As someone who has lived in many parts of Alberta, I can assure you that the province is a nice place to live.
It is rated the third-best province to live in Canada by universaladviser.com and the fourth-best by Canadim.com.
And, frankly, I support these ratings. Alberta is known for its amazing landscapes, oil reserves, and cities like Calgary and Edmonton.
Read also: Safest place to live in Canada from natural disasters
However, the province also has its less glamorous sides – the places that are not entirely great to live in.
They include:
The worst places to live in Alberta
The worst places to live in Alberta are Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Grande Prairie, and Drayton Valley. Red Deer, Lethbridge, Taber, Hinton and High Level.
1. Lloydminster
I stayed in Lloydminster for 8 months, while you can say it’s not enough time to judge, it gave me a feel of what the city is like.
It is a unique place, however, it has its challenges which make living there not so great.
When I lived in Lloydminster, I noticed that the town’s economy heavily depended on the oil industry.
When oil prices dropped, the local economy suffered greatly, leading to job losses and economic instability.
According to Statistics Canada, the city’s unemployment rate was 8.1% last year, higher than the national average of 5.0% at the same time.
Another reason why I consider this city “not so good to live in” is that the cost of living doesn’t match the economic opportunities.
It is difficult for many residents to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
In addition, the crime rate here is higher than in many other towns, with a crime index of 82.19.
You’ll witness property crimes, particularly theft and vandalism in many places here.
The town feels unsafe, especially at night.
Other issues like drug abuse, violent crimes and drug-related crimes are also common in Lloydminster.
Lethbridge
Lethbridge is located in southern Alberta and is known for its windy conditions.
If you stay long in Lethbridge, you’ll know that the wind can be quite relentless, often making outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Read also: Where to do Biometrics for an Australian visa in South Africa?
However, the wind is not the worst you can see in Lethbridge
Crime is a major concern in Lethbridge.
The city has a crime index of 84.92, with significant issues related to property crime and drug-related offences.
Here are some details:
- The violent crime rate in Lethbridge is 1,269 incidents per 100,000 people, which in itself is higher than the national average of 1,098 incidents per 100,000 people.
- You’ll often witness crimes like assault and robbery.
- Also on the list of crimes is property crime. It is even more common, with a rate of 6,781 incidents per 100,000 people, way beyond the national average of 3,098 incidents per 100,000 people.
- Crimes like theft, burglary, and vehicle-related crimes are prevalent in Lethbridge.
Economically, Lethbridge is better than most of the places on this list, but it still faces challenges in this area.
The cost of living is relatively high, with housing costs increasing by 10% over the past five years.
The job market is competitive, with the unemployment rate hovering around 6.5%, (which is slightly above the national average).
Socially, you can’t speak bad about Lethbridge.
The city offers a mix of cultural and recreational activities but these amenities can sometimes be overshadowed by crime.
Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie is found in the northern part of Alberta and often gets a bad reputation – which is justified.
During one of our research, we stayed here, at that time, the town was grappling with issues related to rapid growth due to the oil and gas boom.
Infrastructure struggled to keep up with the population increase – leading to traffic congestion and stretched public services.
Over time, these things have changed but not all.
The weather is harsh (and still), with long, cold winters – where temperatures can drop below -30°C and short, mild summers.
Just like in some other areas, the town’s economy is closely tied to the oil and gas industry, making it vulnerable to economic downturns.
For example, during the 2015-2016 oil price crash, Grande Prairie’s unemployment rate soared to 9.3%, many lost jobs and living became hard.
Other social issues like high crime rate and substance abuse, are prevalent here too.
The Crime Severity Index (CSI) for Grande Prairie is 169.61, which is one of the highest in Alberta.
We often witnessed violent crimes, property crimes, and drug-related offences – and recent data is still worrisome.
For instance, last year, there were 2,489 property crimes and 1,203 violent crimes reported.
Below is the date from Numbeo – they don’t look good.
There is no denying that the city has been making an effort to improve, however, the result hasn’t been great.
Public services like healthcare and education are often overstretched.
For instance, local hospitals frequently operate over capacity.
In addition, the rapid population growth has not been helpful.
It has led to a housing shortage, driving up rental prices by 15% over the last five years.
Red Deer
Considering where Red Deer is, it often falls short of expectations.
The city is situated midway between Calgary and Edmonton.
One of the significant challenges Red Deer faces is its higher crime rate.
Recently, Statistics Canada released data on police-reported crime across the country.
From the report, Red Deer had the third-highest crime severity index, recorded at 146.9, and the second-highest crime rate, measured at 12,765.
Only two municipalities recorded higher crime severity indexes: Kamloops, B.C., with 165.3, and Chilliwack, B.C., with 156.2. Kamloops also had the highest crime rate, at 13,116, surpassing Red Deer.
Crimes like property crimes and drug-related offences are common in Red Deer.
This should be a huge concern for anyone who wants to live in Red Deer.
Furthermore, while the expectations are high for Red Deer, it lacks the amenities and attractions found in larger cities like Calgary and Edmonton.
2. Fort McMurray
If you’re searching for a place to live in Alberta, you should probably avoid Fort McMurray.
Commonly nicknamed ‘Fort McMisery,’ it’s notorious for its challenging living conditions, despite being a major centre for the oil industry.
During the oil boom, everything became outrageously expensive. Housing prices skyrocketed, and the surge of workers created overcrowded living situations.
Even with the high costs, the value for money was disappointing – it was like paying for a Lamborghini but getting a Corolla instead (no shade to the Corolla, of course).
Read also: What happens if an international student gets pregnant in Canada?
In addition, the winters are really cold, often dropping to -40°C, making it hard to go outside.
The social scene isn’t great either.
Many people were there just for work, so there was no strong sense of community.
The 2016 wildfire that burned through the town left scars not just on the landscape but also on the community spirit.
Even though efforts are being made to rebuild and revitalize, Fort McMurray still faces many challenges.
The crime rate was at the top of my many lists of worries while in the area.
The high crime rate is evident in their high Crime Severity Index (CSI) which is 169% higher than the national average.
The rate of property crime in Fort McMurray is approximately 9,177 incidents per 100,000 people, which is higher than the 5,169 incidents per 100,000 people reported in the rest of Alberta.
Another threatening challenge I faced in Fort McMurray was access to quality healthcare.
With the high population, health services are overwhelmed, leading to longer wait times and fewer available resources.
Finally, Fort McMurray is quite remote. As a resident, it’s difficult to travel to other cities or access some amenities.
3. Cold Lake
Cold Lake, despite its amazing name and beautiful scenery, is one of the most challenging places to live in Alberta.
When a friend of mine lived there, he often felt isolated, as many residents do.
The place is located near the Saskatchewan border, which is quite remote.
As a resident, it’s difficult to access larger cities for amenities and services.
Furthermore, the local economy heavily relies on the Canadian Forces Base, which creates a transient population and a lack of permanent community roots.
When you live in other places, you’ll get this community feeling – this isn’t the same with Cold Lake.
Winters are extremely cold. If you’re not used to tough weather conditions, you won’t find it easy.
Outside of the military base, there are not many job opportunities – residents not connected to the base find it hard to get satisfying jobs.
5. Drayton Valley
Drayton Valley, which is very popular for its oil and gas industry, is another place where living conditions are less than ideal.
Although the “spirit of community” here is still strong, the town’s heavy reliance on the oil sector is a blessing and a problem.
Economically, Drayton Valley is highly dependent on the oil sector, with over 60% of the local jobs linked to this industry.
When the oil industry faces downturns, so does the community, leading to economic instability.
As a resident, finding work outside the oil and gas sector is very challenging.
Aside from the economic concerns, Drayton Valley’s crime rate is 207% higher than the national average with violent crime at 140% higher.
There’s a 1 in 8 chance of you being a crime victim if you live here. Unfortunately, this isn’t getting better because the crime rate rises by at least 1% every year in Drayton Valley.
Below are some facts about the crime rate in Drayton Valley.
Another not-so-good aspect of living here is the lack of social activities.
Socially, Drayton Valley often feels insular and disconnected.
Except for places like Omniplex (a community sports centre) which hosts different sports and a few other water activities, there is not much you’ll find here.
The limited social scene and recreational activities contribute to a sense of isolation.
8. Taber
Taber is a small town in southern Alberta that is known for agriculture, particularly corn.
However, living in Taber isn’t all that easy.
Economically, Taber has limited job diversity. Unless you don’t care about jobs, the town’s economy revolves around agriculture, and if you’re not interested in this sector, good luck getting a job.
Unemployment is a problem in Taber – it reflects the town’s limited employment opportunities.
Socially, Taber is conservative. As a newcomer, you’ll find it hard to integrate into the community.
Social life here is limited with few recreational and cultural activities available.
The winters in Taber can get harsh, with temperatures often dropping below -20°C.
Without many activities for residents to engage in, the cold months always feel long and dreary.
9. High Level
I stayed here for four weeks and the part where we visited felt like we were far away from the rest of the world.
High Level is located in the far north of Alberta and is one of the most remote and challenging places I’ve stayed in.
The town’s isolation is its biggest drawback.
Access to amenities and services is limited, with the nearest larger town being hours away.
If you’re not ready to live in an almost isolated area, take High Level off your list of places to live in Alberta.
The social scene in High Level is virtually non-existent – it’s just you and your family always.
Before I forget, the winters are extremely harsh, with temperatures often dropping below -40°C.
If you want to live in High Level, you must be ready to face the town.
10. Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is facing a range of challenges beyond the high crime rate.
Along with the prevalent property crime in Medicine Hat, there are challenges like lack of affordable housing, the shortage of skilled labour, and the prevalence of substance abuse.
The most common types of crime in Medicine Hat are property-related offences like theft, break-ins, and fraud.
Although violent crimes are less frequent, the city still sees incidents of assault and homicide.
The cost of living in Medicine Hat has been increasing, particularly the cost of housing.
The city has been facing a lack of affordable housing, which has made it difficult for low-income families and individuals to find suitable accommodation.
The shortage of skilled labour is another challenge faced by the city, affecting various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
Furthermore, substance abuse is a growing concern in Medicine Hat, particularly among the youth population.
The city has been experiencing an increase in drug-related offences (many arrests have been carried out so far), including trafficking and possession of illegal substances.
The issue has prompted authorities to focus on prevention and treatment programs to tackle addiction and provide support to those affected.
11. Wetaskiwin
In Wetaskiwin, safety is a big concern as the crime rate remains high.
The crime severity index of the city is above 226.5, which is higher than the national average.
Property crimes, such as theft, vandalism, and burglary, are the city’s most common types of crime.
Additionally, violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and homicide are also a concern.
Apart from the high crime rate, Wetaskiwin faces other issues. One of the significant concerns is economic development.
The city has a high unemployment rate due to the decline in the oil and gas industry.
As a result, the city has been struggling to attract new businesses, leading to a lack of job opportunities for the residents.
In addition, Wetaskiwin faces deteriorating infrastructure. Many roads, bridges, and buildings in the city are in dire need of repairs and maintenance.
The lack of funding has been a significant challenge for the city to address this problem, leaving many infrastructure projects in limbo.
There is no doubt that Alberta has many wonderful places you can choose to live in, but places like
- Lethbridge
- Fort McMurray
- Cold Lake
- Lloydminster
- Medicine Hat
- Wetaskiwin
- Grande Prairie and Drayton Valley have shown that not every place is a gem.
If you’re planning to move to any of these places, be prepared.
Disclaimer:Â We understand that everyone’s experience isn’t the same, therefore we welcome your opinion about these places.
In addition, we made this list not to condemn the places here, but to enlighten anyone who wants to live in any of the places.
Read also:
Leave a comment