Little D

When we lived there 3 years ago, there was very little to do there. There seems to be alot more now though. We don't have young kids, and like to eat out at fairly decent restaurants (not Boston Pizza!) and go out in the evenings every now and then. We found that Okotoks didn't cater for that.

The final straw was when we wanted to watch the Rugby World Cup final a few years ago and paid $60 for a one way taxi ride to the closest bar...Limmericks on Macleod Trail in Calgary!! Even a cab from Crystal Green to Elizabeth Street cost us around $15 when we lived there.

There is no local bus service in Okotoks, and I think the public transit into Calgary is few and far between. With both of us working in Calgary, the lack of transit options, extra cost of gas for no benefits, higher property taxes, and fewer services did not seem worth it.

We now live in South West Calgary - closer and easier access to the mountains and downtown, 2 mins walk from Fish Creek Provincial Park, quiet friendly community, plenty to do, access to transit, better services and lower taxes.

I think Okotoks is fine for young families, where the parents are not both working in Calgary. I would say though that it wouldn't be a place I would move to with older kids.

markss

Thanks for the info little D.

We have friends that live in New brighton SE Calgary. We have thought about locating there but think property may be more expensive. Is there any bus's that run from Okotoks to Calgary, Calgary to Okotoks??? Where abouts do you live?

Getting There

Currently, there is just a limited commuter bus that runs a couple of times a day each way. There's always talk of a more comprehensive service but that talk has been going on for several years with no tangible output so far.

http://www.southland.ca/commuters/

Eamonn & Janet

scribe123

Crikey! Isn't that only about 10 to 15 minutes walk?


When we visited we quite liked Elizabeth street. Gave the town a bit of character. I hate to use an Anericanism, but I'd call it quite quaint.

Little D

Lol....... just like Okotoks is only 15 minutes drive to Calgary?!

According to google maps, it's an 8 minute drive but a 40 minute walk!!

scribe123

Oh well, I was going by memory

I suppose Elizabeth street is quite long, and the Crystal 'area' covers some ground.

yuridog

Hi my husband,son and I have lived in Okotoks for 5 years now, we live in Woodhaven, our son is 20 now and has left s chool, if there is anything you need to know I can try to answer your questions, ps I have also met Eamonn and totally agree that he is a great guy

markss

Thanks yuridog will do Is Woodhaven near the Old Town?

yuridog

Woodhaven is the other side of the river, it is an older part of town, our house is 1980's and next to Cimmarron. We have alot of trees and river walks, it is very pretty.

JBJ14

I believe the school there ... strathcona tweedsmuir (or something similar), is one of the best in Calgary??

I have friends there who complain about the commute to Calgary centre though

Almost Canadian

Even though it's not in Calgary?

JBJ14

Don't make me come over there

welshgirl67

Yes we lived in okotoks for 3 and half years. Its a great place if you have children as the schools are in walking distance especially if you live in the crystal shore area and drake landing. There are pros and cons with these relocation specialists as they call themselves. I myself are not a fan but thats a different story. The schols i would recommend okotoks is dr morris. For ages 5- 11 Then they move up to junoir high which is called okotoks junior high.. a good school. Both my children went tothose schools and we were happy with the overall experience. If you would like a contact for accomodation a very good friend of mine has a B&B and suite she rents out. We stayed with her for 3 months before buying our house in drake landing.
Please feel free to PM anytime. ID be glad to help you and your family. Another thing id point out okotoks has a big influx or brits living there. This can be a good comfort but can also have its disadvantages if you know what i mean.. Good Luck