Walking down 4 street SW in Mission with one of my clients was a unique and exciting experience. The entire strip from 26 avenue to 17 avenue is jam-packed with restaurants, coffee shops, and unique shopping stores and boutiques. A bubbling hub on the outskirts of downtown, this neighborhood has a very classy and modern feel. After checking out our options we decided to sit down at one of the Calgary staple restaurants of the neighborhood, Earl’s Tin Palace. We began to chat about his love for his new neighborhood, as we had just finished his major renovation in the Mission area just a month prior, he was really starting to settle into his new community. He was very excited about the convenience of the area, the proximity to downtown and the trendy feel of 4 street. We finished lunch, and walked back to his newly renovated condo with a city view and said our goodbyes. It was contagious to see him so happy and excited about what his new community had to offer, and led me to really dive into what Mission was all about.

There are well over 50 restaurants and coffee shops to enjoy in the mission neighborhood, truly an amazing perk to have in your backyard for anyone of any age group to enjoy. North American, European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and other cuisines for you to enjoy. Date night in walking distance, what a fantastic opportunity even if it’s just for a visit.

The Lilac Festival is a one-day annual event, and is the start of Calgary’s diverse festival season, and encourages Calgarians to become part of the creative community in our city. Thousands of people show up to attend each year, and at the Lilac Festival there are activities for all ages. There are six stages with over 30 performances throughout the day, offering us exposure to new sounds and bands from around our great city. With over 500 vendors in attendance this event has proven to be exciting and entertaining year after year.

With much of Mission bordering the Elbow River, this inner city community really offers an unparalleled nature experience. With kilometers of walking trails, parks, and treed riverbanks, escaping the city is as simple as heading into your own backyard. With the ability to turn away from the busy city setting and enjoy some natural beauty, sounds of running water and wind in the trees, you can have the best of both worlds living in such a great place.

Mission is a community that has tremendous history, both local and national, but this unique community seems to revolve around the hustle and bustle of 4 Street, paired with the natural beauty of the bordering river. The diversity of the people and cultural influences on 4 street, and truly breathtaking views along the river, leads me to believe this community is a place where anyone would feel at home.