Old-timers called them “bedroom communities,” referring to those municipalities where residents make their homes but work, play, shop in the big city nearby. But that was then, today many of these small towns and cities surrounding Edmonton are more than just a bedroom.

It used to be that if you live outside the city and forgot to get milk on the way home, you’d have to decide whether to face a long drive back or eat your cereals dry in the morning. Not so much today, as the explosive growth of municipalities like Beaumont, Leduc, St. Albert, Sherwood Park and Westlock have made them far more convenient for families.

Most now have their own shopping centres, cinemas, recreation complex and, increasingly, more places of work that makes a true life-work balance easier to find. It’s also good to note that all offer a wide range of new home opportunities from single- to multi-family homes.

Land prices are also generally lower in those towns and cities, so homes tend to be less expensive. Although that gap is closing steadily. Here’s a snapshot of what are available in the region.

Beaumont

Beaumont, Alberta, is an enticing place to call home. Straddling small-town charm and big city convenience, it’s a close-knit community that offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes newcomers feel like they belong. Furthermore, the city is known for its friendly residents, who value community spirit and create a hospitable environment for both families and individuals.

Besides its small-town spirit, there’s also its awesome amenities. The city government says it is committed to providing a high standard of living, and this is evident in its wide array of facilities and services in town.

Today, new residents have fallen in love with Beaumont because its outdoor lifestyle is as alluring as the scenery. The town has over 250 acres of parklands, a dozen baseball diamonds, over a dozen soccer fields, outdoor rinks, inline rinks volleyball courts outdoor basketball courts and winding paths between most of them, finding these active areas is as much fun as playing in them.

New residential opportunities are coming up as well, all offering easy-living amenities and homes suited for today’s lifestyles. These include Dansereau Meadows by Anthem in the northwest; Le Reve by Redco Developments to the north; Ruisseau by Qualico Communities in the southwest, and Azur Beaumont by Avillia Developments to the west.

Élan, developed by Dream, is also located along the western edge of Beaumont. It recently won the 2024 CHBA National Awards for Best New Community. “Élan is the culmination of over half a decade of active engagement with the local community,” says Jonathan Chan, general manager of Dream’s Edmonton Land division.

“Beaumont has such a strong identity, and it was important to us to live up to the potential of that and not just bring more Edmonton to communities outside its borders,” says Chan. “Everything from the emphasis on inviting porches to the quality of the public spaces is purpose-built for bringing residents together. We wanted to get it right.”

Leduc

The promise of finding a better life in the small-town environs of Leduc has always been a big part of the appeal of Edmonton’s sister city to the south, even as its rapid pace of growth has given rise to even more new opportunities for homebuyers to find the life they want here.

According to Alberta provincial government records, Leduc had a population of 38,543 in 2024, the 13th highest in the province. It added that the population of Leduc increased 3.75 per cent year-over-year and increased 15.7 per cent in the last five years.

The city is steadily growing and remains at the heart of the province’s economic engine, with the thriving Nisku and Telford industrial parks as key parts to this drive. But for residents, Leduc represents the opportunity of living a life of peace and prosperity.

Located about 33 km south from Edmonton, Leduc has become a top choice for homebuyers looking for affordability and a safe, secure community where they can plant the roots of family. But it has more to offer than just that.

One of its most popular residential developments is the young community of Southfork by Jayman Living. Established in 2004, covering 376 acres, Southfork has been one of the top selling communities in Leduc for over a decade.

Southfork is designed for families. There is abundant green space with over two kilometres of pathways, three parks and three playgrounds. It also has a covered picnic area, including barbecue and seating area, plus a landscaped pond with water feature. There is a wide range of new home designs here including the very popular bungalow villas by Jayman BUILT (see story in this issue).

Sherwood Park

Sherwood Park, just east of Edmonton, is, in fact, the largest hamlet in the world with a population of over 73,000 people, according to the 2022 census. It is the largest urban area of Strathcona County which has a total population of 100,362 people. It was granted specialized status by the Government of Alberta in 1996 as an Urban Service Area.

Growth is the abiding promise in Sherwood Park, with the population growing 2.3 per cent from 2018 to 2022. And it’s bound to grow even more, as there are several ongoing residential developments that make it the perfect place to put down roots in. Mattamy Homes’ Hearthstone and Rohit Communities’ Cambrian are two of the latest and both focus on the easy living appeal of life here.

“Sherwood Park as a whole is a desirable location due to the number of great schools and its family-friendly environment, in fact it is one of Alberta’s top-rated places for families,” says Rohit Land Division Marketing Manager, Daisy Lieu. “It has its own thriving economy and employment opportunities and still close to Edmonton. The recreation and lifestyle it offers is also top notch.”

“Homebuyers appreciate Cambrian’s natural setting, its walkability, and the community-focused design,” she adds. Add to the fact that Cambrian is a ravine community offering fantastic views, where you find everything in one place,” says Lieu.

The timeless vision for Hearthstone is enhanced by its close-to-nature location that makes it a haven for active and recreation-minded families. It has the Oldman Creek Ravine as its backyard with 37 kilometres of walking trails and a wildlife corridor.

Hearthstone offers a wide range of choices for homes to suit different budgets, and include single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes. The community covers a total of 320 acres and will have over 1,750 homes on buildout.

St. Albert

Work-life balance may seem like just another buzzword in the real estate industry, but in St. Albert achieving this ideal lifestyle is its sole purpose. In fact, the life of leisure it promises is why this dynamic, young city just outside Edmonton continues to attract more new homebuyers.

The City of St. Albert’s 2024 Municipal Census show the population pass the 72,000 mark or a 9.2 percent increase since the last census in 2018. It is now the sixth largest city in Alberta.

What do people love about it? Easy. St. Albert boasts a family-friendly vibe with lots of parks and recreational opportunities, so much so that it has been consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Alberta. Now, it’s becoming known for the modern – even cosmopolitan – lifestyle to be found in its many new communities, including Rohit’s hit new community of Chérot.

“Young families and first-time homebuyers are increasingly discovering Chèrot as their ideal community, alongside established families seeking their next home,” says Lieu.

“Residents are drawn to the tranquility of this newer development, featuring the charming Paris Playground and convenient access to St. Albert’s amenities. Adding to the neighborhood’s appeal is the anticipated recreational facility, soon to be just steps away from their homes.”

Westlock

Westlock is a rapidly growing municipality just an hour north of Edmonton. It combines a quiet rural lifestyle with the easy-living amenities of a progressive and welcoming town.

It is home to the Westlock Health Care Centre that provides 24-hour emergency care, there are more than 400 thriving business in town, with public and private schools.

Recreational activities are easy to find, as Westlock offers so many options, including the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre, Westlock Aquatic Centre, eight playgrounds, 10.2 kms in its Rotary Trail network, 98.65 acres of parks and greenspaces, a community garden, ball diamonds, tennis courts, a skatepark, and more in the surrounding region (like Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill and Long Island Lake).

Affordability of new homes is also touted in Westlock – more so than anywhere else in the Edmonton region.

“Westlock’s housing stock is affordable, and options can be found in all price points,” says Westlock’s Director of Planning & Development, Danielle Pougher. “The median home price in the 2021 census was $250,000. Westlock’s cost of living is also reasonable, with tax rates below the provincial median, and a variety of programs available to help with affordability.”

It will get even better, as the Town recently opened for sale 18 lots in its new Southview subdivision, located in one of Westlock’s most popular neighbourhoods. “We offer competitive incentives, including per-unit grants, tax incentives, and build now-pay later agreements for builders,” Pougher adds.

“Westlock offers a unique blend of low vacancy rates and limited lot inventory, creating a high demand for new housing projects. Coupled with a strong rental market and the availability of generous local, provincial, and federal incentives, Westlock provides a cost-effective and appealing environment for homeowners and developers alike.”