Eight Incredible Alberta Towns to Call Home

Alberta is Canada’s fourth most populated province, a rapidly growing region with some of the best sites in the country. From Lake Louise to the Calgary Stampede, there’s a lot to love about Albert. Much of the province’s population is concentrated in Calgary and Edmonton, two of the top five biggest cities in the country. But while these two urban centers get most of the attention in Alberta, there are numerous other great towns and smaller cities that add to Alberta’s appeal.

Let’s explore some of the different options in Alberta and look at eight incredible towns to call home in the province.

Lacombe is a small city in central Alberta, between Calgary and Edmonton. Lacombe is a quiet city of roughly 13,000, a welcoming and pleasant place. Lacombe gets frigid come winter, but nearby Gull Lake makes it a great place to stay in the summer. Gull Lake is a popular destination for boaters, with boat ramps and marinas, and great public beaches and easy access. Lacombe also has numerous family-friendly farms and great home-style restaurants.

If you don’t want to live within the city limits of Calgary but want to have easy access to all the city offers, Chestermere might be for you. It is a commuter town on the outskirts of the Calgary area, home to nearly 20,000 residents. The town is built around Lake Chestermere, a picturesque five-kilometre lake great for boating, swimming, and fishing. It is a more affordable city than nearby Calgary and has top-notch parks and a happy community.

Red Deer is located near Lacombe, between Calgary and Edmonton. Red Deer is a busy city home to over 100,000 residents, making it the third-most populous city in the province. Red Deer has ranked highly in best places to live in Canada, coming in 12th in the country in a MoneySense ranking. This is due to its growing economy, great parks and trails, and up-and-coming arts scene. It has numerous great museums and galleries and a pleasant downtown area.

Leduc is a growing city roughly 35 kilometres south of Edmonton. Home to around 30,000 residents, Leduc is a small city but makes for an easy commute to Edmonton. Leduc has a thriving economy due to its significant role in the oil and gas industry, which is the biggest sector in Alberta. The northern part of the city is the commercial center, with numerous businesses and restaurants.

Fort McMurray is a rapidly growing city of around 75,000. Its location in the Athabasca Oil Sands makes it one of the most important parts of the petroleum industry, the defining aspect of the Alberta economy. While the oil sands are a key part of their economy, many love the city due to the outdoor recreation activities nearby. Stony Mountain Trail is great for snowmobiling, there are numerous great hiking areas, and the surrounding nature is picturesque.

One of the reasons Alberta is a popular tourist destination is the incredible natural scenery located within. Canmore is a town in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta that has some of the most beautiful views of anywhere in the province. Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park has some of the turquoise lakes the province is known for. There is great skiing in the area, and kayaking and canoeing in the summer is a great way to spend a day.

Crossfield is a town in Alberta north of Calgary within the commuting range of the big city. It is a tiny town home to roughly 3,000 residents, a quiet but welcoming community. It isn’t the busiest place, but you’ll find plenty to do here. There are a lot of public greenery, nearby farms with tours, golf courses, and quaint restaurants. It also has an affordable cost of living.

Airdrie is a city just north of Calgary, a short drive away from Crossfield. It is a busy suburb home to nearly 70,000 and is known as a safe and clean city that is a great place to raise a family. Airdrie is relatively affluent and has great shopping, restaurants, and schools. It is only a short commute away from Calgary but feels removed from the big city with a calm and peaceful vibe.