6 of the best reasons why you should move to Alberta, according to locals
Alberta is calling! ⛰️
A city with blue sky. Right: The province of Alberta welcome sign.
Canadians are increasingly intrigued by Western Canada, overwhelmingly looking to move to Alberta with the promise of affordability and stunning scenery.
If the Rocky Mountain peaks have been calling your name then this might just be the final push you need because locals have given their reasons on why you should make the move West.
We wanted to see why Albertans love their province, and what might tempt someone away from the likes of Ontario or B.C., so we polled our readers to find out. With hundreds of responses, some common threads were made clear.
Here are some of the best reasons to move to Alberta, that might have you booking a U-Haul before you know it.
The government will pay you to do it
Before moving onto the local perspective of why you should move, Alberta's moving incentive can't go without mention.
Alberta offers a moving bonus to people as part of their "Alberta is calling" campaign. The government website says that "eligible skilled tradespeople will be able to apply for a $5,000 bonus to help offset the cost of moving to Alberta."
Applications open starting May 1, 2025, so keep that in mind if you're considering a move!
Blue skies all year round
Alberta is home to Canada's sunniest city, Calgary, and it's known for its blue sky days even in the depth of winter. While it might be freezing, you'll at least set to see the sun a lot if you live here.
You can expect over 318 days of sunshine in a year here, something that the locals love and shouted out.
Affordable housing
Calgary specifically is known as one of the more affordable major cities in the country, and many consider moving to the province thanks to the affordability it offers.
"Affordable housing, bought one last summer, moving in the spring," one local said.
According to the Alberta government website "the average rent in the province is $1266," and "in Edmonton, you can own 4 homes for the same price as 1 in Vancouver."
Zumper's November rent report said that a one-bedroom in Edmonton goes for $1,400, and in Calgary it's $1,750. Compared to Vancouver's $2,600, Toronto's $2,400 and even Ottawa's $2,000 — that's not too bad.
In the ranking of the most expensive median rent prices for a one-bedroom in Canadian cities, Calgary came in at #11 and it was the first Alberta spot on the list.
The natural beauty
It's obvious, but can't go without mention. The landscape you find in Alberta is uniquely striking, and people who love to explore the outdoors won't be bored here.
From big cities to small towns here, you can guarantee that you'll be close to some of the most spectacular scenery around. One person said that people should move for the landscape, with "the mountains, rivers, farmland, canyons."
Many also highlighted Banff and Jasper, two well-known destinations famed for their beauty. Living in Alberta can mean weekend trips to these spots, with unforgettable sights.
Quality of life
Going hand-in-hand with housing affordability and nature is quality of life. Many locals love living in Alberta since you can get more bang for your buck than in other spots in the country, which can free you up to explore more.
"Many people find Alberta offers a good quality of life," one person said.
The cost of living is also helped by the lack of provincial sales tax, something a few locals shouted out.
Job opportunities
It's pretty common to move for work, and some locals highlighted the job opportunities in Alberta. The government website also said that in Alberta the "median after tax income highest in the country."
Statistics Canada data from 2026 to 2020 shows that Alberta did have the highest median after-tax income of the provinces, sitting at $77,700 in 2020.
Affordability, beauty, and blue skies – it's no wonder Alberta is calling for many.