Should I Move to Edmonton? Here's What to Know

Edmonton, Alberta, is a vibrant city offering a high quality of life, making it an excellent place to live. Known for its friendly and welcoming community, the city of Edmonton has a rich cultural scene, including numerous festivals, art galleries, and theatres. The city is also home to beautiful parks and river valleys, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and skiing. The Edmonton economy is driven by industries such as oil, technology, and education, all of which present numerous job opportunities. Additionally, the city's relatively low cost of living and high standard of healthcare and education contribute to its appeal as a desirable place to call home. Here's everything you need to know about moving to Edmonton.

10 Reasons to Love Living in Edmonton

• Affordable Housing: Edmonton offers relatively affordable housing compared to other major Canadian cities, making it easier for individuals and families to buy or rent homes.
• Job Opportunities: The city has a diverse economy with strong sectors in oil and gas, technology, education, and healthcare, providing numerous job opportunities.
• Cultural Scene: Edmonton is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, including festivals like the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, one of the largest fringe festivals in the world.
• Education: Home to reputable institutions such as the University of Alberta, Edmonton provides excellent educational opportunities for students of all ages.
• Natural Beauty: With the North Saskatchewan River Valley running through the city, Edmonton boasts beautiful parks, trails, and green spaces for outdoor activities.
• Healthcare: Edmonton has a robust healthcare system with several top-rated hospitals and healthcare facilities ensuring quality medical care for residents.
• Diverse Food Scene: The city has a diverse and growing food scene, with numerous restaurants offering cuisines from around the world.
• Climate: While winters can be cold, Edmonton experiences sunny summers and has one of the highest amounts of sunshine of any major Canadian city, making it pleasant for outdoor activities year-round.
• Canada's Festival City: A fun fact about Edmonton is that it's known as Canada's Festival City due to dozens of exciting festivals every year.
• Edmonton Transit System: People living in Edmonton will find that the public transportation is great for commuting and everyday errands.

Cost of Living in Edmonton

The cost of living in Edmonton is slightly higher than that of other cities in Canada. The province of Alberta is 7% higher than the Canadian national average, and Edmonton has a cost of living that is 9% higher than the rest of the country. The largest factors in the cost of living difference are housing and entertainment. Otherwise, the remaining cost of living index factors are on par with the rest of the province.

Nearly 75% of residents own their homes in Edmonton. The median home price is around $400,000, while condos are selling for about $200,000. One of the great things about Edmonton is that beautiful homes can be found at various price points through the city's best neighbourhoods. 

With just over 25% of residents renting in Edmonton, few apartments are available on the market for rent—the vacancy rate at around 4.3 percent. The median rent is about $1,100, but the monthly rent largely depends on the size of the unit/home and the location. Studios can be found for roughly $850, while two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments and homes range from $1,400 to $2,100 per month.

Despite having a slightly higher cost of living, Edmonton is considered one of the most affordable cities in Canada. This is largely due to the province of Alberta having the lowest tax rates in the nation. The tax rates for Alberta can be found below:

Most residents fall into the first tax bracket in Edmonton because most salaries fall between $60,000 and $75,000.

Edmonton Job Market

The number of companies that have grown in the Edmonton economy or opened their doors in the city has grown over the past decade. Many of the largest businesses in the area have over 1,000 Edmonton residents on their payroll.

The Government of Alberta is headquartered in Edmonton, and it's the single largest employer in the area. Over 29,000 individuals work in the government's many departments. From policy implementation to tourism, this entity helps keep Alberta moving forward year after year.

The City of Edmonton is the second largest employer in the area. Nearly 10,000 residents work for the city in its various departments. Just under 10% of the entire population of the city works tirelessly to ensure their community is functional and remains beautiful.

Large employers that are not connected to government agencies in Canada and hire large numbers of Edmonton residents include West Edmonton Mall Attractions, Workers Compensation Board, PCL Employees Holdings Ltd, K-Bro Linen Inc, Fountain Tire, Lilydale Inc., EPCOR, Chemco, Alcanna, and Alberta Health Services. 

Popular Industries in Edmonton

As the capital of the province, Edmonton is a large hub for industrial growth. Many industries can be found in the heart of downtown and the surrounding areas. Edmonton's key industries include food and agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and life sciences, and many other industries are also growing in the city. New businesses in these industries regularly open and hire skilled Edmonton residents.

Things to Do in Edmonton

Edmonton is home to some of the largest attractions in the nation and the continent, including the largest living history museum, largest historical park, and largest mall. Whether you are a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or foodie, are always things to do in Edmonton. Most attractions are appropriate for all ages, as well.

Outdoor Activities

Edmonton's parks are some of the most beautiful in Canada, with the expansive North Saskatchewan River Valley Park System being a standout. This system, often called the "Ribbon of Green," includes several interconnected parks, offering miles of trails for walking, biking, and hiking. William Hawrelak Park, nestled in the river valley, is a favorite for its picturesque lake and annual events like the Heritage Festival. Emily Murphy Park provides serene picnic spots and easy river access for paddling enthusiasts. Rundle Park, with its golf course, paddle boats, and winter ice skating, offers year-round activities. For a touch of urban nature, Louise McKinney Riverfront Park features beautifully landscaped gardens and stunning river views, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and recreation.

Mill Creek Ravine Park is known for its many different walking and biking trails, and it even has an off-leash area to let man's best friend run freely for a bit. Because Edmonton has long, snowy winters, area parks also often offer wintertime activities such as skiing, sledding, and an outdoor warming fire to relax near.

Restaurants, Breweries, and Bars

The city of Edmonton is home to restaurants that feature cuisines from all over the world. Chefs have creative freedom to develop the very best dishes that take residents' taste buds for a journey. Whatever cuisine you desire, there is a restaurant that serves it. Locals or Edmonton's tourism leaders can help point you in the right direction.

Edmonton is home to Alley Kat Brewing Company, which is the fourth oldest brewery in Alberta. Those who enjoy a wonderful craft beer can take part in the Explore Edmonton Brewery Pass. It features stops at all of Edmonton's top breweries and allows residents to enjoy a number of new beers they may not have previously tried.

There is no shortage of bars in Edmonton. From establishments serving the finest aged spirits to dives with the cheapest drinks in town, residents can find the spirits and atmosphere that fit both their taste and budget.

Nightlife

Edmonton is home to numerous nightlife options. For those who love dancing, the Alibi Ultra Lounge is a chic nightclub with a modern-industrial decor that features multiple full-service bars, a partnered kitchen, an elevated DJ booth, and more. For those looking to escape for a night of fun, this is the place to do it. Whether you want to dance the night away with friends or enjoy an evening of fine arts, Downtown Edmonton can deliver.

Edmonton Climate

July is typically the warmest month of the year with temperatures averaging 18 °C, while January is typically the coldest month with average temperatures of -10 °C. Edmonton often has a breeze with a speed that ranges from 10 to 15 km per hour. Edmonton's warm season typically spans from mid-May to mid-September, while the cold season spans from mid-November to early March.

Edmonton is normally a bit humid, but not enough to be uncomfortable for most people. Contrary to what most people expect from Canadian cities, Edmonton is quite sunny. On average, it gets 2,345 hours of sunshine per year. It also gets 123.5 centimetres of snowfall and 45.5 centimetres of rainfall. July is the wettest month of the year, though January gets the most snow.

Edmonton Traffic

The city of Edmonton has grid system roadways, which means streets run north and south or east and west. Some streets do not follow this system, but these are only found in neighbourhoods. Main roads are incredibly easy to navigate, and the system even has a numbering system that compliments the grid system. Numbered streets run north and south, and the number of the street increases as you go west (e.g. 102nd Street is west of 101st Street). Numbered avenues run east and west, while the number of the avenue increases as you go north (105th Avenue is north of 104th Avenue).

People travelling from towns near Edmonton will need to plan their daily commutes carefully. Rush hour in the morning typically falls between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and evening rush hour occurs between 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. During the year, sunlight may not be available toward the end of evening rush hour, so drivers should take extra precautions.

Those who are new to driving in snow should avoid the freeways until they are comfortable driving in those conditions. Keep in mind there are no passing lanes within the city of Edmonton, but there are passing lanes on freeways. Stay in the lane that is most comfortable while you are in the city.

Alternative Routes

The city of Edmonton conducted research and determined the 10 busiest roads in the city. They include:

• 63 Avenue, 99 Street to Calgary Trail
• 90 Avenue, 75 Street to 83 Street
• 142 Street, 118 Avenue to Yellowhead Trail
• 106 Avenue, 97 Street to 116 Street
• 111 Avenue, 163 Street to 170 Street
• 124 Street, 111 Avenue to 118 Avenue
• 18 Street, 153 Avenue to 167 Avenue
• 23 Avenue, 184 Street to 199 Street
• 178 Street, Callingwood Road to 69 Avenue
• 195 Avenue, Meridian Street to Manning Drive

Fortunately, Edmonton's grid system means drivers can simply take another road that runs north/south or east/west to avoid them.

Public Transportation in Edmonton

With its bustling downtown, there are numerous public transportation options in Edmonton. These options include transit, taxis, and electric scooters. Edmonton has improved its safety over the years for pedestrians and cyclists. Above and below-ground walkways are available to protect those moving from one building to another. Additionally, the city has implemented over 200km of trails to allow cyclists easy access in and out of downtown.

The Edmonton Transit offers numerous bus and light rail services. With 15 stops around the city, the light rail ensures commuters get to their destinations quickly. Fares vary by the day and number of stops for both the bus and light rail services.

Taxi cabs are available around the city from numerous companies. Those who wish to travel in more style do have the option of requesting a limousine instead. If taxis are not available, residents can use the bike or electric scooter sharing program to get around town. Residents pay by the minute to use these scooters and can return them to any charging station around the city.

Schools in Edmonton

Edmonton Public Schools operates 213 schools year-round. This district is the second-largest district in the entire province. Over 104,000 students receive kindergarten through 12th-grade education every year.  Families have the option to zone their children for any of the elementary, junior, and high schools in the area. Class sizes depend on the school but typically range from a student to teacher ratio of 13:1 to 20:1.

Other schools in Edmonton include private and charter schools, along with nearby university campuses like the University of Alberta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pros & Cons of Living in Edmonton

Pros:

1. Affordable Housing: Compared to other major Canadian cities, Edmonton offers relatively affordable housing options, making it easier for individuals and families to buy or rent homes.
2. Vibrant Cultural Scene: Edmonton is known for its rich arts and culture scene, including numerous festivals, theaters, and art galleries. Events like the Edmonton International Fringe Festival and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival attract visitors and residents alike.

Cons:

1. Cold Winters: Edmonton experiences long and harsh winters with temperatures often dropping significantly. This can be challenging for those unaccustomed to cold weather.
2. Urban Sprawl: The city's layout and expansion have led to urban sprawl, which can result in longer commutes and a greater reliance on cars for transportation.

Is It Better to Live in Calgary or Edmonton?

Choosing between Edmonton and Calgary depends on individual priorities. Edmonton offers affordability, a vibrant cultural scene, and strong educational institutions like the University of Alberta, but it has harsher winters. Calgary boasts economic opportunities, proximity to the Rocky Mountains for outdoor activities, and potentially milder winters due to Chinook winds, but it generally has a higher cost of living.

What Is Downtown Edmonton Like?

Downtown Edmonton is a vibrant and bustling area characterized by a mix of modern skyscrapers, historic buildings, and diverse cultural venues. It serves as the city's central business district, hosting numerous corporate offices, government buildings, and educational institutions like MacEwan University. The area is known for its lively arts scene, with venues such as the Winspear Centre, Citadel Theatre, and the Art Gallery of Alberta. Jasper Avenue, the main thoroughfare, is lined with restaurants, cafes, shops, and nightlife options, catering to a wide range of tastes. The downtown area also features ample green spaces, such as Churchill Square and the scenic River Valley, offering residents and visitors outdoor recreational opportunities. Additionally, downtown Edmonton is well-connected by public transit, including the LRT (Light Rail Transit) system, making it convenient to navigate.

Moving to Edmonton: Have You Just Found Your New Home?

Edmonton residents enjoy a variety of benefits provided by the city. The range of restaurants and activities available is hard to find elsewhere in the province. Few other cities in the nation can even compete with what Edmonton can offer. The weather is predictable, and Edmonton is one of the sunniest cities in all of Canada. The snow and cold are the same as you would find throughout Canada without any of the humidity you may find in other cities. Edmonton truly is one of the best cities to reside in the nation.