What was once a smaller city is now Alberta's third largest by population. Today, with more than 100,000 residents, Red Deer was the third city to surpass this population milestone and is slowly becoming a great place in the Canadian prairies to settle in and call home.
Known for its large involvement in the oil & gas industry, 15 per cent of its population account for those of other nationalities. Located near the mid-point between Edmonton and Calgary, its beautiful scenery is owed to the Red Deer River which runs through its centre and is the cornerstone of outdoor adventure within the city limits.
Need a reason to move to Red Deer? Follow along for an in-depth look at an affordable life, filled with thrills.
Cost of Living
Affordability is a great feat of life in Red Deer. Its cost of living index is 2.89 per cent higher than in Alberta's capital, Edmonton, with an average rent 17 per cent lower than the large metropolitan centre. The cost of living for a 4-person family is on average $4,300 a month excluding rent.
If you're looking for urban living in Red Deer, a city centre 1-bedroom apartment ranges from $800 to $1,200 a month, with a 3-bedroom apartment ranging from $1,000 to $1,550 per month. Towards more suburban areas, a 1-bedroom rents at a slightly lower rate for $700 to $1,100 a month. But, as family townhomes and relaxed suburban lifestyles are sought-after, a 3-bedroom apartment or townhome goes for $1,000 to $1,800 per month in Red Deer's suburbs.
Avenue Living Communities has a variety of apartments and townhomes for rent around Red Deer, including the likes of a 1,260 average sq. ft. three-bedroom townhome at Riverfront Estates, renting under the city average, from $1,000 a month.
Employment
Known for its key working industries in health care, construction, oil & gas extraction, mining, and manufacturing, there are many diverse employment opportunities for new residents in Red Deer.
As with any growing city, new residential, industrial, and commercial developments support construction-related employment, with Red Deer College also offering several courses related to careers in the construction industry.
However, Red Deer's economic vitality is owed to its manufacturing industry. Many components used in Alberta's largest industry, the oil & gas sector, are manufactured in Red Deer. A quick search of the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce can show employment opportunities at the many companies closely related to the oil & gas sector in the city. Global and national companies with operations in Red Deer include the likes of Shell, TC Energy, Imperial Oil, Husky Energy, and Suncor, to name a few.
There are other great employment opportunities in the heath care sector due to a $100 million first phase expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital set to commence in 2021. Increasing capacity and encouraging growth of the health care sector in Red Deer, this also aligns with the city's construction industry providing more jobs to those who reside in Alberta's third largest city.
Recreation
You will never be at a loss for things to do in Red Deer, with a large choice of outdoor activities within the city limits, particularly in warmer weather.
Experience incredible trails along the Red Deer River and off-shoots including Waskasoo Creek and Piper Creek. Live nearby hot-spot community parks like Kin Kanyon. Fish at Bower Ponds in the summer, and ice skate there in the winter. Bird watch and enjoy 300 acres of boardwalks, trails, and gardens at Gaetz Lakes Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Following trails north, find off-leash dog walking areas and picturesque views at Three Mile Bend. And, get outdoors with the family at Discovery Canyon, a recreational park with trails, picnic benches, a playground, and a lazy river waterpark feature, right alongside the Red Deer River.
For a similar experience outside of the city, head west for 30 minutes to Sylvan Lake. Discover beaches, watersports, golf courses, and more, all in your backyard.
For sports, head to Westerner Park in South Red Deer. Home to the Red Deer Rebels Western Hockey League team, Westerner Park Centrium is the largest indoor venue in Red Deer and central Alberta, host to a variety of events from music concerts to major curling competitions.
Red Deer is home to five recreational centres, so there is always one close to wherever you choose to call home. There are two multi-use facilities, Collicutt Centre in the south and G.H. Dawe Community Centre in the north. Both offer a variety of activities including climbing, swimming, gymnasium facilities and more. A dedicated aquatic centre, Mitchener Aquatic Centre, is in the central community of Mitchener Hill, and the Red Deer Recreation Centre is also in a central location downtown in Rotary Recreation Park.
For you shoppers out there, there is something for everyone. From downtown independent boutiques to big box stores, find everything you need in the city. Red Deer is also home to central Alberta's largest shopping centre. Bower Place offers more than 120 stores for shopping needs in Red Deer and the surrounding area.
Schools
There are a variety of options for post-secondary learning and career development in Red Deer.
Home to Red Deer College, this institution is known for its support of key industries in Red Deer with more than 100 courses offering degrees, diplomas, and skilled trades programs. Currently in a transitional period, the school is on track to become a polytechnic in three to five years and will become Red Deer University.
Red Deer is also home to the newest CDI College campus, offering specialization in art and design, business, and heath care amongst other areas of interest. The Academy of Learning Career College also offers diplomas and certificates in graphic design, heath care, hospitality, technology, accounting, and business disciplines.
Students of Red Deer College particularly love living in local neighbourhoods like West Park, South Hill, and towards Downtown. Not sure what to bring to off-campus student accommodation? We've got you covered there.
Weather
Red Deer experiences warm, long summers, but equally long and cold, dry winters. Residents enjoy the summers outdoors, as July is the city's warmest month averaging 15 C, but it also experiences the most rainfall in June and July, with 449 mm annual rainfall, averaging 75 days of rain each year.
November through March, the temperature is regularly below -5 C but is considerably warmer than other cities in Alberta during wintertime. Red Deer experiences an average of 41.7 inches of snow each year, but hosts great ice skating and cross country ski trails that locals can enjoy during these winter months.
Demographics
Move to Red Deer like many have before you. According to the 2019 census, more than 101,000 citizens complete the population of Red Deer. From 2016, the city's population has seen a 1.2 per cent growth and has also experienced steady growth since the new millennium, when only 65,000 lived in Red Deer. That's almost double its population in the past 20 years.
According to data from the 2016 census, immigrants account for 15 per cent of the population, with the majority moving to central Alberta between 2011 and 2016. Red Deer's immigrant population is largely made up of those from the Philippines, with other large numbers from the United Kingdom, United States, El Salvador, and India.
Neighbourhoods
There are plenty of lifestyles to choose from in Red Deer, as the city is divided into many neighbourhoods, each with their own perks. The Red Deer River divides the city into North Red Deer and South Red Deer, while Gaetz Avenue is recognized as the dividing line for the east and west quadrants.
Downtown living is great if you want to travel mostly by foot and live an urban lifestyle. Properties like Lincoln House, Exeter Court, and Park Royal Manor offer great centralized living in Red Deer, and they're close to Rotary Recreation Park for outdoor activities.
If you're looking for family-friendly living, suburban areas like Highland Green, Riverside Meadows, and West Park offer a more relaxed atmosphere at home, but are within moments of outdoor thrills along the Red Deer River. These communities are both close to shopping amenities, schools, and recreation centres.
Those employed in heath care, specifically at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, will feel at home at Hillside or Valleyview Manor in South Hill, as they would be in close proximity to work.
We hope you can settle and enjoy the adventurous life Red Deer has to offer. Visit our Red Deer properties page and find your new home in a new city today.
Learn more about life in other cities in the Canadian prairies like Saskatoon and Edmonton.