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Auburn Bay community guide
Auburn Bay is one of southeast Calgary's original private lake communities, built around a 43-acre lake and Auburn House recreation centre. It's fully built out and sold out, so every purchase is resale. It sits beside Mahogany, near Seton and South Health Campus. Housing ranges from condos to lakefront estates, with a mandatory Residents Association fee on every title. It suits buyers who want the lake lifestyle without construction noise. Downtown is a 25-30 minute drive.
- Quadrant
- SE
Who Auburn Bay Is Best For
Families and move-up buyers who want an established lake community without construction around them, plus first-time buyers wanting a lower-cost condo or townhome entry. It's a weaker fit if you want new construction with a builder warranty, or don't want a mandatory fee for lake access — Mahogany or Seton are the better call.
Schools
Auburn Bay School (CBE, K–5) and St. Gianna School (CCSD, K–5) are inside the community, along with Lakeshore School (CBE, Grades 6–9) and Prince of Peace (CCSD, K–9). High schoolers attend Joane Cardinal-Schubert (CBE) or All Saints (CCSD) in nearby Seton. Confirm the current designation for your address before removing conditions — CBE has previously sent Mahogany overflow into Auburn Bay schools.
Amenities & Getting Around
Auburn House, the resident-only rec centre, has a gym, banquet room, fishing dock, and boat rentals. The 43-acre lake adds sandy beaches and winter skating, and the community has 15 playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, a splash park, and a dog park. Auburn Station (anchored by a Co-op) covers everyday shopping, with South Health Campus and Seton's retail close by. Deerfoot and Stoney Trail bound the community, and downtown runs about 25–30 minutes via Deerfoot in light traffic; transit exists but most households still need a vehicle, and the planned Green Line station has no confirmed timeline.
HOA Fees
Every property carries a mandatory annual fee to the Auburn Bay Residents Association (ABRA), registered against the title and separate from the voluntary Community Association. For 2026/2027: $523.92 standard, $720.41 lake access, $1,047.80 lake shore, GST included. Fees are due April 1 and increase annually; condo fees, where applicable, are on top of this.
Ahmad’s opinion
Auburn Bay is where I send buyers who want the lake lifestyle without a construction zone around them — the landscaping is grown in and Auburn House isn't still finding its footing. You're buying an older home regardless, so get a real inspection, not a walkthrough. Torn between here and Mahogany? It's mostly budget: Mahogany gets you current finishes and a warranty, Auburn Bay gets more house for less if you're fine with resale. Confirm the exact ABRA fee tier for the address before you go firm.
Price ranges in Auburn Bay
A general guide by home type. Ask me for current numbers on a specific street or building.
- Apartments
- $200K–$450K
- Detached
- $550K–$2.4M+
- Semi-detached / duplex
- $475K–$650K
- Townhomes
- $330K–$640K
Pros & Cons
Pros: a 43-acre private lake with Auburn House; no construction traffic or show-home crowds; resale homes often come with landscaping and basements already finished; a wide range of housing types and prices; close to South Health Campus and Seton.
Consider: no new-construction option remains; the ABRA fee is mandatory regardless of lake use; older housing means inspections matter more; and school designation should be verified given past Mahogany overflow.
How Auburn Bay Compares
Vs. Mahogany — same lake-community model next door. Mahogany still has active construction and a larger lake; Auburn Bay is resale-only, generally cheaper for comparable square footage.
Vs. Seton — denser and more urban, built around South Health Campus and big-box retail, with more apartment product at lower prices. Auburn Bay is the more residential option with its own lake.
Vs. Cranston — a comparable-vintage community without a lake or mandatory fee; its draw is the Bow River escarpment and Fish Creek Park instead.
FAQ
Is there new construction in Auburn Bay?
No. It's fully built out and sold out — every purchase is resale.
How much do homes cost?
Roughly $200K–$450K for condos up to $550K–$2.4M+ for detached homes, including lakefront estates, as of September 2026.
Does Auburn Bay have an HOA fee?
Yes — a mandatory annual ABRA fee registered against title: roughly $524 standard, $720 lake access, $1,048 lake shore for 2026/2027.
How far is it from downtown?
Commonly 25–30 minutes via Deerfoot Trail in light traffic, longer at peak hours.
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Ask anything about buying or selling in Auburn Bay — pricing, streets to favour, or how it compares to the communities next door.
