Where to live: Ft Sask vs. Sherwood Pk.

[Q-DawgVFR]

There's a very strong possibility that I will get a new job in Fort Saskatchewan during the next couple of months. (Just waiting for confirmation at the moment.) I will need to relocate from my current home in Olds. I'm reasonably familiar with the area already, but could use some advice on where to live.

Which community would you pick and why?

As I see it so far, there are advantages / disadvantages to both:

Fort Saskatchewan is closer to work and makes for a shorter day. Has all of the amenities our family requires, and a little bit smaller feel to it. Houses seem to be somewhat limited in selection, and seem to cost a little bit more money to get something that meets our family's needs. There seems to be older homes and nearly new homes for sale, with not much in between. I'm a little wary of purchasing a home built during the recent boom years, as I currently live in a home which has a few shortcomings related to the way it was carelessly slapped together by a builder who didn't care.

Sherwood Park is a little further of a drive, but selection of homes seems to be much better. More houses from pre-2000 to choose from with larger lots and more homes with RV parking, which I require. I'm not fond of longer commute, but if I buy something on the NE corner, it should not add much inconvenience drving through town to get to / from work. I lose a bit of the "town" feeling here, but let's face it; neither community is small anymore. A few more businesses and services in Sherwood Park. Wife would have a little bit more choice on work locations, as she is an RN and could choose a hospital in any direction to work at, but she already has some experience at Grey Nuns.

Looking for some opinions on which place you would choose and why. Interested in how you perceive both communities in general. Any differences in culture between the two? Which has better schools, etc?

Sorry to post here and burden you guys with this, but this is a heavy decision for me and I want to know I am making the right choice.

[Vulcan]

Re: Where to live: Ft Sask vs. Sherwood Pk.

Having just moved a month ago from Calgary to Edmonton I faced a similar choice as you....My first thought was Sherwood Park and I checked out some real estate people there. From looking through the listings and talking with the agents it was clear that it was big $$. They basically told me that the bottom end was $400K but for that you got a real dog. Even moving up into the $500K range didn't get me anything close to what I had in Calgary. I ended up buying a place in Edmonton for approx $100K less than it would have cost me in Sherwood Park. What about looking in NE Edmonton as it would be basically the same drive as from the Park or even Morinville area? Good luck...moving is a stressful time.