Apartments for Rent in Edmonton, AB

Renter's guide to Edmonton, AB

Although not the most populous city in Alberta, Edmonton is the capital of the province. Originally a trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company, modern Edmonton has retained its status as an economic, governmental, and cultural hub. Census data shows that the city has a population of 932,546 people and is the fifth largest municipality in Canada.

Located along the North Saskatchewan River, almost in the middle of the province, the weather in Edmonton is what you would expect from a humid continental climate. The winters here are among the coldest in Canada, reaching an average daily low of 13.28°F. Summer days aren’t as hot, with the average summer maximum temperature resting at a comfortable 73.6°F – perfect for shorts and t-shirts. All in all, summers are pretty mild here, but winters vary in length and severity. Luckily, even when it’s cold, it’s sunny. Edmontonians enjoy 2,299 hours of sunshine a year, making it one of Canada’s sunniest cities.

Tips for renting in Edmonton, AB

Things to do in Edmonton, AB

Edmonton is a vibrant city with many things to do. If you’re looking to meet friends for brunch or a cup of coffee, 124 Street is dotted with art galleries, antique stores, coffee shops, and eateries. Old Strathcona & Whyte Avenue is a famous historic district full of trendy galleries, record stores, and restaurants.

Although not as well-known as the coastal Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto, Edmonton also has a burgeoning food scene, and dining out is very popular among Edmontonians. If you’re not sure where to go, head to the 4^th Street Promenade where there are always hip new restaurants and hangouts opening up.

Edmonton, AB employment & economy

Due to its location, Edmonton is ideal for distribution and logistics businesses. The city is commonly referred to as the “Gateway to the North” and used as a hub and home base for oil and diamond extraction projects in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Like much of the province, the economy of Edmonton is dominated by oil and other resource extraction industries. Perhaps for this reason, the average family income in Edmonton is a very solid $101,470 CAD.

But anyone discussing the economy of Edmonton shouldn’t forget to mention investments in various other sectors. The city is the birthplace of many large Canadian companies like Shaw Communications, Booster Juice, Boston Pizza, The Brick, Earl’s, and Fountain Tire, among others. Edmonton is also a major financial centre with many big banks opening regional offices here.

Education in Edmonton, AB

Top universities in Edmonton include the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, and Athabasca University.

In terms of primary and secondary school education, Edmonton has 3 publicly funded school districts, covering everything from kindergarten to grade 12. There are also a number of private, religious, and charter schools operating in the city. Like in most Canadian cities, students are generally assigned to the public school in their catchment area.

According to the Fraser Institute, the top public school in Edmonton is Old Scona, whereas the top private school is Tempo School. Both of them score a perfect 10, but Old Scona is known for its 100% diploma completion rate. If you don’t live in their area, Archbishop MacDonald and Millwoods Christian are also great choices.

For families with younger children, top elementary schools in Edmonton include Mount Pleasant School, known for its Cogito program for high-achieving students, Windsor Park School, with high standards in literacy and mathematics, and Grandview Heights School, known for its alternative education program and use of technology in the classroom.