Living in Edmonton: The Best Features of the City

Posted by EdmontonRealEstate .ca on Wednesday, April 17th, 2019 at 11:07am.

What Are the Best Features of Edmonton?Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. The city is a governmental, cultural, and educational center. Every year, there are numerous festivals that are held in the area. Thus, it is usually described as the ‘Festival City.’ There are many other features that will draw interest. Edmonton is home to the biggest mall in North America (West Edmonton Mall), the first ever shopping mall in Canada (Westmount Centre), and the biggest existing history museum in the country (Fort Edmonton Park).

No one will doubt that Edmonton is one of the best places to live in. The landscape is flat. The continental climate has significant seasonal variations in temperature. December, January, and February are the only winter months. All year round, the weather and climate is ideal for outdoor and other activities.

Many families and individuals decide to relocate to Edmonton because of the impressive friendliness of the residents. Money Sense magazine has recently ranked the city as the 31st best livable locations in Canada. In terms of real estate market, economy, amenities, attractions, and natural weather, this green city will easily earn praises.

A Big City with a Small Town Feel

Many residents in Edmonton feel as if they get both the convenience of a big city and the friendliness of a small town. This is very important for families and those looking to get involved within the community. Edmonton is truly a city people care about and this makes it a very special place to live.

Jobs And Business

The favorable job market is one of the main reasons why many individuals and families like living in the city. In the early part of 2012, the unemployment rate in Edmonton was at 4.7%, which is lower than the national rate. The healthcare, social assistance, and construction industries offer numerous full-time employment opportunities. Foreign migrants, especially skilled workers are welcome to fill current job vacancies.

The region is rich not just in natural gas but also in oil. Edmonton is considered the ‘Oil Capital’ of the country. Its biggest industry is currently petrochemicals. Potential oil supply from tar sands in the area is second to that of Saudi Arabia. But industry players have been having difficulty recruiting skilled workers and professionals in the field.

Other employment sectors are offering numerous job and career opportunities across Edmonton. Professionals in the information technology, biotechnology, and banking industries are having the brightest and most promising prospects in the area. Among the most aggressive employers today are IBM, Afexa Life Sciences, General Electric, TD Canada Trust, and Telus.

Living Costs

Along with the plentiful job market, Edmonton isn't an expensive city. You can choose Toronto or Vancouver, if you prefer a more expensive place to live, but if you want to save on income tax and live in an affordable city, Edmonton is a great choice.

Community Lifestyle

People love Edmonton because there is a sense of community. There are sports leagues bringing people together as well as community centres to enjoy lessons in cooking and other fun activities. Residents stay involved in activities for the social aspects as well as for learning. If you make less than a certain income, you’ll receive community resources for free or at huge discounts.

The community is like a big family. Residents build bonds by having their kids involved in youth sports, through local businesses and through neighbourhood get-togethers. Compared to large cities, you’ll see the sense of community spirit found in Edmonton.

Everyone wants to help out one another especially during a tough snow day or when you’re lost looking for directions. Their slogan is the “City of Champions” which dates back from 1987 when a tornado hit and the mayor coined the term since citizens’ efforts towards one another during a time of disaster was so outstanding.

Long Summer Days & Access to Nature

Edmontonians love the long summer days here. Since the area is so far north, the sun sets very late in the summer which means barbeques and pool parties can go late. Sometimes the Northern Lights make an appearance too. The city is right by the River Valley making Edmonton easily accessible to nature. There is an elaborate trail system in this park which is the largest urban park in the continent.

The other reason Edmonton residents love living here is the cultural opportunities. They enjoy festivals such as the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and Fringe Theatre Festival, plus they have the Art Gallery of Alberta here. For these reasons, Edmonton is a great place to live.

Residents

The glue that holds the entire city together is the amazing people living here. Edmonton is full of some of the most welcoming and friendly people you will find. Whether meeting for coffee at Tim Horton's or getting together to support the Oilers, this is a city full of friendly people.

Other Perks Of Living In The City

Transportation is not a problem. Edmonton has one of the most advanced light rail systems and bus networks in the world. LRTs and buses frequently stop at designated posts, which are strategically scattered across major downtown and central points.

There is so much more to living in Edmonton. For those who love nature, the city has a ‘Ribbon of Green’ program that protects up to 27,400 acres of neighborhood parks through the area. It is not surprising that it currently has the highest area of parkland for every resident.

People who dislike having to pay huge taxes can find refuge in Edmonton. Alberta, where Edmonton is the capital city, is considered one of the provinces in Canada where taxes are lowest. To date, the city’s residents are shouldering lower taxes compared to residents of other Canadian states or provinces.

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