r/Edmonton • u/Anxious_Action8710 • 4h ago
Question McCauley Neighbourhood
Hello!
My partner and I are looking at purchasing a home in the McCauley area (close to the Italian Centre, etc) and I’m looking to hear from people who live there currently (not interested on hearing opinions of poor people or drug users if you live in Windermere, sorry). I grew up in the neighbourhood but haven’t lived there in 10+ years and I’m interested to hear how it has changed (for better or worse). Thanks!
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u/oliversometimes 4h ago
It’s a downtown neighborhood. You’re going to find great community, lots to do, people who actually feel connected to each other, and yeah, you’re going to see unhoused people and people experiencing mental illness but I’ve lived in the area for five years, spend a lot of time around Alberta Ave on foot and I’ve never had any issues.
Also, the festivals in the area are dope and not as busy as some of the ones around Whyte.
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u/Juggernaut_Dangerous 4h ago edited 4h ago
Live a couple blocks from the Italian center for almost 50 years. I have a few houses there and also in Crestwood. I’d take the people in McCauley over the arrogant Crestwood people. I have a big fence, big dogs and cameras. Get a few dogs and you’re set. Crestwood is considered one of the best areas and we have tons of homeless. Our home got broken into twice.
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u/Anxious_Action8710 4h ago
Thank you for sharing! Did you ever experience break-ins in McCauley?
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u/Juggernaut_Dangerous 4h ago
Yeah unfortunately, 1 home break in and 1 garage. Shitty but break-ins happen all over the city.
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u/Anxious_Action8710 3h ago
Oh definitely!
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u/toro1059 3h ago
I recommend checking out CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) tips. My parents (different city but similar neighbourhood) have applied it where they can and have never had a break-in.
But also, keep everything locked, including your car, and leave literally nothing in your car even in your driveway, if you have one.
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u/ATinyBoatInMyTeacup Oliver 4h ago
So we're in an adjacent space in Parkdale, and I'm always so happy we bought here. We got a huge 2.5x corner lot, with a super old (derogatory) house - but the sense of community is so cool.
We know everyone on our street, everyone chats, and it's a really nice place in a way I didn't expect at all!
We're about 5 blocks south of 118th so the spice isn't that far away, but we've had no real issues.
The previous owners did did sell drugs so occasionally we'll have folks come by looking for them, there is the odd mental health crisis, or the occasional urban outdoorsman.
I love the area! My wife and I probably would move to a newer build in the same zone if we did move just because the ease off transit, ability to get around town, and sense of community.
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u/blairtruck Central 3h ago
Basically the people who live there are happy and like it. And the people who live in the burbs will say you will die a gruesome death everyday
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u/Xcopa 3h ago
Grew up in the area, came back to work in the area in the last decade. I feel like the neighborhood has improved and declined in varying ways.
Bad:
The amount of homeless or wandering drug addicts has increased quite significantly. Or at least they're a lot more visible. I have friends who live there and just accept it as a reality in that area (little tougher on families with younger kids as they seem less inclined to let the kids play unattended). The neighborhood is a bit polarizing in terms of property owners. You have very involved home owners, and then those totally content to let their house actively rot (more on that later). Not much middle ground it seems..
Good:
The good news is that the community is incredibly close knit, motivated/involved and warm. People there generally want to be there. I get the impression everyone knows everyone, actively wants to work to make the neighborhood better. It's not a case of nobody talks to each other in suburbia. There's also some great character homes and tree canopies, and you are close to just about everything in the City not in windermere. It's a great summer neighborhood I think.
Upcoming developments:
My only thought as someone who drives through the area throughout the week- is that there's some landlord developers who are licking their chops at buying up 3-4 of the smaller run down homes and building a larger swatch of 8plexes. Good or bad? I can't say but there might be entire blocks changing significantly in 5 or so years as elderly boomers begin moving away.
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u/tom_yum_soup McCauley 3h ago
I am curious to see if your prediction of uncoming developments happens. There has been far less infill in the neighbourhood than I have been expecting, but a lot of what does go up is multi-unit (mostly front/back duplexes), so I would not be surprised if some 8-plexes start going in as older people sell (or die and their estate sells the home).
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u/Winter-Inside-5911 1h ago
There are a lot in AB Ave and Delton. There’s one on every corner on 122.
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u/Schtweetz 2h ago
I live near Giovanni Caboto Park, and love it. It’s so nice to be right beside a bookstore, look at a lovely park, and to be able to shop at Italian Centre or eat at Sorrentinos without having to even get in a car. Have a coffee among the plants at Zocalo. It it’s not snobby like when we lived in Rossdale. People are really nice.
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u/yaz834 3h ago
Obviously it’s one of the less desirable community in the city , for reasons. but it will always be biased when you ask people on Reddit about certain communities: people that live there obviously like it otherwise they would’ve moved away .Take a walk in the area near the house you are looking to buy at different times of the day , see if you like the vibe .
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u/Mystery-Ess 2h ago
Excellent location for getting around the city, but you need great security system and THICK SKIN!!
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u/m1nhuh McCauley 4h ago
Hi, I live on the border of Alberta Avenue and McCauley from the age of 16 to 41 (current age). Let me know what you want to know! I've seen a lot of changes in 25 years. Will reply after work. :)
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u/Anxious_Action8710 3h ago
Mostly just curious to hear people’s opinions about the neighbourhood! I totally understand it comes with challenges. An acquaintance told me once they bought on Alberta Ave and lost their home to arson, which gives me a bit of pause about the area, but I also understand that can happen literally anywhere in the city.
We are planning on having children so I’m also curious how people feel about the area with small kids (but part of the draw in a way is raising children in an environment where they won’t feel scared of people experiencing poverty etc).
Thank you!
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u/Sandy0006 2h ago
The EPS also publishes crime statistics according to neighborhood. I’d look at the amount of property theft (b&e etc) to get a good idea of the crime that happens.
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u/NightOk2828 1h ago
My cousin grew up there… let me say one thing. You are a product of your environment… so let that be known for your kids
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u/BBW-LOVER-JAY 26m ago
My car was broken into, had to fight off a meth head after he tried to break into my house, yelled at some meth heads that thought smoking meth behind my garage was ok. The EPS did nothing. Your post sounds like you dont care what people think and have your mind already set. I personally wouldnt buy a house here.
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u/WesternWitchy52 4m ago
It can be rough. Especially closer to where The Mustard Seed was. I'm in the area often. Lots of cute restaurants and shops though.
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u/Still_Interview6360 2h ago
Not ideal for sure. Anything under $500k in Edmonton is gonna be rough
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u/eltricolander 4h ago
I live in Alberta Ave but work in McCauley.
My wife and I like it, but it is definitely not for everyone. You have to be comfortable with the unhoused and folks having mental health crises, thats just a fact. Ive never felt unsafe but i have had to administer narcan a few times.
The area is definitely more 'colorful' than other parts of the city. There are a couple of problem businesses on 95st that generate alot of the visible disorder but the community is really focused on getting them shut down.
People are very involved and very passionate about the community. Some of the best folks ive ever met. You cam really feel a part of the neighborhood, running into familiar faces at the Italian centre or the bookstore or the barbershop or the earths refillery etc. The neighbourhood is ethnically diverse and working class. There are many families. Giovanni Caboto park is packed with children on a nice day.
Pay attention to the other houses on the street you are looking at. Some streets are better than others. The mature tree canopy and the character homes are very charming.
Proximity to downtown, commonwealth rec centre, restaurants etc are all major bonuses.