Gimme shelter
Shelterbelts provide a variety of benefits for country homeowners
RURAL COMMUNITIES
DONNA BALZER A3
Rodeo Snapshots PAGE A6 Farmland Investment PAGE A7 Embracing Tradition PAGE A8 Community Profile: Springbank PAGE A9
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Calgary-area rural communities offer residents a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city
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“It is about making sure you are prepared for the differences,” she said. “In the country, when you run out of milk, you spend a day without milk. Access to services is just not the same.” She became a “do-it-yourselfer” by necessity, putting up and repairing fences, and figuring out how to manage the well and fix a door. And while the great beauty of an acreage property is “it is less crowded,”
MLS® TOTAL SALES* JUN ’15 – JUN ’17
this can also be its greatest downside, if buyers aren’t prepared for greater isolation. Burwash, who now lives southwest of Nanton, sees many professionals in their 30s and up who were raised in rural areas and want to now offer that lifestyle to their children.
ACREAGEs A3
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contents Donna balzer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Shelterbelts
Buyer Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Ian MacGregor
Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 Rodeo snapshots
Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Farmland investment
Embracing Tradition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8
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Robin Burwash, who has spent most of his life enjoying the rural lifestyle, says many young professionals move to rural homes while still working in the city in order to give their families more space and privacy.
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CODY STUART / CREB®NOW
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s a former farm kid, four-time Canadian bareback champion, and former Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon manager, Robin Burwash has spent almost every day of his life enjoying the rural-lifestyle dream he now sells as a REALTOR®. When he talks of finding space and relaxation amidst the trees and hills of acreage properties around Calgary, it comes from personal experiences. Burwash spent 16 years as a professional bareback rider, and grew up on a farm that eventually became part of the city, not far off of Country Hills Boulevard. During the years he spent working in Calgary with the Stampede, the best moment of his 45-minute commute to his Black Diamond acreage, he says, was crossing the city limits and entering the wide-open space of the country. That love of space is echoed by Allison Wright, who grew up on a Springbank acreage and now lives on a 60-acre property near Cochrane.
Wright, the Calgary Stampede midway programming manager, was five when her family moved from Silver Springs to a property that was, at the time, “far away from the city. “We immediately got horses,” she said. “My dad liked being in the outdoors and it was safe.” She returned to Calgary for university and, with her husband, built a home in Tuscany. But acreage living drew them back, first to Springbank, and then to the Cochrane land they now share with horses, dogs, cats and llamas. “I love the space, the horses are close by and we have amazing views,” she said. “Seeing the mountains is key.” For her two children, growing up without close neighbours meant learning independence – “to be creative, to explore, to spend time with the animals. And we spent more time with them. When they did get together with friends, the time shared was more focused.” Wright also ran the Stampede’s acreage lifestyle show for several years, helping people transition from urban to rural living.
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For CREB®Now
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*All statistics based on monthly data compiled by CREB® via MLS® activity. Includes detached, attached and apartment.
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Incredible walkout bungalow is perfect for families! Three bedrooms on the main floor and over 100K in upgrades over the past few years. Hardwood throughout has been recently refinished (hand planed). Kitchen has cherry cabinets, newer S/S appliances and granite counters. Step out of the nook onto the east facing deck that overlooks the natural reserve. Master bedroom has ensuite with double sinks, jetted tub and glass shower. Main floor laundry has sink and loads of cabinets! Two additional bedrooms and 4-piece bathroom complete the main floor. Walkout basement has infloor heating, rec room, family room with gas FP, 4th bedroom with cheater ensuite (and steam shower), media room and wet bar. Move in by Sept and the kids can walk to their new school! MLS®: C4120455
KAREN SALMON • 403-607-2400 • SOLD@KARENSALMON.COM • FOOTHILLSACREAGES.COM