October 3, 2022 | Canmore Real Estate

South Canmore Views

Many people who are considering the move to Canmore have some common questions. We attempted to answer what it’s like living in Canmore in case you are moving from another city or town. Moving is a big decision, and we want you to be happy with your decision. There are many great reasons to live in Canmore. After all, we chose to live in Canmore, too!

There Are “Two Seasons” In Canmore:

Calgary has a long-running joke that they have two seasons: Winter and Stampede. Well, we in Canmore get it. It’s basically tourist season (Summer) and Winter here in Canmore! Canmore is in a unique weather location compared to Banff and Exshaw, which flank the town. Canmore receives much less snow and rain throughout the year. One of those mountain weather perks here in the Rockies!

Winter

Cold, very cold. It’s the mountains, after all! The weather can change quickly, which is good when you need a break from the dry cold. Note: an excellent puffy (i.e., down) jacket is a must and works wonders in this dry cold! Chinooks do blow through town, which can give spring-like weather in the middle of Winter. This is a nice reprieve. There can also be an inversion from time to time, and this is a fun time to head up the local ski hill as the weather can be warm up top despite the cold below. It’s worth noting that Canmore gets less precipitation than Banff; Canmore is in a mini rain shadow, which means less snow in Canmore – locals like this as there is less snow on the roads but plenty on the mountains!

There is little doubt that you already know that Canmore and Banff provide incredible access to world-class skiing! Whether you are into downhill, touring, or cross-country (aka nordic) skiing, we have it all. We highly recommend getting into a winter sport here in Canmore, as the winters are long! Being active makes Winter a ton of fun here in Canmore! Embrace the cold with the right clothes and an adventurous spirit.

If the above temperatures get you down, there is a significant upside to Canmore; we get about 300 days of sunshine each year, even if just for a few hours. This makes the Bow Valley a bright and cheery place all Winter long! Anyone who defines themselves as “solar powered,” then Canmore is a great place for you! We also recommend some winter getaways to the warmer climates in the southern United States and Central America – these escapes can rejuvenate you in the middle of Winter.

Living In: Canmore Vs. Banff

Summer

Summer in Canmore is incredible. Hot days and cool evenings. Remember that puffy down jacket we mentioned above? Well, keep a lightweight one on hand all summer long. The evenings can be chilly; these summer evenings call for shorts and a puffy. No kidding, it’s the Canmore evening attire. The cooler evenings allow the homes to cool down, creating a nice balance.

Summer is also tourist season in Canmore and Banff. The main streets, shops, cafes and restaurants are bustling with visitors falling in love with what our Rocky Mountains offer!

Depending on how dry the season has been in both BC and Alberta, there can be a fire season. The smoke from further west blows over Canmore and onto the prairies. Unfortunately, this is becoming more common, with climate change leaving no corner of the world unaffected. It is worth noting this for those who have asthma.


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Activities In Canmore:

Canmore offers nearly every activity you can think of, even surfing (technically, it’s a standing wave)! We don’t offer sailing. You got us there. If you are into hiking, trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, gravel riding, downhill skiing, nordic skiing, ski touring, paddleboarding, golfing, disc golf, mountain and alpine climbing, ice climbing, rock climbing, and a peaceful stroll along the Bow River. See? We have it all here in Canmore!

Skiing, biking, running, paddle boarding, climbing, hiking, golfing

Canmore is home to elite skiers, climbers and business leaders. There are even a few Olympic gold medalists, and some have climbed Everest! FOMO (fear of missing out) can be real for some particularly adventurous residents. There is always an objective or adventure awaiting you in Canmore! There is a great mix of people from all walks of life.

Canmore Is A Great Real Estate Investment

Canmore is growing as the secret gets around about how unique our Rocky Mountain town is! Canmore is a world-class designation that is going through a growth spurt. Many new developments are expanding our town’s size, leading to great investments for those looking to grow their wealth.

Many fall in love with Banff but discover that if they don’t have a “need to reside” (work) in Banff National Park, they cannot own and live in the home. (People can purchase and rent out to someone who needs to reside.) Those who fall in love with Banff discover they can buy in Canmore as the town lies outside the Park.

Canmore has many friendly people and some work opportunities. Now that working from home (WFH) has taken off, Canmore’s real estate market has increased in demand.

Canmore is great for raising a family with countless activities and good schools. It’s also home to many successful retirees who have chosen the beauty of Canmore’s mountains. Roughly 30% of owners are weekenders or seasonal residents – which makes for many peaceful neighbourhoods.

Travel Is A Breeze

Calgary’s International airport is only an hour and ten minutes from Canmore. It’s easy and rarely has traffic along the way. The airport is smaller than other Canadian hubs like Toronto’s Pearson Airport and Vancouver and Montreal, so getting checked in and going through security is a breeze.

Taxes

Being that Canmore is in Alberta, you can enjoy the fact that there is no provincial tax on goods and services! It’s as if everything is on sale! Minimal fees to close on a house or condo in Canmore. Compared to cities like Toronto and Vancouver, which have two land transfer taxes that can tally in the tens of thousands of dollars on closing, Canmore’s fees for closing are minimal, in most cases costing around $1000 on close!)

We advise our clients based on their needs, never ours. We are in this for the long term, just like any good real estate investment. Consider our knowledge and insight as paying you dividends in the years to come.

Contact us here today to discuss your desire to move to Canmore. We are here to help and guide you! 

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