The Best Neighbourhoods to Live When You Are New to Edmonton

Moving out west for the first time can be a huge lifestyle change. The weather is different, the culture can feel like a whole other world, and it means moving to a whole new city with its own neighbourhoods, traffic, and amenities.
 
Edmonton is a growing, vibrant city with a robust economy based on technology, research, energy, logistics, and finance. The population of Edmonton is over 1.1 million, and the city has grown by 10.7% over the last five years. Meanwhile, median rent remains well below the prices you could expect to pay in similarly-sized cities in central Canada.
 
If you’re moving to Edmonton for work, school, or family, and you’re new to the city, this guide will help you find a neighbourhood that fits your speed. When you’re looking for apartments for rent in Edmonton, it helps to know what you get in different parts of town.
 
Downtown Edmonton
When you’re looking for the fast-paced energy and walkability of city life, downtown Edmonton is the perfect neighbourhood for you. Its central location and proximity to nightlife, entertainment, and amenities are perfect for young professionals, singles on the dating scene, and empty nesters looking to downsize into condo living.
 
Downtown is in the heart of the action, close to museums, the Commonwealth Stadium (home of the Edmonton Elks), and fast and reliable transit with the city’s LRT.
 
Strathcona
Strathcona is widely regarded as Edmonton’s coolest neighbourhood, offering tons of nightlife, theatre, live music, and historic charm. Strathcona is home to the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, a major global theatre festival and the largest Fringe in North America.
The main street, Whyte Avenue, is rich with restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and live music. The neighbourhood offers a variety of housing types, including single-family, townhouses, condos, apartments, and bungalows.
 
Ritchie
Just to the south of Strathcona is a more recently revitalized neighbourhood that began attracting new businesses and younger residents around 2015 with the launch of a market and brewpub. The area is remarkably walkable and offers tons of great dining and shopping. The central hub of the area, Ritchie Market, is the perfect place for people who love food, as it offers a bakery, meat market, coffee roaster, and craft beer brewery.
 
The neighbourhood is also located along the Mill Creek Ravine, the natural habitat of cyclists, runners, dog walkers, and people enjoying the fresh air.
 
Ritchie has a great mix of single-family homes and condos to choose from.
 
Sherwood Park
If downtown living isn’t for you, you may want to look at houses for rent in Sherwood Park. Sherwood Park is a suburb to the east of Edmonton and home to a number of smaller neighbourhoods, including some of the best places to buy in Edmonton. This is the neighbourhood for you if you want to get away from the city and enjoy a spacious house with a big backyard.
 
Garneau
Garneau is the quintessential university neighbourhood, home to the University of Edmonton and attracting students, researchers, academics, and more. Garneau is also just a quick hop across the river from downtown, making it great for commuters who want to live somewhere more vibrant and historic.
 
Edmonton offers tons of choice and variety. Find your dream apartment in Festival City!