Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
IMO, a home isn't just about the four walls you sleep in. It's also about the community and town/city into which you're buying. From that perspective, I don't understand how somebody could buy anywhere within a 30 minute drive from Calgary, that isn't in Calgary. Restaurants, malls, businesses (work opportunities), University, arts, Heritage Park, Calaway Park, Science Centre, etc. etc. are in Calgary. Maybe you'll have a bit bigger house, but you'll have way less opportunity for a higher quality of life. Can't for the life of me imagine how moving to a parasite community could make sense to anybody.
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All depends on what you want. I couldn't possibly care any less about access to the stuff you mentioned, but I sure like having easy access to the mountains compared my friends in the city. I'm 1/2 hour to 45 minutes closer, depending on where they are in the city, to Castle or Fernie for skiing, Bragg Creek/K-Country for mtn biking and about the same time to Banff .
I can walk to bars, restaurants, shopping, the arena for hockey games, have kindergarten to Gr 12 within a couple of blocks. Apart from the commute I never drive, it's all bike or walk.
I grew up out that way so I approached buying my house a little differently, but when we were shopping I went in and timed how much time I'd save by buying in any of the Calgary suburb type neighborhoods and it turns out the difference is pretty minimal. I hit the highway, they navigate surface streets back to McLeod or Deerfoot.
For someone who really wants the urban lifestyle/arts & culture Okotoks sucks, but it's great if you're more into the outdoors - camping, hiking biking.