Top 7 Things To Look Out For When Moving To Alberta

When you think of Alberta, what comes to mind?

Maybe it’s the beautiful mountainscape of the Canadian Rockies or the bustling metropolis of Calgary—the province’s largest city and one of the sunniest cities in Canada. Maybe it’s the opportunity to work in a place that offers endless opportunities for growth and development. Or maybe it’s just the chance to live in a place where you’ll never have to worry about finding beautiful landscapes and activities for the whole family!

Moving to Alberta is a big decision, so you’ll want to make sure you do your research before you go.

Here are the top 7 things to look out for:

1. Look for a realtor with local knowledge—you want someone who knows the area you’re moving to so that you can be sure you’re buying property in the best location possible. You’ll also want to make sure your new home is located in an area that fits your lifestyle needs, so make sure you sit down and figure out what you want your new life to be like. For example, if you’re planning on moving to Alberta and you have a young family, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ll be in an area that has great schools and community programs. Make sure you’ve done your research on the areas you’re interested in before buying property there. If you can’t take a trip out to the area before buying, ask your realtor to provide you with as much information as possible on the area.

2. Fun fact, many homes in Alberta don’t have air conditioning—Alberta weather doesn’t usually feel as hot as what you might find in Southern Ontario during summer months due to a drier climate, but it can still get pretty warm. So if you plan on buying a home here and need air conditioning to keep cool during hot months, make sure your realtor knows this is on your ‘must have’ list!

3. Cities tend to be a bit smaller than they are in Southern Ontario—there are many small towns around the larger cities but they tend to be farther away from the city amenities like large shopping centers and loads of variety in terms of restaurants, mechanics, etc. This can be good news if you want more space and quiet for less cost, but it can be considered a negative if you prefer the convenience of living in a big city and don’t want to travel long distances for big city amenities. 

4. The larger acreages tend to be much less expensive than those found in Ontario—While it’s still very expensive compared to other provinces in Canada, housing prices are lower, property taxes are low, and the overall cost of living is much lower as well. So while the land is not as cheap as it was back in the 1930s when many people flocked to Alberta in search of opportunity during the dust bowl era, it’s a lot cheaper than it used to be! And you can find some really gorgeous real estate here, too—many of Alberta’s national parks offer breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and the foothills that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

5. Small businesses are very much welcomed and supported in Alberta, as well as the farmers—you’ll find much more support for small start-up businesses than you do in Ontario, which is part of what makes Alberta such a great place to live and do business. In fact, there are a number of business incubators that help new entrepreneurs get off the ground without having to worry about getting help from the government because they’ve got funding available to help them get going. There are also a number of grants available to small businesses to help cover costs like licensing fees and equipment purchases, so it’s worth looking into if you’re planning to start your own business after you move here.

6. Another great thing about living here is that public transportation is available in most larger cities— but you still don’t have to deal with the same kind of crowded public transportation that you do in places like Toronto or Montreal. So you won’t have to deal with crowds of people trying to get on and off the buses at rush hour, and you’ll likely meet some wonderful people while you wait for your transport. If you’re a city person who likes to be close to all the action, this is definitely the place for you!

7. If you’re looking to live somewhere that offers a wide variety of cultural activities to keep you busy all year long, then Alberta is definitely the place for you!—With events like the Calgary Stampede and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival taking place every year, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do! And you’ll find plenty of smaller festivals and special events going on throughout the province year-round as well, so if you’re looking for a place where you can attend high energy shows and concerts, you’ll never run out of things to see and do in this province!

We hope that we’ve provided you with some useful insights about what it’s like to move to Alberta. Of course, a simple list can’t cover every detail of moving, but it should serve as a solid starting point when planning your move. We’re sure that moving will be an enjoyable experience for you. give yourself plenty of time to do it right, and treat this move just like any other major life decision—with research and planning beforehand.

The Michael Smith Team is looking out for you, due to their experience and knowledge of the market here in Alberta. Whatever questions you have about the process of moving, please feel free to contact us today and we will be happy to help answer them.