“More and more in recent times, there are a number of people in their early 50s. Fifteen years ago, we very seldom had a purchaser under 65.

 For some of the buyers in their early 50s, the kids are gone and they have no reason to have the house and yard anymore. Also, a lot of people are retiring younger now. They have the money and freedom to travel.
“For the most part, people who move into our complexes stay. They come right out and tell you they intend this to be their last move. There is not a big turnover in our developments.”

Calvanna Village Okotoks is an apartment-style condominium project that will house 144 units when it’s finished. The development consists of three phases, each phase having 48 units. The first phase will include a resident’s clubhouse with a fireplace, bar, library, and big screen TV and will provide the perfect setting for a variety of social functions.

A three-story structure of siding and brick, individual units will range from 750 square feet (one-bedroom) to 1120 square feet (two-bedroom). One-bedroom units consist of a living room/dining area, one bathroom, and laundry space. All of the two-bedroom units have two bathrooms. Some of the features include in-floor heating, heated underground parking, and storage. Maple or oak cabinets are standard.

The project is located right across the street from major shopping that includes Safeway, banks, restaurants, and a drug store. It also faces a well-established seniors’ complex, to which all Calvanna Village owners will have access to as members.

“Our typical buyer wants to downsize and live in a facility where other people have the same interest, where they can make new friends and socialize,” says Funk. “People want a maintenance-free lifestyle, and they’re moving for the companionship.”

Buyers come from Okotoks, High River, DeWinton, and Calgary – those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city living. Okotoks still has a small town atmosphere but with all the same amenities of the city. From Shawnessy Shopping Centre, Okotoks is only 15 minutes. It might take a city dweller 15 minutes to reach a major shopping center, unless they happen to live beside it.

“From past experience, a number of our typical residents are either widows or widowers. Some of them are lonely. The older most people get, the more difficult it becomes to make new friends. In an environment such as this, it’s pretty difficult not to make really good friends. That’s what a lot of people come for. It’s also easy to travel. They just lock the door and go. They feel secure. You don’t have to worry about the lawn or snow removal. It’s all done for you.”

While Okotoks doesn’t have public transportation, they do have a subsidized taxi service. Anyone over 60 just has to register at the town office to be eligible to take a taxi anywhere in Okotoks for only $2. The town pays the rest. Even travel to Calgary is subsidized.

Funk adds, there is a financial incentive for buyers to consider. “Right now, we are in the pre-sale stage and offering a $3,000 early bird incentive.” For more information, call the sales center at 938-6022.