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Living in Edmonton, Canada:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

42 local experts
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If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Edmonton, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked 42 people living in Edmonton what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

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42 comments on “Edmonton”

Edmonton is a city with a massive river valley, beautiful summers full of festivals and patios, and relatively reasonable as prices in other cities across Canada rise. There are many kinds of Edmonton: some areas are lower income and often within ten or twenty blocks you’ll find yourself in more middle-class areas. Edmonton is sprawling so you can find yourself making long commutes and dependent on a vehicle unless you’re intentional about which neighborhood you live in.

While it’s the capital city, there is a history within Alberta of more and more members of our government coming from Calgary so it has seen a large influx of funding while Edmonton has lagged behind. It is the safest place in Alberta if you are an LGBTQ+ person and overall it is considered the most left-leaning politically within this more conservative province.

I grew up here and it is easy to see where there need to be changes, but the city council has made some good choices regarding rezoning and hopefully that keeps the city a bit more reasonable than its many neighboring ones. If you are okay with the dry, cold winters and warm, hot summers you’ll like it here. There is lots of sun year round and the temperatures can appear extreme, but the colds aren’t as bad as they can look by temperature alone because of the lack of humidity.

Seeley, says: 2024

If you are moving to Edmonton, you should expect long, cold winters (-30 to -40C), hot summers and short spring & fall seasons. Be prepared and get a decent winter jacket, gloves, hat/toque, socks and boots! Lots of green space and weather can be unpredictable. Overall people are warm & friendly but demographic is constantly changing. Vibrant with lots of different foods from around the world.

Edmonton is beautiful in the summer with plenty of parks, pathways and festivals. There are lots of restaurants and the summers are warm, dry and the days are very long because it’s so northerly. The winters are very cold (as low as – 30 degrees Celsius) but it’s a dry cold so it doesn’t feel as cold as more humid areas. The days are short as well because of the northern location again. The vast prairies are beautiful and you’re only 3 hours from mountains in Jasper or Banff or desert conditions in Drumheller.

Seeley, says: 2024

Edmonton is the gateway city for the north where the majority of oil is being found and processed. Edmonton is also included on the list of cities with cleanest drinking water and is a world leader in recycling solutions.

City council is nuts! They are spending $1 million dollars on bike lanes, in a city with 6 months of cold weather and reducing funds for snow removal!

Ramona, says: 2023

If you’re moving to Edmonton, Alberta steer clear living downtown. High rent, lots of homelessness around; don’t walk at night by yourself. Choose living in the suburbs like St. Albert or Fort Sask instead.

Florence, says: 2023

It’s a fantastic place for activities and events. If you love winter it’s the place of winter dreams. If you love heat it’s a great summer city.

If you’re moving to Edmonton you need to know that there is no life here, downtown is full of druggies, and it’s unsafe to enjoy an evening walk. Even though the school system is great, Edmonton itself is a boring city with nothing really to do on the weekends. You will maximum enjoy it here for around 3 years, after that it’s all downhill.

It is very cold in the winter but the summer is glorious. Good air, nice people. Close to the Rockies.

Edmonton is a festival city in the summer months. There are tons of events going on during the weekends. Music festivals, street performers, the fringe, taste of Edmonton with food vendors and carnivals in mall parking lots. The winter is cold but there are several events to keep people busy. Flying canoe festival, skate festival, outdoor markets and bonfires for everyone to keep toasty. Edmonton has a beautiful river valley with an extensive trail system.

Edmonton is a large metropolitan city consisting of multiple independent neighborhoods, each with their own flavour and sense of community. There are older, more mature areas swimming in history as well as newer, more streamlined developments with all the accoutrements of modern society. Parks, green spaces, and nature trails abound, and the downtown core is bustling with activity. Constant improvements are being made to the city’s public transportation system. My favourite thing about Edmonton? This city has everything I need and wonderful new experiences to enjoy.

Tayyab, says: 2020

Edmonton is a relatively inexpensive city, compared to cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, or even Calgary. Depending on the neighbourhood, rent can be anywhere from $800 to $1,800 a month, and average housing prices are $375,000. Notable events and attractions that are native to the city include the indoor theme park Galaxyland, the West Edmonton Mall World Water Park, the annual Heritage Festival, and the annual Klondike Days Festival, or K-Days as it is also known.

Edmonton is a city full of many great restaurants and great people. There are many activities and festivals to attend in the summer. But prepare for the winter as it become minus 40 degrees. bring your winter jacket and boots to stay warm. Other than that Edmonton is a pleasant place to live.

It is a very large city within a ring road. There are many shops, markets and restaurants. In summer there are many festivals. This is the reason that Edmonton is known as the festival city. You can also go for walks on the several trails, most of which are paved trails.

Edmonton has a beautiful river to bike or hike beside. The festivals that are hosted by Edmonton are exciting. Most of these festivals only happen during summer because our winters are so cold. The few winter festivals that are hosted often have a booth that serves hot chocolate and coffee to warm people up.

Jugraj, says: 2020

Winters are atrocious. Tarps of snow blanket the roads as early as October, the air stings and bites your lungs every time you inhale, your hands redden and twitch unless you stuff them under your armpits. Earmuffs are essential. Mittens are commodities hotter than gold. Once you move to Edmonton, you realize that you spent your entire life underestimating how many pairs of sucks a human being could cram over their feet and into a single boot.

Edmonton, Alberta, has one of the largest malls in the entire world! You can enjoy the indoor amusement park, the world water park, Scotiabank theatre and an endless amount of shopping. We have one of the biggest natural river valleys, that runs through our entire city. You can walk, bike, skateboard or even roller blade through the entire river valley.

Christian, says: 2020

the warm months usually only consist of July and August. That most of the year is on the cooler side or with snowfall. Also, there are unique restaurants to visit during your stay; such as The Revolving Restaurant. This restaurant slowly rotates and overlooks the whole city while you enjoy their great food.

Someone moving to Edmonton should know two things. The first thing is that we have the largest mall in Canada named West Edmonton Mall. The second thing that someone should know is that our top university is the University of Alberta. They have many courses that have been rated one of the best such as their Engineering and Business programs.

Tiffany, says: 2020

When moving to Edmonton, one should be prepared to improvise. With a lack of activity that is often joked about among Edmontonians themselves, it is up to individuals to come up with their own forms of entertainment. This, despite being a notable problem, can be avoided, should you research various areas thoroughly.

Chelsea, says: 2020

Edmonton is Alberta’s capital city, a metropolis renowned for its festivals and sprawling river valley. The city has affordable housing and one of Canada’s top universities. Edmonton is only a few hours from the Rocky Mountains along with some of the world’s best skiing destinations. Edmonton is a growing and vibrant city perfect for families and socialites.

Edmonton is a beautiful city with exquisite attractions and engaging citizens. Although it may seem remote, the city has one of the highest populations in Alberta. Seeing as Edmonton is the capital of the province, the Legislature building serves as one of the city’s most intriguing landmarks; however, the most renowned building in all of Edmonton is unrivalled: the West Edmonton Mall. Conquered only recently by a mall in Dubai, the West Edmonton Mall–or “Wem” to the locals– is the second largest mall in the world. The gem of the city lies in its occupants. The people of Edmonton come from all corners of the world. Truly, if one looks to have a diverse, historic, and unforgettable experience, one should consider booking a trip to Edmonton.

Everyone has their own unique taste and not everyone will be inclined to support or enjoy the same things. Edmonton is a city that offers something for everyone, from beautiful parks to wondrous neighbourhoods. You can connect with people like you, or try something daring and fresh. The diversity of Edmonton will catch your eye, along with the friendly people and welcoming communities.

Winters in Edmonton are long and cold. People should know frostbite and protect their skin while walking or spending time outdoors. Summers are warm, sunny and beautiful, however, too short. Edmonton is a festival city. One of the largest multicultural festivals in the world, Heritage Festival, is held here every August long weekend.

Ranjeet, says: 2020

Edmonton is the capital in the province of Alberta. The beauty of the river valley is breathtaking. There are many walking paths. There are beautiful old buildings where you can enjoy meals. A very diverse and culture rich atmosphere.

Edmonton, Alberta, is a beautiful city with a stunning skyline. The lights glow unlike anything you’ve seen before; they gleam like stars in a dark sky. This gorgeous view will make you yearn for more. Having an apartment with the glimmering lights of the city will have a significant impact on you.

Genevieve, says: 2020

Edmonton is a positively beautiful city. I hope that you are a fan of festivals. Edmonton is home to a variety of cultural festivals, where you will be pleased to find many different activities and tasty foods to try! It is a fantastic place to raise a family and give them an appreciation for many ways of life.

Edmonton is a sprawling city. The way that it is spread out can create challenges in mobility. Public Transit is available at a cost of course. However, it is important to ensure that your accommodations are near enough to a bus or train route to access these services.

Keaghan, says: 2020

Edmonton is a wonderful city because of the abundance of outdoor activities available to enjoy. In the warmer months you can go hiking in the river valley or kayaking along the Saskatchewan river. While the colder months bring the festival of lights and trees to ring in the holiday spirit. if you are someone who wants adventure, Edmonton is the place.

Ameena, says: 2020

Though often referred to as ‘deadmonton’, Edmonton is no boring city. In fact, in it resides the biggest mall in North America. The latter contains an indoor water park with many slides, a large pool with artificial waves, and many hot tubs. There is also an indoor amusement park with rollercoasters, a mini racing track, and a train. An ice rink can also be found in the mall. How can one say Edmonton when so much entertainment can be found in one place.

Edmonton is a beautiful, yet underrated city. The river valley creates spectacular views throughout, and there are plenty of walking and cycling trails to discover. While winter can be long and cold, there are many indoor activities to make the season bearable. Edmonton is the home of West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in North America.

Someone moving to Edmonton should know about the sprawling hills and vast system of trails in the river valley. Spanning 100s of kilometres, one can spend days hiking and biking within city limits. One summer, due to the construction of an LRT bridge, an “accidental beach” even appeared along the banks of Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River, providing hours of sunbathing and swimming for children and adults. Therefore, Edmonton has many opportunities for fun in the outdoors.

Edmonton is a beautiful city. There are a number of parks and walking trails in and around our river valley. People can enjoy a variety of cultural experiences, including concerts, festivals, and shopping in the world-famous West Edmonton Mall. The view of downtown Edmonton is a stunning sight, whether day or night.

Hyemin, says: 2020

The cost of living is not too extreme, though the amenities are not top-notch either. The city is typically left-leaning ideologically, compared to the rest of the province, primarily due to the University population. The transit system leaves a lot to be desired, and with the urban sprawl of the city, it may take a few hours to go across town.

Shweta, says: 2020

Though the region is known for one major industry (oil and gas), Edmonton has a more diverse economy which leads to a more diverse population and workforce. As the provincial capital, the city employs thousands of civil servants for various ministerial roles. The University of Alberta, the second-largest postsecondary institution in western Canada, is also a major local employer. Because of this variety of sectors, the city tends to be less vulnerable to economic downturns.

Stephanie, says: 2020

Someone moving to Edmonton should know winters can become extremely cold – going up to -40 degrees Celsius. However, if you can survive the cold winters, summers in Edmonton can be a lot of fun. There are a variety of festivals throughout summer and there is also a sprawling river valley with beautiful trails and parks.

Our city is a very beautiful city. It has many attractions. Fort Edmonton Park, the Valley Zoo and the Muttart Pyramids are very accessible and moderately priced, and fun. We also have the biggest shopping mall in western Canada with all levels of shopping available for everyone.

Amanjot, says: 2020

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. It is center of oil and gas industry. It is also one of the biggest cities in Alberta. Government has approved Pipeline project through Edmonton that will create numerous jobs in future. Besides employment, Edmonton has some good places to visit for leisure purposes as well.

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, Canada. It has a population of just under one million. It is home to many large outdoor festivals and home to one of the largest malls in Canada. It is vibrant and exciting with a diverse population and a large variety of industries.

One of the best parts of living in Edmonton is summer. The 104 street Farmers Market on Saturday mornings is a great place to pick up fresh local vegetables and baking. I also enjoy the festivals that go on, like the Fringe Festival, a great place to see the local talent.

Jayalakshmi, says: 2020

If one moves to Edmonton, keep in mind all the fun and exciting gems that are waiting to be discovered! Edmonton is home to West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in North America, which contains 100s of shops, a “street” of restaurants, an indoor amusement park and a water park complete with many daring slides and zip-lines. If you love the outdoors, the bustling Whyte Ave has everything to create a perfect day out from street performers to food festivals, hobby shops and so many picture worthy walls! However, a down side is the transit system which can end up costing you 30 minutes in wait time for some buses.

Joshua, says: 2020

Winters in Edmonton are very long. As a result, there are not too many things to do during the long winter. However, summers here are awesome and so much fun. It is a great place and the people here are amazing.

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