
Airdrie is located North of Calgary. A bedroom community, many Airdrie residents commute to Calgary for work. Being North of Calgary, travel to Edmonton is also shorter.
Airdrie has over 140km of pathways and a canal system; a pretty town.
Airdrie's Genesis Place offers 2 NHL size rinks, a pool (leisure pool, waterslide, lap pool, hot tub), indoor and outdoor soccer fields, 2 full sized gyms, large fitness centre, outdoor 400m track.
There is a golf course in the NW of Airdrie, and many within driving distance.
Airdrie offers plenty of shopping options and is close to Cross Iron Mills shoppping mall.
Chestermere is located directly to the East of Calgary. Chestermere lake is a man-made reservoir 5km long and about 700m wide with three lakeside parks: Anniversary Park, Cove Park, and Sunset Park accessible to the public. Chestermere does a great community job with clearing snow and flooding outdoor ice on the lake.
Cochrane is located NW of Calgary. Small Town feel; quaint shops, beautiful scenery and many pathways. Swimming - they have a fantastic Rec centre - Spray Lake Sawmills Family Rec Centre. Lake swimming - the closest is likely Ghost Lake, it is very cold (not like swimming in MB). They have run triathlons through that lake in the past. Bonus - very close to the Mountains.
Okotoks is South of Calgary. A beautiful town with the Sheep River running through the middle of town. Okotok's Lions Campground runs along the river. Recreation facilities include rinks and pools.