Ten minutes south of Calgary in the town of Okotoks, homebuyers and builders continue to buck the regional trend of declining housing starts.

In fact, the growing town of just over 29,000 people (based on the 2018 civic census) saw an increase in housing starts in 2019 that is expected to continue into 2020, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

It's not uncommon for those who make the move from the "big city" to the idyllic shores of Lake Chestermere to never look back.

Take, for example, Colleen and Mathew Jones.

Known for its forward-thinking environmental initiatives and long-term sustainability plans, Okotoks is once again showcasing some outside-the-box thinking.

Despite market setbacks and price drops in nearby Calgary, the Okotoks housing market managed to emerge relatively unscathed from 2018.

Okotoks REALTOR® Alison Marshall says there is still strong demand for the amenities and small-town charm inherent to the Okotoks lifestyle.