Reasons to Live in Alberta
Our robust economy works to support a well-funded and well-equipped public health system. Whether you want to further your career in a beautiful rural community or a vibrant cosmopolitan city,
Our province offers a high standard of living and quality of life that is among the best in the world. The air and water are clean, parks and green spaces are abundant, and there are plenty of arts and culture, sports and recreational activities to enjoy.
Albertans are friendly people and very supportive of newcomers. There are lots of programs to help you and your family feel right at home.
Housing
Real estate in Alberta remains affordable, which makes owning your own home a reality, no matter what stage you are at in life.
Average rent per month for a two-bedroom apartment (Oct 2007)
- Calgary $1,114.
- Edmonton $984.
- Grand Prairie $1,114.
- Lethbridge $773.
- Medicine Hat $673.
- Red Deer $864.
Average price of newly constructed detached or semi-detached house (February 2008)
- Calgary $569,254.
- Edmonton $459,915.
- Grande Prairie $338,646.
- Lethbridge $294,797.
- Medicine Hat $337,277.
- Red Deer $332,935.
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Fuel
Alberta has the lowest gasoline tax among the provinces.
$1.29 per litre for unleaded gasoline
Grocery Items
Below is an example of prices for various grocery items.
- Bread (1 loaf - 570 g) $1.73
- Cookies (350 g) $3.78
- Sausages (375 g) $3.05
- Tea (144 bags) $7.15
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.51
- Apples (1 kg) $3.37
- Eggs (dozen) $2.20
- Milk (1 l) $1.55
- Potatoes (10 pounds or 4.54 kg) $5.10
- Can of Coke: $1.29
Entertainment
Albertans enjoy a wide variety of sports, recreational and cultural activities all year round. You can enjoy many different activities in Alberta at reasonable prices.
- Movie admission: $12.80
- Theatre Ticket: starts at $46.00
- Bowling: $7.17
- Museum entrance: $10.25
- NHL Hockey Game: starts at $35.00
- Music Concert: average of $70.00
- Nightclub entrance: $5.12 upwards
- Pint of Beer: $4.10
- Bottle of Wine: $15.00
Education
Albertans are among the best educated people in North America. Alberta’s education system provides a learning environment conducive to economic and social success and encourages an environment that supports the pursuit of life-long learning.
Alberta’s post-secondary system has a total of 28 institutions, including four universities, two technical institutes, 14 public colleges, seven private university colleges that receive public funding and the Banff Centre which is a learning centre dedicated to the arts and leadership development. Many private and religious educational institutions also serve Alberta.
Taxes
Alberta's personal tax advantage results from a low single rate tax system, including the highest basic and spousal exemptions in the country, no provincial sales tax, the lowest gasoline tax rate among the provinces, and low property taxes.At 10 per cent, Alberta has the lowest top marginal tax rate on personal income among the provinces. Low top rates give people an incentive to be more productive, work harder and save more.
Two income family of four earning $76,813.65*
Alberta Provincial and Federal Taxes: $16,462.70
Ontario Provincial and Federal Taxes: $18,355.39
Two income family of four earning $128,022.75*
Alberta Provincial and Federal Taxes: $32,802.50
Ontario Provincial and Federal Taxes: $35,744.98
* As of March 2007 Source: Alberta Finance
Utilities
The utilities industry in Alberta includes: electric power generation, natural gas distribution and water, sewer and irrigation systems. Whether you are renting an apartment or living in a detached house or duplex, you will most likely be responsible for paying for gas and power services.
You can choose between regulated service or purchase the services through a competitive retailer. If you decide on regulated service, then the regulated rate electricity and natural gas providers in your area will sell energy to you. If you decide you want to buy from a competitive retailer, you can compare each competitive retailer's offers and sign a contract with the company of your choice.
Renters should check with their landlords for details about which utilities they need to pay, and home owners are responsible for hooking up electrical power, natural gas (for heating), and water.
Typical residential natural gas and electricity costs are as follows:
Natural Gas: $1,500 - $2,000 per year (on average $125 - $167/month)
Electricity: $800 - $1,200 per year (on average $67 - $100/month)
Sources: Utilities Consumer Advocate www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca/186.html
HME howell-mayhew Engineering Inc.
http://www.riverdalenetzero.ca/DOCUMENTS/Understanding_our_utility_energy_bills.pdf
* As of July 15, 2008. Source: Alberta Government, Programs and Services
Transportation
There are a number of different methods to get around Alberta including by roads and highways, public transportation or air. There are 13 public transport systems throughout the province including all major cities and many towns and rural areas. In major cities buses and light rail transit run frequently. A monthly pass for unlimited access to the public transportation system will cost approximately $70.00. You are then eligible for a tax credit of 15 per cent of the spent costs at the end of each year.
Alberta’s road systems are extensive. To operate a car, truck or van you need a driver’s license, and insurance and registration on your vehicle. Similar to the UK, Canada also uses the metric system to represent speed limits.
Both the Edmonton International Airport and Calgary International Airport offer direct non-stop flights to London, Heathrow, and many other UK destinations.
Nature & Tourism Activities
Albertans have a big, beautiful backyard to play in. Alberta's provincial parks and protected areas provide access to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in North America, including more dinosaur fossils than any other single spot on the planet; the world's only boreal forest songbird observatories; the largest collection of aboriginal rock art on the North American Plains; glaciers and majestic mountains and so much more. Alberta contains a diversity of natural landscapes that few other places can match with its vast forests, pristine lakes, wide-open prairies and the magnificent Rocky Mountains.
Recreation
With 600 lakes, 245 rivers and over 78,000 square kilometers of parks, Alberta has an abundance of recreational opportunities and over 2,300 hours of sunshine each year to enjoy them. Whether it is outdoor recreation or learning about the natural environment, Alberta’s network of recreation and protected areas has something for everyone, no matter the season. The geographic diversity of the province offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. On any given day, in any given season, thousands of Albertans and visitors enjoy their spectacular surroundings by:
- skiing (Alberta boasts 6 mountain ski resorts and 66 regional ski hills),
- golfing (280 golf courses)
- hiking
- fishing in clear mountain lakes and streams
- photography
- canoeing
- skating
- swimming
- camping
- boating
- rock climbing
- and archaeological expeditions in the badlands, home of the dinosaurs.
Social & Cultural Activities
Alberta has a diverse arts and culture community, and numerous organizations provide festivals, events and attractions for Albertans and out-of-province visitors. Alberta’s major cities, Calgary and Edmonton, have vigorous live theatre and visual arts scenes, as well as symphony, opera and ballet. Throughout the province community-led festivals bring music, dance, film, literature, theatre and the visual arts to Albertans of all ages. Arts and culture organizations held over 23,500 events and shows in 2006 throughout the province with total attendance reaching 10.7 million spectators. Included within these events and shows are 59 major festivals, which entertained 2.2 million attendees.
