Is Lethbridge a good place to live? Pros and cons (As a local)

Last Updated on July 27, 2024 by William Alexander

Are you thinking of moving to Lethbridge, Alberta, and wondering whether it is a good place to live? Living in any place has its pros and cons.

In this guide,  I will  give you information to help you decide whether to move there. I will also outline the pros and cons of living in Lethbridge. 

I am a local Canadian from Alberta and Lethbridge is home city  . I am sure that if you read this complete guide you do not need to research more about is lethbridge a good place to live?

What is Lethbridge close to?

Coaldale is one of the closest cities to Lethbridge. Other cities like Raymond and Magrath are also close to Lethbridge. If we talk about the largest city in Alberta and the third biggest city of Canada, Calgary, the distance between these two cities( Lethbridge and Calgary) is about 214 km, and the drive is approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes.

What is Lethbridge known for?

Lethbridge is known due to its famous bridges and loads of sunshine. This city is known due to the commercial, financial,  and industrial benefits. This city’s economy developed due to drift mining in the 19th century and agriculture in the 20th century.

 Lethbridge is also famous due to its mild climate, many job opportunities, affordable cost of living, and different recreational activities. It is the sunniest city in Canada and is called the gateway to both the Canadian Badlands and Canadian Rocky Mountains.

How big is Lethbridge?

Lethbridge is situated in southern Alberta, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in Alberta and covers an area of about 127.2 km². The population in Lethbridge was about 1 lac 4 thousand 2 hundred and 54 in 2022. Its population increases by 2.34 percent every year and by about 8.03 percent in the last five years.

Things to do in Lethbridge

Before moving to or visiting a new city, people often want to know about the fun activities they can do. This guide provides complete information about the fun, outdoor, and recreational activities in Lethbridge.

Lethbridge offers different types of places of attraction and fun activities.

So, let’s start

Nikka Yuko Japanese garden

A beautiful landscaped Japanese garden offers a peaceful environment and cultural activities.

New West Theatre

It is a live theatre that offers a dynamic blend of music and comedy. The perfect time to go is in the evening. You can go there with your family and friends, and it is suitable for all ages. 

Galt Museum and Archives

In this museum it discovers the history of Lethbridge and southern Alberta through exhibitions, events and programs.

Helen Schuler Nature Center

It offers a nature-based exhibition and other interesting outdoor activities. It also provides many resources for learning about nature.

Henderson Lake park

It is a large urban park that offers a lake, walking trail, picnic area, playground, and boat ride in summer.

Fort whoop- up

This place allows us to learn about the history and life of the indigenous people of the region.

Coulee Brew Co.

It offers delicious food and a peaceful environment.

Indian bottle park

This park is beautiful, and the train bridge is stunning and cool. You can enjoy visiting this park by bike. 

Southern Alberta Art Gallery

It is one of the famous art galleries in Lethbridge. It offers art exhibitions, workshops and events.

Lethbridge Corn Maze

This place is known for outdoor fun activities with a corn maze, petting zoo and other seasonal activities.

Nicholas Sheran Park

This park is famous because it has a beautiful lagoon where people can use canoes, a walking trail, and a peaceful environment.

Elizabeth Hall Wetland

This park offers the opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenic views, walking trails and the opportunity of watching beautiful birds.

Pavan Park

It is the best place for families. You can also bring your dogs there to feel them relaxed and refreshed. Sometimes it is a bit smelly.

Go to Waterton National Park

Festival and Fairs in Lethbridge

These are some important festivals celebrated in Lethbridge. I will give you detailed information about each festival and also discuss which month of the year they are celebrated.

Whoop-up Days

This is the largest fair in Lethbridge, celebrated annually in August. It offers midway rides, concerts, a wide variety of foods, and various entertainment.

Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival

It is a celebration of jazz and blues music with a variety of performances for local as well as international artists. It is celebrated in June.

Word on the Street Festival

It is a literary type of festival that celebrates reading, writing and literacy with different types of workshops and book sales. It is celebrated in September.

Dragon Boat Festival

It is a lively festival that offers dragon boat races on Henderson Lake. It also offers cultural performances and food vendors. It is celebrated in July.

Lethbridge Electronic Music Festival

It is an outdoor festival that offers electronic music with local and great DJs. It is celebrated in August.

Arts Day 

It is one multi-day event celebrating art with exhibitions, performances, workshops and community activities. It is celebrated in September.

Bright Light Festival

It is a winter festival in the city of Lethbridge. It offers festival lights, holidays, themed activities, and shopping in downtown Lethbridge. It is celebrated in November-December.

Where to eat in Lethbridge

Here, we discuss some famous spots where you can enjoy a variety of food and a variety of flavours.

If you are a food lover, in Lethbridge, you can enjoy a variety of different foods with unique flavours.

• Mocha Cabana

It is a cozy cafe and restaurant that offers farm-to-table dishes, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

• Italian Table

It is a different type of restaurant that offers classical food with a Mediterranean twist, such as pizza, pasta, and seafood.

• The Keg Steakhouse+Bar 

It is a well-known steakhouse that has a variety of steak, sea, seafood, and other classical dishes.

• Two Guys And A Pizza Palace

It is a local place that offers a variety of pizzas with unique and other types of toppings.

• Miro Bistro

This restaurant offers a food blend of European and Canadian cuisine, focusing on fresh and local ingredients.

• Honkers Pub And Eatery

It is a family-friendly pub with a peaceful atmosphere and a variety of food, such as burgers, sandwiches, and wings.

• Plum

It is a famous restaurant that offers globally inspired dishes made with local ingredients and offers a seasonal menu.

• Street Eatery

It is a casual eatery that has a different variety of street food and some inspired dishes like tacos, burgers and poutine.

• Umami Shop

It is a combination of a specific grocery store and cafe that offers international dishes and unique food.

Schooling Options in Lethbridge

There are two types of schooling in Canada.

1. Public schooling
2. Private schooling

Overall, Canada provides public schooling. Public schooling means that the government covers all educational expenses. That’s why we can see that parents are burden-free for the education of their child.

But Lethbridge also gives you the option of private schools. If you want to avoid sending your children to public schools. so, you also have many options for private schools

So, let’s discuss some essential schooling options in Lethbridge.

Public Schools

1. Lethbridge School division  for grades 9-12
2. Chinook High School for grades 9-12
3. Wilson Middle school for grades 6-8
4. Lakeview Elementary School grade K-5

Catholic Schools

Holy spirit roman catholic

1. Catholic Center High School for grades 9-12
2. St. Francis School for grades 6-9
3. Ecole St. Mary School for grades K-6

Private School

1. Immanuel  Christian School for grades K-12
2. Lethbridge Montessori School for grade pre-school 6.

Post- Secondary Institutions

1. University of Lethbridge 

it offers a different variety of undergraduate and graduate programs

2. Lethbridge College

It offers diplomas, and some other applied degree programs.

These are the best educational institutions in Lethbridge that provide education in different fields.

Average cost of living.

The average cost of living in Lethbridge, Alberta, is relatively lower than that of other cities like Calgary in Canada. Here are some key details:

1. Overall Cost of Living: According to recent research, Lethbridge’s cost of living index is approximately  15% lower than the national average and 14% lower than the Alberta province average​.
   
2. Utilities: Utility costs in Lethbridge are   somewhat higher than the national average, with an index of 112  as compared to the national index of 100​
   
3. Groceries and Goods: The cost of groceries and personal goods in Lethbridge is approximately equal to the national average.
   

Overall, Lethbridge gives affordable living.

Where to stay in Lethbridge

Before shifting to any new place, you should have information about where you can stay and what the rent is. So, in this guide, I will discuss some places where you can stay in Lethbridge with the help of a table. 

Name of restaurants	Rent in USD dollars	Rent in PKR	Rating
Days Inn by Wyndham	73.28 dollars	20,737 rupees	3.0 stars
Wingate by Wyndham	116.54 dollars	32,400 rupees	4.3 stars
Quality Inn and Suites	99.64 dollars	27, 700 rupees	4.1 stars
Motel 6 Lethbridge	71.94 dollars	20,000 rupees	3.9 stars
Holiday Inn Lethbridge	118.7 dollars	33,000 rupees	3.9 stars
Econo Lodge Inn and Suites	67.5 dollars	18,765 rupees	3.6 stars
coast Lethbridge	79.1 dollars	22,000 rupees	4.1 stars
Sandman Signature	154.6 dollars	43,000 rupees	4.1 stars
Comfort Inn	103.3 dollars	28, 700 rupees	4.0 stars

House price in Lethbridge

The average house price in Lethbridge is about $ 356,00. It is one of the most affordable house prices in Canada. Not only are the houses affordable, but they also have an overall low cost of living.

Pros and Cons of moving to Lethbridge-Is Lethbridge a good place to live?

Pros of living in Lethbridge

Here, I will discuss the pros of moving to Lethbridge.

Affordable cost of living

Lethbridge offers an overall lower cost of living compared to other larger cities in Alberta, that is why it is suitable for both individuals and families. It has the following things that make this place affordable as

• Affordable cost of housing
• Daily expenses
• Entertainment
• And it also offers a comfortable lifestyle.

Natural beauty and outdoor activities

The city is surrounded by natural beauty, including Oldman River Valley and other nearby natural parks and canyons. It provides many outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and fishing.

Better education opportunities

This city has institutions that provide standard education, including Public, Catholic, and Private schools, and home to two post-secondary institutions. Such as the famous and renowned University of Lethbridge and lethbridge college. 

Cultural Opportunities and Recreational activities

Lethbridge has many opportunities to learn about culture through Art galleries, Theatres, museums and annual festivals. And the detailed description of all cultural activities discussed before in this guide.

Healthcare 

Healthcare facilities are one of the primary things that come to mind when you think about moving to any new city. Lethbridge provides better facilities of healthcare including Chinook regional hospital, and offers different medical services for residents.

Climate

Lethbridge offers a mild climate that makes this place accessible to live in compared to larger cities of Canada. This is the best place for those who like moderate weather. It has warm summers and mild winters. 

Strong sense of community and lifestyle

Lethbridge is generally  famous due to the strong sense of community. People care about their neighbours. This is the best quality that makes this place suitable to move.  This city offers a peaceful and slow-paced lifestyle compared to other larger urban centres.

Cons of living in Lethbridge

Job Market

Lethbridge offers many job opportunities in various industries, such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. However, the job market in Lethbridge is not diverse like that in larger Canadian cities like Calgary and Edmonton. 

Limited Public Transportation

This city doesn’t provide better public transit opportunities. The public transportation system in Lethbridge is limited compared to other bigger cities in Canada.  

Entertainment and nightfall

Lethbridge provides facilities for entertainment, but their nightlife scene is more manageable than other larger cities in Canada.

Windy Weather

Lethbridge has strong, windy weather. People usually experience strong winds during the winter season.

Limited dining and shopping options

Lethbridge is a city that offers few dining and shopping options. However, these are limited compared to larger urban centres. 

Distance from the bigger cities

Lethbridge is isolated from bigger cities such as Calgary, away from Lethbridge from a 2 hour drive. So, it is considered a disadvantage to live in Lethbridge. 

FAQ’S 

Final words

After reading this guide, it is easy to decide whether Is Lethbridge a good place to live?.  Lethbridge is the fourth largest city in Alberta. It is situated in the south-central region of Alberta and a good place to move.

Lethbridge offers a balanced mix of advantages and disadvantages, making it a good choice for those who want affordable houses, access to outdoor activities, and love for a strong sense of community. 

However, you should consider the factors that result from fewer job opportunities, limited public transportation, and limited dining and shopping opportunities.