Sorry Steve, missed this question completely. Well, we've only been through one winter and this was a big concern of ours pre moving out here but generally speaking, although it slows you down some (if you're sensible - some aren't!) there were only a couple of days where I was driving and felt unsafe and one of those was a drive from Okotoks to Edmonton in a blizzard! Not saying it's perfect but roads are cleared better and more quickly here than I would have thought likely (given our frame of reference - ie: the UK grinding to a halt the moment the first snow-flake falls!)

Eamonn

Yup

But this will fill in the bit thats left between North Calgary and Airdrie - there are some beautiful houses with some great views of the city and mountains there (but not for long...)

'Progress' eh mate

Although I really still like the city, I much prefer the Calgary I moved to in 1974.

I'd say I prefered the Calgary of 2004, but then I'd be living in the middle of a field

As you know, we live in Okotoks and my OH commutes downtown everyday. The only issue he has is with the crap drivers on the Deerfoot! We have done 2 winters now and there were no probs. Granted, he goes in early but is then able to come home early.

We have 2 kids, one is a teen and we all love life here. The thing to bear in mind too is schools. I know your list is ideal but some of those places could mean quite a bus ride for school kids.

You never have liked Okotoks though We wouldn't live anywhere else!

Different strokes for different folks

I think none of the answers have addressed the aspect of having two teenage girls.....

Will they be happy stuck out on an acreage? Kids can drive at 16 here (can start at 14 accompanied), and if yours want some town life then they will likely have to have cars at their disposal.

Public transport is quite good once you are within city limits, but it is frankly pants trying to get in from outside town if you don't drive.

Forget public transport for your daughters if coming in from Cochrane. They could get the twice daily commuter bus - or should learn to drive pretty quick, with all the expenses that entails !!

(By the way, I live here and really like it! )

I've written before on all the things I like about the place and I do think it would be a great place to bring kids of any age - but I'm just re-iterating the public transport issue - there ain't none

yeah but I dont have kids so thats why its MY personal list .

Its true I never really liked Okotoks. HOWEVER the place is growing on me (and growing in general), which could be a good thing since its possible I may be working down there soon (or Airdrie god forbid).

Fair comment I think.

Eamonn.

We've got teenage boys, 12 - 15 by then, this is the sort of info we need. Driving at 14 interesting.

What I really should have said rather than acerage ( which I admit would probably be pointless as its under snow for 7+ months ) is if we buy we would want a bit of space and privacy and a few trees, I know calgary is not big on trees due to the climate but the wheat prarie look doesnt appeal to me personally. Half an acre with a bit of forest around it would be fine.

Cochrane is a great place to live, but it really depends on your lifestyle as well. 40 minute drive to downtown calgary, on normal days. Longer in a snow storm which happens 3-4 times a year.

If your daughters are city people, then they will not like any of the small towns. None of the small towns have regular public transport into Calgary, though there is lots of talk of it.

The education system seems very good in Cochrane. I have learnt a few things though.
- Schools are not bothered about league tables. So if the child fails a subject or does not do well, there does not seem to be the same questions asked as to why?
- If your child does not hand in the work, they get 0%. If it is not handed in on time they lose 5% on their mark. The teachers generally do not phone, contact, chase the parents or student for the work.
- The system is great if you have a child who hands in the work on time (or at all). Once you get to grade 10, 11,12 then it is even more self disciplined.

Once you children start the High school diploma then it may be harder to change schools. They have a system that instead of doing 8 subjects for one year, you do 4 for half and then the other 4. So if you change schools, and child needs to do Math, the school may have already done it. It would depend on size of school etc. Even if they are doing the same subject, the teacher can teacher the subject in any order, so your child might miss some of the curriculum.

If you want to live in a town which is friendly, and safe for your children to live in, then Cochrane is very good.

Finding half an acer may be quite hard. Langdon does have third of an acer lots which are not bad and are quite appealing. Langdon though may not suit your boys as it is a very small village. If you look at Calgary, and imagine a horseshoe around the top of it, then that is the Mucipality of Rockyview, which only wants a minium of 4 acres. (this is trying to be reduced to 2 acres, but as yet not accepted).

4 acres is a great size, and you can have a horse on 4 acres, but then remember a lot of people want this size and the price of land is still high!

If you live in a great spot, remember you will then have to drive your boys everywhere. They can catch the school bus to school, but anything else is down to you.

Your 15 year old can get his learners D/L when he arrives, but he can not take his test until he has had his licence for one year. Then you have to get him a car, and the insurance for third party is about $1500. Drivers Education $800, driving test $60 (my son was 16 yesterday and takes his test tomorrow, this birthday has cost me a fortune)

Eh? Nonsense. Mrs Wiggs has happily worked as an RN in the ER at Rockyview for a year and a half, and they are constanly taking on new staff including many from the UK - and a good number live in or around Okotoks. As of today the Calgary Health Region website lists 33 RN jobs at RGH, with just 18 at PLC (and 54 at the Foot). It takes her around 40 minutes to get to work door to door.

Having said that she has just been offered and accepted a position at the Urgent Care Centre in Okotoks and will be starting there in September, but she was very happy at RGH and would hapily continued there - it is just this shift pattern works better. It ws a great place for her to start her nursing out here, and has given her a good balance of experience.

Don't forget, living out here many of the nurses also work at High River or Black Diamond Hospitals. Both are within 20 minutes, and again have vacancies.

ERM............

Which bit was nonsense?
54>33 therefore more likely that a vacancy appears at Foothills than Rocky.

Whichever way you slice it Cochrane is closer to Rocky and Foothills, Airdrie is closer to PL and Foothills and Chestermere is closer to PL.