Edmonton and its surrounding areas continue to be a huge draw, as Canadians continue to seek affordable housing options in provinces outside of British Columbia and Ontario. The best places to live in Greater Edmonton offer a wide variety of options and opportunities for new homeowners, especially for those seeking a small-town feel outside of the big city.
Beaumont
Population: 20,779 (2012 Canadian census)
Median home value: $639,900
Median household income before taxes: $130,000
Beaumont is slightly southeast of Edmonton and is just under thirty kilometres away via Gateway Blvd/AB-2. This growing city is one of four municipalities in Edmonton that’s recognized as bilingual, with approximately 15 per cent of the population identifying as Francophone.
Beaumont is located just 4 minutes away from Nisku Industrial Park, which is the largest energy services park in Canada. This proximity allows many Beaumont residents to work in the oil and gas service sector without having large employers directly in the city. Beaumont’s location provides easy access to Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, Canada’s largest hydrocarbon processing region. This area is home to over 40 companies, serving as a major career hub for the area’s residents.
For outdoor activities, residents of Beaumont enjoy Summerside lake year-round. It’s the perfect place to swim or fish in the summer, and in the winter months, you’ll find the locals ice-fishing, skating, and playing hockey.
Leduc
Population: 14,416 (2012 Canadian census)
Median home value: $469,000
Median household income before taxes: $100,000
Leduc is directly south of Edmonton via AB-2 and is only 34 kilometres away, making it a great choice for homeowners who want access to the metro with the space and small-town feel of a quieter town.
In manufacturing, companies headquartered in Leduc include Conquest Machine, Custom Coatings International, Allsett Machine, Top Quality Renovations & Concrete, and Fusion Manufacturing.
For healthcare professionals, Leduc Community Hospital offers rewarding career opportunities for residents of the city. This health centre has over 500 workers plus over 100 active volunteers at any given time.
Leduc has a flourishing artistic scene that can be found at the MacLab Centre for the Performing Arts. The theatre offers all-ages shows ranging from hula hoop competitions to battle of the bands performances.
Fort Saskatchewan
Population: 26,831 (2021 Canadian census)
Median home value: $ 514,800
Median household income before taxes: $113,000
Fort Saskatchewan is a city along the North Saskatchewan River, located 25 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. With its proximity to the provincial capital combined with a cost of living that’s 10 per cent lower than the Alberta and Canada average, Fort Saskatchewan is an attractive place to set down roots.
The city’s largest industries are varied, including chemical manufacturing, primary metal manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and mining support activities. Fort Saskatchewan is part of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, which is the largest Canadian industrial area west of Toronto.
The city’s economy is primarily driven by commercial and heavy industry, with major companies like Dow Chemical, Sherritt International, Nutrien (formerly Agrium), and Shell Canada having operations in the area.
When it’s time to head outdoors, Fort Saskatchewan offers nearly 45 trails that largely run alongside the North Saskatchewan river. Residents can enjoy year-round hiking, biking and running throughout the city. The city also has Harbor Pool, an indoor swimming pool with six lanes and an enclosed recreational area that includes a sauna, hot tub, and diving board.
Spruce Grove
Population: 37,645 (2021 Canadian census)
Median home value: $536,950
Median household income before taxes: $106,000
Spruce Grove is found 34 kilometres west of Edmonton via AB-16 and is the ninth-largest city in Alberta. Spruce Grove has produced a significant number of Canada’s most celebrated athletes. Jennifer Heil, the freestyle skier who won the first gold medal for Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics is from Spruce Grove, as is Carla MacLeod, a member of the 2010 Canada women’s national ice hockey team, and Hockey Hall of Fame member and Stanley Cup-winning goalie Grant Fuhr. Stephanie Labbé, goalkeeper for Canada’s 2020 Summer Olympic gold-medal winning women’s soccer team, grew up in the Spruce Grove and Stony Plain area and played soccer at Spruce Grove Composite High School.
Spruce Grove has no shortage of recreational activities. One of the city’s best-known parks is Jubilee Park, with plenty of trails, picnic areas, disc golf, and unique features such as the liberty swing — it’s an accessible swing specially designed for people who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges.
The largest employers in Spruce Grove include Sun Country Holdings Ltd., Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division 2, Loblaws, and the City of Spruce Grove.
St. Albert
Population: 68,232 (2021 Canadian census)
Median home value: $488,715
Median household income before taxes: $117,000
The largest city in Greater Edmonton on our is list is St. Albert, located just under 18 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. The city sits on the Sturgeon River and was originally settled as a Metis community, which provides much of the French flavour residents still experience today.
St. Albert Place, situated in the downtown area, serves as a central hub for a multitude of community events and activities. The architectural design, created by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, mirrors the contours of the Sturgeon River that flows adjacent to the building. Constructed in 1984, St. Albert Place was envisioned as a hub for both civic government and cultural activity, creating a vibrant space for the community. The building currently accommodates the St. Albert Public Library, Musée Héritage Museum, Visual Arts Studio, Arden Theatre, City Hall, and various city government services.
St. Albert Botanic Park is a popular outing for residents on pleasant days. The space features day lily and rose gardens, a cottage garden, and plenty of local flowers. Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park on the shores of Big Lake is a great spot for birdwatching and hiking.
