When people think about retirement, they often picture moving somewhere warmer or relocating to a designated retirement community. This usually means leaving Alberta and heading to BC. (Hello Vancouver Island) In the last year or so, I have been meeting people over 50 who are choosing something different: moving to Okotoks.

Some are downsizing from Calgary. Others are leaving an acreage but want to remain close to the Foothills. A lot are moving here to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Okotoks is not technically a retirement community but the “senior” community is growing each year. It is a thriving, multigenerational town where you can enjoy a quieter lifestyle and still plan a trip to Costco for the samples. 

Here are some of the reasons Okotoks is worth considering for your retirement years.

1. You Can Enjoy a Smaller Community Without Giving Up Everyday Amenities

Okotoks offers a kinda relaxed, small-town atmosphere while still providing the services most people use regularly. Some say it has become a mini Calgary but you can still get from one end of town to the other in under 15 minutes. 

There are grocery stores, pharmacies, medical clinics, restaurants, recreation facilities, professional services and a busy local shopping scene. Calgary is still close enough for major appointments, specialty shopping, the airport and larger entertainment venues.

How small is Okotoks? With a population of 30,405 in the 2021 federal census, it is large enough to offer substantial amenities but still small enough that you regularly run into people you know. Especially at Costco. 

2. Staying Active Is Easy

Retirement does not necessarily mean slowing down. For many people, it finally means having more time to walk, cycle, garden, golf, curl, swim or play pickleball. The new Okotoks Pickleball & Tennis Centre is ALMOST ready to open. 

Okotoks has approximately 100 kilometres of interconnected pathways , along with extensive parks, natural areas, outdoor fitness equipment, skating areas and community gardens. Much of the pathway system follows the Sheep River and connects neighbourhoods throughout town.

The Okotoks Recreation Centre includes swimming pools, a hot tub and sauna, fitness facilities, ice arenas and a curling rink.

You do not have to be an athlete to appreciate these amenities. A walk along the river, an aquafit class or a coffee after curling can become an important part of your routine and social life.

If you’re interested in walking inside, the 10Fold Regional Field House has a walking track. Or you could easily get 2-4000 steps in by visiting Costco. 

3. It Offers a Genuine Sense of Community

One of the biggest adjustments in retirement can be the loss of the social connections that came through work. Okotoks has a well established seniors club.

Okotoks offers many ways to become involved. There are clubs, recreation programs, volunteer organizations, churches, arts and cultural activities, community events and local causes looking for people with time and experience to contribute. 

The historic downtown, library, art gallery, museum, community events and independent businesses also give the town an identity beyond being a Calgary bedroom community. Our Light up Okotoks event attracts people from areas beyond the town limits. 

The Okotoks Public Library is part of the TRAC system, giving members access to a collection of approximately three million items across participating libraries.

Of course, moving to a new community still takes effort. Friendships do not appear automatically because you changed your postal code. Choosing an activity, volunteering or joining a group can make an enormous difference to how quickly Okotoks begins to feel like home.

4. There Are Different Housing Options for Different Stages of Retirement

“Retirement home” can mean many different things.

Some people want a smaller detached bungalow with enough yard to garden. Others want a villa where snow removal and landscaping are handled for them. Some prefer an apartment-style condo they can lock and leave while travelling. Others are not ready to downsize at all, they simply want a newer, more manageable house closer to family.

Okotoks has a mixture of:

• Detached homes and bungalows

• Villa-style communities

• Townhouses

• Apartment condominiums

• Adult-oriented developments

• Rental options

• Supportive and assisted-living residences

Not every housing type is available in every neighbourhood, and suitable bungalow and villa inventory can be limited. That is one reason it helps to begin looking well before you need to move. The high demand properties go on the market and are snapped up quickly so you need to be ready to buy! 

5. You Can Be Closer to Family Without Living in Calgary

This is one of the most common reasons I see people over 50 moving to Okotoks.

Their adult children may already live in Okotoks, South Calgary or elsewhere in the Foothills. Moving closer makes it easier to attend family dinners, help with grandchildren and stay connected as everyone’s lives change.

And because Okotoks is its own community, parents moving here can establish their own routines and friendships rather than feeling as though their entire life revolves around their children.

6. Healthcare Is Available Locally, With Some Important Limitations

The Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre provides urgent care, public health programs, home care and a variety of community health services. Urgent care is available seven days a week for medical concerns requiring same-day treatment that are not life-threatening.

However, Okotoks does not have a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. The two closest 24 hour hospitals are High River General Hospital and Oilfields General Hospital. You might still need to go into Calgary for ultrasounds and other diagnostic services. South Health Campus is the closest major hospital in case you need a new knee or hip from all that walking in Costco. 

7. Transportation Options Are Improving, but a Vehicle Is Still Helpful

Okotoks has both fixed-route and on-demand public transit services, and accessible vehicles have been added to the on-demand fleet.

Even so, Okotoks remains a community where owning or having access to a vehicle makes life easier. This is particularly true if you live farther from shopping and medical services or regularly travel into Calgary.

When choosing a home to retire in, consider more than the house itself:

• Can you walk to anything? (Nobody walks to Costco)

• How far away is the grocery store?

• Are there stairs at the front entrance?

• Could you manage the property without driving?

• Is transit available nearby?

• Would your family be able to help if your circumstances changed?

I can help you choose an area that works for your transportation needs. 

8. You Are Surrounded by the Foothills

Okotoks offers easy access to the landscapes that make Southern Alberta special. The Sheep River runs through town, and the surrounding Foothills provide open views, changing skies and quick access to communities such as Diamond Valley, High River and Longview. Kananaskis Country and the mountains are within reach for hiking, camping, golfing, scenic drives and day trips.

For people coming from Calgary, Okotoks can feel like a meaningful lifestyle change without requiring a move several hours away.

Is Okotoks Right for Everyone?

No community is perfect for everyone.

Okotoks may not be the best fit if you want:

• Extensive public transportation

• A major hospital minutes from home

• A completely maintenance-free lifestyle without carefully selecting the property

• A downtown-condo lifestyle where everything is within a few blocks

• Year-round warm weather (sorry, I cannot do anything about that one although we do have beautiful blue skies in winter even when it’s too cold to go outside. Oh and Costco will remind you that summer is just around the corner because swimsuits and kayaks start to appear.

Start Exploring Before You Are Ready to Move

The best time to investigate retirement housing is usually before you urgently need it.

Spend some time in Okotoks. Walk through different neighbourhoods. Visit the recreation centre and wander downtown. (My office is at 29A Elizabeth Street) Drive by the various properties that might work for you, even if you are not ready to buy.

You may discover that you want to move sooner than expected. You may decide that your current home still works perfectly well. Either way, you will be making an informed decision instead of reacting to a crisis.

I have helped many people move to, from and within Okotoks, including homeowners who are downsizing, leaving an acreage, moving closer to family or simply looking for a home that better suits the next stage of life.

A conversation does not mean you have committed to moving. Sometimes it is simply the first step in understanding your options. And if you need help finding a realtor in your current community- I have contacts! And when you call me, let me know how many times I mentioned Costco. I had way too much fun writing this.