Living in Cochrane: The Good and The Bad

[Top Shelf]

We have recently been thinking about building a new house in Cochrane, mostly driven by the cheaper lot prices out there. The development we have been looking at is Jumping Pound Ridge, seems like a nice location.

Just wanted to pick the CP brain about living in Cochrane, what are the good things, what are the not so good things that an outsider might not know.

[peter12]

What is there to do in Cochrane exactly?

[MrMastodonFarm]

You can tell people you can make it downtown during rush hour in twenty minutes.

[DownhillGoat]

The wife and I moved out here about 2 years ago (other side of town though). Love it here. It's a quick drive to Kananaskis, Banff, and Calgary (my wife can actually get to her place of work in less time from here than she could when we were downtown Calgary. There's enough out here you don't have to run into the city of everything, but it's not far if you want to.

Nice pace in town. Small town feel with city amenities. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me, or even swing out to Cochrane for a visit.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by peter12

What is there to do in Cochrane exactly?

Anything there is to do in Calgary. It's not much different distance wise than living in Tuscany or Lake Chaparral...

[peter12]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Anything there is to do in Calgary. It's not much different distance wise than living in Tuscany or Lake Chaparral...

But who likes driving for 40 minutes?

[Suzles]

Have friends that have just moved into a new house in Cochrane. Only thing I have noticed it that it always seems really windy when we visit!

[kipperfan]

I think Cochrane has alot to do if you enjoy being outdoors and getting into the mountains. Tons of good hiking/biking/hunting/fishing/camping/climbing and skiing right outside your door. I am no fan of the "bedroom communities" for the most part, but definatley would choose Cochrane over Okotoks, Airdrie..etc

[CrusaderPi]

I love living in the suburbs. I get free reign to be a nozzle whenever municipal politics are brought up.

[chalms04]

MacKay's

[para transit fellow]

Canadian tire closes at 8 pm....

[Sluggo]

Sun is in your eyes going to work and amazingly when your coming back. Plus if you have kids that play minor hockey prepare them for being called (another word for roosters)'s. It's not as bad though as living in Sperm... err I mean Springbank.

[SportsJunky]

Whenever I go to Cochrane I always wonder how hard it is to get in and out of town after a heavy snowfall or when the roads are icy. There are some pretty steep climbs to get out of town and onto the highways leading to Calgary.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Whenever I go to Cochrane I always wonder how hard it is to get in and out of town after a heavy snowfall or when the roads are icy. There are some pretty steep climbs to get out of town and onto the highways leading to Calgary.

Cue the winter tire thread rebumpage.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Whenever I go to Cochrane I always wonder how hard it is to get in and out of town after a heavy snowfall or when the roads are icy. There are some pretty steep climbs to get out of town and onto the highways leading to Calgary.

the highways are usually pretty good. The crews get out early. It only gets bad when you hit Calgary city limits.

[bossy22]

Nice town for the most part. Small town feel. Closer to the mountains. They do events, like at Christmas, where they shutdown mainstreet, serve hotdogs and hot chocolate, and have Santa for the kids and such. The rec center is awesome - 4 arenas, indoor soccer/lacrosse (it's where the roughnecks practice), gymnasiums. It's a great place to raise kids. There are some good restaurants in town, but they aren't open on Mondays.

The commute isn't that bad, unless you need to get through the Stoney - hwy 1a interchange. But that's almost complete.
I wouldn't buy anywhere near a retaining wall. PM me if you want more info.
The mayor and town council are useless.

[Clarkey]

Originally Posted by bossy22

The mayor and town council are useless.

Can you provide some context to this, I'm curious.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by Sluggo

Sun is in your eyes going to work and amazingly when your coming back.

You still use a sun dial to tell time

Work short days in the winter, long days in the summer. LoL

[Hevishot]

[QUOTE=Top Shelf;2759379]
We have recently been thinking about building a new house in Cochrane, mostly driven by the cheaper lot prices out there. The development we have been looking at is Jumping Pound Ridge, seems like a nice location. QUOTE]

We also looked at Jumping Pound Ridge in Cochrane before settling on Airdrie. We were not sure about the crime in the area as it is right next to the Rez and if you have things like firearms or dirtbikes if they arent chained to your leg I was concerned they might dissapear. (Grew up in the SW close to another Rez where things had the tendency to dissapear if not under high security or constant chaining) Other than that we would be living there now.

[Rathji]

Just don't be parking in our Park and Rides and taking our trains to work!

Seriously though, I lived outside of town for quite a while (not in Cochrane, but out east) and I really found the extra drive time a real bummer. If I drove to school (UofC) then it would be On the flip side, since I have moved into the city a few years ago, I worked a stint out in High River and the commute time was amazing, since I was always driving against traffic flow.