If you’re thinking about moving to Calgary but aren’t completely sure where you want to land, you’re not alone.
A huge number of relocations from BC, Ontario, and across Alberta have one big question in common:

“What suburbs should I actually be looking at?”

The truth? Calgary has some incredible surrounding communities — each with its own vibe, price point, lifestyle, and personality.

After helping countless families relocate, here are the Top 5 Suburbs Near Calgary Everyone’s Relocating To Right Now — and why they’re so popular.

🏡 1. Airdrie

Best for: Families, commuters, and anyone wanting great affordability + convenience.
Drive to Calgary: ~15–30 minutes

Airdrie is one of the fastest-growing cities in Alberta — and for good reason.
It offers newer communities, family-friendly streets, amazing schools, parks, and easy access to Calgary without the Calgary price tag.

Why people love it:

• Affordable detached homes

• Strong community feel

• Great amenities (restaurants, rec centres, shops)

• Fantastic for young families

Airdrie feels like Calgary’s northern extension — just easier and more relaxed.

🌄 2. Okotoks

Best for: Families, nature-lovers, and anyone wanting a slower pace.
Drive to Calgary: ~15–25 minutes

Okotoks has serious charm.
Gorgeous foothill views, well-run schools, walkable paths, and a true small-town heart — all while being a quick hop to south Calgary.

Why people love it:

• Scenic views and natural beauty

• Great school system

• Tight-knit community

• Family-focused lifestyle

It’s where people go when they want space, peace, and room to grow.

⛰ 3. Cochrane

Best for: Mountain lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and families.
Drive to Calgary: ~20–35 minutes

If you want that “mountain lifestyle” without Banff or Canmore prices, Cochrane is the sweet spot.
The scenery is stunning, the communities are modern, and you’re minutes away from some of Alberta’s best outdoor recreation.

Why people love it:

• Mountain views

• Affordable compared to Canmore/Banff

• Huge growth in new neighbourhoods

• Charming downtown + river pathways

Perfect for outdoorsy families and remote workers.

🌊 4. Chestermere

Best for: Lake lovers, families, and those wanting the best of city + suburb.
Drive to Calgary: 5–15 minutes

Chestermere is a lake town just minutes from Calgary.
Yes — an actual lake. Paddleboarding, lakefront paths, summer events, and a whole community centred around the water.

Why people love it:

• Lake living (!!)

• Large family homes

• Quick commute to Calgary

• Great recreation options

If you love summer and want a resort-style vibe close to the city — this is your town.

🌾 5. Balzac / Rural Rocky View

Best for: Acreage seekers, space lovers, and those wanting quiet but not isolation.
Drive to Calgary: 10–25 minutes

This area gives you the peacefulness of country living with the conveniences of the city.
Acreages, big skies, quiet nights — and yes, Costco is still close enough to keep your sanity intact.

Why people love it:

• Acreage lifestyle

• Privacy + quiet

• Space for kids, pets, horses, hobbies

• Still close to major amenities

It’s the perfect compromise for people wanting more land without giving up convenience.

💡 Which Suburb Is Right for You?

Here’s the truth:
There is no “best” suburb — there’s only the one that best fits your lifestyle.

Ask yourself:

• How important is commute time?

• Do you want walkability or wide-open space?

• Do you prioritize schools?

• Do you want lake access? Mountain access? Acreage?

• What style of home are you dreaming of?

This is where working with someone who knows all these areas really matters. (Hi 👋)

📩 Want My Full Calgary Relocation Suburb Guide?

I created a detailed guide that includes:
✔ Commute times
✔ Price ranges
✔ Community demographics
✔ School options
✔ Amenities
✔ Pros & cons
✔ Who each suburb is best for

💬 DM “SUBURBS” and I’ll send it directly to you.

❓ FAQ

Q: Are these areas more affordable than Calgary?
A: Generally yes, depending on the community — but lifestyle is usually the bigger factor.

Q: Which area is best for families?
A: Airdrie, Okotoks, and Cochrane are top choices.

Q: Which suburb has the best access to the mountains?
A: Cochrane — hands down.

Q: Which is best for acreage living?
A: Balzac / Rural Rocky View.

Q: Which has the fastest commute to Calgary?
A: Chestermere.

📚 Related Reading

• 🏡 Why Everyone’s Moving to Calgary in 2025 — And Not Just for the Oil Jobs

• 🌆 Calgary vs Vancouver: What $1M Really Buys You in 2025

• 🚗 Costco, Coffee & Commuting: What It’s Really Like Living in Northwest Calgary

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

For the first time in a while, Calgary buyers actually have choices — more listings, more variety, and more time to compare.
And while this is great for buyers… it’s a wake-up call for sellers.

Because the strategies that worked when the market was red-hot?
They don’t work anymore.

Here are the top mistakes Calgary sellers are making right now — and what you should do instead so your home sells fast, clean, and for the strongest price possible.

❌ 1. Thinking Their Home Will “Sell Itself”

This one hurts, but it’s true:
In 2021–2023, homes sold in spite of their condition.
In 2025?
Buyers notice everything now.

They’re comparing:
✔ brightness
✔ updates
✔ cleanliness
✔ staging
✔ layout
✔ photos
✔ price
✔ online presentation

If your home doesn’t instantly pass the “this feels good” test, buyers simply swipe to the next listing.

THE FIX:
Staging, decluttering, cleaning, light updates, curb appeal, and professional photography are non-negotiable now.

❌ 2. Pricing Based on Emotion… Not the Market

I hear it every week:
“But my neighbour sold for…”
“My home has more memories…”
“We’ll just test the market at this price…”

Overpricing is the #1 way to miss your buyer in a high-inventory market.
Buyers are educated, their agents are educated, and the stats don’t lie.

When you overprice, you don’t ‘test’ the market — you eliminate your audience.

THE FIX:
Price based on today’s market data — not last year’s sale, not emotion, and definitely not hope.

❌ 3. Weak Online Marketing

Buyers start online. Period.
They don’t book showings for:
– dark iPhone photos
– cluttered rooms
– unclear descriptions
– mediocre presentation

In 2025, online impression = everything.

Your listing needs to:
✔ grab attention
✔ look elevated
✔ showcase lifestyle
✔ tell a story
✔ stand out from similar homes

THE FIX:
Professional staging + photography + elevated listing copy + digital marketing.
Not optional — essential.

❌ 4. Ignoring the Competition

Your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Buyers are comparing your home to every similar listing in your price range… and the best value wins.

If your home looks dated, overpriced, or poorly presented compared to another option, buyers will choose the other one — even if your home is technically “worth” the same.

THE FIX:
Know your competition, and position your home as the strongest option.
This is where strategy = results.

❌ 5. Assuming “More Options” Means They Can Relax

This is the biggest myth.
Balanced or rising inventory doesn’t mean sellers can coast.
It means the sellers who prepare win.
And the sellers who don’t… sit.

The homes that stand out still sell fast and strong.
The ones that don’t?
They get overlooked — and start chasing the market downward.

THE FIX:
A strategic, intentional listing plan.
(Which you already know is my specialty 😉)

🌟 What Smart Sellers Do Instead

2025’s best-performing sellers follow the formula:
✔ price strategically
✔ stage and prep
✔ use strong online marketing
✔ stay competitive with similar listings
✔ adjust quickly based on feedback
✔ work with a REALTOR® who actually strategizes, not just lists

In a shifting market, presentation + pricing + positioning = your competitive edge.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Strategy Wins in 2025

Buyers having more options doesn’t mean sellers lose.
It just means the sellers who show up properly get rewarded.

Homes that are:
✨ priced well
✨ staged well
✨ marketed well
✨ positioned well

…still sell fast, still sell strong, and still attract motivated buyers.

If you want to avoid the common pitfalls and launch your listing with confidence, I’ve put together a free 2025 Seller Strategy Guide — pricing tips, staging checklists, marketing essentials, and what today’s buyers REALLY care about.

💬 Comment or DM “SELL SMART” and I’ll send it to you.

❓ FAQ

Q: Do I need staging even in a busier market?
A: Yes — more than ever. Staged homes consistently sell faster and for more.

Q: Should I do renovations before listing?
A: Only the strategic ones. Small updates outperform big renos.

Q: What is the biggest factor buyers comment on?
A: Cleanliness, lighting, and overall “feel.”

Q: Is pricing low a good strategy?
A: Pricing right is the strategy. Low or high without intention doesn’t work.

📚 Related Reading

• 💥 Inventory Just Exploded in Calgary — Here’s How Smart Sellers Are Still Winning

• 🏡 Selling a Detached Home in 2025? Here’s Your Competitive Edge

• 🧠 Detached or Condo? The Surprising Shift in Calgary’s 2025 Market

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

If you’re thinking about moving from BC or Ontario to Calgary…
first of all — welcome.
Second — prepare to be shocked by how far your money actually goes here.

Because what $700,000 buys you in Calgary vs Vancouver or Toronto?
Two completely different realities.
Like… borderline comedic levels of different. 😂

Let’s break it down.

🏡 Calgary: $700,000 Buys You an Actual Home

At this price point, Calgary buyers get options. Real, tangible, square-footage-you-can-walk-around-in options.

Here’s what $700K typically gets you in Calgary:
✔ A detached home
✔ 3–4 bedrooms
✔ A double garage (your truck will thank you)
✔ A yard where your dog can do zoomies
✔ Family-friendly neighbourhoods
✔ Finished basements, bonus rooms, larger kitchens
✔ Space — glorious, glorious space

In Calgary, $700K is a comfortable move-up price or a strong family-home budget.
You’re not compromising; you’re choosing.

🏙️ BC or Ontario: $700,000 Buys You… a Condo

Listen, no shade.
Vancouver and Toronto are incredible cities with incredible food, culture, and scenery.

But $700K?
Well…

Here’s what you’re likely getting:
✔ 1–2 bedroom condo
✔ 500–700 sq ft
✔ High condo fees
✔ No garage
✔ No yard
✔ Neighbours who are very close
✔ A storage locker if you’re lucky

It’s not bad — it’s just tight.
And if you're moving with kids, pets, gear, or dreams of a home office…
that square footage fills up fast.

📏 The Square Footage Reality

Let’s put this into perspective:

Calgary — approx. 1,600–2,200 sq ft

Big kitchen, multiple bedrooms, storage, yard, basement.

Vancouver / Toronto — approx. 550–700 sq ft

Open-concept living room/kitchen/office/gym/dining room (all the same room).

Same budget.
Different lives.

💸 It’s Not About “Better” — It’s About Fit

This isn’t about saying one province is better than another.
BC has the ocean.
Ontario has major industries and events.
Calgary has mountains, sunshine, space, affordability, and a booming economy.

What matters is:
Which lifestyle fits your goals, family, work, and budget?

And for many people — especially remote workers, families, and first-time buyers —
Calgary is where life becomes possible again.

🧭 Lifestyle Differences That Matter

People relocating often tell me:

“I didn’t realize how stressed I was until I moved here.”

Here’s why:

✨ Shorter commutes
✨ Slower pace
✨ More space
✨ Lower costs
✨ Safe, friendly communities
✨ Access to nature
✨ More financial breathing room

Calgary gives people their quality of life back.

🧮 Cost of Living: A Quick Comparison

While everyone’s situation is different, the overall trend is clear:

Calgary

• Lower home prices
• Lower property taxes
• Lower insurance
• Lower everyday cost of living
• Less pressure, more balance

BC / Ontario

• Higher housing costs
• Higher taxes & fees
• Higher living expenses
• Less space for the same budget

This is why so many people are choosing Alberta — smart financial planning meets real lifestyle benefits.

🧳 Who Moves to Calgary for $700K?

I work with relocators every month, and this is who I see the most:

• Young families upgrading from a condo

• First-time homebuyers tired of renting

• Remote workers seeking affordability

• Couples wanting space for pets, hobbies, or future kids

• Professionals priced out of BC & Ontario markets

• People looking for better balance, community & lifestyle

If you want space, stability, and value, Calgary delivers.

📩 Want My Full $700K Comparison Guide?

I built a detailed guide showing:
✔ Real Calgary listings at $700K
✔ Examples from BC and Ontario
✔ Price-per-square-foot breakdown
✔ Photos + floorplan comparisons
✔ Neighbourhood suggestions
✔ Lifestyle considerations
✔ Relocation tips for families & professionals

DM “700K GUIDE” and I’ll send it to you directly.

❓ FAQ

Q: Is $700K enough for a detached home in Calgary?
A: Absolutely — and a good one. Many great neighbourhoods fall in this range.

Q: What about new builds?
A: Yes — many new build communities offer detached options near or under $700K.

Q: What if I want a townhouse instead?
A: You’ll get a gorgeous one for far less than BC/Ontario prices.

Q: Are people really moving from BC & Ontario?
A: Yes — in record numbers. It’s one of the strongest migration trends in Canada.

📚 Related Reading

• 💸 Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Calgary? Here’s the 2025 Reality Check

• 🏡 Calgary vs Vancouver: What $1M Really Buys You in 2025

• 💡 Why Everyone’s Moving to Calgary in 2025 — And Not Just for the Oil Jobs

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.