Green Space, Good Fit: Ruo Huang and Francis Chan Are Ambleridge's First Residents

Ruo Huang and Francis Chan were ready for their next chapter together, one with more space, room for their dog Mantou to roam, and a neighbourhood that felt calm and connected. In Ambleridge, they found all three, plus a commuity they say already feels like it cares.

Where were they living before and what sent them looking for a new home?

Francis has always called Northwest Calgary home. Growing up in Panorama, he was minutes from where he now lives, so he already knew the area well. This isn't his first time living through the construction of a new community either, but he says he's still surprised by how quickly Ambleridge has come together. Ruo, on the other hand, had been living more inner-city in a townhouse in Killarney.

"It was honestly super nice, pretty close to downtown, I really enjoyed it, but it was a bit of an older house," Ruo says of her previous home.

For the couple, the move wasn't about simply finding more square footage. It was a natural progression in their relationship: moving in together, finding a home with a yard and nearby parks for Samuel (their dog), and creating a place of their own where they could see themselves building a life together.

"I work at a bank, so I knew financially how things went and I could see how the interest rate had been dropping and the market was slowing down. I think it was a good time, and affordable for us too." Francis shared when asked why they felt now was a good time to start looking for a new home.

What made Ambleridge stand out, and why stay in the Northwest?

Something that came up consistently for Ruo and Francis was the abundance of green space around them. The couple (and Mantou), genuinely enjoy the new paths and parks taking shape nearby. Seeing the plans for the community, they also saw a lot of potential in what Ambleridge could become.

Equally important to them was the location.

"It just was kind of like the epicenter of all the other locations we go to regularly," Ruo says.

With many of their friends already based in the Northwest, they were making the drive up almost every week anyway. Ambleridge just made sense.

"We were up here every week and honestly, yes, the commute to work is longer, but in terms of everything else, things are quite a bit closer."

Staying out of the downtown core was deliberate, especially for Francis who works downtown and wanted a real sense of disconnection when he got home.

"I don't like living around big buildings because I work downtown," Francis adds. "Ambleridge and Ambleton are nice, quiet areas."

What made it feel like the right fit for their lifestyle?

"The community isn't too crowded, and everyone is friendly and nice," the couple says.

Even sitting a little further out, the couple says that Ambleridge doesn't feel remote. Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail are both close, making it easy to get around the city in either direction, while friends and family are already on this side of Calgary.

Ruo now takes transit to work. The ride is a bit longer than her old commute from Killarney, but with less traffic to sit in.

"Everything is within 15 minutes. We can take Stoney, Deerfoot, 144^th Avenue, Crowchild Trail, it's very convenient to get around the city."

That's something Francis appreciates as well, with everyday errands made easy by nearby shopping options, including T&T Supermarket, Walmart, No Frills and Costco.

Ruo sums up the location best: "Far but weirdly convenient."

The off-leash dog park is a particular highlight. The couple were already regulars at the Currie Barracks dog park, so having something similar close to home was a win. Add in a growing network of walking paths, and it's easy to see why parks keep coming up as one of their favourite parts of living here.

The couple also loves that without the big apartment buildings or strip malls in the immediate area, the traffic on their street feels more like neighbours coming and going than visitors simply passing through.

That doesn't mean the pair isn't looking forward to some added commercial space and are already imagining quiet morning walks and the convenience of having commercial spaces nearby without turning the neighbourhood into a busy destination.

How did it feel to be among Ambleridge's very first residents?

Ruo and Francis knewfrom the start that they'd be among the first residents to build in the community, but being "first" was never really the focus.

"I don't think we were racing to be the first ones, it just... happened," they both agreed.

The two were excited about the house, the price, and the location. Now that they're in, they're happy to be home and settling into a new routine.

Being early has come with its own kind of welcome. They mention everyone has been nice, and the steady stream of Ambleridge and Ambleton community emails is something the couple genuinely looks forward to. Even as a brand-new community, they feel like Ambleridge already feels looked after.

What builder did they choose and what features mattered most?

Starting their search open-minded about location, the couple quickly narrowed in on one thing: the builder.

The couple built with Sterling Homes and deliberately chose a conventional Front Garage lot over a zero-lot-line. Inside, kitchen upgrades made a noticeable difference and the finished basement doubles as an office. Above all, they love the overall layout, including the open-to-below design that makes the entire main floor feel bigger.

Knowing they wanted Sterling Homes as their builder was further reinforced for the duo when they learned about one of the builder's promotions.

"It was social media that gave me the notification that Sterling was doing a promotion where they'd give you a free basement upgrade or $40,000 cash. I went back to Sterling and asked if the offer was still valid. I think we took advantage of the promotion on the very last day," Francis shared.

How does Ambleridge fit into their everyday routine and free time?

Having office space makes working from home easy, and the commute has turned out better than expected. Stoney Trail helps Francis and Ruo avoid much of the traffic they used to deal with.

For Ruo, it's about 10 to 15 minutes to the bus stop and a 25 to 30 minute ride from there.Simple and predictable.

"It's weirdly convenient," she says. "Yes, the bus route was shorter before, but because there was so much traffic, it ended up feeling like the same amount of time anyways."

Ruo also points out that it's relatively easy to get to Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail, allowing them to skip much of the traffic they'd see inner city.

"I take the North Point bus all the way down," Ruo says, while Francis adds, "If I go to the office, I drive and park there, so it's only 25 or 30 minutes."

Francis plays soccer and volleyball and has a short commute to games too. Ruo has taken up jogging and biking, and Ambleridge's greenways and paths have made it easy to stick to the new hobby. Ruo says she feels comfortable heading out any time of day.

What's it been like living in an active construction zone?

Construction is not new territory for Francis. Growing up in a home built amid heavy construction, he knew what to expect.

Both he and Ruo describe the construction crews as considerate and easy to work with, happy to move equipment or adjust when they're in the way and always quick with a friendly hello. If anything, having the crews around has added an extra layer of comfort and security.

When asked about the noise, dust and dirt that comes with living in an active construction zone, neither seemed particularly bothered. "It's not like they do it on purpose. They have to do their job," they agree. They were also quick to point out that the community has remained surprisingly clean throughout the construction process.

During their first week in the home, the couple found themselves blocked in by builders' trucks. Francis flagged down a few workers, who tracked down the truck owners so he could get out. He came away from the experience impressed by how helpful everyone was.

It's the kind of moment they say makes living alongside a growing community feel like part of the adventure rather than an inconvenience.

Three words and advice for future residents?

Comfortable. Green. Lively.

That's how Ruo and Francis describe Ambleridge after a bit of deliberation.

"It's good daily living," they say. "You simultaneously feel far and close," Ruo notes.

For the couple, Ambleridge offers a luxurious feel without the price tag, with enough space to breathe and disconnect while still being close to everything they visit day to day.

Ruo and Francis have even been eyeing the properties on the ridge in Phase 3. Loving the area, they know ridge lots can be hard to come by, so having a bit of an inside look at what's coming could make for a fun opportunity down the road. At the same time, they've put a lot of thought into customizing their current home, so for now, they're happy where they are and will see what the future holds.

"Sterling showed us Phase 3 and it's right on the ridge. It looks nice and we might just move a street behind."

Either way, Ambleridge is a place where the two can disconnect while still having easy access to the rest of the city, and that's something they love about living here.

In the picture: Ruo and Francis' adorable pup Mantou