Tell me about Cochrane.... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

pylon · 10-23-2013, 10:46 AM

Condo life has worn thin, and I am at the stage where I cannot do it anymore. Of all the options out there, Cochrane seems to be where I really want to live. I am looking at building a house there, and I was wondering a few things if the CP braintrust can help.

- What are taxes like there?
- What new areas should be avoided?
- What is the typical commute time during AM rush hour from Cochrane city limits to Calgary city limits between 8 and 9 am?
- Do you like living there?
- Do you regret it, or have you embraced leaving the big city?

Most people I have talked to that live there, absolutely love it, and I have been kicking around this idea for 5 years. I work in the NW, and cannot see moving employers in the forseeable future. Any input is appreciated, as this is going to be an expensive, decision.

Regulator75 · 10-23-2013, 10:48 AM

Uh oh, what's the term for a parasite yop gobbler?

Muta · 10-23-2013, 10:49 AM

Yop-Guzzler

MrMastodonFarm · 10-23-2013, 10:51 AM

I have nothing to add besides the fact I grew up on a street called Cochrane Crescent. During my Grandmothers later years, before her eventual passing, she'd sign birthday cards to Cockrane crescent.

Twas awkward.

Table 5 · 10-23-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I have nothing to add besides the fact I grew up on a street called Cochrane Crescent. During my Grandmothers later years, before her eventual passing, she'd sign birthday cards to Cockrane crescent.

I've always known it as CockRing myself.

Sorry Pylon, also nothing of value to add.

pylon · 10-23-2013, 10:54 AM

I'll let it be known that if I move there, you will all be drinking Pylon poo.

Thanks for the constructive input thus far.

Regulator75 · 10-23-2013, 10:54 AM

I've always called it CockRam.

TurnedTheCorner · 10-23-2013, 10:55 AM

I can't speak much on some of the specifics on taxes and living there. My parents as well as my younger sister (+ her family) have lived out there for years. Commuting to and from the NW has improved tremendously since Crwochild/Highway 1A has been twinned all the Calgary to Cochrane. If you use 1A, your commute times should be no more than 15 minutes from limit-to-limit.

If you move into one of the new communities on the North (forget what the community is called) or South (Fireside, I think?) outskirts off of Highway 22, that highway can be a bit of a bottleneck. Plus the merging from South 22 to 1 East to get to Calgary is terrible. 22 to 8 is a nice option if you need to go the south of Calgary that lets you bypass the city traffic coming in from the north.

It's a nice bedroom community. Not sure what your family situation is, but if you need info on stuff for the kids or want details on taxes, I can always hit up my family for some more details.

JobHopper · 10-23-2013, 10:55 AM

For me personally, Calgary-Cochrane commute isn't one I'd want to do everyday. I like the area and country out there and go to visit once in a while but I think the commute is a tough one.

TurnedTheCorner · 10-23-2013, 10:55 AM

Oh, we're not giving feedback?

Yop-Chugger.

MrMastodonFarm · 10-23-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

I've always known it as CockRing myself.

Sorry Pylon, also nothing of value to add.

Oh boy, it is kinda a ring too.

Sorry, pylon, nothing to add too.

Tron_fdc · 10-23-2013, 10:59 AM

I'm selling a house in Fireside that I lived in for about 6 months (house is 1 yr old). Let me know if you're interested!

Cochrane:

- close to the mountains, which I LOVED. This made the commute worth it to me. I could bike anywhere in Kananaskis within 15 minutes, which made my weekends AWESOME. If I wasn't working by Race City I would have for sure stayed there.
- commute was ok on the highway, but I found Hiway 8 had a TON of deer and elk on it. At least once a week I saw roadkill
- Commuting on the #22 to Hiway 1 was very busy from 7:30-9AM. Opened up once you hit the #1 though. Commuting from the other side was ok, but Crowchild still has a few construction pinch points
- it's windy as all hell sometimes.
- taxes on a $350k home were $1500 I believe

The thing that kind of sucked was the lack of decent restaurants, and pretty average pizza. I went to Bragg Creek for my za (Powderhorn Saloon). Apparently they don't have a lot of low income housing, so they have trouble staffing the Tim Hortons and other fast food. Walmart is opening soon though, so that is going to increase shopping options beyond just a safeway.

Hack&Lube · 10-23-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JobHopper

For me personally, Calgary-Cochrane commute isn't one I'd want to do everyday. I like the area and country out there and go to visit once in a while but I think the commute is a tough one.

But it's only 10 minutes to downtown!

Yop Swallower

Table 5 · 10-23-2013, 10:59 AM

Personally, I think if you're going to move to a place like Cochrane, I'd make sure to move into something with a little land that feels more like a ranch, and not into a new suburban-style neighborhood...because well, what's the point otherwise?

I get the draw of living in the country, but if your street looks like you're in Tuscany (and not the good Italian one), but is another 20 minutes away...I'm not sure what the benefit it. New neighborhoods in small communities seems like the worst of both worlds. Probably why I hate Airdrie so much.

pylon · 10-23-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I can't speak much on some of the specifics on taxes and living there. My parents as well as my younger sister (+ her family) have lived out there for years. Commuting to and from the NW has improved tremendously since Crwochild/Highway 1A has been twinned all the Calgary to Cochrane. If you use 1A, your commute times should be no more than 15 minutes from limit-to-limit.

If you move into one of the new communities on the North (forget what the community is called) or South (Fireside, I think?) outskirts off of Highway 22, that highway can be a bit of a bottleneck. Plus the merging from South 22 to 1 East to get to Calgary is terrible. 22 to 8 is a nice option if you need to go the south of Calgary that lets you bypass the city traffic coming in from the north.

It's a nice bedroom community. Not sure what your family situation is, but if you need info on stuff for the kids or want details on taxes, I can always hit up my family for some more details.

This is what concerns me, as I am looking at Sunset Ridge, which means I would need to use that Intersection. The commute to me isn't a huge deal, as I am already 25 minutes each day from South Calgary, but what I am really worried about, is getting in a traffic jam in frikkin Cochrane for 20 minutes, trying to get out of there.

TurnedTheCorner · 10-23-2013, 10:59 AM

Oh, and FWIW, I lived there briefly after graduating high school when my parents moved out there. I worked in Calgary, I went to U of C, and my friends and gf all lived in Calgary. So I never spent any time there myself other than to sleep.

TurnedTheCorner · 10-23-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

- it's windy as all hell sometimes.

How did I forget this? It is always windy. To the point that when it is not, it is noticeably weird and disconcerting.

Sunset Ridge is North on 22, right? Yeah, I've heard some occasional anecdotal stories that it's difficult to get in and out of due to access on 22 and the lights at 22 and 1A. Like anything, though, I'm sure it's nothing you can't get used to and plan for.

Pretty sure my sister commutes to work on the 22 from south of the Bow to north of the 1A. I'll ask her how bad the intersection is in the mornings, and what time she commutes at. Caveat: she works for the town, so she might not have to be to the office until 9 AM or something for all I know.

pylon · 10-23-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Personally, I think if you're going to move to a place like Cochrane, I'd make sure to move into something with a little land that feels more like a ranch, and not into a new suburban-style neighborhood...because well, what's the point otherwise? I get the draw of living in the country, but if you're street looks like you're in Tuscany, but is another 20 minutes away...I'm not sure what the benefit it. New neighborhoods in small communities seems like the worst of both worlds. Probably why I hate Airdrie so much.

Well, first off, it is about 200k less for a comparable home, and it gets me closer to the moutains, which occupy most of my free weekends. I would love the idea of a Ranch/Small acreage, but my budget is only 450-500k, which doesn't work unless I plan to move way west or north of Cockram.

Erick Estrada · 10-23-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Personally, I think if you're going to move to a place like Cochrane, I'd make sure to move into something with a little land that feels more like a ranch, and not into a new suburban-style neighborhood...because well, what's the point otherwise?

I get the draw of living in the country, but if your street looks like you're in Tuscany (and not the good Italian one), but is another 20 minutes away...I'm not sure what the benefit it. New neighborhoods in small communities seems like the worst of both worlds. Probably why I hate Airdrie so much.

This ^^^ and I like Chochrane. They have cool things for kids like the Cochrane BMX and we take the kids to their annual Labour day parade, ice cream on the main street during the summer, etc. but I feel if I lived there I would spend too much time in Calgary to warrant the extra commute as they don't have the shopping or restaurants.

Hack&Lube · 10-23-2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pylon

This is what concerns me, as I am looking at Sunset Ridge, which means I would need to use that Intersection. The commute to me isn't a huge deal, as I am already 25 minutes each day from South Calgary, but what I am really worried about, is getting in a traffic jam in frikkin Cochrane for 20 minutes, trying to get out of there.

If you work in South Calgary, why not choose Okotoks?