Updated for 2026: This guide has been refreshed to help you compare towns, acreages, and counties in Central Alberta, with direct links to our location-specific building guides.
If you’re planning a custom home, one of the biggest decisions is where to build. Location impacts your daily lifestyle, commute, utilities, costs, and even what you can build on your lot. This page brings together our “Things to Know” and “Reasons to Build” guides so you can explore your options in one place.
Not sure where to start? You can also read our general planning guide on things to consider before building a custom home.
Explore Our Central Alberta Building Guides
- Town and community guides (utilities, bylaws, lifestyle, services)
- Acreage and county guides (privacy, land, zoning, long-term flexibility)
- How to choose the right location
- Next steps with Thomas Built Homes
Town and Community Guides
These guides focus on practical considerations like local services, permits, lifestyle, and what it’s like to live in each area day to day.
Near Calgary and commuter-friendly
- Building a home in Cochrane Great for families who want mountain access and town amenities while staying within reach of Calgary.
- Building a home in Airdrie A larger community with strong services, growth, and straightforward access to Calgary and the airport.
- Building a home in Irricana Small-town calm with practical proximity to larger centres and regional services.
Central Alberta towns with small-town pace
- Building a home in Carstairs Ideal for families who want more space, a quieter pace, and quick access to bigger centres.
- Building a custom home in Olds A strong small-town community with services, recreation, and unique local utility advantages.
- Building a custom home in Sundre A gateway community with outdoor lifestyle appeal, seasonal considerations, and a relaxed pace.
Prairie communities and wide-open living
- Building a home in Three Hills Prairie living with a community-focused feel and practical planning around utilities and lifestyle.
- Building a home in Linden Quiet rural living in Kneehill County, with affordability and a strong community foundation.
Distinct landscapes and weekend-destination towns
- Building a home in Water Valley A foothills lifestyle with wildlife considerations and a more self-sufficient acreage mindset.
- Building a home in Drumheller Badlands terrain with unique site and design considerations, plus services and lifestyle planning.
Acreage and County Guides
If you want more space, privacy, and flexibility, these guides are built around acreage living, long-term planning, and land-based considerations.
- Reasons to build an acreage in Mountain View County Customization, land freedom, shops and garages, lifestyle, and long-term value considerations.
- Reasons to build an acreage in Rocky View County Privacy with proximity to Calgary, services, recreation, taxes, and long-term acreage planning.
- Building a custom home in Bearspaw A premium rural lifestyle close to Calgary, with utilities, bylaws, and land planning to consider.
How to Choose the Right Location
When you compare towns and acreages, the “best” place usually depends on your priorities. Here are a few practical filters that help homeowners decide faster:
- Commute and routine: How often do you need to be in Calgary, Airdrie, or other centres?
- Utilities and infrastructure: Are you building in-town services, or planning for well, septic, and longer utility runs?
- Lot type and lifestyle: Do you want neighbours nearby, or acreage privacy and space?
- Long-term plans: Think about future kids, hobbies, shops, garages, outbuildings, and aging-in-place needs.
- Budget allocation: Some locations let your home budget go further, while others trade cost for proximity or views.
If you already know you want a custom build but you’re still choosing a community, this hub page lets you compare options quickly. If you have a location in mind, jump into the specific guide above and use it as your planning checklist.
Next Steps With Thomas Built Homes
At Thomas Built Homes, we build throughout Central Alberta and understand the practical differences between towns, counties, and rural parcels. Whether you are planning a fully custom design or exploring a thoughtfully designed “Move-In Ready” option, every home we build is backed by our New Home Warranties.
Want to see examples of our work? Visit our client homes page.
If you’re ready to talk about locations, lots, timelines, or next steps, contact Thomas Built Homes and we’ll help you plan a build that fits your lifestyle and your land.
