One of the most unresolved dilemmas for people considering moving to Edmonton is the choice between living in the city center and living in the suburbs or neighboring towns. After all, the line between Edmonton and its suburbs is extremely blurred. Technically, you may be offered housing in St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Beaumont, or other neighboring communities, but you will still commute to work, school, or entertainment in Edmonton every day.
This choice has significant implications for your quality of life, finances, and social experience. That's why this article explores both options — what it means to stay within the city versus moving to the suburbs of Edmonton.
What are the suburbs and surrounding areas of Edmonton?
First, it's important to understand the geography. Edmonton itself is a city with a population of about one million, but the greater Edmonton metropolitan area is home to about 1.5 million people. This means that outside the city limits of Edmonton, there is a vast network of suburbs that are officially separate municipalities.
Some of the most popular suburbs and neighboring communities include St. Albert (northwest), Sherwood Park (east), Beaumont (southeast), Lethbridge (southeast), Leduc (south), Spruce Grove (west), Devon (southwest), and Stony Plain (west). Each of these communities has its own unique characteristics, rental prices, and commute times to downtown Edmonton.
Pros of living in the suburbs
Living in the suburbs rather than downtown has many advantages, especially for families and people who value peace and quiet.
Significantly cheaper rent
This is perhaps the most obvious advantage. Rent in the suburbs is often 20-40 percent cheaper than in downtown Edmonton. For example, if a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs $1,500-1,700, it may cost $1,000-1,200 in the suburbs. For families who need a two- or three-bedroom apartment, the difference is even greater. Renting a three-bedroom house in the suburbs can cost $1,200-$1,400, while in the city center it will be $1,800-$2,200 or more. This means that by saving $300-$500 per month on rent, you will accumulate $3,600-$6,000 per year. For new immigrants trying to save money and strengthen their financial stability, this can be a huge advantage.
More space and better quality housing
Suburbs are often built up with private houses, townhouses, or new apartment complexes. In the city center, you will find older apartment complexes with less smart designs. In the suburbs, especially in newer areas, you will get more modern renovations, more light, more parking spaces, and often even private patios or courtyards. If you rent a typical townhouse in the suburbs, you will have your own garage, a yard where you can grow flowers or vegetables, and generally more comfort than if you rent an apartment in a block complex in the center.
A safer and quieter environment
While there are beautiful places in downtown Edmonton, the environment is often less safe at night because there are more people, more nightlife, and higher social tension. The suburbs are quieter, with more families, more children in the parks, less noise at night, and more predictable social dynamics. If you are the anxious type who worries about safety, the suburbs will give you more peace of mind.
Better infrastructure for families
Suburbs generally have better parks, schools, playgrounds, and entertainment venues for children. If you have children, the suburbs are often more convenient because you are not limited to city walking routes. Kindergartens in the suburbs often have a more peaceful environment, parents are more active in the community, and overall, it is better for children's development.
Access to nature and more space
Suburbs often have more greenery, more parks, and more lakes and rivers within walking distance. If you love nature, kayaking, cycling, or other outdoor activities, the suburbs often offer easier access to these. Edmonton has the beautiful North Saskatchewan River, and if you live in the suburbs near it, you can enjoy nature without having to travel far.
Parking
In downtown Edmonton, parking often costs an additional $150-300 per month and is billed as a separate item on your rent receipt. In the suburbs, parking is always included — either in your driveway or in a resident parking lot (free of charge). This is another invisible money saver.
Cons of living in the suburbs
However, the suburbs are not without their drawbacks, especially if you are a young professional or newcomer looking for a social life and career opportunities.
Long commute
This is the biggest drawback. Depending on where you live in the suburbs, the commute to downtown Edmonton (where most jobs and entertainment are located) can take anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes one way, depending on traffic, time of day, and route. If you work a standard 9-to-5 job, that means you spend between 50 minutes and 1.5 hours every day commuting. Over the course of a year, that means you spend around 200-300 hours in your car, which can have a significant impact on your quality of life and your energy levels. Often, people who have such a long commute to work end up exhausted at the end of the day and don't feel like doing anything fun, playing sports, or socializing.
Car dependency
In downtown Edmonton, you can get a job near the LRT or take the bus to get to a number of places without a car. In the suburbs, it is virtually impossible to live without a car. If you don't have a car, you will be dependent on bus schedules, which are often less frequent and less reliable than in the city center. This means additional expenses for car maintenance (gas, insurance, maintenance), which can cost anywhere from $300 to $800 per month. If you save $400 on rent but spend $400 on a car, your real savings are zero.
Less social life and entertainment
If you are a young newcomer looking for places to meet people, parties, concerts, theater, or restaurants, the suburbs are less friendly to this. Most bars, clubs, concert halls, and cultural initiatives are located in the city center or near the university. In the suburbs, if you want entertainment, you have to drive to the center, which again brings you back to the problem of “long commute times.” Many suburbs close at 10 p.m. If you like singing karaoke or going to the movies at 8 p.m., then the suburbs are not for you.
Fewer career opportunities
Most large companies, offices, and specialized services are located in downtown Edmonton, near the LRT, or along major highways. If you are a newcomer looking for work, you will have the most opportunities in the city center. Living in the suburbs and looking for work may mean you have to travel far east, west, or south for interviews, which also means spending time and money on gas. Some employers may also be reluctant to hire people from distant suburbs, fearing that the person will be constantly late.
Less international and diverse environment
Edmonton (downtown) is a city with people from all over the world. In the suburbs, especially in smaller communities, the community is more homogeneous, and foreigners may feel more isolated. If you are a new immigrant, this may mean fewer opportunities to socialize in your native language or culture. Hotlines for newcomers, integration programs, cultural centers, and immigration services are mostly located in the city center, not in the suburbs.
Limited public transportation
While the LRT in downtown Edmonton is a reliable way to get around, people in the suburbs often prefer to use their cars because bus routes to the suburbs are less frequent and less predictable. If you don't have a car or it's being repaired, you may find yourself in a difficult situation. This is more of an issue in smaller suburbs like Spruce Grove or Stony Plain, where public transportation is minimal.
Specific neighborhoods and their price characteristics
To help you make your decision, below are some of the most popular suburbs and information about them.
St. Albert
St. Albert is located northwest of Edmonton, about 15 kilometers away. The average commute time to downtown Edmonton is 20-25 minutes in normal traffic. Renting a one-bedroom apartment there costs around $1,100-1,300. St. Albert is a more developed, affluent suburb with good schools, lots of parks, an arts scene, and a farmers' market. It is a popular place for families looking for a more developed community. St. Albert also has its own hospital and recreation centers, so you are less dependent on Edmonton.
Sherwood Park
Sherwood Park is located east of Edmonton, about 20 kilometers away. The commute to the city center is 20-30 minutes. A one-bedroom apartment there costs around $1,050-1,250. Sherwood Park is a self-sufficient city with a population of over 72,000. It has its own hospital, shopping center, parks, and entertainment venues. It is less dependent on Edmonton than other suburbs. Sherwood Park also has a reputation as a good place for families.
Beaumont
Beaumont is located south of Edmonton, in Leduc County, about 27-28 kilometers away. The commute to the city center takes 28-32 minutes. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment there is around $900-1,100. Beaumont is a smaller, more cultured suburb where French is spoken, there are many local traditions, and it feels like a small town, even though it is very close to Edmonton. It is a popular place for people who want to buy cheap housing and are willing to have a longer commute.
Leduc
Leduc is located south of Edmonton, about 30 kilometers away. The commute to downtown Edmonton takes 30-40 minutes. A one-bedroom apartment there costs around $950-1,100. Leduc is better than some other southern suburbs in that it has a more developed infrastructure, its own cultural scene, and proximity to the airport. However, in terms of rental housing, there are fewer options there, as Leduc is more focused on buying than renting.
Spruce Grove
Spruce Grove is located west of Edmonton, about 40-45 kilometers away. The commute to the center takes 35-40 minutes. A one-bedroom apartment there costs around $900-1,050. Spruce Grove is a cheaper suburb, but also more remote. It is a popular place for people who want to save as much money as possible. However, it should be noted that the commute to downtown Edmonton is the longest from this location.
Stoney Plain
Stoney Plain is located on the western edge of Edmonton, about 40-42 kilometers away. The commute to the center takes 35-40 minutes. A one-bedroom apartment there costs around $900-1,100. Stoney Plain is a more working-class suburb with a more mixed demographic and less expensive apartments.
How to decide: suburbs vs. downtown
The choice depends on what is most important to you. Here are some questions you should ask yourself.
1. How much time are you willing to spend commuting?
If commuting time is not a priority for you and you are willing to spend 1-2 hours a day in the car, then the suburbs may be right for you. If you value your time and want to spend as little time as possible commuting, then it is better to stay closer to the city center. Try to calculate how much time you will lose over the course of a year. If you spend 1 hour a day on the road, that's 250 hours a year. Is it worth saving $300-400 a month at the cost of 250 hours of your time? Many people answer “no.”
2. Do you have money for a car?
If you don't have a car or can't afford to maintain one, then the suburbs are not for you. Even if you save on rent, you will spend that money on a car. Calculate all expenses, including gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking (if you need it in the city center for work).
3. Do you have a family or children?
If you have children, the suburbs are often better because there are more parks, more space, and a more peaceful environment. If you are young and without children, you are better off in the city center. Families are often more willing to sacrifice commute time for a more peaceful environment and space for children.
4. What do you need for work?
If you can be located anywhere with the internet (i.e., you work from home or are a freelancer), then the suburbs are right for you. If you need to be close to the city center or you need to go to interviews often, then the city center is better. Newcomers often need to go to interviews in the city center, so the suburbs can make it harder to find a job.
5. How much do you need a social life?
If you need an active social life, entertainment, and the ability to walk to bars and restaurants, then the city center is better. If you are more of a homebody or focused on work and family, then the suburbs may be a good choice. Newcomers often need easy access to the social world in order to integrate into the community.
Conclusion
The suburbs of Edmonton offer a good alternative for those looking for cheaper housing, more space, and a quieter environment. However, this often means longer commutes, dependence on a car, and less social life. For new immigrants and young people just starting their careers in Edmonton, living closer to the city center is often better because there are more opportunities for work, socializing, and integration.
If you have a family, are willing to have a longer commute, and value peace and space, then the suburbs of Edmonton may be a great choice for you. The key is to make a decision that fits your priorities and lifestyle. Take your time — visit the suburbs at different times of the day (including in the evening), talk to people who live there, and see if you are really willing to spend that much time commuting.