Living in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta offers a vibrant blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Known for its thriving arts scene, diverse cultural offerings, and stunning natural landscapes, Edmonton is an ideal destination for those seeking a fulfilling lifestyle. Whether you’re attracted to the city’s numerous festivals, outdoor adventures, or strong job market, Edmonton provides something for everyone. The city’s unique combination of cultural attractions, economic opportunities, and scenic surroundings makes living in Edmonton a rewarding experience.

Why is Edmonton, Alberta, a great place to live and work?

Located in the center of the Edmonton Capital Region, beside the North Saskatchewan River, sits Edmonton, the capital and second-biggest city of Alberta. Edmonton is distinct because of its location between an urban area and a wilderness, providing a harmonious union of the two. The city was founded in 1875, but its history dates back to the 1700s when Fort Edmonton was founded. After being formally founded as a city in 1904, Edmonton has experienced significant growth, absorbing nearby communities including Beverly, Jasper Place, North Edmonton, West Edmonton, and Strathcona.

Oil, gas, and oil sands deposits in Alberta are so abundant that the province is known as the “Oil Capital of Canada.” The city is also referred to as “The Festival City of Canada,” a title bestowed upon it for its extensive annual calendar of activities.

Edmonton is a popular destination for immigrants from all over the world because of its quick growth, wealth of work opportunities, cheap tax environment, and diversified population. The city’s diverse population, attractive economic climate, and excellent standard of living draw in new residents.

Edmonton’s Population 

1,062,643 people called Edmonton home in 2016, according to the Statistics Canada Census. The projected population today is closer to 1.4 million, and the city is expanding at a pace of roughly 2% per year. Visible minorities make up about 25% of Edmonton’s population, which reflects the city’s multicultural and diversified population.

An estimated 330,000 people live in Edmonton who are immigrants, and the city welcomes between 35,000 and 45,000 newcomers annually. The growth and diversity of Edmonton are greatly enhanced by this influx.

Projections indicate that by 2050, immigrants will account for 50% of Edmonton’s population, according to the City of Edmonton’s “State of Immigration and Settlement in Edmonton – Annual Report 2021”. This expected change in the population emphasizes the city’s importance as a hub for immigrants looking for work in Canada.

Building a Career in Edmonton

Edmonton has the fifth-highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any Canadian city and one of the fastest-growing economies among the country’s big cities. The petrochemical sector plays a major role in Edmonton’s economy, as the province holds 96% of Canada’s oil reserves. Oil supplies and services, as well as developments in technology research and development, are the main drivers of the city’s economy.

Important sectors in Edmonton are as follows:

  • Technology
  • Financial Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy
  • Tourism
  • Oil and Gas

Principal Employers in Edmonton

Edmonton is home to numerous significant enterprises from a range of sectors. Among the leading companies in the Edmonton Metropolitan Area are:

  • BioWare
  • Telus
  • Alberta Motor Association
  • University of Alberta
  • DynaLIFE
  • General Electric
  • Lilydale
  • Afexa Life Sciences Inc.
  • Alberta Health Services
  • IBM
  • West Edmonton Mall

Career Pathways in Edmonton

Although a large portion of Edmonton’s population moved there from other Canadian provinces, throughout the past ten years, the city has seen an increase in the number of foreign immigrants. Edmonton’s robust employment market and excellent standard of living are its main draws, drawing in a sizable influx of new residents. People aged 25 to 45, comprising around 31% of the population, are in their prime working, consuming, and spending years. They are expected to fuel continued economic growth.

Edmonton’s labor market is set to expand by over 3% in 2022 and 2023, and experts predict that this growth will continue through 2030 and beyond. The city’s unemployment rate dropped significantly from 11.5% in November 2020 to 7.6% in November 2021, indicating a strengthening labor market.

Current Real Estate Trends in Edmonton 

Locating acceptable accommodation in Edmonton should be your first concern if you’re thinking about moving there. As the population of the city keeps increasing, new neighborhoods and housing developments are popping up. There are many different communities in Edmonton that you can buy or rent, and you can find temporary housing while you’re settling in. Edmonton’s real estate prices are still quite low when compared to other large cities, despite the fact that they are rising nationwide. It is one of the larger cities that is more affordable, ranking as Canada’s ninth most expensive city. For newcomers, less expensive neighborhoods are Rideau Park, Wellington, Lauderdale, Carlisle, Prince Charles, and Athlone.

Edmonton has more affordable rental prices when compared to other large cities. A bachelor’s apartment typically costs $837, a one-bedroom apartment $1,071, and a two-bedroom apartment $1,356. In 2021, the typical home price for individuals looking to buy was $431,500, which represents a 9.7% increase from the year before. The median price of a detached single-family home was $470,400, whilst the price of a condo was $194,700.

Top Tips for Driving and Using Public Transit 

Edmonton, Alberta’s road system and well-connected freeways make driving there convenient. The city is connected to Saskatchewan and British Columbia by the Yellowhead Highway, and it may be reached directly from Calgary by the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QE2). Many people in Edmonton rely on their automobiles. The city offers the lowest fuel and diesel costs in Canada.

The city is divided into three quadrants: northwest (NW), southwest (SW), and northeast (NE). The street names reflect these quadrants. Avenues run east to west and streets run north to south, creating a grid layout for the city’s roads.

With the Edmonton Transit System (ETS), the city of Edmonton provides a user-friendly public transit system. Bus and Light Rail Transit (LRT) are both run by the ETS. Northeast Edmonton, Downtown, the Government Center, the University, and the South end are all connected by the LRT network. Nonetheless, several bus routes that serve remote suburbs or industrial areas are less frequent, and other routes don’t operate on Sundays.

Edmonton’s Education System Supports

Edmonton’s education system is a diverse and robust ecosystem that caters to students of all ages. To begin with, for K-12 education, families have a wide range of options, including public, Catholic, French immersion, and private schools. Furthermore, the city’s three publicly funded school boards—Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic School District, and Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No.2—offer a variety of programs, such as bilingual education, French immersion, and ESL support.

Moving on to post-secondary education, Edmonton boasts several esteemed institutions. The University of Alberta, a globally recognized university, provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. In addition, other notable universities include Athabasca University, Grant MacEwan University, and Concordia University College of Alberta. Edmonton hosts the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), NorQuest College, and Yellowhead Tribal College. These institutions offer a variety of vocational and technical programs.

Finally, the city’s strong research and education institutions play a crucial role in driving innovation and economic growth in Edmonton. The University of Alberta, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures, and the National Institute for Nanotechnology lead research efforts. They significantly contribute to the city’s thriving technology and biotech sectors.

Accessing Mental Health Services in Edmonton

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers most medically necessary healthcare treatments in Edmonton. Residents can choose to purchase additional health insurance on their own. Alternatively, they can receive it as part of an occupational benefits package to cover services not included by AHCIP, such as prescription medicines.

The universal emergency number in Canada is 9-1-1. You should contact this number in case of an emergency. The University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Misericordia Community Hospital, and Grey Nuns Community Hospital are just a few of the hospitals in Edmonton where you can receive medical care.

Choosing a family physician is a crucial first step in keeping your health. You can find a physician by using the online tool offered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. You might be placed on a waiting list if no doctors are available to accept new patients. Alternatively, you can go to one of the city’s many general non-emergency walk-in clinics if you don’t have a family doctor. You can consult resources that outline the procedures for obtaining free healthcare. These resources will provide additional information on how to access healthcare in Canada.

Conclusion

Edmonton has many advantages for permanent residents, including a diversified educational system, extensive healthcare, a thriving cultural scene, and reasonably priced housing. Edmonton provides a warm environment, excellent public and private schools, and top-notch medical facilities. It also maintains a well-functioning transit system for its permanent population.

The city appeals to people and families with its low cost of living compared to other major Canadian cities. It also offers a wealth of educational opportunities. Finding a family doctor, navigating the educational system, or learning about the city’s medical care options—Edmonton actively supports its citizens with strong infrastructure. The city ensures a high standard of living for all its residents.

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