The Best Places to Live in Edmonton: Part 2

Welcome to The Best Places to Live in Edmonton, a multi-part series in which we take a deep dive into some of the best communities our diverse and vibrant city has to offer. If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a new home in the capital region, we hope this information will help you zero-in on the right neighbourhood for your unique needs.

Northeast Edmonton: 

Highlands

Known as one of the most architecturally diverse neighbourhoods in Edmonton, The Highlands remains one of the city’s oldest and most beloved communities. First established in early 1912, the area is noted for its mature, tree-lined streets, river valley views, diverse home styles and unparalleled historic charm.

Tucked away in central/northeast Edmonton, The Highlands is home to some of the best amenities the city has to offer, including river valley-based parks and walking trails, several schools and proximity to the Highlands Golf Club. The community also houses the famed Gibbard Block as well as the highly coveted Mandolin Books and Coffee Company.

As we mentioned above, home styles in The Highlands are genuinely one-of-a-kind. Comprised mainly of single-family dwellings, architectural styles in the area range from updated post-WWII character homes to beautifully crafted infill properties.

Learn more by checking out our Edmonton Community Spotlight: Highlands

Average Highlands Listing Price = $664,000

See homes for sale in The Highlands

Virginia Park

Virginia Park is a mature community located less than 10-minutes from Edmonton’s vibrant downtown core. Like so many other neighbourhoods in this highly desirable area, Virginia Park is known for its established amenities, beautiful homes and proximity to Kinnaird Park / the North Saskatchewan River Valley.

Of the community’s many amenities, Virginia Park is perhaps best known for its inclusion of Borden Park, which features everything from walking paths and flower gardens to public artworks and Canada’s first public, man-made natural swimming pool. In addition to a local school (and Concordia University), the neighbourhood sits within walking distance to grocers, various shops and services, as well as the East Edmonton Health Centre.

Real estate opportunities in Virginia Park consist mainly of either walk-up apartment-style condos (of less than five stories) and single-family homes. Many of the single-family dwellings in the area were constructed before the 1950s, making Virginia Park an ideal community for those seeking an updated character home or a contemporary infill property.

Average Virginia Park Listing Price = $440,000

See homes for sale in Virginia Park

Hollick-Kenyon

Established in the early 1990s, Hollick-Kenyon is one of five family-oriented communities that comprise northeast Edmonton’s Pilot Sound district. Named after famed Canadian pilot Herbert Hollick-Kenyon, this serene neighbourhood boasts ample open green space, a large stormwater pond, a network of walking trails offering expansive prairie views and a local K-9 public school.

Bounded by both 153rd Ave to the south and 50th Street / Manning Drive to the east, Hollick-Kenyon residents enjoy quick and convenient access to ample amenities, including Manning Town Centre (featuring numerous big-box retailers and restaurants), Costco and the Clareview LRT station. The greater City of Edmonton is also easily accessible via the nearby north Anthony Henday.

Hollick-Kenyon home styles consist primarily of two-storey, front-attached single-family homes. Still, there are ample rear-laned detached, duplex and low-rise apartment-style condo options to choose from. Even better, real estate in the area remains incredibly affordable, making Hollick-Kenyon the perfect neighbourhood for first-time buyers, growing families, downsizers and everything in between.

Average Hollick-Kenyon Listing Price = $370,000

See homes for sale in Hollick-Kenyon

Cherry Grove / Belle Rive

Belle Rive was first annexed by the City of Edmonton in the early 1970s, with most residential development occurring in the early 1990s and onward. While there is some development still underway in the community’s north end, Belle Rive remains mostly established and houses a number of fantastic amenities, including ample parks and playgrounds (Poplar Park Spray Park), two stormwater ponds and a K-9 school.

Belle Rive also sits just a few moments away from grocers, medical services, banking institutions, restaurants, big-box retailers and a nearby transit hub. Additionally, Clareview Town Centre (Costco, Walmart), Londonderry Mall, Northgate Centre and North Town Centre call all be reached within a 10-minute drive or less.

Those looking to call Belle Rive home will be pleased to know the community contains a diverse range of home styles, suitable to any lifestyle and budget. These include everything from recently renovated detached, bi-level homes (single-family) and front-attached, two-story models to newly constructed townhomes and apartment-style condos.

Average Belle Rive Listing Price = $420,000

See homes for sale in Belle Rive

Schonsee

One of northeast Edmonton’s beautiful Lake District neighbourhoods, Schonsee sits nestled among the communities of Ozerna, Mayliewn and Klarvatten. Loosely based on a German translation of “beautiful lake,” Schonsee saw its first residential development in the early 2000s, with brand new homes of all styles and price points continuing to crop up today.

In addition to a small commercial area in the neighbourhood’s far southwest corner, Schonsee residents enjoy having ample walking trails, playgrounds, pond views and convenient access to abundant amenities within the surrounding communities – including schools, restaurants and several shopping districts (Manning Town Centre, Londonderry Mall and the many other shops, services and retailers along nearby 97th Street and 167th Ave).

As we mentioned above, much of the real estate in Schonsee consists of new construction homes, though there are several resale opportunities available in the area. Home styles consist of everything from low-rise apartment-style condos and townhomes to brand-new duplexes and front attached single-family homes.

Average Schonsee Listing Price = $418,000

See homes for sale in Schonsee

Northwest Edmonton: 

Griesbach

Despite its established status, much of the northwest Edmonton community of Griesbach remains under development, making it the perfect place to find a new construction home. Formerly an Edmonton military base (CFB Griesbach), Griesbach is home to countless family-friendly amenities, including a local school, parks (including Patricia Park) community garden, tobogganing hill, walking trails, and a large commercial district (restaurants, a daycare and various other services) tucked away in the neighbourhood’s far southeast corner.

But that’s not all. Bounded by Castledowns Road to the west, 153rd Ave to the north, 97th Street to the east and 137th Ave to the south, Griesbach is a highly accessible neighbourhood – providing a streamlined commute to Edmonton’s Yellowhead Trail, as well as a wealth of other popular amenities in every direction. These include Northgate and North Town Centre, Grand Trunk Fitness and Leisure Centre, the North City Centre / Skyview Power Centre, Beaumaris Lake and more.

Real estate opportunities in Griesbach consist predominantly of post-2000s and new construction single-family homes in various price points and styles (bungalows, front-attached, rear lane detached, etc.). However, home buyers in search of a lower maintenance home such as a townhome or apartment-style condo will also have plenty of inventory to choose from.

Average Griesbach Listing Price = $472,000

See homes for sale in Griesbach

Beaumaris

Welcome to beautiful Beaumaris! Located in northwest Edmonton’s popular Castledowns district, this amenity-friendly neighbourhood features quiet, tree-lined streets, extensive open park and green space, an abundance of walking paths and an immense, man-made community lake spanning over 2.5km.

But Edmonton’s largest and oldest stormwater lake isn’t all Beaumaris is known for. Flanked by both Castle Downs Road and 97th Street, the community is also surrounded by countless convenient amenities, including several schools, the Lakeside Landing Shopping Centre (Edmonton Public Library, Sobeys, various restaurants and services), Namao Centre and the Beaumaris Shopping Centre (nestled away in neighbourhood’s far southeast corner).

Affordable single-family homes account for the majority of real estate opportunities in Beaumaris (just under half of all home styles), followed by low-maintenance, low-rise apartment-style condos. Townhomes and duplexes are slightly less common, but several can be found throughout the community.

Average Beaumaris Listing Price = $285,000

See homes for sale in Beaumaris

Castlebrook / Chambery

Chambery is a newly developing community located deep in northwest Edmonton. Like many neighbourhoods in the Castledowns area, the community takes its name from a famous castle (Chambery Castle was constructed in southeast France at the beginning of the 13th century). Bordered by both the north Anthony Henday and 97th Street, this highly accessible suburban neighbourhood is becoming an increasingly popular choice among growing families looking for a roomy yet affordable single-family home.

As a means of preserving its peaceful integrity, there are no commercial amenities planned for the community of Chambery proper – especially with the variety of shops, services, restaurants and recreation venues, just a short distance away within the surrounding areas. Locally, Chambery is home to stormwater ponds, walking paths and a large park and playground site, shared with the neighbouring community of Elsinore. The neighbourhood also maintains plans for a local school and several additional pocket parks.

Currently, Chambery is comprised entirely of front-attached, single-family homes. However, the neighbourhood does include plans for roomy, newly developed duplexes, modern townhomes and reasonably priced, low-rise apartment-style condos.

Average Chambery Listing Price = $506,000

See homes for sale in Chambery

Newcastle / Rapperswill

Newcastle is yet another popular up-and-coming community situated in northwest Edmonton (defined by the north Anthony Henday and 127th Street), as part of the greater Castledowns district. Although development is still ongoing, this trendy new neighbourhood has plenty to offer by way of affordable new home styles, accessibility, natural features and convenient commercial amenities.

Thanks to its ultra-accessible location, residents of Newcastle enjoy a streamlined commute to northwest Edmonton’s (and St. Albert’s) best amenities, such as the Newcastle Shopping Centre (grocery stores, medical centres, banking institutions, restaurants, Walmart and various other retailers and services), North City Centre / Skyview Power Centre, Gateway Village Shopping Centre, Servus Place (St. Albert), Cattail Crossing Golf Club, Castledowns YMCA and more!

Picturesque pond views and walking paths also characterize the community, which offers growing families their choice of schooling option(s) close by, within the adjoining neighbourhoods.

Average Newcastle Listing Price = $407,000

See homes for sale in Newcastle

Oxford

Residential development of the northwest Edmonton neighbourhood of Oxford began in the late 1980s and continued to flourish into the 2000s, with a primary focus on growing families. The community is known for its (northern) protected wetlands, stormwater ponds and inviting open green spaces, and it remains part of Edmonton’s most beloved Palisades district – an all-encompassing area rich in family-friendly amenities.

With its proximity to 142nd Street, Oxford delivers convenient access to both the north Anthony Henday and other amenities along 127th Street NW. Southwest Oxford consists of a small commercial area (Newcastle Centre) featuring a grocery store, medical centre, banking institutions, Walmart, and a variety of services. Other nearby amenities include a small commercial centre toward the neighbourhood’s southeast, including restaurants, additional services, coffee shops and more. North City Centre / Skyview Power Centre also sit just a short distance away.

Active families will also be pleased to know there are several local schools in the surrounding neighbourhoods, as well as ample transit opportunities, several recreation centres (10-minutes drive or less), the Twin Willows Golf Club and Henry Singer Park.

Single-family homes account for the majority of home styles in Oxford, with an emphasis on front attached models. However, modern low-rise apartment-style condos and spacious duplexes are also a popular choice in the Oxford community.

Average Oxford Listing Price = $357,000

See homes for sale in Oxford

For more information on these neighbourhoods or Edmonton’s many other fantastic communities, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! We also invite you to download your free copy of our guide Your All-In-One Guide to Choosing The Right Edmonton Neighbourhood or check out our latest community blog. 

Related:  

Edmonton’s Top Infill Communities

The Best Places to Live in Edmonton: Part 1

Edmonton Community Spotlight: Alberta Avenue (Norwood) 

Buying Your First Home: How to Choose the Right Edmonton Community

8 Benefits of Living in St. Albert

*Average listing prices are based on current market conditions and are subject to change 

Photo credits: shutterstock.com

Categorised in: Communities

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group