Edmonton is the most northerly city in North America and has a metropolitan population of over one million. Though it is the provincial capital, it is the second largest city in Alberta after Calgary. Edmonton is very reliant on cars, so many shopping and entertainment hubs are based in a few key areas, such as South Edmonton Common, Whyte Avenue, West Edmonton Mall, and Jasper Avenue, to name a few. Though Edmonton’s economy, along with the province of Alberta, has met with some challenges in recent years, the diversity of the city’s jobs market means that opportunities are available across sectors for those who are willing to look.
Edmonton is located in Alberta, the only province without a provincial sales tax (PST). Edmonton is the major economic centre for northern and central Alberta and a hub for the oil and gas industry. Economic activity in Calgary is mostly centred on the petroleum industry, agriculture and tourism. Alberta has the lion’s share of Canada’s oil industry. Its reserves – in the form of oil sands – are estimated to be second only to Saudi Arabia’s.
Edmonton traditionally has been a hub for Albertan petrochemical industries, earning it the nickname “Oil Capital of Canada” in the 1940s. Supply and service industries drive the energy extraction engine, while research develops new technologies and supports expanded value-added processing of Alberta’s massive oil, gas, and oil sands reserves.
Despite the apparent focus on oil and gas, Edmonton’s economy is one of the most diverse in Canada. Major industrial sectors include a strong technology sector. Much of the growth in the technology sector is due to Edmonton’s reputation as one of Canada’s premier research and education centers.
We’ll help you to find out with this overview of the popular neighbourhoods. You can also use our Edmonton neighbourhood maps or explore each area in more detail here.
The south and southwestern neighbourhoods in Edmonton are often identified as some of the most desirable. Areas such as Haddow, Henderson Estates and Ogilvie Ridge have comparatively low crime rates and high affluence. Generally speaking, the city’s southside tends to be very family-friendly and comparatively safe.
A notable area of Edmonton’s southside is Old Strathcona, Edmonton’s main arts and entertainment district, and shopping hub, and close to the University of Alberta. The popular Whyte (82nd) Avenue is a draw for residents and tourists alike and is buzzing with shops, bars, and great restaurants. Whyte Avenue runs through several neighbourhoods, including Garneau, Queen Alexandra, Strathcona and Bonnie Doon. This is perfect for those looking for a slightly arty and alternative area to call home.
Mill Woods is another area in the southside, comprised of more than eight neighbourhoods in Edmonton. Over 100,000 people live in Mill Woods, and it offers more affordability than most other southside addresses. Mill Woods is a largely self-sufficient community, with amenities such as a hospital, police headquarters and recreation centre. Mill Woods has a reputation for higher levels of crime, but this reputation is largely unwarranted, and neighbourhoods such as Jackson Heights and Greenview offer high quality of life and low crime.
Summerside in the southwest of the city is a new residential area popular with many families. It’s a pretty quiet area with many new houses and apartments. The bus service is pretty good for those without cars, and many people use bikes during the summer. Lake Summerside is a man-made lake with a playground, boats, swimming in the summer and skating in the winter, and they often have family days. It is a private lake and only the residents of Lake Summerside can use the water.
As is to be expected, Edmonton’s downtown core is also the city’s central business district. Unlike other downtown cores across Canada, Edmonton’s is conveniently located in the geographical centre of the city, making it easy to navigate outward from there. The downtown core is home to the Arts District as and the iconic Churchill Square.
Located immediately west of the downtown core, Oliver is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. Oliver features both older homes and newer apartment buildings and condominiums, and is one of the densest neighbourhoods in Edmonton. Jasper Avenue, Edmonton’s main street, cuts through Oliver and is lined with shops, restaurants and other amenities.
Cloverdale has kept its focus on residential, rather than commercial, development, making it one of the quietest neighbourhoods in Edmonton. It is located on the river valley, immediately across the river from the downtown core. In the summer, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival is held in Cloverdale, and it is also home to the distinct Muttart Conservatory pyramids and Edmonton’s oldest ski hill.
The Boyle Street area is one of the oldest parts of the city, and has some of the highest concentrations of old buildings in Edmonton. It lies just east of the downtown core, is very ethnically diverse, and features walk-up apartments and brick buildings. Although the area is largely considered low income, it is currently undergoing redevelopment and the future of the neighbourhood is promising.
Unsurprisingly, West Edmonton is well-known for the world-famous West Edmonton Mall, meaning there are plenty of amenities nearby. West Edmonton is also very family-friendly and has a lot of variety, regardless of whether you’re looking for an apartment, condominium, or single-family home. Some neighbourhoods to consider are Glenora, Parkview and Crestwood.
Westmount is considered central-west, and may be one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Edmonton. It was originally developed in 1910 and has retained its original charm. As a result, Westmount is an established neighbourhood comprising mainly single-family homes. There are several shopping areas in the district, including 124th Street and 102nd Avenue.
The Highlands was named by This Old House magazine as one of Canada’s best neighbourhoods of old homes. With a golf club backing onto the river valley and its own shopping district along 112th Avenue, it is easy to see why it has garnered a little fame.
Crime tends to be concentrated in some northeastern neighbourhoods in Edmonton, including Abbotsfield, Beverly, Hermitage and Norwood. Downtown also experiences some problems at night, particularly in the Chinatown and McCauley areas.
Northwest areas such as Castledowns and Oxford are considered to be nice to live in, and nearby communities such as Beaumount, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park and Leduc are popular as housing costs are lower than within the city. There is the additional commute to consider, however, depending on where work takes you, but it shouldn’t add more than about 20 minutes to your drive.
