Moving to Edmonton: a practical guide to your first month
Edmonton is Alberta's capital, set along the North Saskatchewan River valley. This guide covers what newcomers sort out in their first weeks, from the airport to Alberta Health Care. It's the same ground SafeLanding covers for the employees, students and families we relocate.
Getting from the airport
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is south of the city. You have three main ways into town:
- ETS Route 747: an Edmonton Transit bus between the airport and Century Park Transit Centre, where you can connect to the Capital Line LRT. The ride takes about 24 minutes. Check ETS for current fares and times.
- Taxi or rideshare: available outside arrivals.
- A pre-booked transfer: someone meets you at arrivals and takes you straight to your accommodation. SafeLanding arranges this through our transfer partners.
Where to stay while you look
Most people start in a short-term rental, a furnished apartment or a hotel while they look for a permanent home. A few things help:
- Stay close to where you'll work or study, or close to an LRT line.
- Book for long enough to view homes without rushing. Many people need a few weeks or more.
- Check what's included: parking, internet, laundry and utilities.
We source furnished short- and medium-term housing through our housing partners, and our partner-network realtor can help with renting or buying.
Edmonton neighbourhoods at a glance
Where you live shapes your commute and your winter. A quick overview to start your search:
Downtown and Oliver
Apartments and condos, walkable streets, LRT access and quick access to the river valley trails. Popular with people who want to live close to the office.
Old Strathcona and Garneau
Around Whyte Avenue and the University of Alberta. Older character homes, apartments, cafés and a busy arts scene. A common choice for students and university staff.
Southwest Edmonton
Areas such as Windermere and Terwillegar have newer homes, schools and shopping, and are popular with families. Many commuters drive or use the bus and LRT.
Southeast Edmonton
Newer family neighbourhoods such as those around Ellerslie, closer to the airport and Highway 2, with newer schools and recreation centres.
West and central-west
Mature neighbourhoods such as Glenora and Westmount near downtown, and the West Edmonton Mall area further west.
Nearby communities
Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Leduc are separate communities next to the city. Some people choose them for space or a shorter commute to the airport and industrial areas.
Your first-week checklist
- Social Insurance Number (SIN): you need one to work in Canada. Apply through Service Canada if you don't have one.
- Alberta Health Care (AHCIP): register within 3 months of arriving. If you're moving from another province, coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you arrive, so keep your old provincial card until then. If you're coming from outside Canada, you may be covered from the day you arrive, as long as you apply within 3 months. Bring your immigration document to a registry office.
- Driver's licence: exchange an out-of-province or foreign licence at an Alberta registry agent within 90 days of becoming a resident.
- Bank account and phone plan: worth setting up early, since many other sign-ups ask for a Canadian phone number.
- Transit: pay ETS bus and LRT fares with an Arc card, or tap a credit or debit card on the Arc reader.
- Utilities and internet: check your lease for what's included, then set up the rest before you move in.
- Schools: register directly with Edmonton Public Schools or Edmonton Catholic Schools. Your address decides your designated school.
Preparing for winter
Edmonton winters are long and cold, and temperatures can drop below −30 °C. Arriving between November and March takes a bit of planning:
- Bring or buy a proper winter coat, boots, gloves and a hat before you need them.
- If you'll drive, winter tires make a real difference, and many parking spots have plug-ins for block heaters.
- Allow extra travel time on snowy days, especially for airport pickups and first-day commutes.
Good to know
This guide is general information, checked in November 2026. Rules, fares and timelines can change, so confirm details on the official pages: Alberta Health Care for new residents, exchanging a licence and ETS airport service. We don't give immigration advice. For permit or status questions, please talk to a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC).
Want someone to handle all of this?
SafeLanding coordinates relocation to Edmonton for employers, relocation companies, colleges and universities, and individuals and families. We can handle airport pickup, temporary housing, settling-in appointments, home search with our partner-network realtor, and school and childcare search, with one coordinator from start to finish.
Someone moving to Edmonton soon?
Request a quote and we'll reply with an estimate.