Edmonton, AB
Alberta’s capital city is a massive metropolis that is home to around 1.3 million people. This makes Edmonton the sixth most populous city in the country and it is not hard to see why. It is a beautiful city that sits in the North Saskatchewan River Valley where there are a plethora of recreational trails to enjoy. If the outdoors is not your thing, Edmonton also has plenty of other great things about it, including one of the largest shopping malls in North America! On top of that, it is a centre of education, culture and finance, as well as being a major centre for the oil and gas industry.
There are five dominant districts in Alberta, though Central Edmonton is the liveliest. However, according to most Edmonton crime reports, it is not the safest area to be in after dark. Still this is where the Central Business District, the Arts District and the Warehouse District are located, and where some of the best shopping can be done. Of course, nothing beats Whyte Avenue in South Central, which is known for its edgy and artsy community and fantastic gourmet food. Edmonton also happens to be the birthplace of Boston Pizza and Earl’s, so the city’s knows how to feed people. There are also enclaves to enjoy authentic cuisine, like Chinatown and Little Italy.
Nearly 12 percent of Edmonton’s population is retired. Yet the average age of residents is 35 years old. Much of this has to do with its economy, with the petrochemical industries and technology sector making up for a large percentage of the city’s employment. It is also quite an educated city, as it is home to 10 post-secondary institutions, including the University of Alberta, MacEwan University and the First Nations Yellowhead Tribal College.
The public transportation system in Edmonton is very good, having over 300 bus routes and an LRT system. It is also extremely bicycle friendly and has numerous cycling routes. There are also an abundance of bicycle parking racks all over the city. An Edmonton guide map with these routes and parking racks is available through the city. It is also very easy to find your way around the city, as most streets are numbered. This is great if you are looking for main landmarks in the city, like the Royal Alberta Museum, the Art Gallery of Alberta or TELUS World of Science. Don’t forget to check out the West Edmonton Mall, go to an Edmonton Oilers game, spend a day on a ski slope or play a round of golf.