Best Neighbourhoods in Edmonton: Edmonton, AB Community Living Guide

Located on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta. It's the centre of the Edmonton metropolitan region, with a population of approximately 1.4 million people.

Edmonton is considered a cultural, educational, and government hub. In addition to affordable housing, the city offers a lively arts community, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation. Edmonton is known as "Canada's Festival City" due to its many celebrations year-round.

Edmonton is divided into 375 neighbourhoods located within seven geographic sectors. Its mature area sector, which includes neighbourhoods built out before 1970, is surrounded by six suburban sectors.

There are many reasons for selecting one neighbourhood over another. When people consider relocating to Edmonton, it's important for them to research residential areas to find a neighbourhood that most closely fits their needs. To help you get started, here's a list of popular neighbourhoods in Edmonton.

Strathcona

Located in the University area of Edmonton, Strathcona is considered one of the city's leading cultural centres. The neighbourhood overlooks both Mill Creek Ravine and the North Saskatchewan River. Strathcona is bound on the south by Whyte Avenue, the north by Saskatchewan Drive, the west by 107 Street, and the east by Mill Creek Ravine.

Strathcona is prized for what many describe as the most scenic views in all of Edmonton, forming the backdrop for some of the city's most striking architecture. The neighbourhood is so distinctive, it is said to have its own local culture.

Originally its own community, Strathcona became part of Edmonton in 1912. The neighbourhood derives its name from Lord Strathcona, who served as Hudson's Bay Company governor from 1889 until 1914.

Strathcona's residents benefit from proximity to historic Old Strathcona, as well as the University of Alberta. Strathcona offers residents easy access to downtown Edmonton, in addition to the 25-metre Queen Elizabeth Pool, Whyte Avenue, and other points throughout the city. The average price for a home in Strathcona is about $436,000.

Ritchie

Located in Southeast Edmonton, the Ritchie neighbourhood was developed in 1891 with the rail line along Mill Creek Ravine. The neighbourhood is bound on the north by Whyte Avenue, the south by 72 Avenue, the east by the Mill Creek Ravine, and the west by 100, 101, and 102 Streets.

Ritchie gets its name from the original owner of the Ritchie Mill, Robert Ritchie, who also served as mayor of the City of Strathcona before it became part of Edmonton.

Residents of the Ritchie neighbourhood enjoy easy access to the nightlife of Old Strathcona as well as the Mill Creek Ravine area. Additionally, Whyte Avenue is located near the University of Alberta. Residents are also close to downtown Edmonton via 99 Street.

The neighbourhood's cafés and cycling culture are well-known across the city, earning Ritchie a place among Edmonton's top neighbourhoods. In 2017, the Ritchie Market opened, housing a unique space occupied by several local businesses, including a brewing company, restaurants, and butcher. Ritchie's neighbourhood community league hosts concerts and other events.

Although already well-established, Ritchie is currently going through a period of re-development. The average price for a home is about $395,000.

Bonnie Doon

Bonnie Doon's quiet streets and picturesque surroundings may be the first thing that draws prospective residents to this neighbourhood. But Bonnie Doon isn't just about its charming surroundings. It also offers plenty of modern amenities, including Edmonton's first suburban shopping centre.

The neighbourhood is bordered on the west by Mill Creek Ravine Park and by the Bonnie Doon shopping mall to the east. The area fittingly takes its name from a Robbie Burns poem, a Scottish phrase meaning pleasant, rolling countryside.

Bonnie Doon is home to the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean. The area's culture, its easy access to the valley's parks and trails, along with its central location, make Bonnie Doon a desirable neighbourhood. Its appeal has driven a significant amount of redevelopment. Most of the neighbourhood is zoned for single-family and duplex housing, as well as some row housing or flats of fewer than four units. The transformations experienced by this neighbourhood have resulted in an array of homes featuring architectural styles of many decades. The average list price for a home in Bonnie Doon is about $525,000.

Westmount

Westmount is one of Edmonton's oldest neighbourhoods, rich in history and recognized for its striking, classic homes. This central-west neighbourhood was established in 1910, a product of Edmonton's fast-growing downtown and accessibility to electric streetcars.

The neighbourhood stretches east to 124 Street, south of Stony Plain Road, then over to 121 Street, north of Stony Plain Road. To the west, it stretches to Groat Road, with 111 Avenue defining its northern border. Its southern border is defined by the Groat Ravine and North Saskatchewan Rover Valley.

Nearly 900 homes were built in Westmount prior to the conclusion of World War II, and the area has remained mostly unchanged since the 1980s. With the need to protect the neighbourhood's historic architecture, the Westmount Architectural Heritage Area now encompasses 107 to 111 Avenue and 127 Street to 124 Street.

The neighbourhood's nearly 6,000 residents enjoy a downtown just minutes away that features many speciality boutiques, restaurants, and cafés nestled right in their own neighbourhood. Westmount has a three-block radius of community sporting venues, including a hockey rink, soccer fields, and ball diamonds, along with a water spray park, fitness centre, and cycling and walking trails.

The average list price of a home in Westmount is $507,000.

Crestwood

The Edmonton neighbourhood of Crestwood has the fortune of being bound on three sides by green space. The community is nestled up against the North Saskatchewan River to the east, the McKinnon Ravine to the north, and MacKenzie Ravine to the south. The North Saskatchewan River Valley is a revered feature for residents, offering views on the north, east, and south sides of the neighbourhood.

Crestwood is locally recognized as the home to the oldest continuous community league in Alberta. Known as the 142 Street Community League, it organizes civic, social, and recreational activities.

The neighbourhood was established in 1917, with most of the homes built between the end of World War II and 1960. Not only is it bound by green space on three sides, but the Crestwood neighbourhood has made "going green" a major focus. The community has replaced all regular light bulbs with longer-lasting LED lights and has installed solar panels on the community centre.

Crestwood is centrally located with easy access to downtown, the west end, and to highways stretching to the south side of Calgary. In addition to its many community facilities, the neighbourhood offers outdoor enthusiasts access to bike paths, hiking trails, and the natural beauty of the MacKinnon Ravine. The average price of a home in Crestwood is about $1.2 million.

Find a Home in Edmonton

Edmonton neighbourhoods vary greatly, with each offering their own history and amenities—and often, even their own culture. Features such as historic architecture, tree-lined streets, local boutiques and cafés, and recreational opportunities can weigh heavily on homebuyers.

Edmonton's reputation as a cultural centre is often reflected in its neighbourhoods, with local art vendors and craftsmen visiting each one. The city's best neighbourhoods also offer a wide variety of architectural styles and street environments from which to choose, whether the preference is for stately, historic townhomes or more modern-day structures.