How Hive Makes Car-Free Living Feel Effortless
Choosing to live without a car often sounds like a sacrifice, but for many Hive residents, it feels like the opposite. With transit just steps away, the Bow River pathways nearby, and one of Calgary’s most walkable neighbourhoods right outside the front door, everyday life becomes less about getting from place to place and more about enjoying the journey.
For Alex, that lifestyle was intentional long before moving to Calgary.
After living car-free in Montreal, he knew he wanted to continue that way of life when relocating west. Hive immediately stood out because of its location, sitting perfectly between work and school with direct access to the CTrain. Now, most days begin with an early morning walk along the river with his dog before catching the train to class. When the weather is nice, e-scooters scattered throughout Kensington make getting around even easier.
When asked what he enjoys most about living without a car, his answer wasn’t about transportation at all. It was about removing stress. There’s no searching for parking, no worrying about where to leave a vehicle, and no unexpected maintenance costs. Instead, he estimates that living car-free saves him around $700 every month.
Like many residents, Alex admits there are moments when owning a car would be convenient, especially for spontaneous trips to the mountains on sunny weekends. Instead of paying for a vehicle every day, he simply rents one through Communauto when he needs it. Having options, rather than obligations, has allowed him to keep the lifestyle he enjoys while still having the flexibility to leave the city when adventure calls.
For Deborah, the story looks a little different.
She has lived in Calgary without a car since 1982 and has never owned one. Growing up, her family relied on walking and public transit, so living without a vehicle has always felt normal. As she put it, “When you’ve never had one, you never miss it.”
Now, after a year at Hive and more than twenty-five years living in Kensington, she says the neighbourhood makes car-free living easier than ever. Her dental office is just down the street, Safeway is within walking distance, and the surrounding cafés, restaurants, and local shops mean most daily errands can be completed on foot. For the occasional larger grocery trip or destination farther away, Uber and taxis easily fill the gap.
For Deborah, the greatest benefit isn’t just the financial savings or avoiding maintenance. It’s the freedom that comes with it. There’s no worrying about fuel prices, repairs, or parking. Instead, that energy can be spent enjoying the neighbourhood and building connections with the people around her.
One thing she didn’t expect after moving to Hive was the sense of community. While the building offers privacy through thoughtful design and excellent soundproofing, it has also introduced her to neighbours and friendships she didn’t anticipate finding. In many ways, Hive has become more than just a place to live.
Although each resident's story is different, both point to the same conclusion: location matters.
Living car-free becomes much easier when home is surrounded by everything needed for everyday life. Access to the CTrain, Calgary’s pathway network, off-leash parks, grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, and local businesses means fewer reasons to drive and more opportunities to walk, bike, or simply enjoy the neighbourhood.
When asked what could make the experience even better, Alex suggested expanding access to car-sharing services, while also highlighting Hive’s e-bike program as a valuable amenity for residents.
Perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway from these conversations. Car-free living isn’t about giving something up. It’s about choosing a community that gives more in return. When work, recreation, nature, and everyday essentials are all close to home, life naturally becomes a little simpler, a little less stressful, and a lot more connected.