Stunning scenery and affordable homes make Cochrane a perfect fit for discerning homebuyers

As the warm spring sun crests the eastern horizon, its dazzling rays cast a purple light on the foothills circling Cochrane's western fringe. Below this stunning backdrop, the Bow River sparkles, as it winds its way through the town's core.

The beauty of this quaint town of 30,000 people is one of the things that attracted South African expats Heidi and Allan Lester-Olivier. The couple has lived all over the world, but Canada has always called out to them. In 2012, after spending two years in Houston, they made the trek north to Calgary with three young children in tow, settling in Tuscany.

Once spurred by the discovery of precious natural resources such as gold, silver or oil, the towns around Calgary have found another catalyst for growth.

Driven by relatively high level of affordability in comparison to their big city brethren, buyers in Calgary's surrounding communities snapped up homes at a rate not seen in several years.

The towns around Calgary are often admired for their relaxed pace and laidback lifestyle, but for those in buying or selling a home in Airdrie, Cochrane and Okotoks, the last three months have been anything but.

A result of gains in the single-family homes sector, the three communities all recorded the highest third-quarter sales activity on record.