Vibrant, international cities that
you’ll love to live in.
Alberta’s major cities are young, growing and full of potential — perfect for your business.
Alberta’s two vibrant international cities, Calgary and Edmonton, benefit from an abundance of recreational activities, vast outdoor spaces and a positive, welcoming atmosphere.
Both cities attract people from all over the world. Calgary is the third most diverse major city in the country and welcomes immigrants from over 150 countries. Edmonton is also extremely diverse, with first generation
newcomers making up 23% of the region’s population.
With low housing prices and a high quality of life, Calgary and Edmonton are two of North America’s most livable and affordable cities. Recognized as safe and wealthy, Calgary is consistently ranked the most livable city in North America, while Edmonton’s housing prices can’t be beat.
Aerial view of The Bounce Games Park. Calgary, Alberta
© Travel Alberta. Photo by Irene Seto
The most northerly major city on the continent, Edmonton has always been a hub of creativity and entrepreneurship. The birthplace of the North American fringe theatre movement, it’s home to a thriving arts scene, a growing tech sector and numerous festivals.
Edmonton
The redevelopment of the downtown core, with the addition of a new multi-million-dollar sports and entertainment venue, has recently reinvigorated Edmonton’s culinary landscape — attracting national and international recognition.
Edmonton is also the most affordable large city in Canada (RBC Housing Affordability Measures, 2020) and features ample green space, excellent schools and a young, diverse population.
© Travel Alberta. Photo by Sameer Ahmed
EDMONTON
Plenty of Green Space
At 88 kilometres long, Edmonton’s river valley is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America. It’s 22 times bigger than New York City’s Central Park and has over 160 kilometres of trails to explore.
Festival City
Edmonton hosts more than 50 festivals every year, including Edmonton Heritage Festival, the world’s largest outdoor celebration of multiculturalism, and Edmonton Fringe Festival, the 2nd largest theatre festival in the world.
Shopping Destination
Edmonton is home to largest mall in North America. Spanning 48 city blocks, West Edmonton Mall houses over 800 stores and attractions, including a hotel, skating rink, aquarium, casino, and more.
Vibrant Lifestyle
Cheer on the Edmonton Oilers or catch world class concerts at Rogers Place. The surrounding area of the Ice District is the new heart of the city, the second largest mix-use sports and entertainment district in North America and a new gathering place for the community.
Get Cultured
Edmonton has a vibrant arts & culture scene. The Citadel Theatre is the country’s biggest and busiest regional performing arts centre, while the Royal Alberta Museum, which charts 13,000 years of history, is Western Canada’s largest museum.
Forward Thinking
Blatchford is a new, carbon-neutral community located just north of Edmonton’s downtown core. The community is powered with 100% renewable energy and is designed to encourage active transportation and urban agriculture.
In Calgary, recreational opportunities abound. With the mountains only an hour away, residents often get away for a weekend of skiing or hiking in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Calgary
A modern city, Calgary embraces its rural roots through a lifestyle focused on family and community. Not to mention hosting the greatest the greatest outdoor show on earth every summer.
Calgary is consistently ranked among the world’s cleanest, safest and most livable city in North America and enjoys more sunshine than any other major city in the country.
© Travel Alberta. Photo by Dave Lieske
CALGARY
Outdoor adventures
Calgary is located an hour from the Canadian Rockies, where residents can ski, hike or ride horses through the mountains. With its turquoise lakes and snowy peaks, Banff National Park is a place of unparalleled beauty and adventure.
Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth
Calgary is known for its western hospitality. The community comes together and transforms the city over 10 days during the Calgary Stampede, celebrating western heritage, indigenous culture along with the greatest concerts and culinary innovations.
Active urban lifestyles
With 800 kilometres of trails and dozens of golf courses, Calgarians have no shortage of ways to get active. Canada Olympic Park, which hosted the 1988 Winter Games, offers year-round activities like skating, mountain biking and skiing.
Sunny days ahead
It’s no wonder Calgary embraces such an active lifestyle. The city enjoys more days of sunshine than any other major Canadian city and experiences mild, dry weather for most of the year.
Foodie Destination
Calgary’s diverse food scene in on point and ranked among the best in Canada. It is also the home of over 40 craft breweries thanks to high quality barley, wheat and pure glacial water. The exponential growth in the industry adds to the vibrant lifestyle of the city.
Small town charm
Alberta’s small towns and medium-sized cities also have a lot to offer. Safe, clean and affordable, these areas are connected to nature and some of Alberta’s biggest industries such as energy and clean tech, petrochemicals and agriculture.
No matter where you end up in Alberta, you’ll enjoy rural hospitality and a community mindset. Albertans hold the 2nd highest national volunteer rate at 55 per cent after all.
© Travel Alberta. Photo by Roam Creative
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Aerial view of the Calgary Folk Festival and Bow River in downtown Calgary at sunset.
© Travel Alberta. Photo by Tourism Calgary