Moving to Edmonton? Here are 5 Things You Should Know

Edmonton is a vibrant city filled with friendly people, numerous attractions, and world-class sports teams. Whether you’re eight or eighty, there’s plenty for you to do in this lively city.

For those moving to Edmonton, we decided to compile a list of 5 things you should know.

1. It Gets Cold…Really Cold

If you come from a particularly warm climate, brace yourself. Due to its location in Northern Alberta, Edmonton regularly has sub-zero temperatures for four-five months of the year. In fact. from December to February, the average temperature ranges from five to sixteen degrees!

While some people hate the cold, it also brings with it a number of opportunities to partake in fun-filled activities. For example, you could snowshoe or cross-country ski on one of the many scenic trails found within the river valley.

Or, go for a skate on one of the outdoor rinks you’ll find scattered across various parts of the city. But if you’re a thrill-seeker at heart, Edmonton is just a three-four hour drive from Canmore, where you’ll be enveloped by the breathtaking Rocky Mountains and exposed to some of the world’s best skiing.

2. Edmonton Has Two Professional Sports Teams

Dubbed as the “City of Champions” Edmonton is a sports lover’s dream. With the Edmonton Eskimo’s taking to the football field in the late summer/fall and the Oilers hitting the ice in the winter, you have plenty of options for watching world-class athletes perform at the highest level.

3. Edmonton is The Home of The Largest Shopping Mall in North America

With over 5.3 million square feet of space, West Edmonton Mall is the largest shopping mall in North America. The massive building features:

A waterpark
A skating rink
Two 18-hole minigolf courses
Two food courts
Two hotels
100 dining venues
Over 800 stores

4. Edmonton Has a Great Public Transportation System

Don’t drive?

No problem, Edmonton has more than twenty-five transit centers located in various areas of the city. There’s also a Light Rail Transit (LRT) that provides a direct line from the North to the South of the city.

5. Several Great Schools to Choose From

Edmonton boasts one of the finest school systems in the country. Whether your children are elementary, middle-school, or high-school age, you’ll be able to find a fantastic school filled with great teachers for them to continue their educational journey.

Also, Edmonton has several post-secondary institutions, the most notable including NAIT, Grant MacEwan, and the University of Alberta.

The University of Alberta is the 5th largest university in Canada and is regularly recognized as one of the top institutions in the world for nursing, engineering, and many other programs.