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edmonton vs. ottawa: which one offers a better life?

@Aria Bennett2/8/2026blog
edmonton vs. ottawa: which one offers a better life?

so i've been living in edmonton for a while now, and i've gotta say, it's been a wild ride. as a touring session drummer, i've had the chance to travel to a bunch of different cities, but there's something about edmonton that just feels like home. maybe it's the way the sun sets over the north saskatchewan river, or maybe it's the fact that you can get a decent cup of coffee at 3 am at one of the many 24-hour cafes. anyway, i've been thinking about making the move to ottawa, just to see what all the fuss is about.

i mean, have you seen the rent prices in ottawa? they're, like, half of what you'd pay in edmonton. but then again, edmonton's got a pretty sweet job market, with a bunch of big companies setting up shop here. i've heard rumors that the average salary in edmonton is around $63,000 per year, which is pretty decent if you ask me.

city skyline during night time

now, i know what you're thinking: what about safety? well, let me tell you, edmonton's got a bit of a reputation for being a little rough around the edges. but from what i've experienced, it's all just a bunch of hype. i mean, sure, there are some sketchy neighborhoods, but that's true of any city. and hey, at least we've got the mountains just a short drive away.

a city skyline with a bridge in the foreground

if you're thinking of making the move to edmonton, i'd say go for it. just be sure to check out some of the local spots, like Yelp for food, or TripAdvisor for hotel reviews. and if you're feeling really adventurous, you could always check out the edmonton subreddit for some insider tips. or, you know, you could just google it and see what comes up. either way, i hope this helps, and maybe i'll see you around town.


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About the author: Aria Bennett

Believer in lifelong learning (and unlearning).

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