Finding the right neighbourhood is one of the most important decisions when moving to Edmonton and the surrounding area. Families today are looking for more than a home: they want walkability, schools, green space and a strong sense of community.
Below are 10 family-friendly communities in Edmonton and area for 2026, chosen for their livability, amenities and long-term appeal. We checked the school and amenity details against the school boards, the City of Edmonton and the developers in October 2026. School designations follow the address, so confirm a specific home with each board’s school locator.
1. Arbours of Keswick (Southwest Edmonton)
A modern southwest community between the North Saskatchewan River valley and 170 Street, south of Ellerslie Road. Rohit’s Arbours of Keswick pocket wraps around the seven-acre Gordon King Pond.
Why families love it:
- Pond trails that connect toward the river valley
- The Currents of Windermere, with more than a hundred stores and services, to the north-east
- Two K–9 schools inside Keswick: Joey Moss School (Edmonton Public) and Joan Carr Catholic (Edmonton Catholic)
- Homes from townhomes and duplexes to river and ravine estates
More in our Keswick guide.
2. Cambrian (Sherwood Park)
Rohit’s 310-acre master-planned community on Strathcona County’s north side, named Best New Community by CHBA Edmonton Region in 2024 (Rohit Group).
Why families love it:
- A park network and naturalized ravine edges, with trails linking the residential pockets
- Sherwood Park’s county services and small-town rhythm, with Millennium Place about 4 km away
- Elk Island Public and Elk Island Catholic schools nearby; Cambrian has sites set aside for future schools, though none is funded yet
More in our Cambrian guide.
3. Kinglet Gardens (Northwest Edmonton)
A young community in the Big Lake district, built around a central pond and pathways, with the Big Lake natural area along its north edge.
Why families love it:
- Next to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park: Big Lake is a globally significant Important Bird Area (Alberta Parks)
- Yellowhead Trail and Anthony Henday Drive for trips across the city
- Schools on the way: none operates in Kinglet Gardens yet (the closest are about 4 km away), and Edmonton Public’s new K–6 in neighbouring Hawks Ridge has construction funding
- New townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes
More in our Kinglet Gardens guide.
4. Chappelle Gardens (Southwest Edmonton)
A Brookfield Residential community in southwest Edmonton where the schools and the residents’ association amenities are already in place, with new phases still selling.
Why families love it:
- A residents’ association with a private playground, spray park, basketball courts and outdoor rink, plus year-round programs
- Two Edmonton Public K–9 schools in Chappelle (Donald R. Getty and Garth Worthington), and Dr. Anne Anderson High School next door
- A pond and trail network
- A wide range of home styles
More in our Chappelle Gardens guide.
5. The Orchards at Ellerslie (Southeast Edmonton)
An orchard-themed community where the residents’ clubhouse does the heavy lifting of daily life.
Why families love it:
- The Orchards Club House: an outdoor hockey rink, tennis and basketball courts, a splash park and childcare, with year-round programs (Brookfield Residential)
- Two schools inside the community: Jan Reimer School (Edmonton Public, K–9) and Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary (K–6)
- Orchard-themed parks and connecting trails
- Anthony Henday Drive and Highway 2 access
More in our Orchards guide.
6. Glenridding Heights (Windermere Area)
A southwest Edmonton neighbourhood along Rabbit Hill Road, south of the Henday: largely established, with Glenridding Ravine still building next door.
Why families love it:
- The Currents of Windermere about 3 km away
- A ravine and pond trail network
- Two new Edmonton Public schools being built in Glenridding Heights, a K–6 and a Grades 7–12, both expected to open in fall 2028
- Townhomes, laned homes, front-attached single-family homes and duplexes
More in our Glenridding guide.
7. Summerside (Southeast Edmonton)
Built around Edmonton’s first purpose-built recreational lake (City of Edmonton).
Why families love it:
- A 32-acre lake with a sandy beach, swimming, boat rentals, fishing and winter skating, reserved for residents through the Summerside Residents Association (the annual fee varies by lot type)
- Two K–9 schools inside the community: Michael Strembitsky School (Edmonton Public) and Father Michael Mireau Catholic
- Mostly resale homes, from condos and townhomes to lakefront estates
More in our Summerside guide.
8. Windermere (Southwest Edmonton)
A southwest district east of the North Saskatchewan River valley and south of Anthony Henday Drive, known for convenience and lifestyle.
Why families love it:
- The Currents of Windermere: shopping, dining and services in about 1.2 million sq ft of leasable space
- Constable Daniel Woodall School (Edmonton Public, K–6) and St. John XXIII Catholic School (K–9) in the neighbourhood
- Homes from first condos to riverside estates
- Windermere Golf & Country Club and the river valley and ravine trails
More in our Windermere guide.
9. Laurel (Southeast Edmonton)
A Meadows community, now largely built out, where the trees, schools and recreation centre have already arrived.
Why families love it:
- Svend Hansen School (Edmonton Public, K–9) in the neighbourhood, and a new Catholic K–9, St. Genevieve, funded in West Laurel and anticipated for fall 2028
- The Meadows Community Recreation Centre nearby: pools, ice, fitness and a library branch
- Ponds and a connected trail loop
- Townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes, with Anthony Henday Drive along the southern edge
More in our Laurel guide.
10. Terwillegar Towne (Southwest Edmonton)
The first Edmonton community planned and built on a neo-traditional design (City of Edmonton), started in the late 1990s with homes close to the street and a town centre on Towne Centre Boulevard.
Why families love it:
- A walkable main street with groceries, coffee and services
- Esther Starkman School (Edmonton Public, K–9) and Monsignor William Irwin Catholic Elementary (K–6) in Terwillegar Towne, and Lillian Osborne High School next door
- The Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar (formerly the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre)
- Mature landscaping, Terwillegar Park and the river valley trails
More in our Terwillegar guide.
What these communities share
Across Edmonton and area, the family-friendly communities have a few things in common:
- Thoughtful planning and livability
- Schools and recreation close to home
- Green space, ponds and trails
- Homes for more than one stage of life, so a family can move up without moving out
Thinking about a move in Edmonton & area?
The right community can shape your life as much as the right home. Whether you’re exploring new builds or established neighbourhoods, 7th Avenue Realty can help you weigh your options and find a home that fits the way you live. Email us at fadi@7thavenuerealty.com or call 780.263.5337.