Located in the heart of Alberta, Edmonton is an active, thriving city known for its historical and contemporary attractions. People travel here from around the world to visit places like the West Edmonton Mall, Churchill Square, and Fort Edmonton Park.

Edmonton also attracts new residents every year because of its fantastic employment opportunities, diverse entertainment scene, quality education, and low cost of living.

If you’re considering a move, read on to see why you might want to consider living in Edmonton.

Thriving Economy and Job Market

Edmonton is a large and active city, with a population of 972,223 as of the 2019 Census. Edmonton has seen significant population increases over the last decade, and its population grew by more than 72,000 from 2016 to 2019 alone.

That population growth has also resulted in a growth in jobs in Edmonton. According to the Canadian government, as of December 2023, “Edmonton continued to post high employment growth, with jobs increasing by 34,400 (4.1%) over the year, the largest increase of any region.”

Industries like health services, IT, retail, oil and gas, and logistics frequently hire employees, and corporations like Telus, ATB, and Canadian Western Bank are major employers in Edmonton.

Affordable Cost of Living

Edmonton’s low cost of living means you can enjoy the big city lifestyle for less than you would pay to live in other Canadian cities. As of 2023, the average price for a detached house in Edmonton was about $500,000. For comparison, Montreal’s prices averaged over $583,000 while Vancouver’s prices averaged $2.15 million. Rental rates are lower in Edmonton, too. In fact, rent prices in Montreal are 24% higher than in Edmonton, and Vancouver’s rent prices are nearly 115% higher.

You’ll also pay less in personal taxes in Alberta than you will elsewhere in Canada. Alberta has the highest basic personal amounts in Canada, meaning you can earn more before you pay taxes than elsewhere in the country. The first tax bracket, up to $142,292, is only taxed at a 10% rate, and there are no sales or payroll taxes, either.

Natural Surroundings

While Edmonton may be a bustling city, its location makes it easy to connect with nature. The North Saskatchewan River runs through the town, and there are plenty of pathways for walking, running, and biking where you can enjoy the beauty of the riverbank. Edmonton also has numerous city parks and nature reserves, including the Larch Sanctuary, Whitemud Ravine Nature Reserve, and Twin Brooks District and Nature Park.

If you’re ready to leave the city for a day, you can reach the Elk Island National Park within about 45 minutes. Jasper National Park and Banff National Park are about four hours away.

Educational Opportunities

Families can choose from many educational opportunities in Edmonton for their children. The city’s public school system encompasses 212 schools, educating 106,000 students. Additionally, the Edmonton Catholic school division supports 43,000 students throughout 96 schools. Edmonton is also part of the Le Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord, a system of 19 schools throughout north-central Alberta supporting 3,7000 students, with eight of those schools in Edmonton.

The city has several colleges and universities, including the University of Alberta, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Concordia University, and MacEwan University.

Culture and Entertainment

Edmonton has a diverse culture and vibrant entertainment scene. The city is home to numerous restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Live music, theater, and comedy productions occur year-round, and festivals like the Heritage Festival, International Fringe Theatre Festival, and Folk Music Festival occur annually.

Sports fans can cheer on the Edmonton Oilers (NHL), Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), Edmonton Stingers (CEBL), Edmonton Elks (CFL), Edmonton River Hawks (WCL), and FC Edmonton (CPL). There’s no shortage of matches to watch throughout the year.

The city is full of shopping opportunities, too. The West Edmonton Mall is the largest mall in North America, encompassing over 800 stores and services, while over 100 food outlets provide numerous dining choices. The mall, which attracts about 24 million shoppers annually, also features an indoor water park, Hasbro theme park, mini golf course, movie theater, marine life educational exhibit, casino, ice rink, and two hotels, so there’s something to do for the entire family.

Make Edmonton Your Home

With a robust job market, affordable cost of living, and beautiful natural surroundings, it’s easy to see why Edmonton is such a popular place to live.

If you’re ready to find your new home in Alberta’s capital, Brookfield Residential has several master-planned communities in the area. Each community offers plenty of amenities for your comfort and convenience, plus you can easily access all that Edmonton offers.

Our sales team is excited to help you find the best place to call home in this dream location. Ready to get started? Explore our communities and contact us to learn more. We’ll be expecting you!