Edmonton tops relocation list for GTA homebuyers

Edmonton has become the top relocation choice for residents of Canada's priciest housing markets, according to new data from Royal LePage.

A survey of Canadians in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver found that just over half of respondents would consider buying a primary residence in one of Canada's 15 most affordable cities if they could find work locally or remotely. Among Greater Toronto Area respondents, 55 per cent said they'd relocate for affordability, with Edmonton topping the list at 16 per cent—followed by Thunder Bay (15 per cent), Charlottetown (14 per cent), and Windsor-Essex (14 per cent).

Edmonton ranked seventh nationally for affordability, requiring 26.3 per cent of a household's monthly income to service a mortgage—down from 28.9 per cent two years ago. Greater Vancouver residents were less likely to consider relocating overall but still chose Edmonton as their top destination at 18 per cent.

"What really sets Edmonton apart is access to both the city and the outdoors in a way that's hard to match anywhere else in Canada," said Ed Lastiwka, associate broker at Royal LePage Noralta. "Even from bedroom communities surrounding the city, you can be downtown in about 20 minutes." He noted Edmonton's river valley—the largest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America—combined with its newly expanded LRT system and downtown revitalization makes it attractive for first-time buyers and families priced out of B.C. and Ontario.