The tradeoff is price and commute. Newer suburban neighbourhoods in Saskatoon generally price at or above the Saskatchewan REALTORS Association citywide benchmark of $444,700, and Arbor Creek's location means a longer drive to downtown than a first-time buyer looking at a core neighbourhood would face.
First-time buyers in Arbor Creek still qualify for the same provincial and federal programs available citywide, including the Home Buyers' Plan and First Home Savings Account, and minimum down payment rules don't change by neighbourhood. What changes is the type of home your budget buys: newer construction with less deferred maintenance, generally on a smaller lot than an older Saskatoon neighbourhood offers at the same price.
Joel Dyck can compare Arbor Creek against similarly priced options elsewhere in Saskatoon so a first-time buyer sees the full tradeoff, not just one neighbourhood. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.