Why More People Are Flocking to Edmonton Than Ever Before
Come for the opportunities, stay for the lifestyle. Or maybe it’s come for the lifestyle, stay for the opportunities. Either way, it’s easy to see why Edmonton is projecting its fastest rate of growth in more than half a century.
Although he’s no longer a newcomer himself, Eddie Robar knows firsthand how Alberta’s capital city tends to exceed expectations.
“I’ll be honest,” says Robar, who lived in Halifax before he got a job offer from the City of Edmonton. “I said what other people say: ‘Why would I move to Edmonton? It’s so cold.’” Nevertheless, Robar ventured west with his wife and three daughters in 2016, banking on Edmonton’s reputation for a balance of livability and opportunity.
Opportunities have definitely come to Robar, who was recently named interim city manager. Turns out the weather wasn’t so bad either, with 325 days of sunshine each year. Summers are spectacular. After most winter storms, he can clear his driveway with a leaf blower.
“When people come out here, they stay here,” says Robar. “They start to realize the many benefits of life here. My oldest is doing a business degree and playing hockey at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology). She had a full ride scholarship in the US but chose not to leave—she loves Alberta and what Edmonton has to offer, including a great education.”
Fifth in the world for affordability
Edmonton is projecting more than 100,000 new residents by 2026, an astonishing 10 per cent growth in a three-year period. That’s nearly double the 60,000 that arrived in the oil boom of 2012 to 2014.
One factor in this jump is rising housing costs elsewhere in Canada, which are making it difficult to map out an affordable future. In this year’s annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Report, Edmonton was Canada’s most affordable city, tied for fifth place in the world.
“The affordability piece sure doesn’t hurt our appeal,” Robar says. “And it really adds to how you can live your life. One of the first things people notice is that there’s no provincial sales tax, so you’re already keeping more money in your pocket.”
There are more than 5,000 municipalities in Canada. Being ahead of the growth curve means challenges as well. Robar is focused on working with City Council and regional partners to maintain affordability and high-quality city services while cultivating thoughtful growth.
“Affordability doesn’t happen by accident,” Robar says. “We’re rethinking where we’re headed as a city. How we densify neighbourhoods and build new communities more efficiently. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association ranked us as their top municipality for residential permit processing, so we’re doing what we can to keep up with housing demand. At the same time, we need to make sure we’re absorbing these new families and businesses and supporting the activities of the city.”
Robar points to the collaborative work in recent years to significantly cut red tape and spur innovative businesses, remove development barriers near Edmonton’s expanding transit network, and work with non-profits to add more non-market housing.
Unparalleled lifestyle—inside and out
While economic advantages may be the biggest calling card, Edmonton’s amazing outdoor spaces and lifestyle push it over the top, a significant factor in launching into Maclean’s top list of affordable places to live.
“The North Saskatchewan River Valley is just amazing,” says Robar. “It’s the biggest urban park in North America, 22 times bigger than Central Park. We’re the only Canadian city that has an LRT stop with a ski hill.”
Part of Robar’s westward migration was to ensure his kids could experience diversity firsthand. There’s a rich abundance of year-round festivals, including the world’s largest multicultural Heritage Festival and second biggest Fringe Theatre Festival.
While iconic Canadian chains like Earls had their start here, Edmontonians have a proven appetite for independent restaurants. Many are helmed by chefs who trained at NAIT, where Robar’s daughter is now studying, which happens to have a fine full-service restaurant operated by aspiring culinary wizards.
“I love meeting her for lunch. You really get to experience the growth and innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that’s happening all over this city.”
To learn more about the many benefits of calling Edmonton home, visit why.edmonton.ca
