Edmonton

Edmonton City Guide

Overview

With a wide range of things to do and see in “Canada’s Festival City,” you’ll never get bored in Edmonton. Alberta’s capital is Canada’s 5th most populated city, with around 1 million people calling Edmonton home. Imagine a city where business is booming, culture is thriving, and lush nature is just steps from your front door — Edmonton has this and so much more.

Edmonton is on the cusp of an economic growth upswing, but all work and no play makes Edmontonians very, very dull — so the city balances things out with lots of fun. North America’s largest shopping mall, West Edmonton Mall, has world-class stores, amusement and water parks, an ice skating rink, and more. Nature lovers will adore the expanse of green space - the gorgeous North Saskatchewan River meanders through the city with 20 parks lining either side, making up North America’s longest stretch of connected urban parkland. Get your culture fix at one of Edmonton’s incredible art and science institutions like the Royal Alberta Museum, the Telus World of Science, and Fort Edmonton Park, Canada’s largest living history museum. Students or faculty looking for homes or apartments for rent near the University of Alberta can snag a spot in nearby neighbourhoods like Garneau, McKernan, or Windsor Park.

A boost in job growth combined more people moving to the area has positively affected Edmonton’s rental market, with average rent dropping from 2017 compared to 2016. Rental vacancy rates also reflect the healthy supply and demand in Edmonton, so finding a home or apartment for rent in the city is fairly easy.

Walk Score ®

Transit Score ®

Neighbourhoods

Edmonton has neighbourhoods that capture every essence of the city. Let’s get a taste of what Edmonton has to offer.

Downtown

Boyle Street - McCauley - Rossdale - Old Strathcona

On the east side of Edmonton’s core is the diverse Boyle Street neighbourhood - one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, and home to Edmonton’s Chinatown. Chinatown stretches up north to the neighbourhood of McCauley, another culturally diverse area that includes Edmonton’s Little Italy. In the southern part of downtown is Rossdale, a popular area that houses the University of Alberta and gives access to the Edmonton river valley park system. Nearby is the artsy Old Strathcona neighbourhood, with theatres, a year-round farmers’ market, and some of the best shopping in the city. On the west side of downtown is the neighbourhood of Oliver - the perfect blend of historic buildings combined with the energy of the Jasper Street strip, full of hot restaurants and nightlife.

North

Balwin - Belvedere - Highlands - Griesbach - Athlone

North Edmonton is full of beautiful residential neighbourhoods like Griesbach and Athlone to the west, and Balwin, Belvedere, and Highlands to the east. Single-family dwellings are among the most common types of residences in the north end, with great access to quality elementary and high schools, parks, hiking trails, and playgrounds. Take a staycation at La Boheme, a French restaurant/bed and breakfast in Highlands or spend a Saturday shopping at Londonderry Mall in Balwin. With beautiful homes built before WWI, North Edmonton is perfect for renters looking for quiet, family-friendly neighbourhoods.

West

Calder - Crestwood - Westmount

Beautiful views abound in the neighbourhood of Crestwood, which overlooks the North Saskatchewan River. Single-family homes and apartments for rent comprise the dwellings in the neighbourhood — and you can visit the famous Candy Cane Lane during the holidays to see homes decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. The historic Calder area first found life as part of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, with newer-built homes in the northern part of the neighbourhood, and older war-time builds near the Calder Railway Yards. Over in the neighbourhood of Westmount, shop at the Westmount Centre, visit the Royal Alberta Museum, or enjoy amenities like a water spray park, outdoor hockey rink, and fitness centre at Westmount Park.

East

Hazeldean - Sifton Park - The Orchards At Ellerslie - Canon Ridge

Neighbourhoods in northeast Edmonton like Hazeldean and Canon Ridge offer a range of benefits for residents, like recreational activities at the Mill Creek Ravine in the former and access to the Edmonton LRT in the latter. The LRT is part of the city’s public transportation system, and moves riders from the area to the downtown core, the University of Alberta, and beyond. To the southern part of the area, Sifton Park is a renter’s neighbourhood, with low-rise apartment buildings among the most popular dwellings in the area. With lots of pathways through the neighbourhood, Sifton Park is great for walking and cycling. Nearby is The Orchards At Ellerslie, one of Edmonton’s newest neighbourhoods. The Orchards is built around The Orchards Club, a recreational facility that offers tennis courts, fitness equipment, picnic areas, and more.

South

Strathearn - Ritchie - McKernan

Strathearn has a mix of older and more modern homes and is situated atop the North Saskatchewan River Valley, which makes it a beautiful place to live and explore. Ritchie is one of Edmonton’s more pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods, with easy access to downtown, the river valley park system, and the farmers’ market in nearby Strathcona. To the west, you’ll find the neighbourhood of McKernan, with beautiful post-war homes and walk-up apartments. Close to the University of Alberta, world-class healthcare facilities, and sports centres, McKernan is popular with renters looking for a place to live with a little bit of everything.