I used to live in Allendale in a small 1000 sq. foot bungalow just off 61 Ave.  It was noisy, especially in the warm months with motorcyclists zooming down the three major streets bounding the neighbourhood (Calgary Trail, 61 Ave and 109 St), but it was a very convenient neighbourhood to live in, with easy access to restaurants, shopping and entertainment (Whyte Ave was only a 25 minute walk away, and believe me, I was up there for EVERY Oiler win during the Cup run of 2006!)

I have numerous photos of the neighbourhood from numerous walkabouts I did in 2006, so instead of being redundant, I will post the photos I took from my time in Allendale in 2006.  Before getting started, if there is anyone living in neighbourhoods that I am profiling who would like to add photos, recommendations on good shops, restaurants, points of interest, etc. to the tours, please e-mail me at james_shannon17 at hotmail dot com, and I would be more than happy to update these entries with your insight!

And now, on with the tour!

Allendale is located in South Central Edmonton, bounded by 70 Ave in the north, Calgary Trail in the east, 61 Ave in the south, and 109 St in the west (click on the map to make it legible, as with all maps in the posts to follow…)

 

Allendale is a very mature neighbourhood, with streets containing many healthy elm trees, as the above photo attests.  It’s a tunnel of greenery!

One of the great things about my old stomping grounds is the mix of housing … from apartments (as shown in the previous photo with the elm trees) to infill housing (there was one dollhouse on 64 ave that got bought, knocked down, and a monster house put up in its place within 3-4 months!) to mansions (second pic after the infill house under construction), to 1950’s bungalows, like the one I lived in…

This is the backyard of the bungalow where I used to live.  Apple blossoms from apple trees in the yard and from throughout the area provide the icing on the cake for what was an amazing outdoor living space (thank my roommate Scott for the gardening and design, I have nothing to do with this )

A wintry scene from a back alley in Allendale.  Along with community leagues, I feel that the back alley is one of the little things about Edmonton that allows for its high level of quality of life.  You meet your neighbours back there, have a beer/pop, and discuss the insignificant details of life, and so on.

Not on this day though.  Too damn cold!

Finally, sticking with winter, we have a visual reminder of the horror show that was November 2006.  This is what the aftermath of 50 cm of snow looked like in my old cul-de-sac.  Seeing how it’s Spring now, please don’t kill me … give a headstart at least!

In summary, Allendale is what an Urban neighbourhood should be.  Grid-pattern streets, mix of different types of housing (except for high-density condo towers, but its small in area, and low on available land, so…), and decent walkablity (minutes to several restaurants, and a healthy walk to Whyte Ave).  The key challenge is traffic noise, which could be curbed via a crackdown on street racing (heard several in the summer while trying to fall asleep), and bylaws on motorcycle mufflers (or lack thereof; you know who you are!).  Otherwise, it has my endorsement as an excellent place to rent or buy (especially for character houses or starter bungalows!)