8 Best Small Towns Near Edmonton: Nature, Affordability & History

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Alberta lie a collection of charming small towns that boast an enticing allure for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the bustling city of Edmonton. This guide explores the communities that lie just beyond the city's best neighbourhoods, showcasing the best small towns that offer a harmonious blend of natural beauty and urban convenience.

With a focus on the unique characteristics and property offerings of these charming locales, this guide aims to unveil the untapped potential of these small towns, appealing to a wide range of homebuyers considering moving to Edmonton but seeking a slice of more rural tranquillity.

Preview of Small Towns Around Edmonton

• Legal: Cozy French-heritage village with striking public murals, a walkable main avenue for shops and eats, and lots of parks and recreation.
• Saint Paul: Nature-rich hub by Upper Thérien Lake with boating and fishing, the fun UFO Landing Pad landmark, and access to major multi-use trails.
• Devon: Riverfront town with expansive trail systems and parks, plus a lively local business district and community-centered facilities.
• Vegreville: Friendly highway town highlighted by the iconic giant pysanka, a vibrant downtown of local shops and restaurants, and abundant green spaces.
• Bon Accord: Quiet community with local staples and world-class dark-sky stargazing.
• Sylvan Lake: Lakeside getaway known for excellent beaches, water activities and a popular aqua splash park, with a bustling lakeshore strip of dining and nightlife.
• Lacombe: Charming town with preserved historic downtown, three standout museums, and Cranna Lake trails and seasonal skating.
• Smoky Lake: Tiny, welcoming town famous for its giant pumpkin community event, a well-loved local museum, and nearby Indigenous cultural and historic sites.

Legal

For a truly small town, home shoppers should head just over 50 kilometres north of Edmonton to Legal, a quaint settlement rich in French heritage. It sits along Provincial Highway 651, just a short drive from Highway 2, making trips to the city or points north simple. The town has a population of just over 1,200 living in only three square kilometres, surrounded by vast farmland and other rural areas.

Still, there's plenty to do close to home, from shopping or grabbing a bite to eat along 50th Avenue to enjoying one of the numerous parks and rec facilities, including SVF Sports Centre. Legal is also known for its gorgeous public art, with nearly three dozen murals depicting French-Canadian history and culture.

Most of Legal's housing stock comprises single-family detached homes, mostly modestly sized and available in one- and two-story designs. Properties start as low as the mid-$200s but generally top out under $400,000. The community's few condos typically sell in the mid- to high $100s. Lots and homesites are also available for those planning to build their dream home, usually ranging from $60,000 to the low $100s.

Saint Paul

Small-town home shoppers who don't mind being a bit further from Edmonton may find what they're looking for in Saint Paul, a town of about 6,000 residents just under 200 kilometres northeast of the city centre. It traces its roots to the late 19th century when it was founded as a Métis trading post. Modern visitors and residents are drawn to the area's incredible nature, particularly the many nearby lakes.

The town is located on Upper Thérien Lake, a top spot for boating, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Saint Paul is even home to a unique "UFO Landing Pad," built decades ago as part of Canada's Centennial celebrations. Despite the small size, residents still have plenty of shopping and dining options and access to the iconic Alberta Iron Horse Trail, part of the nationwide Trans-Canada Trail.

Homes in Saint Paul are mainly single-family detached properties covering a broad price spectrum. Occasional townhomes and smaller detached properties sell from the low $100s and up. Top properties typically sell for up to $600,000. Saint Paul condos, while less common, provide affordable options in the mid-$200s. Vacant land in town can be found as affordably as $30,000 to just over $100,000, whereas vacant lots for sale in Edmonton list from the $100s into the millions.

Devon

The lovely town of Devon—one of the suburbs closest to Edmonton International Airport—owes its existence to Alberta's energy heritage, founded in the late 1940s to house workers from nearby oil fields. It's approximately a 40-kilometre drive southwest of central Edmonton.

Its location on the south banks of the North Saskatchewan River is the biggest draw, combining big-city access with the perks and green space of smaller rural communities. This latter category includes riverfront parks like Devon Voyageur Park, part of the nearly 90-kilometre North Saskatchewan River Valley park system that stretches to Fort Saskatchewan. It's ideal for hiking, biking, picnicking, and more.

Devon also offers a bustling commercial district between Haven and Athabasca Avenues, filled with local businesses, restaurants, and public amenities like the Devon Community Centre.

Would-be homebuyers in Devon can choose from a mix of single-family detached homes, starting in the high $200s for two- or three-bedroom houses with under 1,000 square feet of living space. Shoppers can occasionally find one of the rarer, often relatively new condos in the $200s, while lots and homesites in planned communities sell in the $200s and $300s.

Most homes for sale in Devon list from the mid-$300s to the mid-$400s, with larger new-construction properties, often modern and multi-storey, reaching close to $600,000. Beyond that affordability, homebuyers are further drawn to the area due to the fact that Devon is an Edmonton suburb with low property tax rates (0.81%).

Vegreville

Vegreville is a charming small town in east-central Alberta. It may be best known for a particularly notable piece of local art, a more than three-storey tall sculpture designed to resemble a Ukrainian-style Easter Egg (known as a pysanka). This reflection of the area's traditional heritage has become a cult-classic tourist draw, especially for those passing by on the conveniently located Yellowhead Highway. This major route also whisks residents quickly into Edmonton, just over 100 kilometres to the west.

Despite the smaller size and more remote location, Vegreville offers a thriving downtown district lined with quirky local shops, popular restaurants, and local services that allow residents to avoid driving elsewhere for their needs. Meanwhile, numerous neighbourhood parks are located throughout the residential areas of town, along with the Vegreville Kinsmen Golf Course, offering an excellent place for golfers to hit the links close to home.

Detached single-family homes exclusively comprise Vegreville's housing choices, most built from the 1960s to recent years. They start as low as the mid-$100s, with options into the high $500s. However, Vegreville's low-density layout and ample rural land outside the core also provide room for newer, high-end homes.

Bon Accord

Another small town of fewer than 1,500 residents, it may be hard to believe Bon Accord is less than 40 kilometres from the hustle and bustle of Edmonton and even closer to the city of Fort Saskatchewan. It consists of a few primarily residential streets on the north side of Highway 28, with the developed areas of town covering less than two square kilometres amid vast farm space.

Still, Bon Accord has its own school, arena, community hall, and a few beloved local businesses like Chelsea's Pub & Family Restaurant. One significant benefit of Bon Accord is truly out of this world. The town is known worldwide for its incredible stargazing and dedication to reducing light pollution, earning it the rare and coveted International Dark Sky Community title.

Homes in Bon Accord are mainly made up of modestly sized, affordable single-family detached homes. Most are one-storey ranches, though split-levels and newer two-storey homes are also available. Properties start in the mid- to high $200s, generally reaching as high as the $400s. Homebuyers looking for a lot to build on will find choices typically from $75,000–$100,000.

Sylvan Lake

The tourist haven of Sylvan Lake is located along the shore of its namesake body of water, just over 160 kilometres south of Edmonton and about 20 west of Red Deer. It's home to some of the province's best beaches and water recreation areas, like the centrally located Sylvan Lake Park, making it a hotspot for summer activities near Edmonton. The beautiful natural landscapes around the lake are also the site of extensive hiking and biking trails, furthering its reputation as an ideal community for active would-be buyers. The lake is also home to one of the best waterparks near Edmonton: Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash.

Residents can also relax at one of the many restaurants, coffee shops, nightlife spots, and other attractions along Lakeshore Drive, like The Big Moo Ice Cream Parlor and 2nd Wind Brewery & Eatery.

Sylvan Lake's slightly larger size means it offers more diverse housing options than other small towns on the list. While most properties are single-family detached homes, townhouses and condos are also available. The latter groups can be found from the low to mid-$100,000s, while the former start in the low to mid-$200,000s.

Most detached homes sell in a broad range from around $300,000 to as high as $900,000, though high-end properties near the lakefront can reach nearly $1.5 million. Similarly located condos can reach the mid-$600,000s.

Lacombe

Lacombe sits about 125 kilometres south of Edmonton, right between Alberta's two biggest cities. The tree-lined streets and historic buildings make Lacombe special, with downtown filled with beautiful Edwardian architecture—brick buildings and old-fashioned storefronts that have been lovingly preserved.

The town takes its rich history seriously, with three museums showcasing different pieces of the past. Start at the Michener House Museum, birthplace of former Governor General Roland Michener. Then check out the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum, the oldest operating blacksmith shop in Alberta, where you can watch demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing techniques.

The Flatiron Building Museum rounds out the trio, giving visitors a full picture of life in early Alberta. While the Michener House and Lacombe Blacksmith Shop are open seasonally, the Flatiron Building is open year-round.

For nature lovers, several lakes sit right in or near town. Some have walking trails circling the lake—perfect for an evening stroll or weekend picnic. When winter hits, the lake turns into a popular ice skating spot. It's important to follow any sign instructions for safety.

Lacombe's housing market offers something for everyone, with single-family homes starting in the low $300s for smaller properties, typically ranging from the mid-$300s to the $600s for most listings.

Smoky Lake

About 100 kilometres northeast of the Edmonton community on Highway 28, Smoky Lake is a tiny town with a big claim to fame: it's Alberta's Pumpkin Capital!

With only around 1,000 residents, this is truly small-town living, but don't let the size fool you. Every October, the town comes alive for the Great White North Pumpkin Fair, where growers from across Alberta and beyond bring massive pumpkins—some weighing over 1,000 pounds—to compete.

History buffs should visit the Smoky Lake Museum, housed in the restored CN Train Station and filled with historic artifacts, antique machinery, and photographs that tell the story of the area's settlement. The nearby Victoria Settlement provincial historic site and Métis Crossing offer deeper dives into history and culture, including Indigenous people.

Smoky Lake's housing market is extremely affordable, with single-family homes typically starting in the low to mid-$100s for smaller, older properties. Most homes sell in the $100s to $200s, with larger or newer properties occasionally reaching the mid-$400s.

Small-Town Charm in the Edmonton Area

The small towns near Edmonton, Alberta, testify to the region's rich natural beauty and vibrant community spirit. With their diverse real estate options and idyllic surroundings, they have the potential to captivate the hearts of those seeking a tranquil lifestyle, and they all offer alternatives to the cost of living in Edmonton.

Whether one yearns for the serenity of a quaint village or the allure of a thriving cultural hub, the small towns surrounding Edmonton offer a haven for homebuyers and visitors alike. Embracing a blend of urban convenience and rural charm, these small towns in Alberta are poised to be the ideal choice for those desiring a harmonious balance between nature and modernity in their real estate endeavours.