Alberta is a beautiful province that’s chock full of breathtaking natural attractions. The region is one of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces and it features a great blend of green areas and large cities alike. With that said, there are many different cities and small towns, so you need to learn about the best places to live in Alberta if you want to purchase a home in the right location.

With that said, there are dozens of different locations you can try, some of which offer access to major highways, a close-knit community, scenic beauty, and advantages that go beyond basic amenities. Therefore, you need to research your options, evaluate all the amenities at your disposal, and choose a flourishing city in order to make the best possible selection.

In this article, we will highlight the top 10 most beautiful and safest places to live in Alberta.

Top 10 Best Places to Live in Alberta

If you’re looking for the best areas, you should avoid narrowing down your search to the cheapest places to live in Alberta. Instead, you should broaden your scope as Alberta offers relatively affordable home prices.

While not as low as New Brunswick, Alberta homes provide great value, especially when compared to British Columbia or Ontario. When searching for the best places to live, you should consider variables that are important to your household members. This includes living in a family-friendly environment, forming part of a diverse community, and having the amenities to establish an outdoor lifestyle.

With the above in mind, here are our picks for the best places to live in Alberta.

1. Calgary

Calgary is the biggest and most populous city in Alberta, Canada. Calgary is known as an environmentally-friendly city that offers great amenities, including a superb metro-bus system. Not only this, but it also has all of the great characteristics of a big city, including entertainment facilities, a vibrant community, and the economic influx that’s traditional of a major financial hub.

Also known as The Stampede City, Calgary is home to almost 1.5 million individuals, but it’s still considered an affordable place to live for being in a big city. This is because Calgary, like the rest of Alberta, doesn’t have a sales tax, which can significantly reduce the cost of real estate.

2. Edmonton

If you’re trying to zero in on the best city to live in Alberta, then Edmonton should be close to the top of your list. In addition to being the capital city, Edmonton is one of the top places to live in central Alberta because it offers the vibe of a small town, yet it also has amenities that are normally found in big cities.

Edmonton offers a lovely environment to raise a family, but it’s important to note that the city has a humid continental climate. Nevertheless, its many social amenities, urban facilities, and picturesque environment make it one of the top places to live in Alberta.

3. Red Deer

The population of Red Deer is significantly smaller than both Calgary and Edmonton. But, the 105,000 residents of this medium-sized city support one of the area’s most important financial and agricultural focal points.

Red Deer is home to major oil companies, which is the reason why its unemployment rate stands below the national average. The third biggest city in Alberta population-wise, Red Deer is known as one of the best cities to live in Alberta because it also has some of the cheapest rent rates in the province. This is ideal for families that want to buy a house, but still need to improve their odds.

4. Cochrane

Is Cochrane the best place to live in Alberta?

If the most important things on your list of requirements are a small-town feel, a safe environment, and access to the rocky mountains of Banff national park, it may very well be.

In addition to the above, Cochrane is located merely 18 kilometres from Calgary, the largest city in Alberta, Canada. This makes it the perfect alternative for professionals that want to work in a high-paced city-based company and live in a rural environment that’s away from the hustle and bustle.

5. Okotoks

Okotoks is one of the best cities to live in because it’s surrounded by protected areas, which allows its residents to enjoy the natural beauty without much effort.

Additionally, Okotoks is located less than 50 kilometres south of Calgary, making it a great alternative for homeowners that need to remain close to The Stampede City and enjoy affordable home prices.

6. St. Albert

St. Albert is home to almost 70,000 people and it’s situated among rolling hills, which gives this small, affordable city a distinct vibe. Known as one of the healthiest cities in the Edmonton area, St. Albert is the perfect option for active individuals who want to raise their families in relative peace and quiet.

With the above in mind, it’s less than 20 kilometres from Edmonton, which is the reason why its unemployment rate is an entire percentage point higher than the national average.

7. Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray is one of the centrepieces of Alberta’s oil and gas industry. Located in the famed oil sands, the small city of Fort McMurray provides great professional opportunities for professionals of all skills and ages.

While other major cities may have more amenities, Fort McMurray is considered a lovely affordable city where the unemployment rate stands at 5.6%, which is great when compared to Canada’s overall rate of 7.6%.

8. Leduc

Leduc town lies almost 30 kilometres south of Edmonton, just west of Saunders Lake. This small settlement offers a multicultural community, easy access to Edmonton, and the ability to enjoy great activities during both winter and summer. For example, ice fishing during winter and beach volleyball during the hot summer months.

9. Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie is a lovely city located in Northwest Alberta. It’s home to almost 65,000 and one of the best places to live in, if you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. The city is also located close to the mountains, so its residents can enjoy easy access to ski resorts or participate in winter skating during the colder months.

10. Airdrie

A small town located just north of Calgary, Airdrie is an awesome alternative for young families that need to stay close, but don’t want to live in The Stampede City. Although it’s known as a quaint town, Airdrie has a relatively high average household income and it features a wide range of great amenities.

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions that new homeowners ask before moving to Alberta, Canada.

Q: Is it cheaper to live in Alberta?

A: The cost of property in Alberta is lower than the national average, especially when compared to regions like Ontario. Not only this, but the lack of sales tax also reduces the cost of living, which makes Alberta, Canada, a more affordable option than many other alternatives.

Q: Where are the safest places to live in Alberta?

A: The safest places to live in Alberta, Canada are St. Albert and Okotoks. That said, the entire province, including Calgary and Edmonton, is considered a safe alternative that’s ideal for families of all ages.

Q: Where is the best place to raise a family in Alberta?

A: Every family is different, so there is no exact formula to finding the ideal city in Alberta. If you want to live in Alberta, Canada, your best bet is to consider your family’s requirements and compare these to the different cities in the province.

Q: What is the average house price in Alberta?

A: The average cost of a residential piece of property in Alberta is around $458,000, which is significantly more affordable than in areas like British Columbia and Ontario. That said, property prices in Alberta went up close to 11% from 2021 to 2022 and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Alberta is a great place to live, but narrowing down the exact city or town may still take a while. If you want to learn more about buying a house in Grande Prairie, Red Deer, St. Albert, Calgary, or any other part of Alberta, Canada, contact us today.