Pro Neighbourhood Exclusive: St. Albert

Often referred to as the Botanical Arts City, St. Albert is steeped in cultural heritage and known for its quiet, family oriented neighbourhoods and expansive open green spaces. Voted #1 Community to Live in Alberta in 2019 (Maclean’s Magazine), amenity-friendly St. Albert “affords residents an outstanding quality of life where they can enjoy a secure, small-town feel.”

A Home Style For Everyone 

St. Albert offers a diverse range of home styles to suit every lifestyle and price point. Whether you’re looking for the unique charm of an updated older home or lakeside living in a brand-new luxury condo, St. Albert has it all. Single-family homes are particularly prevalent in the city’s many highly sought after communities and, thanks to the healthy and varied real estate market, are sure to make a great investment. 

Schools 

Extremely family-friendly, St. Albert is home to three school districts, including the St. Albert Public School District, Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division and St. Albert Francophone Schools. Educational and learning opportunities are abundant with styles including everything from kindergarten options and Cogito to Sports Academies, Learning through the Arts, International Baccalaureate and much more. St. Albert students have a reputation for consistently outranking provincial averages on standardized testing and qualifying for scholarships.

Parks and Recreation

As we already mentioned, St. Albert is known for its ample outdoor greenspace. In addition to the 112 parks and 77 playgrounds (for a grand total of 1,370 acres of open space for you to enjoy), the city remains connected through an intricate network of pathways. No matter where you live in town, you’ll never be far from the 85 km plus Red Willow Trail system – ideal for walking the dog, family bike rides or a quiet evening stroll. 

Servus Credit Union Place also provides locals with 320,000 square feet of fitness and leisure space, including family programs and classes, a Water Play Centre, NHL sized ice arenas, soccer fields, running tracks, children’s playground and gym.

Shops and Services

The city’s downtown core, known as the Perron District, houses a wealth of locally owned independent businesses, shops, restaurants and cafes. Other shopping venues include St. Albert Centre (St. Albert’s premier shopping mall) and other major chain retailers (Costco, Superstore, Wal-Mart, etc.). Residents here also benefit from having access to north Edmonton amenities.

Don’t Forget the Market!

St. Albert Famer’s Market has undoubtedly made a name for itself in the capital region, and it’s not hard to see why! Featuring over 270 rotating vendors, five special events days and thousands of high-quality handmade products, the market has aptly been declared the largest of its kind in Western Canada.

Entertainment, Arts and Culture

Edmonton isn’t the only city made famous by its many festivals. St. Albert also hosts a variety of events and celebrations throughout the year. Some of these include (but certainly aren’t limited to) the International Children’s Festival, Snowflake Festival and the Rainmaker Rodeo.

The city’s deep appreciation for arts and culture can also be seen through its Art in Public Places initiative and support for local artists (Culture Days), as well as its museums, art galleries and ultra-popular Arden Theatre.

Convenient Commute 

Residents enjoy a convenient commute to Edmonton’s downtown core, surrounding areas and the greater city of Edmonton proper thanks to its adjacent arterial roads. These include:

• Highway 2 (St. Albert Trail / Groat Road)
• Anthony Henday North
• Ray Gibbon Drive
• Highway 28 (97th Street)
• Highway 16 (Yellowhead Trail)

Are you thinking about buying a home in St. Albert? Check out the latest listings. We also invite you to take advantage of our many FREE, comprehensive Edmonton community guides: 

• Northwest Edmonton: A Complete Guide
• Northeast Edmonton: A Complete Guide
• Central Edmonton: A Complete Guide
• Southeast Edmonton: A Complete Guide
• Southwest Edmonton: A Complete Guide
• West Edmonton: A Complete Guide

Photo credits: shutterstock.com