If you’re considering moving to Alberta, Canada, you’re giving some thought to a great location. Alberta boasts one of Canada‘s strongest economies, attracting newcomers from all over Canada and the rest of the world. 

On the western side of Canada, bordering the coastal province of British Columbia, Alberta is home to varying climates, sunny skies (even in winter), friendly people (word has it, Albertans are the kind to stop and change your tire for you), a laid-back vibe, beautiful scenery, and low cost of living 

You’ll be looking for a new home (or apartment) and juggling all the ins and outs of a cross-country or cross-province move, which can be quite a mission. With this guide, you’ll be sure to have an easier time of it as we give you a checklist of tasks to take care of and things you need to know. 

From getting your new driver’s license (or ​​driver’s licence, as the locals spell it) to finding a suitable gas or electricity provider, this guide will help you find your way around this popular Canadian destination.  

What Are the Best Places to Live In the Province of Alberta?  

When moving to Alberta, Canada, there are three places that stand out from the rest. Here’s a quick rundown on each.  

Red Deer 

Red Deer is situated about halfway between Calgary and Edmonton in the province of Alberta, Canada. With a river running through it, Red Deer is a charming city.  

The center of Alberta‘s oil and agriculture trade and distribution, the economy in Red Deer is growing rapidly and getting a competitive edge over other areas with its rapidly growing entrepreneurial culture.  

With a vibrant arts and culture scene, the city boasts an abundance of entertainment with plenty of recreation centers, restaurants, bars, theaters, and museums. 

Skiers new to the area will be thrilled to know that the Canyon Ski Resort (Alberta‘s biggest ski resort) is in Red Deer, featuring six lifts, 22 ski runs, night skiing, and a snow tubing park. 

A big city with a small-town feel, the residents of Red Deer tend to be easy-going. 

Calgary 

Calgary offers the vitality of a large metropolitan city with a close community’s friendly and open energy. Home to over 1.4 million people, Calgary was once ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit (2009- 2021) as the “most livable city” in North America 

Situated in the foothills of Canada‘s Rocky Mountains, there is plenty to do and see in Calgary 

With an abundance of restaurants, nightlife activities, theaters, shopping centers, recreational facilities, and an array of outdoor activities to enjoy during year-round sunny days (Calgary averages approximately 335 days of sunshine per year), Calgary is the perfect place for those who love to be entertained.  

Edmonton 

The capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta, Edmonton sits pretty on the North Saskatchewan River.  

Known as Canada‘s “Festival City,” Edmonton is host to more than 50 festivals each year, including a couple of the largest and most well-known festivals in North America: The Edmonton International Fringe Festival and The Works Art & Design Festival.  

There are hundreds of activities to keep everyone entertained in this bustling, young city with plenty of restaurants, museums, art galleries, recreation centers, stadiums, and North America‘s largest mall that spans 48 city blocks!  

Friendly folks, low taxes (Edmonton enjoys Alberta’s absence of provincial sales tax), plenty to do, sunny weather, and surrounding beauty provide plenty of good reasons to move to Edmonton, Alberta 

What’s the Cost of Living In Alberta, Canada? 


Cost of Living In Alberta, Canada | Image of Bridgesource

If you’re considering moving to Alberta, you may be wondering: Is it expensive to live in Alberta, Canada 

Alberta enjoys one of the lowest cost of living indexes in Canada. That’s thanks to low income tax rates, zero provincial sales tax (PST), low housing costs, a deregulated electricity market, and childcare subsidy programs for families that meet income requirements. Also, there’s socialized medicine and education.  

Income Tax: Albertans pay 10- 5% personal income tax, depending on their income bracket. This is a provincial income tax and does not include federal income tax. 

Childcare subsidies: Families that make less than $90,000 annually are eligible for low-cost or no-cost childcare.  

Sales Tax: Not to be confused with provincial sales tax, Albertans pay just 5% sales tax compared to 10%, 12%, or even 15% sales tax in many other provinces of Canada 

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What Do I Need to Know About Moving to Alberta? 

If you’re moving to Alberta from another area of North America, such as the United States or other parts of Canada, you’ll need to handle a few essentials.  

There’s a terrific free service in Canada called Moving Waldo. Visit movingwaldo.com, where you can plan your move and take care of a multitude of necessities :  

  • Order moving supplies like boxes, tape, or complete moving kits  
  • Schedule professional moving companies 
  • Find task assistants who can help you with packing (or unpacking) 
  • Rent moving containers or DIY moving trucks 
  • Find a storage unit if you need one  
  • Schedule junk removal services  
  • Find local charities that will accept your donations of clothing, furniture, and more 
  • Update your address  
  • Order internet and cell phone service 
  • Manage your utility services, turning off the old and connecting the new 

Find a New Place to Live 

When you’re ready to find your new home in Alberta, you may want to hire a real estate agent to help you out. Likewise, though, there are plenty of online resources such as Zillow or ZooCasa that can help you find the perfect new home, townhouse, or apartment.  

Update or Obtain Your Driver’s License  

Within two weeks of your arrival as a new resident of Alberta, you’ll need to apply at your nearest registry agent to change your address on your driver’s license or obtain a new one.  

While you’re there, you’ll need to update your vehicle registration, as well, with your new Albertan address.  

When you arrive at the registry, they will require official identification (such as your old driver’s license and/or passport), your new physical address, and your mailing address.  

Get a Handle on Your Healthcare 

When you first move to Alberta, you’ll want to apply for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). It’s straightforward and an essential step for the safety and well-being of you and your family. Just download the registration form and take it to your nearest registry office.  

Your health card will be ready for you in about five days. Just as it is in all of Canada, Canadian healthcare in Alberta is socialized, and therefore it is free.  

Choose an Electricity Provider 

In Alberta, you usually have the right to choose your electricity and gas provider. Depending on the area where your new home is located in the province, you’ll probably have two options: You can choose to stay with the regulated utility provider in your area or decide to go with a competitive energy retailer. 

Pro tip: Enter your postal code on the Just Energy Alberta page to see if you can choose your own electricity provider.  

Suppose your new home in Alberta is outside the city limits or in a more rural area. In that case, you may not have the option to choose, as many rural areas are served by the Rural Electrification Association (REA) or a Natural Gas Co-op. 

Important Note: If you’re new to the area and a first-time utility customer, you might need to get your services first with a regulated utility provider. Your gas and electricity will be separate when you do, as regulated providers cannot bundle them.  

If you have the option to switch to a competitive retail provider, and you decide to go with one of the many in the area, you’ll sign a contract with them to receive services for a specified amount of time.  

There will be various options you can choose from concerning your plan, including: 

  • Variable-rate plan 
  • Fixed-rate plan 
  • Combined plan (with some companies, you may choose a fixed-rate plan for either gas or electric and a variable-rate plan for the other) 
  • Green energy plans 

When you go with a competitive retailer, you can opt to bundle your natural gas and electricity services so that you get just one bill each month. Keep in mind that it can take 10-15 days or more to change your energy provider. Before making the switch, ask about the estimated time it will take to change. 

To find a list of competitive retail gas and electricity service providers, head on over to the Utilities Consumer Advocate website, and pop in your new city, town, or postal code. You’ll find a list of providers to choose from.  

Why Are There So Many Utility Service Providers in Alberta? 

In 1996, Alberta’s government passed the Electric Utilities Act that solidified the deregulation of electricity providers. However, Alberta is not 100% deregulated when it comes to power. Municipal utility companies still exist, and in rural areas, regulated providers are sometimes the only ones available 

But for many consumers in Alberta, deregulation means that you have the power to choose the energy provider that works best for your needs.  

How Do I Get the Best Gas and Electricity Rates in Alberta?  

To say that Alberta’s winters can be harsh may be an understatement. The days are short, dark, and freezing, so having a reliable and affordable utility service is imperative.  

Fortunately, you have choices in Alberta and can select a superior gas and electric service provider in the area.  

When looking for the right power supplier in Alberta, check on rates, compare plans, ask about term length conditions, and look into any other unique offerings or conditions the company has. 

For example, Just Energy offers renewable energy credits, reliable 24/7 service, fixed rates, optional term lengths, green energy plans (you can do your part for the planet!) and easy, no-hassle billing. It’s also simple to switch over to Just Energy if you’ve started with a regulated utility provider.   

Call 866-550-1550 Today to Sign up for Great Energy and Electricity Rates!

What Are Some Things to Do in Alberta? 

Alberta, Canada Things to Do | Looking at Mountainssource

There are numerous things to do in Alberta. Whether you’re a city dweller who loves nightlife and fine dining, an outdoorsy type who prefers being out in nature, or someone who likes to mix it up when it comes to entertainment, Alberta‘s got you covered. 

Here are five fun things to entertain you after moving to Alberta 

Banff National Park 

One of Canada‘s most well-known national parks, Banff National Park is famous for its mountain terrain, lakes, rivers, glaciers and icefields, and dense, lush forests. Spanning 6,641 square kilometers, Banff is situated in the Canadian Rocky Mountains west of Calgary. Hiking, skiing, fishing, golf, white water rafting, camping, and more, there is much to do and see in this beautiful mountain park.  

West Edmonton Mall  

What isn’t there to do in this extraordinary mall? From endless shopping (800 shops) to dining, movie theaters, an indoor ice skating rink, a water park, an aquarium, bowling alley, ziplining, surfing (yes, really!), and more, one could easily spend a few days at West Edmonton Mall and not run out of things to do.  

Festivals 

Winter festivals, summer festivals, food festivals, music festivals, and more. If you’re looking for a festival, then Edmonton is the place to find one. With more than 50 festivals a year, there is almost always one happening, and there’s likely something for every interest.  

Games and Events 

Most of us have heard of the Calgary Flames, but there are also numerous junior and minor league hockey teams in the province of Alberta. Not just for hockey fans, Canada also has a few pro football teams (Canadian Football League) that make their home in Alberta. Baseball, basketball, soccer, and horse racing are also fun events to catch at numerous stadiums, arenas, or tracks in Alberta 

Culinary Delights 

A paradise for foodies, Alberta is home to a global crowd, which means delicious international food. From food trucks to five-star dining experiences, there is a little bit of yumminess for every palette.  

Moving to Alberta Means New Experiences and Friendly Faces 

If you’ve decided to move to Alberta, you’re likely in for numerous new experiences, from outdoor activities to world-class dining, ice hockey everywhere you look, and North America‘s biggest mall. You’ll likely live in, or reasonably near, a big city, but you’ll enjoy the welcoming vibe of small-town culture. Socialized medicine will be yours for the asking, and you’ll likely have the ability to choose your energy provider 

Moving to Alberta means moving to one of Canada‘s most rapidly growing areas, and rumor has it that it’s also one of the most excellent places to live. 

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