Moving to Canmore

Moving to Canmore, Alberta!

Thinking about moving to Canmore, but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place! Today, I’d like to break down a few things for anyone looking at a move to this incredible mountain town to learn about. As a longtime local to Canmore and the Bow Valley, I’ve spent my years here hiking, biking, dining and making a lifetime of friends. I can promise you that if you do choose to make the move here, you positively won’t regret it!

In this post, we will explore:

• Amazing Activities
• Key Local places
• Meeting people
• How to get around
• Where to find work
• Where to find a place to live

Amazing Lifestyle & Activities!

Are you interested in getting the most out of life that it has to offer? If you like skiing, snowboarding, climbing, hiking, cycling, camping, canoeing, kayaking, photography, running, or any mix of these activities, Canmore is for you. Our community boasts and outsized number of athletes – many of which are Olympians. We actually have the largest contingent of winter Olympians in the country!

Here in the Rockies, all summer long you can step out your door and get on your bike. Whether you’re hitting steep mountain trails, or winding quiet roads, there is no end to the terrain! When winter comes around, grab a few friends and hit one of our three world-class ski hills (with so many more within easy driving distance as well). Camp in the majesty of the back country, or snowshoe into beautiful meadows to capture photos of resting elk. There is never a shortage of exciting things to do in the mountains!

Key Local Places

(Unfortunately) We can’t always be off in the backcountry hitting steep lines on our skis! Thats no worry at all though, as Canmore has so many great local places to rest, recharge and relax in between adventures.

Canmore Elevation Place

Elevation Place is the beating heart of Canmore for so many locals! It boasts a fitness centre, stretching & cardio rooms, full lap pool, water park, hot tub, steam room, a cafe, art gallery, AND – a massive indoor climbing gym! Get a day pass, or a monthly recurring membership at affordable rates. Decorated with local art and filled with local people, Elevation Place is such a wonderful place for friends and family to enjoy.

Canmore Public Library

I love the Library! There, I said it. The Canmore Public Library is conveniently located within Elevation Place. With stacks and stacks of books and movies, there is no shortage of materials on site. Don’t have what you’re looking for? With just a few clicks, via their website you can search for books in nearly every library in Alberta. Talk about knowledge at your fingertips! The library also has computers and printers for public use, plus great activities and reading groups for families and children. Yay!

Main Street Downtown & Grocery Shopping

This is the shopping heart of Canmore! Tons of great stores dot our cute main street from end to end. Be it home decor at Stonewaters, all the way to local fresh-pressed juice at Mountain Juice Cafe, main street has it all! If you’re looking for groceries, head up to Railway Avenue where you’ll find Save On Foods and Safeway. Be sure to hit the first Tuesday of each month for a 10%-15% locals discount!

Meeting People when you move to Canmore

This is something people are always nervous about when they move to a new place! Meeting people can be hard, especially if you’re new to the town, province or country. The beautiful thing about Canmore (and the Bow Valley in general) is that very few residents were born and raised here. This is becoming less so as more families raise children here, but for the most part, everyone was new here once! (Even me!) The best way to meet people is to head out and do the activities you love, keeping an open mind to others you meet on the trails. Facebook groups are a great way to network with like-minded people. Connecting with other new people where you work is also a fantastic way to make lifelong friends. Put yourself out there!

How to Get Around in Canmore

Canmore is a relatively small community, so I would always advise walking or riding your bike whenever you can! We also have a great public transit bus system here in the valley (Roam Transit), which can get you nearly anywhere you need to go. With buses heading all over town, and even to Banff (and on to Lake Louise!) you can always get where you’re going. Having a car in town is easy as well, with plenty of on-street parking. Try Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace for a cheap vehicle option, or one of our local dealerships for a vehicle in better shape.

Where to Find Work when moving to Canmore

I would always recommend securing a job before moving anywhere, but life can be unpredictable! With a strong economy based in tourism, Canmore usually has plenty of jobs on offer. The town is also actively trying to expand its economy into technology, manufacturing, and innovation. If you’re a founder, come here! Great places to find local jobs include the Rocky Mountain Outlook and the Crag and Canyon, both free local papers. Pick up a copy anywhere in town, and stroll down main street or Bow Valley trail to check for help wanted signs in restaurants and hotels.

Where to find a Place to Live in Canmore

This is another piece of the puzzle I always recommend figuring out before you arrive! Whether you plan to be here for a summer, or the rest of your life, everyone needs a place to hang their hat. While some jobs provide staff accommodation (an arrangement where they house you through work), not all do. The rental market can be tough to navigate with so many options, and potential scammers more abundant than ever. Buying a property can be a great option to start or keep building equity in one of the best real estate markets in Canada. It’s so important to have a trusted REALTOR on your side looking out for your best interests and helping to find the best home for you.

If you’re considering a move to Canmore, please feel free to call, text or email me regarding a property rental or purchase. I’d love to help you find the mountain home of your dreams, and pride myself on the level of service I provide to my clients. Let’s make your dream a reality!

Moving to Canmore!

If you have any questions at all about moving to Canmore or life here in the Canadian Rockies, I’m always available to chat! I love talking to new people and sharing the best of what our Valley has to offer. Whether you have questions about housing, activities, wildlife or the rental market, I’m happy to help anyway I can. I hope to see you in Canmore soon!

Cheers!

Like this post? Check out some of my other articles to learn more:

How to find the BEST Canmore Houses for Sale!

Canmore Buyer Agent – Dan McGuire