Red Deer, Alberta

Red Deer has a pleasant amount of everything – it's not too hot, not too cold, not too busy, and not too slow.

The city boomed after the discovery of oil and gas in the 1970s, and although it remains a hub of the oil and agricultural industries, it is surrounded by nature (the locals are keen to preserve the beauty of the city and its surrounding areas). Living here, you will likely get to know people by name, not to mention having the neighbors over for dinner – all in short order.

Located between Edmonton and Calgary, Red Deer has a population of 85,000 – and most of them are pretty friendly people. Take a retail pharmacist I know – when he moved to Red Deer from overseas, the locals went out of their way to make him feel welcome. His manager let him stay at his home until he found an apartment and other people he met showed him around the city and helped him get set up in Canada. You don't find people like that everywhere, but you find lots of them in Red Deer.

Not only is the city friendly, it's also good-looking. The Red Deer River runs through the middle of the town, and the municipality was named the provincial champion in 2003 for its gardens, green areas, community involvement, and cleanliness. To pass the time alone or with friends, try out fishing, boating, kayaking and skating (great activities on the river). Or inland, try baseball, soccer, picnicking, golf, and horseshoeing … or join the local sports leagues. When it's the warmer season, pull out your lawn chair and listen to the special events in the park pavilion at Bower Ponds.

Of course, this type of city living also has its conveniences. You are a mere 70-minute drive from an airport, but you don't have to listen to the planes loudly roaring overhead. And Red Deer has more than 120 restaurants with everything from snack bars and pubs to fine dining. Likewise, there's a nice variety of shopping, from outlet stores to boutiques. There are also walking and hiking trails, a nature center, a discovery canyon, and ski areas, where you and the kids can have fun. And then, when you want to get away from the kids, there is the golf course. Ahh – everything in moderation!

If you want to embark on your own balanced lifestyle, consider moving to Red Deer. With a little of everything for everyone, we know you'll like it here … everyone else does.

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