Greens on Gardiner came first. It's the established suburban community that's been built out since the mid-2000s. The Towns started going up in the mid-2010s right next door, and it's still being developed. On the surface, they look similar — both have parks, both have commercial areas, both are in east Regina. But the design philosophy is totally different, and that difference affects everything from your daily commute to where your kids go to school.
Price and What You Get
Here's the honest pricing breakdown. In Greens on Gardiner, single-family homes run $450K to $650K depending on size and how close you are to Acre 21. If you're looking at townhouses or condos in Greens, you're looking at $250K to $400K. There's more inventory here because the community's older, so homes turn over more often.
The Towns is newer, so pricing reflects that. Street towns (which are basically fancy row housing) run $380K to $420K. Single-family homes are $420K to $520K, and the premium homes push up to $630K. You'll pay a bit more per square foot in The Towns because you're getting newer construction and that modern design. But here's what matters: there's less turnover in The Towns because people move in and stay. That means fewer homes for sale, and the ones that do come on market can move quickly.
If you're budget-sensitive or want more resale options down the road, Greens probably makes more sense. If you want brand-new everything and don't mind paying for it, The Towns is built for you.
Neighbourhood Character
Greens on Gardiner feels like a traditional suburb. You've got front-loading garages, conventional lot layouts, wider streets. There's 40+ acres of integrated parks, green spaces, and lit pathways that genuinely get used. The environmental reserve adds some buffer and naturalness to the feel. The demographics here are pretty mixed — young families, professionals, retirees all mixed together. It's established, which means mature trees and landscaping that actually looks like it's been there a while. I wrote a full guide on what it's like living in Greens on Gardiner if you want the deep dive.
The Towns is New Urbanism design. That means street towns with rear garages down the lanes instead of front-facing garages. Higher density. The Welcome Woodland commercial hub (The Everyday Kitchen, Dandy's ice cream, that chocolate store) has this Scandinavian-inspired look that's either going to feel charming or try-hard depending on your taste — I'll give you all the options here. It's newer energy. The parks were actually designed with Grade 5 student input, which is kind of cool. But construction's still ongoing, so you'll live with some disruption. Here's my full guide on what it's like living in The Towns.
Real talk: if you like the idea of neighbours actually being on the street and walkable commercial spaces with a design statement, The Towns delivers that. If you want established, quiet, and "I'll see the same faces in a few years," Greens is more your speed.
Schools and Family Life
This is where it gets interesting. In Greens on Gardiner, you've got École Wascana Plains School (K-8 with English and French Immersion options) and St. Elizabeth School for Catholic elementary. These are established schools with known reputations. If you have school-age kids, you know what you're getting into.
The Towns just announced new joint-use schools that haven't opened yet. I'm talking a 1,400-student elementary (split between 800 public and 600 Catholic spots), a 2,000-student high school, and 180 childcare spots. That's coming, but it's not here yet. For the next few years, kids in The Towns are bussed to other schools in east Regina. If you've got young kids and you're choosing The Towns, you're betting on those new schools delivering. And honestly, I think they will — the planning's solid. But there's no guarantee until they're open and running.
Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre is near Greens, which matters if your family does organized sports. The Towns will have access to the same thing eventually, but again — still building.
If you need established schools right now, Greens wins. If you're okay with transition and you're betting on The Towns' new schools being great, that's fine too — just go in with your eyes open.
Lifestyle and Amenities
Both neighbourhoods have commercial areas, but they function differently. Acre 21 in Greens has Save-On-Foods, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Keg, Boston Pizza, Dollarama, and a gas bar. All walkable in 5 to 10 minutes via the pathway system. It's practical, convenient, and gets the job done.
The Towns has Welcome Woodland, which is smaller and more curated. The Everyday Kitchen, Dandy's ice cream, the chocolate place — it's designed to be a destination, not just a grocery run. And The Towns residents get access to Acre 21 too because the neighbourhoods are literally next door.
Both have extensive park systems. Greens has had longer to build out 40+ acres of green space and lit pathways. The Towns is adding parks as it develops, so what you see now isn't the full picture.
Commute-wise, both are in east Regina, so your drive downtown or to the west side is similar. Walkability in The Towns is higher because of the street town design and mixed-use planning. Greens is more car-dependent for getting around, though the path system helps.
The Bottom Line
Here's who I'd recommend for each:
Choose Greens on Gardiner if: You want an established community with mature landscaping, more inventory to choose from, lower density, traditional suburban layout, and schools that are already running. You'll probably save some money, and you won't live through construction. It's the safer choice if you want predictability.
Choose The Towns if: You're okay with newer everything, you like the idea of mixed-use design and rear-lane living (even though it takes adjustment), you want to be part of building a community, and you're confident about those new schools. You'll pay a bit more, and you'll live with some disruption. But the bones are really good.
No rush, no pressure — both are solid east Regina neighbourhoods. But they're not interchangeable. Figure out what matters to you: established or emerging, traditional or designed, more choices or newer everything. Once you know that, the answer's pretty clear.
I'll give you all the options. That's what I'm here for.
