When you’re new to a place or have never visited, it’s easy to make broad generalizations about it and its people.
Edmonton, of course, is no stranger to these misconceptions and stereotypes. But every once in a while, you hear one that’s so absurd that you can’t help but laugh.
Here are some stereotypes about Edmonton that may miss the mark.
That it’s freezing all year round
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While Edmonton has famously cold winters, our summers are hot and sunny, with temperatures often between 20°C and 30°C. The city also has long daylight hours, which make for beautiful, vibrant summers.
That it’s boring
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While outsiders may see the city as quiet or uneventful, Edmonton has a lively arts and culture scene, with vibrant neighbourhoods, cool cafes, breweries, music venues, and tons of art space. Plus, Edmonton is affectionately known as “Canada’s Festival City,” with events year-round like the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, Ice on Whyte, and Folk Fest.
West Edmonton Mall is the only attraction
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While West Edmonton Mall is sure famous, it’s far from the only thing to see in YEG! The river valley is vast and a huge draw for nature lovers. The Art Gallery of Alberta is always a fascinating stop, and there’s plenty else to see, including the Royal Alberta Museum and Muttart Conservatory.
It’s all about oil
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While Edmonton Oilers fans will surely tell you that we’re in Oil Country, Edmonton is home to thriving arts, education, and tech sectors, including a strong focus on research at the University of Alberta, as well as a creative scene of artists, musicians, and makers.
There’s a lot of crime
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Lastly, while Edmonton has a bit of a reputation when it comes to crime, the city is fairly safe for tourists and locals alike.
For context, Statistics Canada released an updated Crime Severity Index (CSI) earlier this year, but Edmonton failed to crack even the top 10 nationwide. Alberta’s CSI in 2023 was 103, with YEG falling just a hair above that with a CSI of 105. The two Albertan cities with the highest CSI were Lethbridge, with an index of 129.1 and Red Deer, with a whopping 146.9.