Pros And Cons Of Living In Bon Accord, Alberta

Are you planning a move to Alberta but would prefer to live in a peaceful rural location rather than a big city. If so, you may be interested in living in Bon Accord, a small town of fewer than 2000 people with easy access to the amenities in Edmonton.

Although not as well known as the popular Calgary commuter towns of Okotoks and Cochrane or the incredibly picturesque mountain towns of Banff, Canmore and Jasper, Bon Accord, Alberta, offers many advantages for those wishing to move to Alberta, Canada.

This article will give you all the key information you need about living in Bon Accord. In addition, we will provide you with an unbiased view of the pros and cons of living in Bon Accord to help you decide whether it is the place for you.

Living In Bon Accord – The Facts

Here are some key facts about this small town for anyone interested in living in Bon Accord.

Where Is Bon Accord?

Bon Accord lies north of Edmonton on Highway 28 on open prairie land. It takes around 35 minutes to drive to downtown Edmonton and 25 minutes to drive to the city limits. It is also less than an hour from Edmonton International Airport.

What Is The Population Of Bon Accord in 2023?

The population of Bon Accord in 2023 is 1,481, according to the latest Alberta provincial data.

The town has seen a small decline in numbers in recent years. The latest federal census data (released in 2022) showed a population of 1,461, representing a reduction in the population of Bon Accord of 4.4% between 2016 and 2021.

The average age of the Bon Accord population is 36.9, significantly lower than the national average of 41.9. Most of the population is white and English-speaking. Just 2% of residents are classed as visible minorities, and most of these are South Asian.

What Is The Weather Like In Bon Accord?

Most of Canada experiences cold, harsh winters with pleasant, moderately hot summers, and Alberta is no different. However, the good news is that it is Canada’s sunniest province with 2,300 hours of sunshine in the south annually and 1900 hours in the north.

Bon Accord has an average January low of -17 deg C and an average July high of 23 deg C. Its climate is relatively dry, with annual precipitation of just 450mm.

What Is The Cost Of Living In Bon Accord, Alberta?

Most Albertans have a high disposable income compared to other provinces of Canada. Income tax and sales tax are lower than in many provinces. Sales tax is just 5%, compared to 12% in BC, 13% in Ontario and 15% in Nova Scotia.

Overall the cost of living in Bon Accord is below average for the province. This is mainly due to the low property prices, which are significantly below Alberta and national averages.

Shopping is very limited in Bon Accord; it has just one small grocery store. However, the town’s proximity to Edmonton means that excellent shopping options are relatively close at hand.

What Is The Bon Accord Economy Based On?

The economy of Bon Accord is based on 3 main sectors, agriculture, manufacturing and advanced energy. It is also close enough to Edmonton for anyone looking to commute to the city.

Is Bon Accord A Safe Place To Live?

Canada is one of the safest countries in the world to live in. Crime rates are low, and the country always features near the top of the annual Global Peace Index rankings.

Within Canada; Quebec, Ontario and the Maritime provinces have the lowest crime rates, while rates are highest in the territories.

Alberta’s crime rates are higher than the national average, but crime rates in this rural area are lower than the provincial averages. Bon Accord is a very safe place to live.

Are You Planning A Move To Alberta?

Are you wondering whether to make the move and have endless questions?

Do you want to know how much a hairdresser earns, the best neighbourhoods in Edmonton, or how Calgary compares to Edmonton?

We have the answers to these and many more questions.

What Are The Schools In Bon Accord Like?

Canada has a strong and publicly-funded education system, which consistently ranks as one of the best in the world. Education is administered at a provincial level, and the Alberta education system is considered one of the best in Canada.

There are two schools in the town of Bon Accord, Bon Accord Community School for kindergarten to grade 4 and Lillian Schick School for grades 5 to 9.

For older students, the closest high school is Sturgeon Composite High School which is around a 10-15 drive from the town. This is one of Alberta’s largest rural high schools and offers a wide range of subject options.

The school offers a variety of programs for students looking to continue into post-secondary education and has an excellent reputation for trade-oriented programs.

Whats Is The Healthcare In Bon Accord Like?

Canada has an excellent publicly-funded healthcare system which covers “medically necessary” care. Generally, hospital and doctor visits are covered, while other types of care such as dental, optical and prescriptions are funded for certain groups of people.

In Canada, healthcare is administered at a provincial level, so anyone living in Bon Accord would be covered through Alberta Health Services.

You should be aware that there is currently a shortage of family doctors in Alberta, and it can be difficult to find clinics taking on new patients. This is especially true of the smaller towns and cities.

However, Bon Accord’s medical centre was taking on new patients at the time of writing. You can check the availability of family doctors for any area in the province using Alberta Health’s online tool.

Not surprisingly, there aren’t any hospital services available in Bon Accord, and you would need to travel for around 25 minutes to access emergency care. There are medical facilities at Fort Saskatchewan, St Albert or northeast Edmonton, all around the same distance from Bon Accord.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Bon Accord, Alberta

The pros and cons of living in Bon Accord will vary from person to person, but whatever you are looking for, these are key factors for you to consider.

If you are interested in checking out other small towns in Alberta, you may be interested in our article on the 16 Best Small Towns In Alberta To Live In 2023.

Featured Image (Source: Jeff Wallace – Under Creative Commons License)