Moving to Alberta from within Canada

Learn what to do to make your move to Alberta easier.

Overview

New opportunities await you in Alberta. We have welcoming communities, vibrant cities, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Thousands of job openings means there are exciting career opportunities in a wide range of sectors where you'll benefit from the highest median wages and lowest taxes in the country. Coupled with affordable housing, you'll have more money in your pocket to enjoy your new life in Alberta.

Before you move

  • Gather important documents

    Before you move to Alberta, you will need to gather your important documents to bring with you. These documents may be needed by employers, provincial regulators, schools, and credential assessment agencies. Having them ready will save you time and money.

    • Government-issued identification for everyone in your household
    • Proof of citizenship or landed immigrant status
    • Work reference letters
    • School/university transcripts
  • Explore life in Alberta

    Communities

    • Our communities are part of what makes Alberta such a great place to live. They range from small, rural towns to our 2 major cities, Calgary and Edmonton. There are many places you could live, each with its own unique character, and opportunities for work across the province.

    Parks and recreation

    • We are very proud of our natural resources and works hard to ensure Alberta Parks are protected, maintained and offer a wide range of recreation experiences for everyone.

    Travel Alberta

    • Explore Alberta's beautiful landscapes. We're home to 5 of Canada's 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites. From Indigenous culture to culinary delights, there are many things to see and do in Alberta.

    Weather

    • Alberta has 4 seasons. Summer daytime highs are normally 20 to 25 degrees. Winter average daytime lows range from  -5 to -15 degrees.
    • We're also the sunniest province in Canada, with more than 300 sunny days a year.
    • Environment Canada ranked Alberta number one for having the most comfortable weather overall in Canada.

Working

Living

  • Buy or rent a home

    From condominiums and townhouses (or row houses) to single family homes (or detached houses), Alberta has many different types of housing at a wide range of prices.

    Alberta has some of the lowest housing prices and rental costs among Canadian urban centres. On average, you'll spend a significantly smaller portion of your income on home ownerships costs compared to the Canadian average.

    Buying a home

    Renting a home

  • Set up household utilities

    • In Alberta, you have options when buying electricity and natural gas.
    • If you need to open a new account, a company offering the regulated rate option (RRO) can set up an account for you immediately, or even backdate if required.
    • A competitive company can take from 10-90 days to set up services in your name.
    • Read the residential utilities, moving in section of the Utilities Consumer Advocate for more information.
  • Get government issued identification

    • If you are an Alberta resident who can legally live in Canada and do not have a valid driver’s licence, you can apply for an ID card to use as photo identification. Learn more about how to get an ID card.
    • Registry agents offer registration, information and licensing services on behalf of government. Find a registry agent near you.
  • Enjoy lower overall taxes

    • Albertans pay less in overall taxes with no PST, no payroll tax or health premium, as well as a low provincial income tax indexed for inflation that about 40% of Alberta tax filers don't pay. A couple earning $75,000 with 2 children would pay $1,500 more in B.C. and $3,900 more in Ontario.
  • Explore life in Alberta

    Every year, people from across Canada and all over the world come to Alberta to live, work and build their future.

    Learn more about life in Alberta

Driving

Health care

Education and child care