Crescent Heights

   This is an area on the north side of the river, up on top of the hill. It is a relatively flat area, and has been developing over a very long time, so there is a variety of housing styles, with everything from older character homes to brand new. There are some fantastic views over the river valley and golf course.

   Crescent Heights was already a small area of older homes when the building boom of the mid 1950’s happened. Over a very few years from 1955 to 1962, a large part of Crescent Heights was built. At that time, CMHC was just beginning to have a bearing on the construction of new homes with upgraded building requirements and direct loans to buyers. Medicine Hat was growing fast at that time, and families needed homes. There was a need for schools and playgrounds too, because of all the children which moved there then. My family moved to the Heights in 1958, and it was the family home basically until 1981 when my mother sold the house and relocated to Southridge.

   There are schools of both public and separate systems in Crescent Heights. Public elementary Schools are Vincent Massey in northwest and Webster Niblock in northeast, and Crescent Heights High School is a combined junior and senior high school. In the separate system, St. Michael is in northwest, and St Francis Xavier is in northeast. McCoy High school is beside St Francis Xavier and is grades 10-12.

   The recreation facilities are many. Of course the trail system goes right around the area, there are tennis courts, ball diamonds, indoor skating rink, outdoor pool, leisure center, ball diamonds and basketball hoops at the schools, plus several small and large parks scattered through the area.

   Shopping is somewhat limited. There is the block long eighth street shopping center, with a Safeway, two drugstores, barbers and stylists, a couple of pubs and some other smaller stores. There are several convenience stores and little strip malls around the area, and the city is opening up some commercial land northeast of the leisure center, so there should be more to come.

   The age of housing is generally less the further north you go. There are still new homes going up in northeast, and the city says it has a quarter section in northwest to put homes on, so Crescent Heights will not be done for some time to come. In the meantime, the parks, schools and recreation facilities which were built to satisfy that initial surge, are a drawing card for today’s young families. Many of the homes built in the 50’s and 60’s are available in affordable price ranges, and this helps too. The result is that there are fewer homes available for resale and the percentage of sales to listings is higher here than any other area. Another attraction is its location. Because it is further from the commercial area in southeast, Crescent Heights is quieter and more laid back, yet only 12 minutes from anywhere. If you are looking for a quiet area with affordable homes to raise your family, you should take a look at Crescent Heights.

Parkview

   This is an area to the east of Crescent Heights and adjacent to the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club, on a plateau overlooking a huge oxbow in the river. Below it and beside the river is Police Point Park, a natural park with a nice interpretive center, trails through it, wildlife to be seen like bush bunnies, whitetail deer, porcupine, Canada geese, beavers, and much more. There are programs on the weekends all summer, and it is just a great place to go for a walk or a bike ride.

   Parkview is a newer area, which began around 1990. The homes there are in the higher price range, larger, and with many features. The ones backing to the golf course or overlooking the river are especially popular. There are no schools or shopping, and none slated for the near future. If you are looking for an area with all nice homes, away from the hubbub, Parkview might be for you.

Riverside

   This is an area in the valley on the north side of the river, going from the river about five blocks north, where it runs into the high river hills. Though it is not tall, it is wide, running from the east side of Maple Avenue westerly almost to the Trans Canada Highway bridges over the river. Generally the further west you go the newer the homes. The ones backing onto the river are the most sought after properties in the city. Land backing onto the river on the north side is worth far more than any other land in the city. There is only one school, Riverside elementary, an older two story brick public school. There is only a very small amount of shopping, and one outdoor pool for recreation. Riverside is handy to downtown, and quiet and out of the way and the winds, so if you want it quiet, Riverside could be for you.

Back to About Medicine Hat