The great outdoors

Long-time Canmore resident's mountain-lifestyle love affair continues with new Spring Creek condo

Jeff Taylor is a vibrant outdoor enthusiast who loves to ski, hike, bike and race cars. He's lived in Canmore for close to 20 years and can't say enough about the mountain lifestyle.

When he began his home finding mission, he knew that he would confine his search to the Bow Valley. He was looking to purchase a one-bedroom plus den condominium with a great view, one that was big enough to store all of his sporting toys and within walking distance of the quaint stores, pubs and restaurants on Canmore's lively main street. He found exactly what he was looking for at Creekstone Mountain Lodge in the master-planned community of Spring Creek.

His new home features jaw-dropping views and offers a lock-and-leave lifestyle with an owners' lounge, a private courtyard with an outdoor garden and hot tub, and a fitness room. A rock fireplace, wood floors and a gourmet kitchen sweetened the deal even further for Taylor.

CREB®Now: You've been living in Canmore since 1999. What do you love about it?

Jeff Taylor: Last June, I was laid off from my job at IBM and I had this epiphany that I didn't have to stay in Canmore, that I could go anywhere. But what I realized was that I love the Bow Valley and Canmore specifically. I enjoy the fresh air. I enjoy the scenery. I really enjoy the lifestyle and the people. I love the town – it is big enough, but it is not too big and it's got everything. And obviously I love the mountains – I ski, I hike, I bike. I plan on staying in Canmore right through my retirement years.

CREB®Now: Can you speak to Canmore's accessibility?

Jeff Taylor: I was born and raised in Montreal and I lived in Toronto for 20 years, where I commuted every day from Orangeville to Markham – it's a horrendous commute. When IBM transferred me to Calgary in 1999, I knew that I would be living in Canmore, because I loved the town. Initially, I commuted into Calgary and it was easy, hardly any traffic and took less than an hour. It was essentially nothing after living in Toronto.

In Canmore, I can walk everywhere ... All of the outdoor activities are either right on the doorstep or a really short drive away. And now I work in Canmore, so it's a quick five-minute commute. It's perfect.

In Canmore, I can walk everywhere. The main street is a five-minute walk from Creekstone Lodge and there are pathways that connect to the town system for hiking, walking and biking. All of the outdoor activities are either right on the doorstep or a really short drive away. And now I work in Canmore, so it's a quick five-minute commute. It's perfect.

CREB®Now: Did you spend a long time looking for the right home?

Jeff Taylor: I knew the community of Spring Creek quite well. When I was married, I had owned a home in the area and then afterwards, I rented a condominium in Spring Creek for a while. I knew that Spring Creek had this great sense of community. There is always something going on – bike rides, pub nights, nature walks. That appeals to me greatly. It's a community of many demographics – families, retired people, singles, couples, everything.

I had looked around the town of Canmore quite a bit for a condominium, but when the one-bedroom plus den unit became available in Creekstone Lodge, I jumped on it. It ended my search right away. It was exactly the right size and it was on the fourth floor with this incredible terrace the full length of the home. It has this amazing view of the Three Sisters. I'm really looking forward to that.

Plus, it has great underground parking. I ended up with a tandem stall as part of my purchase. I am really big into car racing. It's one of my hobbies and I own two racecars, so it worked out really well.

Tagged: Buyer Profile | Canmore | Spring Creek | Surrounding Areas