8 Best Places To Live In Alberta In 2025
Alberta is a large province shaped by evolving settlements, from the lake-laced Badlands to the forest-fringed foothills. Bridging the quiet of countryside settings with the strategic advantage of access to urbanized metropolitans from Edmonton to Calgary, this prairie province defies easy classification. Whether it's the economic promise driving young professionals, the healthcare infrastructure appealing to retirees, or the affordability that reassures growing families, the “Energy Province” facilitates divergent ambitions without compromising.
Descending the Canadian Rockies and scattered across farmlands and along river valleys, these beautiful towns come together in terms of their shared emphasis on self-sufficiency and pragmatic living.
Drumheller
The largest town in Alberta by classification, Drumheller shined through the Atlas Coal Mine, which drove early economic momentum more than a century ago. The economy has remained stable ever since, with natural gas and oil taking over as leading sectors. The West Drumheller Field ranks as Alberta’s second-largest natural gas source, while tourism and agriculture also contribute to the local economy. In March 2025, the Alberta Economic Dashboard observed that the Camrose-Drumheller economic region recorded Alberta’s lowest unemployment rate at 5.8%, spotlighting the potential in Drumheller and neighboring villages' job markets.
Tourism remains the supreme source of income, thanks to the Red Deer River that cuts through the town to create gorgeous riverside experiences like Newcastle Beach. The surrounding badlands exhibit sedimentary rock formations and hiking terrain, with sites like the Dinosaur Trail, Horseshoe and Horsethief Canyons, and geocaching adventures around Midland Provincial Park. Sandstone formations at the Willow Creek Hoodoos add further tourist appeal.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum, a celebrated nod to Drumheller’s fossil-rich past, reflects the town’s reputation in paleontology. As of April 2025, the average home price in Drumheller sits at $273,000, nearly half the provincial average and one of the most accessible markets in Alberta, Zolo reports.
Lacombe
Known as an educational hub in central Alberta, Lacombe is home to both Burman University and the Lacombe Research and Development Centre (LRDC).
Lacombe’s economy is built on more than just access to larger cities such as Calgary and Edmonton. Fertile valleys support a lucrative agricultural sector, where large barns and ranches remain active alongside the oil and gas industry. The Len Thompson Manufacturing Plant plays a crucial role in crafting fishing lures. That connection to outdoor recreation is further seen in the Parallax Fish & Fetch Park and its record-holding lure structure.
Dozens of other ponds are present in and around Lacombe, including Juniper Lake, as are picnic spots like the Watipi Campground gazebo. As of February 2025, homes in Lacombe were selling for a median price of $242,000, according to Redfin. This was a conspicuous rise, indicative of financial promise and market stability.
Geographically, Lacombe enjoys the rolling parkland of central Alberta, with the descending hills of the Canadian Rockies visible to the west and the prairie spreading to the east. The hills in particular attract visitors with their aurora lights. The city’s post-Victorian architecture exhibits multiple Neo-Baroque elements in its old downtown core. Cultural centers include the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum and the Michener House Museum and Archives, the latter preserving the legacy of the Michener family.
Strathmore
Once a modest hamlet and village, Strathmore has long since transformed into a flourishing community, thanks to the amalgamation of its agricultural heritage and modern development. The Strathmore Stampede Grounds along Wheatland Trail are the most talked-about venues where the annual Strathmore Stampede takes place. The rodeo event entertains audiences with professional competitions and chuckwagon races involving bareback riding, bull riding, and horse racing.
In the epicenter of Strathmore and extending southeast lies several large water bodies and wetlands, including Eagle Lake, Namaka Lake, and Stobart Lake. Adding to the town’s appeal, such natural spots allow spectators occasional breaks by focusing on fishing, boating, and bird-watching.
The economy here has experienced impressive growth, with the average home price reaching $553,900 in April 2025, as noted by Zolo. This surge is indicative of a sturdy real estate market.
Complementing living standards, commercial development has also tagged along. This includes the introduction of various franchise restaurants such as Original Joe's and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, as well as big-box retailers like Canadian Tire and Walmart. For those more inclined toward corporate sectors in a metropolitan area, Strathmore's adjacency to Calgary has induced many residents to adopt daily commutes to the city.
Camrose
Camrose, affectionately known as "Rose City," organizes emblematic events such as the Big Valley Jamboree (BVJ), a major country music summer extravaganza that charges crowds up. The Camrose Regional Exhibition Grounds on the eastern edge frequently stage such festivities and concerts that reflect the city’s identity. Finally, the Camrose Kodiaks perform heroics in junior hockey at the EnCana Arena.
At Camrose’s middle, Mirror Lake anchors downtown with its adjacent parks and eco-friendly infrastructure. This in turn creates a river valley vantage point for glimpsing swan breeds like the Polish mute and North American trumpeter.
The infrastructure of Camrose sensibly emphasizes accessibility. Both St. Mary’s Hospital and the University of Alberta Augustana Campus secure spots near the city center, enabling shorter commutes to all corners of the city. The middle streets’ decorum is also reflected in various fishing ponds and sporting grounds capping Camrose’s layout.
Just south of the city, Driedmeat Lake and the adjoining coast of Tillicum Beach serve as both the city’s principal water supply and a mesmerizing outdoor retreat. This ribbon pond, supplemented by glacial meltwater channels, yields a dramatic shoreline and shelters a medley of local fauna. As of March 2025, the Camrose-Drumheller corridor recorded Alberta’s lowest unemployment rate at 5.8%, spotlighting its stable labor climate, employment stability, and career opportunities.
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake celebrates its founding each summer with 1913 Days, an anniversary extravaganza that electrifies the waterfront with parades, live music, and various communal traditions. Winter months carry their own spectacle through the Ice Dragon Boat Festival, where vessels slice across the frozen namesake lake amid fire-dancing displays and fireworks over the ice.
Even before modern railways bridged Central Alberta, Sylvan Lake’s friendly spirit had established itself as a seasonal retreat for visitors. Campgrounds such as Cottage Area, Lower Cam, Norglenwold, and both Sylvan Lake and Jarvis Bay Provincial Parks witness crowds picnicking during the warm, humid months. Boathouse rentals and waterfront services further surge with tourism demand.
While Wild Rapids Waterslide Park and its adjoining amusement site are no longer active, their recreational legacy continues to influence much of the local economy. Additionally, sports and schooling do not fall short amid all the community shenanigans. The Sylvan Lake Gulls and Sylvan Lake Wranglers bring intensity to Pogadl Park and NexSource Centre.
Education is structured through six public schools, including Sylvan Lake Career High, in addition to several Catholic and private options. Sylvan Lake has continued earning high marks for its uncompromising accommodation.
Despite such standards, the assessed property value in March 2025 stood at $369,500, according to Sylvan Lake News, a figure considerably lower than Alberta’s provincial average. With Red Deer up close and other major cities like Calgary and Edmonton not too distant, the area continues to benefit from increased job availability and a lucrative employment rate.
Sexsmith
In Alberta’s Peace River Country, Sexsmith emerges as a quieter alternative when compared with the highly urbanized Edmonton-Calgary Corridor. Just above Grande Prairie, this northern Alberta town keeps a low profile while utilizing functional benefits from the nearby city’s infrastructure and northern regional health services, including the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation.
Sexsmith’s calendar revolves around a series of festivities that sustain its communal atmosphere. June’s Chautauqua Days activate Main Street with a classic car show, petting zoo, midway amusements, and an early morning pancake breakfast. The Harvest Festival, meanwhile, assembles local cuisine, crafts, and performances, while Canada Day celebrations transpire in fireworks and fellow outdoor activities. The winter season also proves warm with Sexsmith's Christmas-themed Farmers’ Market setting the town hall aglow with lights and holiday maneuvers. Locals remain spirited in athletics, with the Vipers' regional hockey league participation and minor programs energizing the community rink each season.
Today, the town commemorates this legacy through the preservation of its last remaining grain elevator at the local museum, Anderson Hall.
Redcliff
Redcliff carries the moniker "Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies," which exemplifies its impact on the agricultural sector. Establishments such as Huber's Farm Market, Ruben's Veggies, Westland Fresh Produce, and BioTech Greenhouses consolidate its reputation within the industry, which also invigorates the local economy.
With the average home price hovering at $320K according to data from March 2025, those looking to settle here could actualize this balance at relatively affordable rates, according to Zolo.
Redcliff is not one to lag in terms of tourism either, especially with the South Saskatchewan River passing through the town. Along the river valley are attractions like the River Valley Park, a three-acre stretch of badlands featuring picnic areas, fire pits, and multi-use trails. Outdoor enthusiasts can try the Redcliff Mountain Bike Skills Park, designed to test their biking techniques, which is around the same block as the Pool Aquatic Center and Skatepark.
High River
High River lies south of Calgary within the Calgary Metropolitan Region, at the corner of Alberta Highways 2 and 23. The Highwood River courses through the town’s center, while Emerson, Highwood, and Sunshine Lakes occupy spaces amid residential neighborhoods, lending an unusually aquatic identity in the most unexpected yet welcoming pockets. According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, Calgary’s rising employment sector supplements High River’s economy, especially with February 2025 witnessing a 0.4% drop in unemployment and the induction of nearly 15,000 new full-time roles. High River contributes to this momentum through its own industrial pursuits in wood processing and food and beverage. It stimulates the town’s development without diminishing its air purity or the visual grandeur of the not-so-distant foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
As of April 2025, the average home price registers slightly above $500,000, sustaining affordability when compared to Calgary’s urban apartments. High River General Hospital and Foothills Home Services Ltd ensure local access to care, while South Calgary supplements that with specialized services. Educational needs fall under the purview of the Foothills School Division and other regional institutions. For cultural engagement, the century-old Museum of the Highwood, listed in the Canadian Register of Historic Places, illuminates the legacy of the Blackfoot people. To conclude, High River sustains rural composure while leveraging nearness to Calgary without relinquishing environmental clarity.
Find Your Ideal Place to Settle in Alberta in 2025
Alberta is a compelling treasure map that cartograms a surreal intersection of industrious spirit, natural wonder, and shifting demographics. With its sultry-to-cold climate, the Wild Rose Country stands out as more than just postcard-worthy scenery or utilitarian job prospects. Urban centers like Camrose magnetize those invested in professional momentum, while isolated places such as Redcliff welcome those seeking dependable infrastructure within the hills.
Elsewhere, lakeside municipalities, former trading posts, and occasional sightings of northern lights produce perfect environments, which the financial feasibility of these towns makes accessible long-term. Each locale interprets prosperity differently through prioritizing stability in a chaotic life, accessible transit, or proximity to unspoiled prairies and parklands to strengthen their cases. Alberta’s many municipalities do not subscribe to a universal blueprint for living; instead, they respond to a range of aspirations with precision and permanence.
