Life in Edmonton
Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is a vibrant, fast-growing urban centre of over one million people. Known as Canada’s “festival city,” hosting 50+ unique festivals annually, Edmonton’s lively arts scene and diverse community makes it a great place to live and study. It’s a friendly and affordable city, with the annual cost of living 20–35% less compared to Toronto and Vancouver! (Numbeo)
You can study in Edmonton at:
Top 5 Edmonton attractions
Edmonton is Canada’s 5th largest city and has so much to see and do.
Edmonton: things to know
As a University of Alberta (U of A) student, you can buy a pass each term that gives you unlimited subway and bus travel!
Edmonton’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) system connects the U of A campus to Downtown Edmonton, making it easy for you to get around and explore the city.
Edmonton’s International Airport, a 25-minute drive from the U of A campus, has non-stop flights to Vancouver and Toronto, as well as to major cities in the USA and international destinations.
In Edmonton, a single person’s estimated monthly costs not including rent are CAD$1,434.*
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: CAD$20
- Cappuccino: CAD$6
- One-way ticket on public transport: CAD$3.50
*Data provided by Numbeo
Edmonton has a dry and sunny climate, with 325 days of sunshine per year. As one of Canada’s most northernmost cities, you’ll get long hours of daylight in the summer.
Temperatures in Edmonton can vary significantly. Summer tends to bring high humidity and temperatures of up to 30°C, while winter can see temperatures of around –10°C. The hottest month is July, and the coolest month is January.
Edmonton culture
Edmonton’s lively city life means there’s always something to do.
Feel at home in a friendly, affordable city!
Arts and festivals
Edmonton is known as Canada’s “festival city,” hosting more than 50 festivals every year. From music and comedy to airshows and film, there’s a festival for everyone! The city has always taken great pride in its love for the arts and culture.
Diverse culinary scene
With nearly 3,000 restaurants, as well as hosting the largest food festival in Western Canada, Edmonton is a dream location for foodies. You’ll be able to enjoy dishes from around the world, from Middle Eastern kebabs to traditional Italian pastas, as well as the best of what Canadian cuisine has to offer. There’ll always be something new to try!
The great outdoors
Along with being a thriving modern city, Edmonton is also surrounded by incredible nature — giving you the best of both worlds! You can walk along the longest continuous stretch of urban parkland in North America, or even go further afield to explore breathtaking national parks and lakes.
Best things to do in Edmonton, Alberta
Popular things to do in Edmonton
Edmonton Heritage Festival
The Edmonton Heritage Festival is one of the city’s most popular events and one not to be missed. It’s one of the world’s largest outdoor celebrations of multiculturalism — the ideal place to experience different cultures and food from across the globe!
University of Alberta Botanic Garden
You won’t even need to leave campus to enjoy this great landmark attraction! The University of Alberta Botanic Garden is a nature-lover’s paradise, attracting visitors from all over the province of Alberta.
Rogers Place
A state-of-the-art live entertainment venue, Rogers Place hosts all kinds of exciting events, such as concerts and ice hockey games!
Winspear Centre
Located in the heart of Edmonton, the Winspear Centre is the home of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and it hosts a wide range of concerts and events.
Elk Island National Park
Located less than an hour’s drive from the University of Alberta, Elk Island National Park offers 48,000 acres of beautiful nature and wildlife, including bison and elk!
A guide to Edmonton, Alberta
