for sale in Forest Lawn

My Forest Lawn homes for sale page shows every current listing, updated daily from the MLS®, plus live numbers on how many homes are for sale and the median asking price.

Browse current Forest Lawn listings →

Thinking about buying or selling in Forest Lawn?

I'm happy to walk you through the area, compare a few homes side by side, or tell you what your place could sell for. Call or text me at (403) 616-6309, or get a free home evaluation.