If you are thinking of moving out to Okotoks is a great option for living in the big city, then you must check out these 5 things before you make the decision to move.
I have lived in Okotoks since 2007 and I have seen how it has changed over the years.
Good or bad?
Take a look at the video, so you don’t miss out!!
The 1st thing to consider is the higher taxes
On average the taxes in Okotoks are around $200 a year more. When you are adding up the cost of buying, you must take this into consideration too.
Why are they higher you may ask? When I am out and about in the community I can see where the taxes are going. Very rarely do we have graffiti, or garbage around.
The town does a good job of clearing the snow and gravel from the roads. The town’s landscaping, parks, pathways, etc always look well taken care of, and for me, this shows where the money is going!
The 2nd thing is the travel distance into Calgary
It is approximately 20 mins from the south end of Calgary, however, if you are travelling into the downtown area, at certain times of the day, it can take around 45 mins. The traffic on Deerfoot Trail can be very slow moving travelling southbound towards Okotoks in the afternoons, making the commute time a bind for some.
In the winter, although the roads are cleared as soon as they can, if they can’t get to them in time it will slow down your journey considerably. (Definitely, time to listen to your favourite tunes.) Some people love the commute and take the time to get ready for work or take the time to destress from the day and get ready for personal time. The benefits of living in a commuter town far outweigh the drive time.
The 3rd thing to consider is schooling
In Okotoks, we are lucky to have a mixture of private, public, the Catholic school system, and the Ecole Beausoleil French school. We have a number of K-6, K-9, Junior High and High School options available, that are either walking distance or bussing distance.
The schools offer a great curriculum, and extracurricular activities too. With lots of outdoor spaces, and terrific, caring and invested teachers and staff, kids seem to thrive in the community environment.
The 4th thing to consider about moving to Okotoks is your shopping options
For grocery shopping, we have Costco, Safeway, No Frills, Save on Foods, Sobeys, Walmart and more. We also have a number of big box stores to choose from including Winners, Marks, Sportchek, Dollarama, etc.
Looking for something to eat?
We have Brown’s Social House, Canadian Brewhouse, Original Joes, fast food restaurants and so many to mention. You really do not need to make a trip to Calgary, unless you really want to !
The 5th thing, and my favourite, is the Olde Towne (also known as the downtown).
This wonderful bustling area covers Elizabeth Street, Elma Street, Railway Street, and McRae Street. These streets are the heart of the downtown area and have so many hidden gems to choose from. There are bakeries, coffee shops, gift shops, clothing stores, art galleries, and restaurants.
This area is also used for the many events that the town holds throughout the year. These include Light up Okotoks, the Chilli Cookoff, Okotoks Parade, Buskersfest etc. You won’t want to miss out!
Now that you know the 5 things to consider before moving to Okotoks, you must watch the other videos I have on what makes Okotoks a very popular place for young families.
Most people love Okotoks, and what it has to offer, so watch out for my video on the top 5 things to LOVE about Okotoks
If you have any questions about living in Okotoks, I would love to help! Please reach out directly to me either by email, text or drop a comment below. Get all the info you need from someone in the know.
