Living in Edmonton

[shakalaka]

Alright, I know there are a few Edmonton people here so I am looking to get a bit of an insight about living there. I might be moving to Edmonton fairly soon in regards to a job and I am researching for decent areas to rent a place in and possibly eventually buy for investment purposes. Mostly just looking at apartments/condo's at the moment.

What are some of the good areas where I can rent a decent apartment? The place of work will be near the Kingsway Garden Mall so I would prefer somewhere not TOO far from there. I wouldn't mind staying in downtown either if it's nearby but I don't particularly have to. How far is downtown from the KGM anyway?

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions in advance guys.

[TeamBestBud]

Originally posted by shakalaka
I might be moving to Edmonton

I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemies. Sorry dude.

[dj_rice]

Downtown is about 3-5 mins from KGM. I personally wouldn't want to live anywhere near KGM. Its such an old neighborhood and the houses around there are pretty rundown looking.


As for condos, theres a ton of new ones that are for sale especially in the Oliver Square area. Good location as theres tons of bars along that area. Close to Grant Mac so tons of college hotties.

Or try to find apt/condos along Jasper Ave.

Oliver Square/Jasper Ave are all about 10-15 mins away from KGM.

[shakalaka]

Thanks for your input dj. Well in the beginning I would like to just rent and get the feel of the place before I decide to buy a place.

I was just checking kijiji for and found a couple places that I short listed. One at 104A St NW and the other at Jasper Ave. 10-15 minutes away is completely fine because I'll have my car there anyway so it doesn't have to be right by KGM. I am trying to see if I can get some decent place in a high rise building with possibly nice views and all that.

[topsecret]

Originally posted by shakalaka
Thanks for your input dj. Well in the beginning I would like to just rent and get the feel of the place before I decide to buy a place.

I was just checking kijiji for and found a couple places that I short listed. One at 104A St NW and the other at Jasper Ave. 10-15 minutes away is completely fine because I'll have my car there anyway so it doesn't have to be right by KGM. I am trying to see if I can get some decent place in a high rise building with possibly nice views and all that.

Look at bldgs on saskatchewan ave, you wont find a better view, its close to whyte ave, and probably one of the nicest areas IMO to live in edm, if you want to live on Jasper ave dont look at anything east of 97st it gets pretty ghetto

[Silverfire9]

What kind of budget have you got for rent? There's a HUGE difference between Oliver and Downtown. (Oliver - ~$800/mo for a 1 bdrm, Downtown proper - ~$1500+/mo for a similar size). That said, there's also a significant difference in how nice the places are. There are a bunch pf cheaper places downtown if you go east of 97St, but I would highly recommend against that. They're cheaper for a very good reason. I had a place there for the last year and if I hadn't known I would only be home 4 days a month I wouldn't have. That's where all the hookers, bums and drug addicts live. Oddly enough, your car and place will be perfectly safe. It's yourself that you need to worry about. Break-and-enters and theft from cars are virtually nonexisent, but assaults and muggings are through the roof. Don't go out alone after dark.

If you work near Kingsway, I would highly recommend trying to stay on the north side of the river. I worked there last winter and lived by Whyte Ave. Getting across the river at rush hour was incredibly frustrating - traffic jam all the way from Stony Plain Rd (103/104 Ave) to the top of Scona Road. It might be better now that Scona Road has another lane, but I moved before it opened and that still won't help with 98Ave. Whatever you do, don't get a place where you have to take the High Level bridge (109St.) home.

I would definitely recommend something Just north of the Yellowhead from Kingsway though. 97St., 107 Ave, 111Ave and 118 Ave all flow really well at rush hour, and the neighbourhood is pretty good. The buildings are certainly not new, but most of them have been taken pretty good care of, so they're still nice. The only downside I see is that it's a fair ways from any of the party spots, so if that's your thing, it might not be so great.

[shakalaka]

Thanks a lot for your input guys, really appreciate it. I wish I knew the area around there better because the stuff you guys are saying would have made a lot more sense. Cause when you guys say north of bridge, east of 97st, I can't exactly place it in my head or figure out what areas it would be. Could you guys perhaps be more specific as to the area names that I can search on kijiji? Originally I was thinking downtown would be a nice place but I am not completely set on it. Obviously wouldn't wanna live anywhere ghetto where I gotta watch my back all the time.

As far as the budget is concerned, preferably I would like to keep it under $1000 a month because once I move there and know the area better i'll be looking at purchasing a place. So spending too much on a rent for a month or so doesn't make much sense. Also wouldn't be able to sign a lease either so that's another thing.

Another consideration that I have in mind is preferably a place which isn't too far from a decent gym. Also, if you guys could recommend some gyms in that are who are alright with month to month memberships. I spent an hour or so on kijiji last night and short listed a couple of options. Again I have personally no idea how the areas are or anything. All I did was type in the address of work and the apartments to see how far they are. I am pasting the links at the bottom, let me know what you guys think. Other than these please feel free to send other recommendations. The view or it being in downtown isn't exactly the priority anymore cause like I said if I am gonna be looking into purchasing an apartment soon enough, I can put up anywhere that's decent for a month or so. Thanks guys!


http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-real-est...AdIdZ343004595

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-real-est...AdIdZ301050892

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-real-est...AdIdZ340593605

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-real-est...AdIdZ343278280

[blainer]

I'm a 23 y/o bachelor that was born in calgary yet moved to the E-town 3 years ago. Will throw in my two cents and try and put it in context for you.
For the listings you put

#1 - Hella far from your workplace and as said before, you'll be on the bridge everyday. No real comparison to Calgary I can think of cause it's homes surrounded by busy roadways that have business' all around as well. Do it if absolute only possibility.

#2 - Pretty good as it is where you want to be as described since it's a nice area, has the kensington kind of vibe on 124th Street. The River valley is right there, which is like the Bowness area along the river in Calgs (very pedestrian friendly and removed from traffic) You're quite removed from the "drinktainment" area of Jasper Ave if that makes a difference. I'm on 117th Street and Jasper and I feel kind of removed from it and makes for a cold ass walk from 109th and Jasper.

#3 - Highly urge you not to do it, terrrible location and shitty ass buildings

#4 - Pretty good in terms of location as your workplace is a straight shot on 109th street. The bars and what not are right on your doorstep as well, the river and all the bike trails are slightly further away than the #2 option.

Honest opinion if you want to rent is to go within Oliver is from 109th street to 124th between Jasper and 104th Ave. Don't go a block north as it is dangerous and south of Jasper gets much more expensive as it's closer to the River Valley and most have a view.
Even within where I said, there is a wide range of rent prices as there are some new buildings and then simpler duplex's or 4 unit 2x2 buildings if that makes sense.
The buildings in that area mentioned are of decent shape and visually appealing. Close to where you mentioned yet on the cheaper side and on the North side of the River (DT side)
Hope it helps and will check back if you have more questions

[shakalaka]

Alright thanks a lot for your input man, that helped me out immensely. So later today I am heading up to Edmonton as I have a meeting at the place where I potentially might be working. My plan was to try and check out a couple of places while I am up there. So that's been short listed for me then, I'll be trying to get in touch with the number 2 and 4 place people and see if I can check out the place. Don't know if it'll work since it'll be short notice but will give it a go.

Rest I'll drive around the area a bit and that should give me a little feel for the whole thing as well.

[dj_rice]

Yeah, my suggestion was to drive up to Edmonton one weekend and drive around and scout the locations out firsthand. Think of Jasper Ave as the Red Mile 17th in Calgary.

[masoncgy]

Originally posted by dj_rice
Yeah, my suggestion was to drive up to Edmonton one weekend and drive around and scout the locations out firsthand. Think of Jasper Ave as the Red Mile 17th in Calgary.

Really? From what I recall over the years of spending time in Edmonton, Whyte Ave is more the equivilent of 17th in Calgary.... Jasper Ave is more like 9 Ave SW or something like that, just older and a bit run down looking.

[dj_rice]

Originally posted by masoncgy


Really? From what I recall over the years of spending time in Edmonton, Whyte Ave is more the equivilent of 17th in Calgary.... Jasper Ave is more like 9 Ave SW or something like that, just older and a bit run down looking.

Yeah true that. Your actually right. Whyte Ave has more bars along the whole Ave. Compared to Jasper with 2-3. Had a brain fart after living here so many years. Its the tainted water I tell ya

[shakalaka]

Haha thanks guys.

So I went up for the meeting today and it took ridiculously long, a lot longer than I expect, so I didn't really have that much time to drive around to see anything. Hate the days be so damn short and getting dark so early.

But yea, so I am deff moving up, now I just need to do some research as to where I wanna stay. One thing I did notice was couple of apartment buildings that had quite a nice view on Saskatchewan Avenue. So I see what topsecret was saying, I just happen to drive by that route (took a wrong turn compared to what the gps was saying) and those buildings instantly stood out. So obviously depends on how much they'll be and all but I am going to check out kijiji and see what the deal is.

[lasimmon]

The problem with sask drive is that in rush hour from sept to April you will want to bang your head repeatedly on the steering wheel.

[dawerks]

I'll leave out the Calgary/Edmonton comparisons and skip to the meat...

KG has good access from Yellowhead/Groat road, plus it's close to Nait so there is inexpensive housing close by. But it's not the best area until you move a little further away.

Westmount/Glenora are probably the nicest 'closest' areas to that area.

But I would suggest St. Albert. It's a little more for rent but it's a NICE area. The City is head and shoulders above Edmonton. But, there is no real bars/nightlife. Basically it's lights out at 10PM here. Good place to live Probably not the best place for a bachelor but you can easily hit Edmonton from Saint A (plus Saint A is the car enthusiast Area, whereas Edmonton is the wannabee car enthusiast area)

Since Henday north opening, St. Albert Trail (Mark Messier) is really calmed down in traffic. It's a really good road to access your work.

[dj_rice]

Do not live in St Albert unless you are white. St Albert is a very nice area but if you aint white, it aint right. They are racists out there for real. I was delivering a brand new vehicle to a customer, 2009 Nissan Armada, I was lost and needed some directions. (I am asian). I pulled up to a light and another car with a middle-aged lady pulled up next to me, I rolled down my window and waved at her to get her attention to ask for directions. She pretended she didn't see me and kept her vision straight forward and then drove off.

St Albert is a caucasian dominated city. No minoritys.

[Tik-Tok]

That's your idea of racism? A half-blind, half-deaf, old lady who "pretends" not to see you?

[CdnSilverStreak]

First off, avoid anything east of 97 St between the river and Yellowhead (Alberta Av/McCauley/Boyle St). These are sketchy areas. Basically anything south or west is where you should be looking.

Sask drive has a great view, but trust me when I say crossing DT during rush hour will be a little bit of a pain.

The Oliver neighborhood would be a good bet, basically along 104 Av and anything a few blocks within. Lots of amenities and a vibrant area in the evening. I would personally avoid any of the complexes along 107 Av as it is basically Little Africa in that area, and not trying to sound racist, but it is a pretty rough neighborhood in the evenings.

Since you are near KGM, you could also look into Westmount/North Glenora. Older neighborhood, and 111 Av will run you right to KGM. If you stick to 111 Av/107 Av, you could run along westbound neighborhoods up to 156 St, and as much as that sounds far, it'll only take you 10-15 at best in rush hour.

Your cheaper alternative is in the Queen Mary Park area, just SW of KGM. It is a neighborhood full of apartments in general, so you could find a decent deal there.

[dj_rice]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
That's your idea of racism? A half-blind, half-deaf, old lady who "pretends" not to see you?

She was in mid-40's driving a white Cadillac SRX. LOL She saw me, she turned her head in my direction a bit and I could see small eye contact from her Gucci sunglasses. But no, not my idea of racism, just saying if your not white. St Albert isn't right. Even all my white friends agree, St Albert is 90% caucasian. I believe most people move there to retire.


I live in the ghetto Clareview far NW and I work downtown. It usually takes me about 20-25 mins to get to work. I use to drive on Yellowhead but anytime theres an accident its always backed up and I end up being late so now I take short cuts through 118 Ave all the way down to Rexall and then use the back roads to get to 97 St.

[Anomaly]

Originally posted by dj_rice



She was in mid-40's driving a white Cadillac SRX. LOL She saw me, she turned her head in my direction a bit and I could see small eye contact from her Gucci sunglasses. But no, not my idea of racism, just saying if your not white. St Albert isn't right. Even all my white friends agree, St Albert is 90% caucasian. I believe most people move there to retire.

Haha, there's lots of Asian's in St Albert... Hell Iginla's from St Albert and he's not white. But there is a lot of stuck up bitches there.



I would consider St Albert, lived there for a year...beautiful city and doesn't feel at all like Edmonton. I commuted to the legislative building everyday and the drive was bearable.