How Windermere Scores
What Windermere Actually Feels Like
Windermere is south Edmonton's master-planned lake community — developed primarily between 2005 and 2020, it centres on an artificial lake system serving as the community amenity anchor. The lake provides summer kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, and winter skating. Windermere is Edmonton's response to Calgary's lake communities (Mahogany, Summerside) — intentionally designed for families who want lake lifestyle, newer construction, good schools, and 0% Alberta tax. Heritage Valley and Summerside are adjacent south Edmonton lake communities with similar character.
Schools in Windermere
Windermere has some of Edmonton's stronger EPS schools in newer communities. Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour Elementary and Menisa Elementary serve the area with above-average EPS ratings. Windermere High School is well-regarded within EPS.
Getting Around from Windermere
Windermere is car-dependent — essentially all daily activities require a car. Anthony Henday Drive ring road provides excellent regional car access in all directions. Downtown Edmonton is 25 minutes by car. LRT does not yet extend to Windermere. For 0% tax family suburbs with car-oriented lifestyle, Windermere is Edmonton premier option.
What It Costs to Live in Windermere
Windermere offers Edmonton's best-value lake community housing. Non-lake-facing detached 4-bedrooms: $680K–$850K. Lake-backing premium homes: $900K–$1.3M. Modern 2005–2020s construction with open-concept layouts. Combined with 0% Alberta tax, $780K Windermere represents extraordinary financial value vs equivalent Ontario lake community homes.
Outdoor Life in Windermere
Artificial lake providing summer water activities (kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing) and winter skating. Community paths around the lake perimeter.
Extensive park system in adjacent Heritage Valley connecting to Windermere trail network.
One of Edmonton's finest parks with off-leash dog areas, sports facilities, and river access. Short drive from Windermere.
The Windermere Lake system is the community's primary amenity asset — combined with nearby Terwillegar Park's river valley access, south Edmonton has genuinely good outdoor infrastructure.
Safety in Windermere
Windermere is very safe — the newer-build, high-homeownership character of south Edmonton's lake communities has very low crime rates. Edmonton south/southwest areas are consistently safer than north and east Edmonton.
Is Windermere Good for Families?
Windermere is one of Edmonton's best family suburbs — lake community amenity, newer construction with family floor plans, above-average EPS schools, very safe, and 0% Alberta tax. For families relocating from Ontario or BC who want Edmonton's best family suburb experience at 0% tax, Windermere is the primary destination.
Families relocating from Ontario or BC who want Edmonton's best lake community at 0% tax, those who want modern construction with lake lifestyle, and energy sector families who want Edmonton's premier family suburb.
Those who need walkability and transit, urban lifestyle seekers (Strathcona is better), and those who want established community character with mature trees.
Best Streets in Windermere
Windermere's premium addresses — homes directly backing the lake with private dock access and water views. Highest demand in south Edmonton.
Core Windermere streets — modern detacheds in excellent condition, near parks and schools, 5-minute drive to lake amenities.
Windermere's most accessible entry — townhouses and semis in the same lake community. Same 0% tax, same EPS schools, lower price.