If you’ve noticed more of your friends and neighbours talking about a move to one of the communities around Edmonton, you’re not imagining it. People are choosing Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Beaumont, Leduc, Spruce Grove and Fort Saskatchewan for real reasons. Some want more space. Others want a quieter street or a shorter drive to work. Here’s what’s behind the move, how home prices compare and what to think about before you pack the truck. Yes, I have thought about making the move myself. The Edmonton Region Keeps GrowingThe whole region has grown fast. Since 2021, the Edmonton metro area has added about 220,000 residents to reach roughly 1.69 million people. The city of Edmonton alone is is now about 1.4 million. When a city grows this quickly, traffic picks up and neighbourhoods get busier. That’s a big part of why many people are looking just outside Edmonton for a calmer place to call home.Reason 1: A Quieter Pace Without Giving Up the CityThis is the reason I hear most often. People want peace and quiet, but they don’t want to give up easy access to shopping, restaurants and services. These communities offer both. In Sherwood Park, people get city amenities in a quieter, family-first setting. Beaumont is popular with people who work in Edmonton but want a smaller home town feeling. You get a small-town feel where you may know your neighbours. You’re also still close enough to drive into Edmonton for work, appointments or a night out.Reason 2: The Commute Is ManageableLiving outside the city doesn’t mean a long drive every day. Sherwood Park is about 15 kilometres east of downtown Edmonton. St. Albert is about 20 kilometres northwest. Fort Saskatchewan is about 22 minutes from Edmonton. Leduc and Beaumont are about 35 minutes away.For many families, a 20 to 35 minute drive is a fair trade for a quieter street and a bigger yard.Reason 3: Jobs Are Moving Closer to HomeNot everyone who lives in these communities works in Edmonton. More jobs are now located right in or near these communities.
- Sherwood Park: Jobs along Refinery Row are closer to a Sherwood Park home than to most Edmonton homes.
- Leduc: The area is home to the Leduc Nisku Business Park, is one of the largest industrial park in Western Canada. The Edmonton International Airport is just minutes away.
- Beaumont: Beaumont’s job count grew by 52% in the past five years.
- Fort Saskatchewan: The city sits next to Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, which supports more than 8,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs. More than $12.8 billion in industrial investment has been announced there over the past five years.
A shorter commute means more time at home and less time in traffic.Reason 4: More New Neighbourhoods and Housing ChoicesThese communities are actively building. That gives buyers more choice in home styles, sizes and price points.
- Beaumont: The city issued nearly 587 residential housing permits in 2025 as of September.
- Fort Saskatchewan: The city had nearly 500 new housing starts in 2025.
- St. Albert: The federal government is giving St. Albert $11.8 million to help remove barriers and build more housing more quickly. St. Albert plans to have 20% of new homes built along St. Albert Trail and within established neighbourhoods.
- Leduc: A 2026 city study confirmed Leduc is growing faster than previously expected.
Community Snapshots: How Fast Are They Growing?Beaumont is the fastest-growing community in the region. Its population grew by 22% between 2019 and 2024, which is faster than Edmonton’s growth rate of 12%. Beaumont reached about 24,593 residents in 2024.Leduc is close behind. Leduc had a population of 39,966 in 2025. That’s up 3.01% from the year before and 17.1% over the last five years.Spruce Grove is west of Edmonton and growing steadily. Spruce Grove had 44,575 residents in 2025. That’s up 4.16% from the year before and 14.6% over the last five years.Fort Saskatchewan is northeast of Edmonton along the North Saskatchewan River. Fort Saskatchewan had 29,580 residents in 2024. That’s up 8.75% over five years. Its downtown keeps a small-town feel with river valley access close by.Sherwood Park is the largest and most established. Here’s something many people don’t know: Sherwood Park is part of Strathcona County, which is a separate municipality from Edmonton.St. Albert is a well-established city with mature neighbourhoods and newer communities. It’s growing steadily as the city opens up more housing options.What Do Homes Cost?Moving outside Edmonton isn’t always about saving money. In summer 2026, average sale prices in Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc and Spruce Grove were close to Edmonton’s average. Sherwood Park, St. Albert and Beaumont averaged higher. That tells you most people aren’t moving to save money. They’re choosing a lifestyle. They’re willing to pay a bit more for space, quiet and a community that feels like home.Prices change month to month and vary a lot by home type. For current numbers in the community you’re interested in, reach out and I’ll pull them for you.What to Think About Before You MoveEvery community has its trade-offs. Here are a few things to consider so there are no surprises.You’ll likely need a car. Edmonton has LRT and bus service, but the suburbs need a car. If you’re a one-car household now, factor in a second vehicle and the extra fuel costs.Check school capacity. Fast growth can put pressure on schools. For example, Beaumont’s public high school is expected to be at 126% capacity by fall of 2026. The city does not currently have a Catholic high school. If you have kids, ask about schools before you buy.Property taxes vary by community. Each municipality sets its own tax rate. As one example, St. Albert’s 2026 total residential mill rate is 11.08 per $1,000 of assessed value. Before you buy, check the current rate with the city or county so you can budget accurately.Growth brings construction. New neighbourhoods mean new roads, new schools and new shops over time. It can also mean a few years of construction noise and changing traffic patterns while things get built.The Alberta Advantage Still AppliesNo matter which community you choose, you still get the benefits of buying in Alberta. There’s no provincial land transfer tax. Closing costs typically run 1% to 3% of the purchase price. First-time buyers can also use the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) and the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit to help with upfront costs.The Bottom LinePeople are moving to the communities around Edmonton because they want a quieter pace with the city still close by. Jobs are moving closer to home. New neighbourhoods are giving buyers more choice. The key is finding the community that fits your budget, your commute and your lifestyle.If you’re not sure which one is right for you, that’s a great conversation to have before you start looking at listings.Thinking about buying or selling?
Book a free 15-minute call. No pressure, just honest answers.Brenda Patton, REALTOR®
Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited
780-297-8437
brendarpatton.com
