5 Edmonton neighbourhoods great for first-time buyers
Compared to Canadian cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa, Edmonton is an affordable place to buy a home and maintain a high quality of life. It’s quiet with tree-lined streets and a wide range of opportunities for young professionals and growing families alike. Lonely Planet even named it one of 2025’s top 30 cities to visit in the world thanks to the revitalization of its downtown core, gigantic Ice District sports and entertainment complex, busy Old Strathcona shopping district and Royal Alberta Museum. If you’re on the hunt for some of the best neighbourhoods in Edmonton for buying your first home, this list spans the city—from new suburbs on the outskirts to historic neighbourhoods in the city centre.
Inglewood
When it comes to affordable homes in Edmonton that are close to practically everything, you can’t beat Inglewood. Located in the northwest part of the city, this mature neighbourhood provides easy access to the downtown core with just a 10-minute drive. Even closer, Westmount Mall’s Home Depot, Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollarama and Pet Valu make shopping for necessities a breeze. Prefer to show some local love? Hop on your bike and head to 124 Street, a popular shopping district with a mix of indie boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries. The neighbourhood is also a quick jaunt to 124 Grand Market, a weekly farmers’ market that runs from May to October, as well as Coronation Park, which boasts a planetarium, fitness centre, lawn-bowling club and science museum.
Primarily residential, Inglewood is filled with single-family dwellings including modern homes built within the last few years, character houses from the turn of the 20th century and quaint bungalows perched on tree-lined streets. Townhouses are also an option, as is the occasional condo in a low-rise building. To learn more, browse Inglewood’s current listings.
The Hamptons
The Hamptons, a suburb on the southwest edge of Edmonton, was designed with families in mind. If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Edmonton and have visions of your kids riding their bikes or playing hockey on the streets outside your home, this quiet neighbourhood might be for you. The area is dotted with parks, playgrounds and small lakes and also contains two K-to-9 schools and two churches. Safeway, Co-Op and Save-On-Foods are all within a 10-minute drive, while West Edmonton Mall—by far the largest mall in Canada with over 800 stores—is about 15 minutes away. If you work downtown, you’re looking at about 30 minutes in the car to get there, but it may be a worthwhile price in exchange for the peace and safety that The Hamptons affords.
Properties in The Hamptons are, in a word, spacious. A vast majority of homes in the area are two storeys and have attached garages, large front and backyards, as well as finished basements—ideal for a growing family. There are also some duplexes in the region, as well as units in sprawling low-rise buildings, all with plenty of room to spread out. Check out The Hamptons homes that are now for sale.
Belmont
One of the best neighbourhoods in Edmonton for new homebuyers, Belmont sits in the city’s northeast Clareview district with Kernohan, Sifton Park and Bannerman. It’s a quiet residential area designed for easy car travel with two major thoroughfares—Anthony Henday Drive and Yellowhead Trail—bordering the region. Prefer transit? Clareview Station, the northernmost stop on the LRT Capital Line, is a 20-minute walk away and runs down to Century Park, passing through downtown Edmonton and the University of Alberta. It’s also family friendly thanks to plenty of nearby elementary schools and easy access to major grocery stores including Walmart Superstore, Real Canadian Superstore and Sobeys. Whether you love nature hikes or need to exercise your pet, Belmont has the space. Hermitage Park boasts walking trails, picnic sites and off-leash zones for dogs, as well as fishing and boating in the North Saskatchewan River or the Hermitage Park Stocked Pond. Kennedale Ravine also has an off-leash area for pups to roam.
Peruse Belmont’s current listings to get a sense of the neighbourhood’s offerings. While there are some standalone homes for sale—primarily small bungalows—you’re more likely to come across tastefully renovated townhouses, as well as condos in low-rise buildings.
Montrose
Montrose is an ultra-affordable neighbourhood in northeast Edmonton that’s just a tad southwest of Belmont. It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers and golfers, who will enjoy the perks of plenty of nearby green space. Borden Park is only a five-minute drive away and features flower gardens, public art works, tennis courts and a swimming pool. Kinnaird Park, a dog-friendly area along the North Saskatchewan River, is just a touch farther. There are even three golf courses—Riverside Golf Course, Highlands Golf Club and Rundle Park Golf Course—within a 10-minute drive. And if you like taking advantage of local activities on the weekends, pop into the Edmonton Expo Centre, which hosts everything from Disney on Ice in its arena to festivals and markets over the winter holidays.
Are sweet and petite homes your style? Then you’ll love Montrose, where it’s normal to find 800 to 1,100-square-foot bungalows dwarfed by ancient trees. You’ll also see some duplexes and townhouses at affordable prices, as well as empty lots waiting for a homeowner with a vision. Discover for-sale homes in the area.
Queen Alexandra
Location, location, location! If you want to be at the heart of the city, frequent plenty of indie businesses and have public transit access (despite Edmonton’s limited offerings), Queen Alexandra is an excellent choice. The buzzy district is a short walking distance to the Old Strathcona neighbourhood, which is filled with local murals, bakeries and shops—particularly along the famous Whyte Avenue. Plus, Old Strathcona Antique Mall with 300 vendors and Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, a year-round indoor food fair open every Saturday, are nearby. If you’re into the nightlife scene, you’ll also discover plenty of cocktail bars and lounges like Yardbird Suite for jazz and Beercade for craft beer and arcade games. University of Alberta is a 20-minute walk away.
The neighbourhood has a mix of commercial and residential properties and features both standalone homes and low-rise condos. Though a large, new-build house remains quite expensive, there are plenty of smaller character homes and spacious condos available at affordable prices. Check out current homes for sale in Queen Alexandra.
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