Edmonton will be listed twice if we’re to make a list of good places to live. Nonetheless, the 15 pros and cons of living in Edmonton discussed in this article will guide you in making the best decision.
Are you considering moving to Edmonton, Alberta? Then read till the end of this article for all the information you need. Let’s get started!
Life in Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. The city has a population of 1,519,000, and the English Language is the dominant means of communication there.
Edmonton is one of Canada’s top cities with a liberal business environment. The city has ranked 8th in Canada’s top livable places in terms of cost of living, amenities, and growing economy.
When it comes to friendliness, residents of Edmonton are largely accommodating people. The city also goes by two famous names — The Oil Capital of Canada and the Festival City of Canada.
Edmontonians enjoy a quality standard of living. Compared to other big cities, Edmonton has an affordable cost of living.
Why should you live in Edmonton? The next part of this article will summarize the advantages and disadvantages of living in Edmonton.
Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Edmonton, Alberta
| Pros of Living in Edmonton, Alberta | Cons of Living in Edmonton, Alberta |
| Affordable Cost of Living | Crime Rate is High |
| Developed Economy | Effect of Coronavirus on Employment |
| Lots of Opportunities | The Weather can get Extreme |
| Free Business Environment | Traffic is Building up in Edmonton |
| Residents are Friendly | Edmonton gets Boring |
Advantages of Living in Edmonton, Alberta
1. Affordable Cost of Living
This is particularly so because of the affordable rent rate. Unlike Toronto or even Calgary, Edmonton’s neighboring city, rent prices are way lower in Edmonton.
The average cost of living per month in Edmonton is $1300. If you’re single, you’ll need about $1495 per month.
Couples can spend about $1600 per month, while a family of three will need about $1965.
2. Developed Economy
If we’re to describe Edmonton’s economy, it’ll be strong, resilient, and diverse. Edmonton is an oil and gas haven; this development has attracted lots of migrants to live and work in Edmonton.
The Alberta province highlights over $61.9 billion in projects across the Edmonton service sectors. There are tons of investment opportunities given their strong economic indicators.
Edmonton is responsible for providing 25% of employment opportunities in Canada.
3. Edmonton is Ethnically Diverse
With the activities of migrants in the city, it’s only natural that the city is diverse. About one-quarter of Edmonton’s local population belongs to Chinese or Asian ethnic groups.
4. Lots of Employment Opportunities
Since Edmonton is rich in oil and gas, the petrochemical industry is Edmonton’s largest employer of labor. This thriving industry gave the city the title “Oil Capital of Canada.” Other thriving employment sectors include banking, biotechnology, and information technology.
5. Free Business Environment
Where there’s liberality, businesses thrive. Edmonton boasts of several thriving retail businesses. Many of them are privately owned.
6. Residents are Friendly
When you move to Edmonton, one of the first things you’ll notice is the welcoming environment that the residents provide. It’s enough reason for many not to leave Edmonton.
You’ll understand what I mean if you’ve stayed long enough in very hostile cities.
7. Low Taxes
Edmonton is located in Alberta. Alberta is Canada’s low-tax province. Federal taxes are charged at 15%, while provincial taxes are at 8%, adding up to a corporate tax of 23%.
This makes it one of the lowest tax rates in Canada. There are also tax credits to benefit from. The accelerated capital cost allowance, scientific research and experimental development, and the innovation employment grant are just a few.
8. Good Rail System and Bus Network
Edmonton keeps advancing its light rail system and bus services that ply the major central and downtown routes. Edmonton Transit is extensive in providing bus and light rail services (LRT). It’s fast and convenient and keeps to 15 stops around the city.
9. English is the Primary Language in Edmonton
This is a great advantage since learning a new language can be tough. 91% of the Edmonton population speak English fluently— at least you won’t have to register for a language class once you move there.
10. It’s a Festival City
Edmonton hosts the best festivals — literally. There are more festivals in Edmonton than in any other Canadian city. Festivals here include art, food, holidays, and religious festivals, to mention a few. Some of them include
- Annual Shake, Stir, and Strainbow
- Friendzy Fest
- Edmonton Blues Festival
- The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
- Zoobrew
Downsides of Living in Edmonton, Alberta
1. Crime Rate is High
After Edmonton ranked 8th for livable cities in Canada in 2014, the reverse became the case. In 2018, it ranked 68th out of 415 Canadian cities because of the high crime rate.
In 2018, about 27 homicides were reported in Edmonton. This is something to consider if you’re going to live in Edmonton.
2. Effect of Coronavirus on Employment
When the Coronavirus struck in 2020, Edmonton was negatively affected. The global crash in oil prices caused the unemployment rate to rise from 8.2%, which was the case in January 2020, to above 13% by May 2020.
Records show that these figures are higher than the average Canadian unemployment rate of 11.5%.
3. The Weather can get Extreme
Living in Canada means waking up early enough to scrape ice off your car. However, Edmonton has a relatively dry, humid climate. Though not as extreme as in many other Canadian cities, seasonal temperatures are quite extreme in Edmonton.
Unlike Winnipeg or Regina, Edmonton city experiences milder winter seasons. Summer and winter seasons experience -11.7°C in January and 17.5°C in July. Meanwhile, since Edmonton is Canada’s sunniest city, summers can be very beautiful to experience, however severe.
4. Traffic is Building up in Edmonton
The traffic congestion in Edmonton is challenging, especially during the weekend. It can also be tough on work days since many commuters are rushing to work early.
If you move to Edmonton, you can make plans to set out early enough to beat the traffic. During the weekends, gather enough patience for the road if you must go out.
5. Edmonton gets Boring
There’s a laid-back kind of living in Edmonton. If you’re the type that’ll love to stay out till late, the city may not have a lot of options for you. Even malls code as early as 7 pm — latest, 9 pm. However, during the weekends, they stay open from about 10 pm to 10:30 pm.
Conclusion
Edmonton has much to offer, especially as it pertains to opportunities. It’s also a great place to start a family, considering how calm it is. However, you may have to live in less chaotic areas because of the crime rate. Depending on your preferences, you can decide whether Edmonton is a good place for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best areas to live in Edmonton?
There are a bunch of them to consider —
- Downtown Edmonton
- Strathcona
- Garneau
- Ritchie
- Aspen Gardens
Where are the dangerous neighborhoods in Edmonton?
According to Area Vibes, these are the dangerous neighborhoods in Edmonton
- Yellow Head Corridor
- Blackmud Creek Ravine
- Macauley
- Boyle Street
- Maple Ridge
- Eastwood
- Westview village
- Abbottsfield
Which is the cheapest province to live in Canada?
New Brunswick is the cheapest province you can live in Canada. The province brims with opportunities and has an average cost of $1,415. Other cheap provinces include
- Newfoundland
- Quebec
- Prince Edward Island
- Manitoba
- Nova Scotia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- British Columbia
- Ontario
What is the coldest month in Edmonton?
The coldest month is definitely January. Cold seasons last about 3.5 months — November to March.
Which city in Canada has no snow?
No snow? Every Canadian city experiences some snow throughout the year. However, Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, experiences less snow than any other Canadian city.
Which is the hottest city in Canada?
Victoria, British Columbia is the hottest city in Canada since it experiences the least snow. In fact, it’s called Canada’s warmest city.
What is the most educated province in Canada?
Ontario, Canada! About 56% of Ontario’s population has acquired their post-secondary education (PSE). The employment rate is also very high at 81%.
