Neighborhoods in Edmonton? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

anyonebutedmonton · 10-25-2010, 10:02 AM

Looking at a possible move to Edmonton next fall to attend U of A. I have very little knowledge of the communities up there.

My situation: I am a recently married 25 yr old guy. I would want to minimize commute but am not averse to taking the train to school. I would be in law school so I would be there pretty much 6 or 7 days a week. My wife hates condos and would want a house/townhouse and our budget would be probably around 1200/mth, with less being obviously better.

Any suggestions on where would be good to start looking at?

Kybosh · 10-25-2010, 10:07 AM

Maybe look to rent anywhere east of 109th St and south of Saskatchewan Drive. It would be about a 15-25 minute walk to the campus and Whyte Ave is close.

wooohooo · 10-25-2010, 10:15 AM

I live on 109th street and Whyte ave and my walk to school is probably around ~15 minutes to HUB mall. Do you want to take transit or do you mind walking? If you want to take transit, find something a long Whyte ave... but the farther east you go the more 'sketchy' and the more pubs and bars appear. I really, really like my location as Safeway, Shoppers, convinience store, Mcdonalds, KFC etc. are all a block away.

My advice is to find something close to 109th and Whyte. If you go more North you have no option of busses and more South is the same.

Also busses on Whyte ave come very frequently. Every 10-15 minutes and there are plenty of busses so not a problem if one bus is too full or you miss one.

FlameOn · 10-25-2010, 10:17 AM

Whyte ave? Run away!!

Jimmy Stang · 10-25-2010, 10:26 AM

The area around the UofA is quite nice. The train also goes through the area so you can get into downtown and even to Rexall if you every have the urge.

bizaro86 · 10-25-2010, 10:34 AM

I lived in NE edmonton when I went to U of A a couple of years back, and found it much nicer than people think. If you're looking for a house or a townhouse at a reasonable price, that's the area to go for. That's where the train goes, so university access is pretty easy. I'd make sure you drive the neighbourhoods though, because some are definitely sketchy (ie 118th Avenue, anywhere near the coliseum).

The negative impression people have of it makes it way cheaper to live there, but if you move into a decent area its actually really nice. Most people (especially those of us from Calgary) look around the arena, realize its a craphole there, and discount the whole quadrant of the city.

wooohooo · 10-25-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameOn

Whyte ave? Run away!!

Have you ever lived on Whyte or even Edmonton? It might be a little worse near Calgary Trail but it's pretty good close to the University. Nice stores to visit too.

The Yen Man · 10-25-2010, 10:35 AM

Just make sure you're on the south side of the river (around the university) and not the north side of it. I remember driving through there and it's such a dive. You literally do see those dudes with sweatpants there. It's the area around the arena (Northlands?).

-TC- · 10-25-2010, 10:40 AM

1200 for a house - good luck. Maybe a two-bedroom apartment on the southside of the river for that kind of money.

VladtheImpaler · 10-25-2010, 10:45 AM

Whatever you do, stay away from the area where these guys breed:

Second, pack a lot of sweatpants, and, since you are going to law school, some good shoes...

anyonebutedmonton · 10-25-2010, 11:13 AM

Haha well played Vlad. Thanks for the advice. I should qualify my request a bit more...

I would be willing to walk/transit/drive so long as the commute isn't too long. I have an hour commute into downtown here and have actually noticed the quality of life change that comes along with it.

What are some south of the river or slightly north communities that would be good for commuting into the uni and are actually nice communities to live in?

Also, anyone know any good online places to look at rentals in Edmonton?

bizaro86 · 10-25-2010, 11:19 AM

www.rentfaster.ca

www.rentedmonton.com

www.rentspot.com

Are a few places that I would start with.

Fozzie_DeBear · 10-25-2010, 12:02 PM

I lived in the Forest Heights area...101ave and 81st and it was, IMO, a real nice area...may not be the easiest commute but not terrible.

troutman · 10-25-2010, 12:22 PM

If you are willing to eat your own vomit . . . Delta Kappa Epsilon

MoneyGuy · 10-25-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameOn

Whyte ave? Run away!!

Typical shot from someone who doesn't have a clue. I've been to Whyte Avenue probably a hundred times and it's very nice. There are sometimes problems when the bars let out but I'm never around at that time. It can also be a bit noisy because it's a cool area with shops, restaurants and tourists. In summer the motorcycles get noisy.

I suggest you look in the areas south and east of the university. There are some very nice places there, but I doubt your budget is high enough. YOu might actually want to be at least 2-3 blocks away from Whyte due to the activity and noise.

Ozy_Flame · 10-25-2010, 12:54 PM

To the OP, your username is hilarious given your situation.

FlamesFanStrandedInEDM · 10-25-2010, 12:59 PM

From my experience, being in Edmonton

If you see an ad that says "Close to Grant MacEwan" STAY AWAY!
Safest bet is if you're south of the river it'll be decent.

I cant afford to live south of the river, but I found a decent little place right by Commonwealth. The LRT service in Edmonton is decent, so anywhere along the LRT line is at most 15minute right from the University. Perhaps try Clareview area for a decent place close to the LRT?

mykalberta · 10-25-2010, 01:02 PM

You might be able to find something in your price range in the south, but you arent getting a house for that price, i would be surprised if you got an apartment near the UofA for that price.

South of the UofA is new LRT so that might be your best bet. If you dont mind driving you might be able get a place for that price on Elerslie road, with the new ring road traffic has really improved up there.

bizaro86 · 10-25-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

The LRT service in Edmonton is decent, so anywhere along the LRT line is at most 15minute right from the University. Perhaps try Clareview area for a decent place close to the LRT?

That's what I would do if I was looking in a similar situation. If you want a house/townhouse, with your budget, it'll have to be in the NE. Near Clairview LRT is a nice neighbourhood, and there are decent stores, etc around. Biggest plus is the LRT going right to campus.

bluntus logicimus · 10-25-2010, 01:34 PM

As others have said, $1200/mth may not get you into a house with a short commute but who knows, the rental market has softened a bit.

When you do finally get down to a list of neighbourhoods you are considering, put your question up at the link below. You will get some very good local advice.

www.connect2edmonton.ca