Located just a 2.5-hour drive from the bustling city of Calgary, Alberta, I frequently receive questions from people contemplating a transition from urban living to mountain life. My quick answer is always YES, moving to Golden is a great idea! After living here for 13 years, I am confident I can offer families some insight as to why the move will be worth it. If you are looking to move here full-time or to invest in a property for weekend getaways, I hope this blog provides some insights and helps guide you to the best decision for your family.
Being Outside & Exploring Nature
In Golden, outdoor adventures are not just reserved for the weekends; they are a way of life. Our family spends almost all of our time outside! Quick evening mountain bike rides, or visiting Cedar Lake for a swim or paddle, we enjoy everything this town has to offer. When winter arrives, we ski, snowmobile, cross-country ski and once again spend almost all of our extra time outside! It’s really unlike anywhere, even if your family is not into skiing, the weather and beautiful snow provide such an amazing environment. Every season brings something new here. Spring hikes look different than fall hikes, you can find some that are 1km long or others that are 10 km or longer, it really depends on what your family enjoys.
I can’t leave out shoulder season – as a local who has lived here for 13 years – the months when the tourists aren’t here are something our family enjoys too. It’s quiet and we hit up the normally busy tourist spots during this time, like the Sky Bridge, to avoid the crowds and to hang out with our local friends. Although we love the busy season & appreciate the tourists – it is nice during the months of April + October to enjoy the calmness of the town. I can’t say it enough – if you are looking to raise a family where being outside and in nature is important – Golden is a great place, and it’s a gift that I don’t take for granted.
Community Connections & Safety
In Golden, neighbours aren’t just faces you pass by, they are friends you share life’s journey with. Many of us enjoy similar activities and many of us moved here for the quiet and small-town experience. With a population of under 7,000, it’s common to know the parents of any child you see at the park, enhancing the town’s sense of safety and connection. Connection creates community, and community provides a safe place for kids to grow up. The sense of camaraderie in Golden is evident. For families, this means more than just safety, it means a sense of belonging, of knowing that you are surrounded by people who genuinely care about you and your children. Golden feels like home to anyone who moves here and because we are so connected – we look out for one another.
The gift of living in a tourist town
Our family loves all that Golden has to offer in nature, and if you like to do things that don’t involve hiking, biking or putting a helmet on – there’s lots of that too. If you are thinking of moving here, it is a great place to be in nature but we also have the gift of being a tourist town. Tourists inspire creativity among our locals! Everyone is always thinking outside of the box for new opportunities to serve both locals and tourists and we love that! Tons of creative entrepreneurs & businesses try new things to serve both locals and tourists, we are constantly seeing new creative spots like Camp Moose Trail or Wedge Community Clay.
A slower way of living
Life in Golden is about making the most of every day. The traffic is light, the stores aren’t busy and on Sundays, many of our shops in town are closed. We are seldom stuck in traffic, unless we’re waiting for a deer, and can reach almost any destination within 15 minutes. This is a beautiful gift, when you move here, you get your time back. You don’t have to plan your trips around rush hour or map out hour-long routes – unless it’s to go deep into the woods to hike! The slower way of living in Golden gives our family the time and space to be together & bond. Even the schools focus on practical learning and teach our kids the importance of time freedom and nature. Our kids have gone to the river to watch the salmon, and often go on hikes rather than play in the gymnasium, this is amazing for our young family. Time is valuable and you can’t get it back, so enjoy the slower way of living this mountain town offers. Whether you are new to Golden or have been here for years, people respect time boundaries and know that when we get a dump of snow, some of us may be on the ski hill rather than in the office at 9 am. I say this and truly feel it. I feel that Golden is geared towards nurturing happy, healthy families.
If you’re considering moving your family to Golden and have any questions, please reach out. As a mom, real estate professional, and active community member, I’m confident I can provide valuable insights.
Text me anytime: 236-304-4955 or contact me via email!
Together, let’s embark on a journey to discover the unparalleled joys of family life in Golden.
