Calgary's bedroom communities... where would you want to live?

[millhouse11]

I live in Cochrane. Pros and Cons for sure. The commute to downtown is actually faster than my co-workers who live in the deep south...ie Bridlewood, Evergreen, etc. Takes me 45 min. The town is nice...it's a sawmill, not a pulpmill btw. The christmas celebration is pretty good for families. They shutdown mainstreet, roast hotdogs, and give out hot chocolate. Santa is there for the kids. The schools have an outdoor christmas concert. The schools are all close. My kids can ride their bikes to school. I have lots of friends and neighbours I can depend on, whether it be watching my kids, my house on the weekend, etc.
The weekends are where the location shines. I'm close to the mountains. I like to mtn bike and hike, and it takes me less than 45 min to Canmore, Kananaskis, etc. 30 min to bragg creek.
I enjoy fishing, and the bow river and jumpingpound are right outside my doorstep.
My taxes are higher than they would be in Calgary, but having said that, I have quite a large house with quite a large yard, and would have to pay a premium to live in the same square footage in Calgary.
It's always windy and the town council is ######ed. For me, it's the location. I don't want to be in the city on the weekends. At the last minute, I like to be able to just say, " lets go out to Canmore for the day", and go. I wouldn't say the town is better than any other town. I've heard good things about Okotoks. I love redwood meadows, but don't like to leased land idea.

edit: oh, and if you ever consider buying in Cochrane, avoid the slopes. ie: Glen Eagles and Bow Ridge. Lots of issues continue to happen with sliding.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Redwood Meadows...the poor mans Bragg Creek

There's just something that bothers me about spending a whole lot of money on a house that sits on property that you don't own. Basically everyone who lives in Redwood Meadows is now hostage to the whims of the Tsuu T'ina because when push comes to shove, its still their land and they are just renting it to you. Your rent agreement expires in 39 years.

I own the land my house sits on. The house can deteriorate, burn down, or fall apart to nothing but the land is still there and increasing in value every year. My house in my major retirement investment. Why would I want to invest in something I don't fully own? Not a good business decision, in my opinion.

[COGENT]

Originally Posted by troutman

Canmore is 45 minutes to the city limits in good weather.

Yup... Canmore is my vote as well.

Now if only I could find $1 million plus.

[Suzles]

I want to live in Cowpersons's house, please! Those wide open fields and a great view of the mountains - looks like a piece of heaven!

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Suzles

I want to live in Cowpersons's house, please! Those wide open fields and a great view of the mountains - looks like a piece of heaven!

I'd be happy just to have his dog! I love Golden Retrievers!!

[flip]

Originally Posted by Rerun

There's just something that bothers me about spending a whole lot of money on a house that sits on property that you don't own. Basically everyone who lives in Redwood Meadows is now hostage to the whims of the Tsuu T'ina because when push comes to shove, its still their land and they are just renting it to you. Your rent agreement expires in 39 years.

I own the land my house sits on. The house can deteriorate, burn down, or fall apart to nothing but the land is still there and increasing in value every year. My house in my major retirement investment. Why would I want to invest in something I don't fully own? Not a good business decision, in my opinion.

I know this is splitting hairs but just remember that if that property you "own" is in an expansion area for Calgary you won't own it for long.

They do usually give you above market value, and you could still fight it, but at the end of the day you sort of own the governments land.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by flip

I know this is splitting hairs but just remember that if that property you "own" is in an expansion area for Calgary you won't own it for long.

They do usually give you above market value, and you could still fight it, but at the end of the day you sort of own the governments land.

Apples and oranges

[ken0042]

I have to agree with Rerun on this. In Redwood Meadows there is nothing preventing them from offerring you $1 for your 2500 ft2 house when the lease comes up. Of course the offer would likely be above that to make it more worthwhile than for you to move your house.

And what if you want to sell down the road? Let's say I want to retire in 25 years, and a new agreement hasn't been reached. Who is going to pay market value for a house they might only own for 10 years?

[flip]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I have to agree with Rerun on this. In Redwood Meadows there is nothing preventing them from offerring you $1 for your 2500 ft2 house when the lease comes up. Of course the offer would likely be above that to make it more worthwhile than for you to move your house.

And what if you want to sell down the road? Let's say I want to retire in 25 years, and a new agreement hasn't been reached. Who is going to pay market value for a house they might only own for 10 years?

I think that is the key here. If I planned on living there for all 40 years it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but if for some reason I had to move it would really suck.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by photon

That's true, even when I moved out not that long ago there was no Safeway or library.

The growth has been huge, the retail hasn't really kept up but is catching up now more I guess.

I'm not a huge fan of BPs, but it at least is a decent option to eat out without having to drive into Calgary. Can only eat so many Wok Box and Jessica's.

Some times I wonder though at the towns ability to support as many liquor stores as we have....

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Some times I wonder though at the towns ability to support as many liquor stores as we have....

i grew up in a small town in Okanagan BC, population of about 3000 or so. it has 3 liquor stores, and all do quite well

you can never have too many booze outlets