If you’re a tradesperson looking to bring your skills to a new city, consider this your call to consider everything Medicine Hat has to offer. Our city is a smaller centre with a population just shy of 66,000 (Statistics Canada, 2022), but provides opportunities for people of all ages. From extensive trail systems to our recent high quality of life ratings to an impressive arts and music scene, there truly is something for everyone.

Here are the top 11 reasons we love calling Medicine Hat home.

Reason #1: We’re One of Canada’s Sunniest Cities
Boasting an impressive 330 days of sunshine per year, we don’t have a shortage of sunny days around here. Although we aren’t immune to the changing of the seasons, we don’t often see temperatures as cold as other Alberta communities.

Reason #2: Our Residents Love it Here
According to the 2022 Community Survey, 95% of respondents rated the overall quality of life favourably, with 91% recommending it as a place to live. We can’t ask for a better recommendation than that, and as you read you’ll learn some of the city features that make this such a great place to live.

Reason #3: We’re One of Alberta’s Most Affordable Communities
At $17.35 an hour, Medicine Hat has the lowest living wage in Alberta. This is the amount residents need to make to afford costs like food, clothing, shelter, education investments, childcare, community events, and other expenses. We’re also known for having lower property taxes compared to other Alberta centres. Finally, as of March 2023, the average housing sale price for the city was $327,829. All of these factors come together to create an affordable place to live that contributes positively to the quality of life residents enjoy.

Reason #4: We Have a Young and Growing Population
As we mentioned, our population is just under 66,000, but it’s young and growing. The median age here is 42 and our workforce consists of more than 20,000 people between the ages of 20 and 44. There are lots of opportunities for young people looking to find their next adventure or lay down some roots.

Reason #5: Our Mighty Music and Arts Scene
You won’t find a shortage of concerts, plays, musicals, or shows when you’re in Medicine Hat. Our city’s venues welcome artists both local and international to the stage for community entertainment year-round. We also offer a ton of educational arts programming throughout the city, for those of you who are curious to learn a new skill. Find yourself in town? See what’s on at these local spots:

• The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
• Co-op Place
• Medalta in the Historic Clay District

Reason #6: Year-Round Sports and Recreation Opportunities
Maybe you’re one to get out and find adventure during any type of weather. Or perhaps having indoor options to get you through the colder months is more your speed. Either way, Medicine Hat has opportunities that will get your blood pumping every day of the year, whether you’re part of the action or enjoying as a spectator. Here are some of our favourites:

• Inland Skate Park
• The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club
• Medicine Hat Speedway
• Playing a round at one of our many golf courses
• Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association
• Hidden Valley Ski Resort
• Medicine Hat Tigers hockey
• Mavericks BaseballAlthough these are just a few examples, we also enjoy many arenas, indoor and outdoor pools, spray parks, and recreation centres.

Reason #7: Strong Indigenous Connections Throughout the Community
We take pride in our community’s Indigenous culture and the peoples who have called this region home. Medicine Hat is situated on Treaty 7 and the traditional lands of the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina (Sarcee) as well as the Cree, Sioux, and the Saulteaux bands of the Ojibwa peoples. Learn and connect with the rich culture of Indigenous peoples through our community’s historic sites, education programs, and community leaders. Here are some sites we recommend:

• Saamis Tepee (AKA the world’s tallest tepee)
• Saamis Archaeological Site
• Saratoga Park
• The Old Man Buffalo Stone, located in Police Point Park

Reason #8: Our Impressive Outdoor Spaces
Between the natural features and the landscaped outdoor spaces throughout the city, there’s plenty to enjoy when outdoors in Medicine Hat. Medicine Hat is located adjacent to rolling coulees and is intersected by the South Saskatchewan River. Throughout the community, you’ll find lakes, disc golf courses, public parks for you and your pets, and more than 155 kilometres of city trails.

We’re also a short drive away from some of the region’s greatest natural attractions. Cyprus Hills attracts visitors for its camping, fishing, and boating, and is the highest point of elevation in mainland Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador.

Reason #9: Exciting Annual Events
Medicine Hat is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Here are

some favourite events we look forward to each year:

• Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede
• Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival
• Music Festivals
• YMCA River Run
• Medicine Hat Jazz FestPlus, we regularly welcome artists from around the world to perform at venues like Co-op Place and the Esplanade.

Reason #10: A Vibrant Downtown
With more than 200 local businesses in the downtown area alone, there’s plenty to keep you busy whenever you’re in a shopping mood. It’s also a great area for a stroll, with murals and art installations located throughout the city’s core. The historic downtown tour is a great way to learn about the history of downtown while seeing how it’s thriving in the present day.

Reason #11: There’s Room to Grow
Whether you’re looking to grow your career or lay some roots for a family, Medicine Hat offers opportunities for both and everything in between. Great schools, a thriving local economy, and health and wellness infrastructure are big pieces of why we love to live and work in the Hat.

We hope more people will see Medicine Hat the same way we do. It’s a vibrant, sunny community brimming with opportunities for tradespeople and families alike. With its blend of youthful energy, cultural richness, and commitment to growth and sustainability, it’s more than just a city – it’s a place where life unfolds in the most beautiful ways.

Interested in finding a job so you can build your life in Medicine Hat? Give us a call at (403) 528-3353 to discuss opportunities with our team.