Living in Airdrie: 11 Things to Know Before Moving to Airdrie

If you're considering moving to Calgary or the surrounding area, Airdrie might be the place for you. Airdrie is a great city with a lot to offer visitors and residents all year. There are plenty of local attractions and shops to keep you entertained and a strong sense of community that helps you feel right at home. And with quick access to Calgary for work or recreation, it's a great central hub for people living in Alberta.

If you have considered making Airdrie your new home, there are probably some things you want to know before you move in. From the economy and job market to outdoor recreation and nightlife, we've got you covered with everything you need to learn about Airdrie.

Cost of Living in Airdrie

The cost of living in Airdrie is about 10% lower than in the rest of Alberta, making it an excellent option for residents. Homes for sale in Airdrie list for 43% less than the national average in Canada, which is good news for homeowners. The average monthly salary for a resident of Airdrie is around $3,907, and the average house price is $413,000, with mortgage rates of about 4.68%. The average house rental is approximately $1,524 each month, and the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is $1,172 each month. The same apartment outside of the city center averages around $659 per month.

Airdrie Job Market

Airdrie has a population of almost 70,000, so there are typically plenty of places hiring. Most of the area businesses are classified as self-employed, meaning there is a strong entrepreneurial spirit here. Many people come to the area looking to start their own business or create a name for themselves and are successful.

Some of the biggest employers in the area include Propak, an oil and gas manufacturing company that recently celebrated 45 years of business, Alta Injection Molding, and TransCanada Turbine. In addition to those manufacturing plants, there are many jobs in the Rocky View Schools Division and different administrative and food service jobs. There are also a number of retail positions open for big box chains and well-known brands that have locations in the Airdrie area.

Popular Industries in the Area

One of the most popular industries in Airdrie is the manufacturing sector, as explained by the large companies that hire a significant portion of the population mentioned above. In addition to those companies, there has been a rise in transportation and logistics companies in the Airdrie area.

Professional services is another primary industry in Airdrie, with a demand for jobs in architecture, engineering, management consulting, government services, accounting, health care, information technology, and management. A growing environmental industry also focuses on being environmentally responsible and having business practices that support sustainability.

Things to Do In Airdrie

There is no shortage of great entertainment and activities when it comes to things to find in Airdrie to occupy your time. Airdrie has a large shopping district full of boutiques, salons, antique stores, and other retailers offering various consumer goods. You can also enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at places like the Genesis Place Recreational Centre and the many parks in the area. There are also breweries and restaurants worth checking out, and Calgary's best parks are just a short drive away.

Outdoor Activities

Airdrie has around 1,500 acres of parkland for people to enjoy, along with 140 km of paved pathways to help residents and visitors alike get around and enjoy the great outdoors. Parks in the area are open from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Spend time sitting around an outdoor fireplace or visiting a playground. You can also reserve a park for a picnic or event or enjoy the kilometres of pathways. Spend your days soaking in the sun or enjoying the green spaces provided by the city and find yourself at home in the great outdoors.

There are also a significant number of outdoor sports and recreations that you or your family could join, such as baseball, softball, disc golf, basketball, tobogganing, pickleball, and hockey. Sign up for recreational sports or start a league of your own with your friends and family while using the public spaces in Airdrie.

Local Attractions

There are many local attractions that you can explore when you are in Airdrie. The Nose Creek Valley Museum has some interesting antiques and artifacts that can inspire visitors, young and old. And speaking of antiques, there are several fantastic antique stores where you can find hidden treasures and support local vendors, like Where on Earth Antiques & Vintage. The Muk-Luk Magpies Stained Glass Emporium has beautiful hand-made glass gifts and offers classes for those who want to learn about glass art. The Vintage Soda Company also offers unique treats and candy inspired by old shops and soda parlours.

Restaurants and Nightlife

If you're looking for a bite to eat in Airdrie, there's plenty to choose from. Enjoy traditional Greek and Mediterranean food from Paros on Main, or try authentic Indian food from the Gate of India. You can also keep it classic with Paul's Pizza, which serves a great slice and some fun flavours. Residents can also enjoy Alexander's Steakhouse and Pizzeria for a great menu and Il Forno Fusion for great Italian food.

If you want to get some dinner and a drink, then Brewsters Brewing Company and Restaurant can help you out. The Canadian Brewhouse is another great brewery in the area that also serves delicious food. The Sorso Lounge is an Espresso and Wine Bar that can help you enjoy the finer things. Other nightlife spots include the Overtime Lounge, Wild Card Shack, and Rival Axe Throwing, where you can have fun exploring the quickly-growing sport of axe throwing.

Airdrie Climate

As with most Canadian cities, Airdrie has a mild summer and snowy winter. You can enjoy all the bounty the seasons offer throughout fall, spring, summer, and winter. The average temperature range is between -13 degrees in winter and 26 degrees in summer. The extreme ranges of the temperature scale tend to stay above -26 degrees and below 29 degrees, giving residents a nice range of weather experiences to enjoy each year. The sky tends to stay partly cloudy for most of the year. Based on the tourism score, the best time to take a trip to visit Airdrie is from early July through mid-August.

Traffic in Airdrie

Most people in Airdrie use their vehicles for travelling to and from work. Around 87% of the working population are vehicle drivers, many of whom commute to Calgary for work. Approximately 8,320 residents of Airdrie are local workers who don't commute, while the rest might have longer trips to get to their destinations. The busiest time on the road is between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. during the morning rush hour.

The average commute for Airdrie residents is between 15 and 45 minutes. The drive between Airdrie and Calgary is around 30 minutes with no traffic, but that can increase based on where exactly you need to go in Calgary and how busy the roads are. Driving in Calgary typically means more traffic than in Airdrie, so commuters should keep that in mind.

The Calgary International Airport is only a short drive away, which is great for those who need to travel long distances for work. Highways 2 and 567 also intersect within Airdrie, which can further complicate driving routes or take you to your end destination quickly, depending on the time of day.

Alternative Routes

The major road going through Airdrie is the QEII highway (Highway 2), with over 90,000 vehicles driving through daily. As mentioned earlier, the busiest time of day is during the morning rush hour—from 7:00–8:00 a.m.—which means that sometimes alternate routes are necessary to avoid significant slowdowns and traffic jams. Getting off the QEII to Calgary can help you speed up your trip using alternate routes. Within Airdrie, there is little to no significant traffic, so the typical roads are fine to use at any time of day.

Airdrie Public Transportation

Public transportation in Airdrie mainly consists of InterCity Express (ICE), which helps connect Airdrie and Calgary even further with a two-way express bus service that helps people commute between the two cities. Local bus services provided by Airdrie Transit also help residents get between different city areas. The nearby Calgary International Airport also provides air transportation for visitors and residents who must leave the central metropolitan area. Once in the big city, Calgary's public transit will get you anywhere you need to go.

Rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft can also help residents travel around without relying on the bus service or personal transportation. However, these methods can be more expensive, so exploring public transit can help residents save on costs and support the local city government and their transportation initiatives.

Schools in Airdrie

The local public school district in Airdrie is Rocky View Schools. This school system provides 18 public schools in the city, including elementary, middle, and high schools. Rocky View Schools is the fifth-largest school system in Alberta, and they work to provide a world-class learning organization where all students achieve their best. They value learning, people, community, and innovation.

Other schools in the Airdrie region include the Calgary Catholic School District, which has three schools in Airdrie for children from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Airdrie Koinonia Christian School is another major school in the area that is a private institution rather than a public one. In addition, one francophone school in the region operates from Kindergarten through Grade 12, called Ecole Francophone d'Airdrie.

Discover What it Means to Live in Airdrie

Airdrie is a great place to live. The area's dwellings house a growing and vibrant community, from the condos for sale in Airdrie to its luxury homes. With so many entrepreneurs, job opportunities, cost of living benefits, and excellent transportation options, it's no wonder Airdrie is such an attractive place to call home. Airdrie provides residents with a wide array of entertainment and recreational activities, from parks and open spaces to recreational sports leagues to great bars and breweries. No matter what you enjoy doing in your free time, there is a place for you to find in Airdrie—not to mention all the things to do in Calgary being right next door!