Living in Okotoks

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

If you love Airdrie so much why not just move there

Whoops good catch. I was thinking about my relatives in Airdrie when I went to the next section

[kevman]

Originally Posted by WCan_Kid

You're welcome to come out anytime and ride out there with me. You do know there are sec hwys connecting Okotoks to Millarville and on to Bragg Creek and #1, right? The only way you're closer in Calgary is from the extreme NW communities or Cougar Ridge area.

We have timed it a time or two, if my buddy leaves his Mission condo at the same time as I leave my driveway he's consistently about that much behind me on arrival.

Seems that a trait of the city dwellers is to time their drives assuming zero traffic or red lights...

Well you're 60km's away from Bragg Creek so assuming you drive 120km/hr it's at least 30 minutes. I'm 35 minutes away from Bragg Creek (45 minutes during rush hour) from Sunnyside and only 35 minutes on the way home. Now I assumed you worked downtown as well (since that's normally how this conversations are based - if you work in Okotoks of course you should live there) but I can leave work at 5, be home by 5:15 and be at Ings Mine for a ride by 6:15. No way you can do that living in Okotoks if you work downtown.

I can't even imagine how long it would take you to go for a ride at the Nordic Centre after work...

I agree with the Mission comment. My buddy living in Mission takes at least 20 more minutes than me during rush hour.

That said, I go for a ride 2 or 3 nights a week - I work 4 or 5 days a week. A shorter commute to work will save you more time than a shorter commute to the mountains.

Originally Posted by Madman

Yeah, forgot the great open wonderland that Calgary is.

You missed his point completely.

What does living in a small town offer over Calgary if you chose to live in the exact same cookie cutter plastic homes with the same amenities made by the same mega developers?

Inner city latte elitists in shoe boxes-------------> Suburban dwellers/parasite dwellers with plastic homes------------->Acreage owners with pony's and views

If you're in the middle of that scale the only real debate is the incremental prices vs. incremental commute difference. What's your time worth?

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

You basically answered your own question. He's talking about Okotoks, not Vulcan.

I'd happily take on a longer commute to a "parasite" community to get away from the madness that is Calgary. Man this town pisses me off some days. Getting into a smaller, quiter community is very desireable.

Wow. I know its a personal choice but its interesting that anyone can really consider Calgary "madness". This isn't NYC or London. Calgary is a pretty sleepy city in the grande scheme of things.

[Bill Bumface]

I can't imagine living in Okotoks and trying to join a beer league hockey or softball team with your buddies. Playing up North you'd end up driving for longer than you play.

Also, Flames season tickets? No way. Our friend that sits by us and lives in Airdrie now only comes to about 1/3 of the games since moving because the drive home sucks so bad.

[Jbo]

Good post Kevman. My only question is what the heck your buddy living in Mission is doing driving? The train is two blocks away? My G/F works in Bankers hall and from door to door with Ctrain in the middle it's only 15 min

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I can't imagine living in Okotoks and trying to join a beer league hockey or softball team with your buddies. Playing up North you'd end up driving for longer than you play.

Also, Flames season tickets? No way. Our friend that sits by us and lives in Airdrie now only comes to about 1/3 of the games since moving because the drive home sucks so bad.

This is the problem, I live in High River and play slo-pitch in Forest Lawn. By the time I even leave the city everyone from my team is already home and I still have 30mins left to drive.

Also I can't spare for teams anymore because its a hassle to drive home and then back to Calgary even if I had the time. I'm moving back within a year and not looking back.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I can't imagine living in Okotoks and trying to join a beer league hockey or softball team with your buddies. Playing up North you'd end up driving for longer than you play.

Also, Flames season tickets? No way. Our friend that sits by us and lives in Airdrie now only comes to about 1/3 of the games since moving because the drive home sucks so bad.

Ah see that's something I see as a plus to living in the boonies. Between the ring road and mega highways it's much easier to get to Chestermere, Don Hartman, Fish Creek, Okotoks, Springbank and COP from the outskirts than it is from Downtown. Apart from the 1 week a year I get to play at West Hillhurst I'm always driving ~30 minutes both ways for hockey.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Good post Kevman. My only question is what the heck your buddy living in Mission is doing driving? The train is two blocks away? My G/F works in Bankers hall and from door to door with Ctrain in the middle it's only 15 min

I meant driving from his place to Bragg Creek for a ride after work...

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Wow. I know its a personal choice but its interesting that anyone can really consider Calgary "madness". This isn't NYC or London. Calgary is a pretty sleepy city in the grande scheme of things.

I'm pretty sure the madness is with regards to traffic/a$$#ole drivers and ignorant, clueless people in places of public gathering. There are so many people still alive simply because it is illegal to kill them.

[red sky]

What is the most sought after suburb in Calgary?

Would it most likely be Aspen/Wentworth?

[kevman]

I'd guess something on the West side. Commutes seem to be better and with the addition of the West LRT they're only going to get better. That and you're "closer to the mountains". Not quite Airdrie or Okotoks "close" but you're the closer to the mountains than the rest of Calgary...

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Hey Jiri,





Okotoks has some very good pros and some very big negatives. So just some thoughts from my experience.

• Houses that are outside of the city tend to be a much longer investment. You will get more bang for your buck, but if there is changes in the market, you could end up holding property much longer to see the value increase. I know many people that moved to outlying communities during the boom, and are now nearly underwater as value has plunged. This may be a great time to buy, but just be aware it will take much longer to see the value increase..

Not sure if this applies to Okotoks? Would be interested in seeing statistics re housing values between Calgary and Okotoks and problems associated with owning and selling in Okotoks?

• Originally Posted by J-bo09

  To your comment of "an extra ten minutes". As a guy who lived in Bridlewood, we tend to underestimate our commutes. I would bet dollars to donuts that you will actually be looking at extending the commute by 15-20 minutes...each way. I know that after living in the deep south and commuting 30-45 mins each way per day, that my soul slowly drained out. Calgary South has the worst roads in the city and you are forced to deal with them. Add on an extra 10-15 mins in the winter too. To some people this does not bother them, but it can be the difference between getting home at 5:30 and getting home at 6:15 or 6:30...a big difference... and one most people don't account for..

In bad weather, the problem generally isn't travelling hwy 2 to Calgary... the problems start when I get into the city.... thats when the traffic grinds to a halt. Up till then its usually smooth sailing all the way in.

• Originally Posted by J-bo09

  You will see your social activites drop. I know I did. Most people I know are put off by a drive out of the city. We have family in Airdrie and I dread going out there. You will be expected to be doing the driving in, trust me..

You will meet new friends in Okotoks. I find the neighbors here much friendlier than those in Calgary. Just a couple of weeks ago we had a big neighborhood bbq. When living in Calgary, I didn't know a single neighbor... here I know quite a few of them.

• Originally Posted by J-bo09

  Now for the positives: Okotoks has great golf, close to the mountains, close to camping, all the amenities you need, The Dawgs for baseball in the summer, small town feel, etc..

  Yep..

Originally Posted by J-bo09

End of the day, you will love living there on the weekends, but don't make the mistake of thinking its "just on the border" of Calgary...

It is. I leave work at 4:30 every day and most days I'm home by 4:55.

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Just my two cents.

Mine too.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

I know! I have been saving to buy a place there, but that is the trade-off. I have actually rented my more "affordable" place, and now rent based on lifestyle. I could be waiting for a long time, as prices are very slowly creeping up. However, it is basically a guarantee that prices inner-city will rebound quicker.

Again setting a realistic budget is key. I just want to point out that saving some money for more space, does not matter if you are trading off some of your life.

Anyway, it comes down to decisions. Do you need to buy now? Can you save a bit more? Prices have dropped significantly in the city, and will likely only start to creep up from here. However, if it makes sense to be out there, you will know it.

***Disclaimer*** A long commute is probably my biggest pet-peeve, gear grinder, and as such, is placed very highly on my list. (5 years of deerfoot and McLeod may do the same to you)

I own a small house in the north end that I bought at the market peak. So unfortunately I'm losing big time on it. But the area we are in is not going in a direction we like, so we want out now.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I can't imagine living in Okotoks and trying to join a beer league hockey or softball team with your buddies. Playing up North you'd end up driving for longer than you play.

Also, Flames season tickets? No way. Our friend that sits by us and lives in Airdrie now only comes to about 1/3 of the games since moving because the drive home sucks so bad.

Its a piece of cake getting to the Flames games. Its a 15 minute drive to the Sommerset LRT station, hop on the train and away you go.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I find the neighbors here much friendlier than those in Calgary. Just a couple of weeks ago we had a big neighborhood bbq. When living in Calgary, I didn't know a single neighbor... here I know quite a few of them.

Swingers

[tvp2003]

LOL -- so many assumptions in a thread like this; there are countless variables that will depend on the person and their preferences:

- Where they work (DT core versus anywhere else in the city)
- When you work (you can avoid almost all traffic if you work 5:00 to 1:00)
- What you can afford
- How big of a house/yard you really want/need
- Whether you drive to work or take alternate forms of transportation
- What you value -- camping, restaurants, community, family obligations, etc. etc. etc.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Its a piece of cake getting to the Flames games. Its a 15 minute drive to the Sommerset LRT station, hop on the train and away you go.

That is not a piece of cake. A piece of cake is a 15 minute walk to the Saddledome, not riding the entire length of the South leg of the LRT AFTER driving for 15 minutes, parking, and walking to the train. That is getting close to an hour trip door-to-seat. Yuck.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

That is not a piece of cake. A piece of cake is a 15 minute walk to the Saddledome, not riding the entire length of the South leg of the LRT AFTER driving for 15 minutes, parking, and walking to the train. That is getting close to an hour trip door-to-seat. Yuck.

Not to mention the original travel to get home in the first place.

1 hour each way to the saddledome, plus 25 minutes each way to work and back = almost 3 hours of commuting in one day

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

LOL -- so many assumptions in a thread like this; there are countless variables that will depend on the person and their preferences:

- Where they work (DT core versus anywhere else in the city)
- When you work (you can avoid almost all traffic if you work 5:00 to 1:00)
- What you can afford
- How big of a house/yard you really want/need
- Whether you drive to work or take alternate forms of transportation
- What you value -- camping, restaurants, community, family obligations, etc. etc. etc.

100% true. If you do not work in the downtown core, then the entire argument changes. The reason I originally bought my place was I was working down south and had a ten minute commute. When the economy crashed, and I had to work downtown, everything changed.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by kevman

Ah see that's something I see as a plus to living in the boonies. Between the ring road and mega highways it's much easier to get to Chestermere, Don Hartman, Fish Creek, Okotoks, Springbank and COP from the outskirts than it is from Downtown. Apart from the 1 week a year I get to play at West Hillhurst I'm always driving ~30 minutes both ways for hockey.

Just for fun I'm going to google maps the driving times from my house to those arenas and Okotoks to those arenas. Playing in those means you are in HNA however and need to switch leagues Those are brutal ice locations.

Chestermere:
Okotoks- 45 minutes
Me- 23 minutes

Fish Creek:
Okotoks- 24 minutes
Me- 27 minutes

Okotoks:
Okotoks- 4 minutes
Me- 39 minutes

Edge School (Springbank):
Okotoks- 57 minutes
Me- 25 minutes

Winsport (COP):
Okotoks- 51 minutes
Me- 20 minutes

Maxbell:
Okotoks- 34 minutes
Me- 8 minutes

Total:
Okotoks- 215 minutes
Me- 142 minutes