Living in Cochrane: The Good and The Bad

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

However, the Alberta Municipal Government Act (AMGA) classifies a city as having a population over 10,000 - So why isn't Cochrane a city yet? it's 50% bigger than the threshold for incorporation as 'the City of Cochrane'.

I imagine, much to the original argument's point, that the 'town' is trying to maintain it's small size and feel.

A municipality doesn't just turn into a city because of population. They still have to apply. Strathmore also has the population to be a city, but have yet to apply aas well.

There's various reasons why a town wouldn't want to apply for city status. As a town the province controls the roads, a city has control of thier own. Funding, grants, etc factor in as well, IIRC.

I'd agree that Cochrane has more of a small town feel than Airdrie, reguardless of the similar populations. Airdire embraced the boom in Alberta a lot more than Cochrane, bringing in more Condos, big box stores, etc.

It's no different than saying living in Kensington has a different 'feel' than living in Montgomery.

[Bill Bumface]

In the ciiitttyyyyyyy.... city of Cochrane.. we'll keep you rockin....

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

There's various reasons why a town wouldn't want to apply for city status. As a town the province controls the roads, a city has control of thier own. Funding, grants, etc factor in as well, IIRC.

A few years ago Drumheller actually applied to downgrade from City to Town. The reason had to do with the province paying for highway maintenance within the municipalities limits, as opposed to them having to pay for it.

[trudinator]

I grew up in a village that had a population of 100, so Cochrane is a "big town" to me. Looking forward to checking out the community and such to get a better feel for the area.
On the gas note: not really a factor for us as we already commute to the city and our monthly gas bill is high, but its a price we don't mind paying to live in a small town.

Houses seem to be a bit more expensive in comparison to High River, so that will be something to think about, but looks like we can still get a house that will work for us within our budget.

[Top Shelf]

Interesting timing on the thread bump.

We had been interested in moving out to Cochrane last fall, but after taking a closer look at things, we decided that for the cost of moving out there, we could focus more on being happier where we are at.

Since then a few more things have changed, and we are in a cost cutting mode again, so good to see some more responses in the thread.

[Bill Bumface]

Imagine living there if gas hits $3/litre. How much will you be able to sell your place for then? It's a realistic scenario that people ignore.

Living in Rocky Ridge I used to fill with 55L of gas about every 5 days. 330L/month. Now I fill about once a month, 55L/month.

At current gas prices (Haven't filled in a few weeks, lets use $1.25/L for premium) that's ~$350 saved per month and a couple hundred per year on oil changes (not even taking other maintenance/vehicle depreciation into consideration).

If you put the price up to $2/L that's $550 per month.

At $3/L that's $825 per month.

That is a lot to put toward a mortgage.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by pepper24

That's a suburban myth There are plenty of schools near the downtown core for all ages. Many are top ranked in the province.

You can't raise a family in the inner-city.

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Imagine living there if gas hits $3/litre. How much will you be able to sell your place for then? It's a realistic scenario that people ignore.

Living in Rocky Ridge I used to fill with 55L of gas about every 5 days. 330L/month. Now I fill about once a month, 55L/month.

At current gas prices (Haven't filled in a few weeks, lets use $1.25/L for premium) that's ~$350 saved per month and a couple hundred per year on oil changes (not even taking other maintenance/vehicle depreciation into consideration).

If you put the price up to $2/L that's $550 per month.

At $3/L that's $825 per month.

That is a lot to put toward a mortgage.

Shhh... don't give away the secret. Home prices are far to "expensive" in the inner-city!


In all seriousity as far as parasite communities goes Cochrane would be my first choice based on the mountains alone. Actually, if I was going to sit in a car for an hour a day I'd probably just move to Canmore...

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Imagine living there if gas hits $3/litre. How much will you be able to sell your place for then? It's a realistic scenario that people ignore.

Living in Rocky Ridge I used to fill with 55L of gas about every 5 days. 330L/month. Now I fill about once a month, 55L/month.

At current gas prices (Haven't filled in a few weeks, lets use $1.25/L for premium) that's ~$350 saved per month and a couple hundred per year on oil changes (not even taking other maintenance/vehicle depreciation into consideration).

If you put the price up to $2/L that's $550 per month.

At $3/L that's $825 per month.

That is a lot to put toward a mortgage.

$3.00/L would break the back of a lot of people; well maybe not, but lots of people would whine like a bunch of . . . crazies.

But every 5 days to refill is nuts - I go roughly just under a full month and my car is pretty poor relatively speaking for mileage efficiency. That's a pretty large carbon footprint difference if you care about that kind of thing.

Originally Posted by kevman

Shhh... don't give away the secret. Home prices are far to "expensive" in the inner-city!

Haha!

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by chemgear

But every 5 days to refill is nuts - I go roughly just under a full month and my car is pretty poor relatively speaking for mileage efficiency. That's a pretty large carbon footprint difference if you care about that kind of thing.

18L/100km commuting agrees with you. It is nuts. For something fun to drive a couple times a week? Worth the extra ~$20 in gas it costs me per month over a "reasonable" car.

Playing hockey murdered me too. When your start point is the far NW and you have games constantly on the other side of the city it adds up really fast.

[3 Justin 3]

I got to fill up about 2-3 times a month with my Cobalt which gets 9L/100km going to school.

If I lived in Cochrane I'd go broke.

Sucks that I can't take my bike out during November-April, it gets way better millage, like 4L/100Km.

[trudinator]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Check out Redwood Meadows....

so I just checked out Redwood Meadows like you suggested. WOW!! We love it. However whats the deal with the land as it does reside on the Reserve?? How does that work???

[Bill Bumface]

It's a freaking mess. There are only 38 years left on the lease and negotiations haven't been going well.

[trudinator]

interesting, so does that mean don't even consider this as an option??? I am pretty clueless when it comes to these things, 38 years seams like there is still lots of time to re-negotiate?? Or is it typical to come up with an agreement well in advance. I noticed there is a lot for sale in this area, so I would guess people are trying to get out while they still can. Looks like such a great little community, that's too bad. Does anyone else have any info on this?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by trudinator

interesting, so does that mean don't even consider this as an option??? I am pretty clueless when it comes to these things, 38 years seams like there is still lots of time to re-negotiate?? Or is it typical to come up with an agreement well in advance. I noticed there is a lot for sale in this area, so I would guess people are trying to get out while they still can. Looks like such a great little community, that's too bad. Does anyone else have any info on this?

The community's negotiating position gets weaker every year that goes by. Think about it this way, if you buy one now, and live there for 30 years, what incentive does the band have to negotiate an extension then? They know that if they hold out to the end of the lease they can take the community back. One year before the lease ends the owners would be willing to make huge payments for an extension, as the other option would be losing their houses.

[Coach]

nm

[MarchHare]

You can't raise a family in the inner-city.

Is this sarcasm? If not, on what facts do you base this assertion?

I'm close friends with a couple who are currently 8.5 months pregnant, live in Lower Mount Royal, and have no plans to leave the inner-city area after the birth of their child. In my Beltline condo building, there are several families with children ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers. There's absolutely no reason why you can't raise a family in the inner-city.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

Airdrie - 29,000 people

Cochrane - 15,000 people

So while Cochrane is about half the size of Airdrie, I don't get how the feel can be that different - but to each his own.

On a side note, Cochrane was apparently incorporated as a town in 1971 and remains so, even with a population of 15,000. However, the Alberta Municipal Government Act (AMGA) classifies a city as having a population over 10,000 - So why isn't Cochrane a city yet? it's 50% bigger than the threshold for incorporation as 'the City of Cochrane'.

I imagine, much to the original argument's point, that the 'town' is trying to maintain it's small size and feel.

Sherwood park is another example of a 70,000 person .... Hamlet.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

The community's negotiating position gets weaker every year that goes by. Think about it this way, if you buy one now, and live there for 30 years, what incentive does the band have to negotiate an extension then? They know that if they hold out to the end of the lease they can take the community back. One year before the lease ends the owners would be willing to make huge payments for an extension, as the other option would be losing their houses.

The big problem is that the Ring Road is a major distraction to the TT Nation, but there are good signs that the Tsuu T'ina and the citizen of Redwood will get a deal done...sometime.

There are always houses for sale in Redwood...not really out of the ordinary.

I think that the crunch will be much sooner than then end of the lease...essentially in three years new residents will be unable to secure a 35 year mortgage...in 8 years they won't be able to get a 30 year mortgage etc.

So we will know sooner rather than later how this will go...I am optimistic.

But leaving that aside its a great community for raising a young family.

Does anyone else from CP live out here?

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

It's a freaking mess. There are only 38 years left on the lease and negotiations haven't been going well.

What have you heard about the negotiations?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

What have you heard about the negotiations?

An acquaintance of one of the people involved. I believe the negotiations started some time ago but, looking at the ring road situation, you can see things don't get done quickly in this department.

One thing is guaranteed, they are going to try cash in with the lease rates, and residents will pay.

There is a reason houses there sell for quite a bit less, there is a risk attached. You can get a much nicer house than for the same price with freehold land ownership.