You know the old story of the tortoise and the hare? When it comes to housing markets, Toronto and Vancouver are hares, while Edmonton is a tortoise. The housing market here is slowly but steadily building. The nice thing with this slow build is that you can still find highly affordable options in most parts of the city, giving you your pick of neighbourhoods. Plus prices don’t tend to fly up and down, making it easy to move if you’re feeling like a change.

Typical housing type:

Single-family homes and low-rise apartment buildings.

Side note:

Edmonton is an unusual blend of whimsical and sophisticated. Even if you aren’t looking to live here, at the very least pop in for a visit. Then, while you’re there, let your inner child have a romp around. You’ll be glad you did!

Avg. rent by housing size:

Bach/studio: $908

1-bedroom: $1,075

2-bedroom: $1,237

3-bedroom: $1,401

Avg. rent compared to other Canadian cities

Edmonton is 7% lower than the Canadian average

Apartment hunting in Edmonton turns up a little bit of everything… but this is a mixed blessing. Why? Because you can find almost anything you want here. At the same time, there are only a handful of rentals in each category; so, if one of them isn’t a fit, you’re stuck. That means searching for a rental in Edmonton will be either really easy for you – or super difficult, with little in between.

If you’re looking for apartments, especially ones with more amenities, check out downtown. For your own yard, head out of the core and focus on renting a part or whole of one of the area’s many detached houses. As for student housing, it’s mostly clumped near the university, of course!

Edmontonians tend to be on the younger side, with the average age in the city sitting at 36. While many locals have western European heritage, but there are also strong South Asian, Indigenous and Chinese communities. A lot of Edmontonians are married, but only about half have children. Maybe that’s because a lot of locals here are still kids at heart?

Perfect for: Couples and families who love festivals, culture, and fun!

Not-so-perfect for: Homebodies and anyone who take life too seriously.

Life in Edmonton is jam-packed – but in the best way possible. It’s hard to find a day where locals don’t have plans ranging from checking out a Fringe show to seeing a band play. Even when there isn’t a major festival in town, people find fun things to do, like checking out Fort Edmonton Park or hitting the famous West Edmonton Mall. Even Edmontonians need a break every once in a while. So what do they do? Head to Jasper National Park to commune with nature, of course!

Of course, the biggest shopping centre is the famous West Edmonton Mall. Not only can you get a chic new outfit here, but you can play the day away. There are always festivals to check out, especially in the spring and summer. Plus there are family-friendly entertainment options, including a trampoline park, an axe throwing facility, and an indoor dog park. For some outdoor fun, head over to Elk Island or Jasper National Park. Want to get a taste of the nightlife? Everything’s happening on Whyte Avenue. Downtown Edmonton offers up an number of pubs, restaurants, and trendy cafes. So a more sophisticated night out, check out one of the city’s many theatre, dance or opera companies.

Landmarks:

West Edmonton Mall

Elk Island National Park

Old Strathcona

Whyte Avenue

Edmonton City Hall

Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site

Ice Castles

St. Joseph’s Basilica

The End of the World