Hi,

we are new to the forum and we have decided we'd like to move to canada so we are only at the begining of the process. We've been researching a couple of areas (canmore and cochrane) and Canmore in Alberta sounds ideal for our lifestyle...can anyone comment on what its like to live there and what does it have to offer ? good points and bad points please

Before anyone can REALLY answer this question......... Why do YOU think Canmore is IDEAL for YOUR lifestyle?

Real estate is expensive.

Relativity Bud, relativity. I can buy a BIGER condo for Less money in a VERY nice development.

Relative to London? I think its more expensive than Calgary (or Cochran) isn't it?

we are active outdoor people, keen snowboarders, mountain bikers ....adrenaline junkies who want to try lots more outdoor activites. Also I'm a joiner/cabinet maker to trade and there seems to be a shortage in Alberta

Theres always Camrose. It kind of sounds like Canmore.

LOL well my condo is in Calgary and as I say there are cheaper in Canmore.

Well then YES go for it.

Canmore has a very MIXED population (based on age range not skin colour), LOTS of outdoorsy types, slight 'hippy\alternative' feel.
Town is flat enough (and compact enough) to be able to bike round with NO effort yet surrounded by hills (mountains), trails, paths for the more 'energetic' times.
20 minutes to Mt Norquay, 30 to Sunshine, 50 (maybe) to Louise. Want to Travel further afield there's Panorama, Kimberly, Kicking horse.
Fancy trying cross country? Canadian Cross Country Ski Council is based in town.
Two major grocery stores on the edge of town, fast food outlets, higher class restaurants, bars, pubs.

(actually looking at moving out there myself )

The prospect of the mountains being that close is fantastic as we are used to a quick commute to the Scottish mountain ski resorts (but need a bigger thrill!)...definitely want to do some off piste powder riding and back country

i'm not really into the flat cycling...looking for downhill trails..but my other half will enjoy the flat bits..

looking for a small town feel rather than a large city but still want to be close enough to the city for work commute and have access to ammenities.

it would be good if u wouldn't mind keeping us posted with any research u come accross (the usual stuff jobs, houses etc) if you are looking into the area too

Canmore is about an hour drive to Calgary.

Matey, if you feel more comfortable PM your list of requirements, age etc. I've already done some research.

Are you looking for house, condo, Mobile Home? All are available out there.

Are you thinking you may want\have to work in Calgary? If so Canmore MAY be a little way out. (That said lots do commute and its something I'm possibly going to be doing myself). I can do the east side of Canmore to DT calgary in about 45 minutes (out of rush hour)

As Rwin said there are definitely cheaper options than Canmore (cochrane for example) BUT if you want 365 day access to the 'back country'

Not sure there's many jobs there.

I personally dislike what Canmore has become. I lived there in the late 80's when it was a quarter the size, and normal people could afford normal houses. Now the grocery store (Mara's) is a very high end furniture shop. All to the detriment of the local wildlife and scenary. The song, "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot" springs to mind.

Really Canmore is a weekend getaway for the really rich, with some cheaper housing thrown in for the service industry. And some holdovers from the old days.

If you would like to pursue your lifestyle, and have affordable housing you could try towns like Nelson (BC), Cranbrook (BC), Trail (BC) or Crowsnest Pass (Alberta).

thanx for the info ....an hour sounds do-able

I'll give you one (maybe two) out of four there.

But REALLY Cranbrook and Trail? What has the OP done to offend you?