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        <title>Edmonton Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/2021-06/</link>
        <description>Welcome to the Edmonton Real Estate Blog - We will keep you up to date on the Edmonton Real Estate market with the most current news and market trends.</description>
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        <author>info@edmontonrealestate.ca (EdmontonRealEstate .ca)</author>
        <title>Edmonton Driving &amp; Commute Times - Things to Know</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


When moving into one of the new luxury homes or condos available in Edmonton, it's important to understand the local driving conditions. After all, driving to and from work, stores, outdoor activities, school, and more are an integral part of everyday life. Below, learn more about major roadways, rush hour, parking, and helpful tips that make driving in the Edmonton community more enjoyable.


Get to Know Edmonton's Major Roads




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Because Edmonton is a larger city, it has many major roads. Starting in the North, 82 Street and 97 Street are the major arterial roads. 82 Street is the main route out of downtown to northern neighbourhoods. On the other hand, 97 Street is the main route in and out of downtown to CFB Edmonton.


In East Edmonton, 17 Street is the main road most residents use. It leads to the newly developing communities and is expected to have more traffic. Additionally, 83 Street and Connors Road connect eastern neighbourhoods to downtown Edmonton.


Looking to the South, the main arterial road is 99 Street. It connects residents with downtown, historical landmarks, and southern neighbourhoods. It has one change along the way, Parson Road.


Moving to the West Edmonton community, residents can use 149 Street and 156 Street. Both connect the western neighbourhoods to downtown. However, 149 Street also connects residents to the northern industrial districts.


Finally, the major road is 101 Street in the downtown Edmonton community, running a true south-north as the farthest-east street in downtown. It also connects to most of the aforementioned major roads.


What to Expect During Rush Hour in Edmonton


During rush hour in Edmonton, drivers can expect a lot of stop-and-go traffic. This means it's even more important to avoid tailgating, especially during winter conditions.


Fortunately, the morning congestion is not too bad. Records show that only an average of 12 of roadways in the city is congested. Furthermore, the congestion typically only lasts from around 7–10 a.m. Monday through Friday. On the other hand, congestion in the evening rush is much worse. Depending on the day and any special events in the city, anywhere from 20 to 40 of roadways can be congested. The congestion starts as early as 3 p.m. and has been known to extend well beyond 6 p.m.


Parking in Edmonton


Despite having traffic during rush hour, parking in Edmonton is fairly simple. Those who live in the city are eligible to apply for residential permits paid for annually, ensuring every registered resident has a parking spot in their zone. However, parking spots are not reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Still, this can alleviate the stress of trying to find parking in busier areas.


The city has plenty of street parking and parkades for non-city residents to use 365 days a year. All parking must be paid, and payments are strictly enforced. With the city's three-strike policy, anyone who received two tickets in the same zone will have their car towed immediately upon the third violation.


The parking rates in Edmonton are fairly priced. On-street parking ranges from $1–$3.50 per hour Monday through Friday and is only $1 on Saturday. Those who prefer to park in a parkade will pay rates varying from $2–$5 per hour Monday through Saturday. All paid parking is free in Edmonton on Sundays and holidays.


In addition to vehicle parking, residents and visitors can take advantage of the numerous free bike parking stations downtown. These are free to use and available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, riders must bring their own locks.


Other Helpful Things to Know


Whether those moving to Edmonton have lived in Alberta their whole life or are brand-new to the province, it never hurts to listen to what others have to say about driving in the area. Specific tips for navigating Edmonton start with using the Park &amp; Ride system. This is an excellent way to commute from one of the new communities near Edmonton. Rather than dealing with morning and evening rush hours, the Park &amp; Ride system allows residents to park in the designated lot and take the bus into the city. It also allows new residents a way to see more of the city without driving alone.


It's almost important to note that Edmonton is known for handing out speeding tickets. There are numerous radars ready to catch speeders. Following the speed limit prevents fines and also ensures everyone is safe on the road throughout the year.


Edmonton regularly has snowfall during the winter, so it's important to know what to expect while driving in winter conditions. If someone has never driven in snow, taking a lesson or two is crucial. The city of Edmonton has also provided winter driving tips that even seasoned winter drivers should keep in mind.


Before winter arrives, an annual vehicle check-up is crucial. This will ensure all fluids are at the correct levels and allows drivers to become aware of early signs of damage. While snow tires are not required in the providence, the city still recommends them on every vehicle.


Every vehicle should also have a safety kit, which can make a huge difference if someone becomes stuck in the snow. The kit should include numerous items, including blankets, extra clothing, warning lights and reflectors, kitty litter or sand for traction, cable boosters, and other survival items.


Finally, residents are always encouraged to clean all of the snow off their vehicles. While this can be a hassle, it ensures maximum visibility at all times while driving. Many parking lots in the city have windshield washing stations to assist with the cleaning process.


Get Out &amp; About in Edmonton


Edmonton's driving conditions may seem intimidating at times, but that doesn't take away how wonderful it is to live here. Between the world-renowned entertainment, shopping, dining, and easy access to outdoor adventures, the rush hour traffic and congestion are a small price to pay. Living in a luxurious Edmonton home means residing in an area where people wait all year to come vacation








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    <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:39:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/school-districts-in-edmonton.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/blog/school-districts-in-edmonton.html</link>
        <author>info@edmontonrealestate.ca (EdmontonRealEstate .ca)</author>
        <title>Edmonton Schools and School Districts: Edmonton, AB Schools Guide</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Education is a cornerstone of opportunity. Few other factors hold more power over the eventual outcomes of our lives than what we have learned. That is why considering a community's education system can be a vital part of deciding if relocating is a good idea. While lake homes and luxury housing are undeniably attractive, the public and university education programs must be part of the decision equation.


Nicknamed &quot;Canada's Festival City,&quot; Edmonton has a current population estimate of about 932,546. With a metro population of 1.3 million residents, it's the sixth-largest area in Canada as of 2016. Here are a few things that future residents should understand about Edmonton's schooling options.


Public School Districts Serving Edmonton


With around 104,930 students as of the school year beginning 2019, the Edmonton school district manages 213 schoolhouses. Like most public schools, they provide instruction for kindergarten through twelfth grade. Approximately 125 of the institutions offer elementary education, while another 27 are dedicated to junior high programs. High schoolers receive education through 14 facilities.


Several institutions provide instruction for mixed grade levels, including 39 combined elementary and junior high programs and five buildings with all grade levels. Another 13 educational programs are provided through specialized facilities spread across the region. The 2017 budget was around $1.161 billion, making it one of the largest districts in the country. A group of nine elected trustees governs the district. Each position is responsible for a separate city ward.


The first schoolhouse in Alberta was built in Edmonton in 1881. It was called the Mckay Avenue School and was also used for public meetings and court proceedings. Interestingly, the community was one of the first school districts within the country to utilize a school-based decision model. By allowing a more decentralized control method, each principal is solely responsible for the individual school. The leaders are provided with the financial resources and authority to make decisions to shape the institution to fit the needs of the students.


The pilot program for this decentralized process began in 1976, and only four years later, it expanded district-wide. Today, the successful method has been piloted in educational institutions throughout the country.


Understanding this school structure is critical for new residents with school-aged youth. Because of the legacy of individualized school programs, each educational centre has evolved into an innovative school of choice model. New students will need to decide which school best suits their interests.


Edmonton Charter Schools


Charter schools in Alberta, Canada, differ from public schools in several ways. Like the public schools in Edmonton, charter schools foster innovation and creative approaches to education. Many schools feature a curriculum, methods, and approaches designed to target a particular group of students. The programs seek to provide these students with skills, knowledge, and experience that may help them maximize their potential.


Charter schools in Alberta are directly managed by the province government, unlike public schools managed by local school boards. Additionally, charter schools are limited in terms of the number of students they may accept, and there can be no more than 15 schools in the province. Unlike private schools, charter schools receive public funding, and as such, there are limitations on the operations. 


Edmonton has three charter schools within its boundaries. Chartered in 1996, the Aurora Academic Charter School provides grades K-9 instruction focused on academic achievement. With a current enrollment of about 800 pupils, more recent renovations have included home economics and science lab facilities. Aurora currently has more than 40 instructors covering middle and elementary education.


The Boyle Street Education Center was chartered in 1995. It's focused on providing basic literacy education to high school-aged students whose education was interrupted by life events. The school hosts about 170 students and features an alternative education model. Teachers generally have smaller class sizes and a different approach for their students.


The third charter school in the area is the Suzuki Charter School, which follows the Suzuki learning method in music. Created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, the philosophy includes teaching music as a language that is native to the learner. The institution was 10 years old when it was chartered in 1995 and features a music-intensive approach to academics. Today, more than 300 students focus on nine different musical instruments.


Edmonton Private Schools


In addition to charter and regular public schools, private schools are another option for parents in Edmonton. The province of Alberta has three different types of private schools.




Registered private schools do not receive government funding and are not required to use certified teachers


Accredited, non-funded private schools do not receive government funding but use certified teachers and a privately selected curriculum


Accredited, funded private schools receive education grants, use certified teachers and administrators, and must use the province approved curriculum




Parents may select private schools based on several factors, including cost, location, class size, and overall philosophy toward learning. For example, West Edmonton Playschool is designed to offer 2- to 4-year-old children a learn-through-play program to prepare them for kindergarten. The school is nonprofit and organized as a parent-cooperative. Rising Scholars Montessori, Inc offers a more flexible approach to learning based on the individual child versus the grade level. Classrooms focus on learning through interactions with full-class and small-group learning exercises.


Progressive Academy provides instruction for grades preschool through 12. School facilities include a technology centre, music rooms, art classrooms, and stages for performances. Students can also be exposed to software coding classes and other STEM initiatives, in addition to crafts and physical exercise programs.


Colleges and Universities Near Edmonton


While school is certainly a part of youth, learning never really stops for adults. Accordingly, Edmonton also has many colleges and universities in the area. The University of Lethbridge has a campus in the community that offers 150 academic programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The academic schools include Arts and Science, Education, Health Science, Management, and Fine Arts.


The University of Alberta also has a campus in the Edmonton area. The school has almost 37,000 students and a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:11. They offer undergraduate students more than 200 programs, with an additional 170 graduate school options.


In addition to these, Grant MacEwan University, Concordia University College of Alberta, and King's University College are other university options. King's University is a smaller college with seven academic programs. Grant MacEwan is another small institution with several area campuses featuring specialties.


Learning In Edmonton


One thing is clear: learning in Edmonton is a continuous journey. The community is clearly committed to advancing the minds of tomorrow and preparing for the careers of today. Residents will find no shortage of mental and academic growth opportunities, whether they live in one of Edmonton's walkable suburbs or a master-planned community.








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    <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2021 06:38:00 -0600</pubDate>
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