Welcome to the “The Gateway to the North”, Edmonton, the most northern city in North America! As a resident of Alberta’s capital, here are a few things that might make your time living in Edmonton a little bit more enjoyable.
flickr cc: kurt-b
Life in Edmonton
If you’re struggling for something to do in Edmonton, you just aren’t paying enough attention to your surroundings. Known as, “The Festival City”, Downtown Edmonton’s Churchill Square hosts various festivals year-round, the most famous being Summer’s K-Days Festival, filled with musical performances, carnival rides, and fireworks. Edmonton is also home to North America’s largest mall! Whenever you’re just in the mood for some shopping, explore West Edmonton Mall, fully equipped with a water park, or Canadian’s first mall, Westmount Centre. Because Edmonton is a fairly large metropolitan area and due to it’s cold winters, you will want a vehicle to get around the city and explore all that these is to see.
Parks and Recreation
One of the most peaceful places in Edmonton is probably the valley by the Edmonton River. This parks area is actually the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America! The valley is also home to the largest remaining population of elm trees. These connected parks are the perfect places to go for a walk, have a picnic, or even take a kayak into the river and explore from a different angle.
Weather
Be ready for some pretty extreme weather living at the top of North America with a varied wardrobe. winters in Edmonton on average reach around 5°F to an average humid summer high of 75°F. In order to protect your belongings from the humid summer air or the ice cold winters, a climate control unit is probably one of the best precautions to make. This is also a great way to free up space in your home as you rotate clothing seasonally. After all, when are you really going to wear that tank top when it’s 5°F out.
Do you or someone you know live in Edmonton? Are you planning on moving there? Share your stories in the comments below!
