While deciding where to live in Alberta, several popular cities may spring to mind: Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Calgary among them. However, if you’re looking to purchase Alberta real estate in an up-and-coming area that’s growing in popularity while maintaining a smaller population and a pleasant rural vibe, consider Red Deer and its surroundings.
Red Deer is in the heart of central Alberta and houses over 100K residents, which makes it the province’s third-largest city. Bisected by the Red Deer River Valley and within easy driving distance of the Rocky Mountains, Red Deer is known for its rolling hills and fertile farmland, which translates to gorgeous views and ample outdoor experiences. Red Deer real estate is also close to the mid-point between Edmonton and Calgary, so modern, urban amenities are never far, no matter where you decide to relocate.
When choosing a place to live in Red Deer, few areas offer the same mix of convenience, affordability, and quality of life as the suburbs near Red Deer. Just a short drive from the city centre, the suburbs offer residents easy access to all the amenities they need, including grocery stores, schools, and parks. With housing prices significantly lower than in downtown Red Deer, families can find plenty of space to spread out. To help you choose the right suburb for your needs, here’s our list of the 5 best suburbs near Red Deer, AB:
Lacombe
Incorporated just in 2010, Lacombe is one of Alberta’s newest cities and one of the best suburbs of Red Deer. Located just 24 kilometres north of Red Deer’s city centre and 125 kilometres south of Edmonton real estate, Lacombe is a hidden countryside treasure where rolling hills meet prairies, and small-town charm gets graciously mixed with metropolitan amenities.
Even though Lacombe is a lesser-known city outside Alberta, the small centre shined a few years ago as the fifth-best place to live in Canada, according to MoneySense. Proper Lacombe is home to around 15K people and prides itself on its laid-back rural community, robust school system under the guidance of Wolf Creek Public Schools, and booming diversified economy based mostly on agriculture and the oil and gas sectors, but also on its growing financial and healthcare industries.
Potential relocators to this Red Deer suburb will find that the Lacombe real estate market is very stable and diverse, with a vast provision of condominiums, townhouses and other semi-detached dwellings, and single-family detached homes. The average price for Lacombe homes for sale is $438K, and most of the supply of properties is of recent construction.
Families can find plenty of starter single-family detached homes with two or three bedrooms in Lacombe, as well as larger residences of five or more bedrooms meticulously kept inside and out. Garage space, well-groomed lawns, and spacious backyards are some popular features in this Alberta area.
More About Lacombe
Attractions & Landmarks: Lacombe Golf & Country Club, Lacombe Arena, North West Recreation Area, Lacombe Rotary Centennial Park, The Nursery Golf & Country Club.
Distance from Red Deer: 25 kilometres / 28 minutes
Median Sale Price: $438K
Innisfail
Innisfail is a beautiful town set among farms, lakes, and stunning countryside. This suburb near Red Deer has a population of almost 8K residents, conveniently-priced real estate for sale, several parks and recreation facilities, many quality schooling options, and a number of shops and restaurants. Located right on the QEII Highway south of Red Deer, Innisfail is a popular stopping point for travellers in the Central Alberta region.
Both visitors and locals enjoy Innisfail’s picturesque setting and amusement opportunities. The town is home to Innisfail Golf Club, an 18-hole course, and there are several trails, gardens, off-leash dog areas, campgrounds, and parks in the surroundings of the two local lakes: Napoleon Lake and Dodds Lake. A popular destination for nature lovers, this area in the north of Innisfail provides plenty of hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities.
Innisfail residents have a skydiving centre, bowling alley, baseball diamond, and aquatic centre for extra fun. Living in Innisfail also means experiencing all that the farms in the area have to offer, from corn mazes and fruit picking to farmers’ markets and festivals. Downtown Innisfail is a cute district of historical buildings and sites near shopping plazas and hotels. This Red Deer suburb also has excellent schools for students of all levels and a hospital.
Located about an hour north of Calgary and under half an hour south of Red Deer, Innisfail is a popular destination for those looking for a quieter alternative to the city. Innisfail real estate is priced at an average of $385K, slightly above the province’s average but still more affordable than neighbouring areas.
This makes it a prime location for first-time homebuyers looking for suburban comfort and savvy investors searching for properties in a market with a high potential for appreciation. The housing market consists of single-family homes, condos, attached properties, townhomes, and row houses. Since the town is growing quickly, a lot of new development is also taking place.
More About Innisfail
Attractions & Landmarks: Discovery Wildlife Park & Campground, Innisfail Golf Club, Innisfail Historical Village, The Jungle Farm, DINOS Centre Inc.
Distance from Red Deer: 38 kilometres / 26 minutes
Median Sale Price: $385K
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is a lakeside town located 25 kilometres west of Red Deer. The town sits on the southeast edge of Sylvan Lake, a freshwater lake that spans 15 kilometres. As a result, Sylvan Lake is a popular summer playground for Calgarians and other Albertans and welcomes about 1.5 million visitors annually!
Moving to Sylvan Lake means plenty of water-based recreational activities every summer, including swimming, boating, paddle boarding, and fishing. The neighbouring local trails are fantastic spots for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Aside from being a coveted vacation destination, Sylvan Lake is one of the best suburbs near Red Deer. It offers full-time residents a high quality of living with inexpensive real estate alternatives, low living costs, and a wide variety of economic opportunities in the hospitality industry. Locals appreciate the laid-back, beachy atmosphere, tight-knit community feel, the good schools supervised by Chinook’s Edge School District, and many family-owned boutiques, eateries, and businesses.
Sylvan Lake is a hidden gem that provides families and retirees with a vibrant and beautiful environment to put down roots. The average price for Sylvan Lake real estate is currently $488K, but lakefront houses in the luxury market list for up to $4.5M. This Alberta area is a popular destination for vacationers and full-time residents, so purchasing a Sylvan Lake condo, townhome, or detached house is a promising investment. You can use it as your full-time residence or rent it as a vacation home.
More About Sylvan Lake
Attractions & Landmarks: Sylvan Lake, Meadowlands Golf Club At Sylvan Lake, Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash, Points West Resort, Rotary Lighthouse Park, Pogadl Park.
Distance from Red Deer: 24 kilometres / 25 minutes
Median Sale Price: $488K
Blackfalds
Just 20 minutes north of Red Deer, Blackfalds is home to a little over 11K people and offers a unique blend of countryside charm with metropolitan comforts and services for both locals and vacationers. Blackfalds residents enjoy efficient waste management and snow removal programs, on-demand transit options, new parks and trails, and expanded fibre-optic telecommunications, among other benefits.
As one of the best suburbs near Red Deer, AB, Blackfalds offers high-valued homes for sale, a vibrant community spirit, fun activities, festivals, and events for the whole family. In Blackfalds, the Abbey Centre is the perfect place to take a break from the summer heat, with the outdoor aquatic centre complete with a pool, slides, and splash park. For those who favour indoor recreation, a three-story play centre is sure to exhaust even the most high-energy children.
The new Eagle Builders Centre Arena opened last year in Blackfalds, providing citizens with another recreational hub and, due to its attached modern, equipped public library, a preferred place for Arts & Culture. The town also offers a local quality medical centre, better transportation and educational opportunities, including two new schools (one high school).
Homebuyers seeking a comfortable lifestyle with a rural feeling would love the strong, fast-appreciating Blackfalds real estate market. The median house price in Blackfalds is $599K, and most of the dwellings are spacious, single-family detached homes, but there are also condominiums, attached houses, townhomes, and new construction houses for sale.
Most of the properties in this Alberta market are custom-built, two-storey residences with three or four bedrooms on large lots featuring amenities such as one or two garage spaces, back decks, and yards.
More About Blackfalds
Attractions & Landmarks: Abbey Centre, Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area, Kraay Family Farm, Lacombe Lake, Kuhnen Park, Blackfalds Lake.
Distance from Red Deer: 14 kilometres / 15 minutes
Median Sale Price: $599K
Stettler
Stettler is a small central Alberta town located in the heart of the prairies, about 90 kilometres straight east of Red Deer’s core. Retirees and young families looking for a small-town feel will find solace in this suburb near Red Deer. With a population sitting just over 5,000 people, this supportive community provides an oasis away from the busier Alberta cities. In addition, the Stettler real estate is the most affordable among the Red Deer suburbs on our list!
Stettler may be a tiny, quiet town, but it prides itself on its convenient city-style amenities and attractions. There are plenty of things to do in Stettler. There are hiking and biking trails galore for the outdoorsy type, as well as plenty of opportunities to fish, swim, hunt, and camp on West Stettler Park and the lakes nearby: Shuckburgh Slough and Cold Lake. For those who prefer to stay indoors, there are several independent and franchise restaurants, cafes, museums, theatres, and art galleries. You can also sign up for a rail tour with Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions.
Those who decide to relocate to Stettler should know the town has three quality schools managed by the Clearview Public Schools District and its own hospital facility: the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre. Additional amenities include:
- A dog park.
- A recreation centre.
- A community garden.
- A sports park.
- A shopping centre with a Walmart Supercentre for all your needs.
Stettler real estate sells for an average price of around $313K, under the average home listing price in Red Deer, AB ($380K). Stettler homebuyers can find properties ranging between $32K and $1.1M across this Red Deer suburb. The market offers attached homes and mobile houses, but most dwellings are medium-sized single-family detached houses with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Many homes are quaint open-concept bungalows featuring spacious layouts, garage spaces, and landscaped backyards.
More About Stettler
Attractions & Landmarks: West Stettler Park, Stettler Sports Park, Stettler Town & Country Museum, Alberta Prairie Railway.
Distance from Red Deer: 79 kilometres / 55 minutes
Median Sale Price: $313K
Best Suburbs Near Red Deer, Alberta
Intrigued by our list of the best suburbs near Red Deer, Alberta? If you’re considering moving to the area or are already living in Red Deer and want to find a new place to call home, contact a local eXp real estate agent. They’ll be able to provide you with more information about these communities and help you find the perfect suburban oasis for your particular needs. Thanks for reading!
