Alberta Community Reviews & Ratings

Alberta Community and lifestyle Alberta is made up of a diverse set of cultures and communities that are home to many world-class services. Our communities are part of what makes Alberta such a great place to live, with small, rural towns home of only a few hundred people, to our 2 major cities, Calgary and Edmonton, with populations of over 1 million each. Each have their own unique character and many opportunities for work. While Alberta is Canada’s fourth-most populous province, it is also the fourth largest, which means it is never hard to escape into nature. There are many places you could live, each with its own unique character, and opportunities for work across the province. Celebrating Diversity in Alberta (video) Volunteering is also very popular with 80% of locals engaging in volunteer activities. French-speaking communities Alberta’s French mother tongue (Francophone) population is among the fastest-growing French-speaking populations in Canada, with nearly 87,000 people. Alberta has approximately 2,000 communities and natural sites with French-influenced names. Four Alberta municipalities are officially bilingual: Beaumont, Legal, Falher and Plamondon. Natural environment Alberta has a diverse landscape, from prairies to rolling hills to the foothills and the Rocky Mountains. From arid badlands to boreal forests, Alberta has the diversity to keep you exploring the province for a lifetime. The mountains are not that far away. If you drive, Banff is about 1 hour from Calgary and 4 hours from Edmonton. Alberta takes preserving the natural environment very seriously and is very proud of its natural resources and works hard to ensure that Alberta Parks are maintained. Health Health care cost and access Alberta has no health insurance premiums, but you must register. Most people living and working in Alberta get free access to medical clinics or hospitals and most medical services covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Alberta's health care system gives people access to: hospitals and clinics a variety of social support services qualified physicians and health care workers Apply for coverage, learn what is covered and more. Education and training Alberta has an excellent education system, with many options based on language or religion. Kindergarten to Grade 12 Children living in Alberta must attend school from ages 6 to 16. Public education is free for those under 20 years of age, up to the end of senior high school – K to 12. Most students attend school from early September to late June. A wide range of schools are available, such as public, Catholic, Francophone, charter, and private, offering innovative programs such as home education, online schools, and alternative programs. Provincial tests ensure that the highest standards are maintained. These tests also allow teachers and parents to determine how students are doing and what help they may need. Learn more about K to 12 education in Alberta. Post-secondary education Universities and colleges With 26 universities and colleges, Alberta has many post-secondary options. The Alberta government subsidizes tuition fees, and the cost varies across the province. Institutions post tuition costs on their websites. Learn more about post-secondary education in Alberta. Technical training Post-secondary options in Alberta include polytechnic institutes such as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton. These institutes offer certificates, diplomas, applied degrees, apprenticeships and continuing education programs related to trades and technical work.