I have recently started to going for a walk at lunchtimes in an older neighbourhood just outside the Calgary downtown core.
There is a mix of mature homes and bungalows (maybe 30-50 years old?), interspersed with funky modern homes where the older homes have been replaced.
And whilst I wander along admiring or disapproving of architectural licence, the one thing that really stands out is the size of the trees. Recent builders and home owners have taken great care not to destroy or remove them. Perhaps they are adopted under the planning laws.
I live in a fairly new development - the oldest home is 13 years old. Gardens and parkways still have a long way to go to look established - trees are immature. There are many new trees with thin, stick-like trunks to hold them up - the biggest tree trunk found is about the size of my thigh (OK, not a good example as my thighs might be considered quite ample) - but you know what I mean. I'd sometimes like to fast-forward about 20 years to see how it would all look.
I love some of the trees and shrubs in these older neighbourhoods. They have real hedges! Dead posh.
Now admittedly, these are not really beautiful trees (mostly poplars and birches) compared to those humungous stunning redwoods, or weird tropical cultivars in other parts of the world, but if it's more than 25 feet high, I can get excited!
And this is an expensive area. A modest 2 bedroom, 1000sq ft bungalow will fetch CDN$600k. And although location, ie, proximity to the downtown area, C-train, etc play their part - the "feel" of the neighbourhood is also worth a lot.
Go have a wander around an unfamiliar neighbourhood near you - and have a super Scenic Sunday.
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