Thanks. I wouldn't want people to get stuck on a year's lease in a place that's unsafe or a place they haven't seen yet. So my advice would be to in the city for atleast a few days and see where you would actually want to reside for a while. Some apartments that are vacant can easily be rented and moved in, if you tell the landlord the situation. Now I know that renting a hotel may be expensive, so I would advice to try and look for hostels. It is a cheap way of having a place to stay for a bit, you may choose a all male, all female or mixed room. Of course it is cheap because it is shared. And you'd be sleeping in a bunk bed and share a room with 3-5 other people. As far as I know it could get as cheap as 30-40 bucks a night. And your bed rental comes with a big locker where you could put your stuff and free breakfast and wifi.
Then again this could only work if you are landing alone.
Other options that I have seen is renting one room in a house with monthly option, which can range from 300-500 a month, including utilities and shared common areas. (All depending on the place or agreement with landlord) anyways, these type of places are more of a no strings attached accommodation in which you van easily move out of and move to an actual place that you like.
Anyways, I have lived in Edmonton for 4 years before moving to Calgary. I would sy avoid the north side of Edmonton. If you don't absolutely have to live there. I mean there are also better parts but there is quite a bit of bad neighborhoods that have gangs and stuff. I remember walking with an ex late at night walking to his house, and he said stay close to me and don't look back. And don't even think about walking these streets alone! Haha. I can't remember which area that is but is stuck to my mind.
Goodluck with landing in Edmonton and keep warm there. Haha
