Akinsdale Home Styles: A Buyer's Guide to BUNGs, APARTs & More
Akinsdale isn't a neighbourhood of cookie-cutter homes. Walk any street and you'll see 1970s bungalows beside low-rise condos, two-storeys from the 1980s, and the occasional attached row house tucked in between. That variety is one of the neighbourhood's strengths — but it also means buyers need to understand what each style offers, what it costs, and who it's for.
Since 2010, three housing types have accounted for the vast majority of Akinsdale sales: bungalows (BUNG) at 367 transactions, apartments (APART) at 251, and two-storey homes (ST2) at 208. Here's the practical breakdown.
Bungalows: The Akinsdale Standard
Sales since 2010: 367 Typical price range: $280,000 – $450,000 Typical age: 1960s–1980s Lot size: 5,000–7,000 sqft
Bungalows are the backbone of Akinsdale. Single-level living, private yards, and enough square footage — typically 1,000–1,400 sqft above grade — to raise a small family or host weekend barbecues. Most have unfinished or partially finished basements that add another 800–1,000 sqft of potential.
Who they're for:
- Young families who want a yard without the staircase marathon
- Retirees planning to age in place
- Buyers who see basement development as a future project
- Investors who know renters love single-level homes
What to watch for: Older bungalows mean older systems. Furnaces, windows, roofs, and electrical panels are the big-ticket items. Budget $15–40K in near-term updates unless the seller has already handled them. Also check the basement — Akinsdale sits on clay soil, and foundation cracks aren't rare in this vintage.
Apartments and Condos: The Entry Point
Sales since 2010: 251 Typical price range: $150,000 – $290,000 Typical size: 800–1,200 sqft Condo fees: $300–$500/month
Akinsdale's condo stock is mostly low-rise wood-frame buildings from the 1970s and 1980s. These aren't luxury towers — they're practical, affordable housing for buyers who prioritize location over square footage. Most units are two-bedroom, one-bathroom layouts with galley kitchens and modest balconies.
Who they're for:
- First-time buyers who want St. Albert schools and amenities
- Single professionals who travel or work long hours
- Downsizers who don't want yard maintenance
- Investors looking for steady rental income
What to watch for: Condo documents matter more than the unit itself. Read the reserve fund study, the last three years of meeting minutes, and the insurance certificate. Older buildings can have special assessments lurking — roof replacements, elevator overhauls, or siding repairs that hit every owner with a $5–15K bill. The low purchase price is only part of the math.
Two-Storey Homes: The Family Upgrade
Sales since 2010: 208 Typical price range: $340,000 – $500,000 Typical age: 1980s–1990s Typical size: 1,400–2,000 sqft
Two-storey homes in Akinsdale are generally newer than the bungalows — most built in the 1980s and early 1990s when the neighbourhood filled in its remaining lots. They offer bedrooms upstairs, living space down, and enough separation that a family of four doesn't feel stacked on top of each other.
Who they're for:
- Families with two or more kids who need distinct spaces
- Buyers who want more square footage without a bigger lot
- Hosts who like open-concept main floors for entertaining
- Buyers who prefer newer construction and updated floor plans
What to watch for: The two-storey premium in Akinsdale is real. You're paying $50–100K more than a comparable bungalow for the same lot size. Make sure you need the extra space — heating, cooling, and maintaining a larger home costs more year after year. Also inspect the roof and eaves carefully; two-storeys are harder and more expensive to re-roof.
The Less Common Styles
Attached/Row Houses: A small but notable segment. These offer detached-home feel with shared-wall pricing, typically trading in the $250–340K range. Great for buyers who want a yard and no elevator but can't quite stretch to a detached bungalow.
Bi-Levels: Rare in Akinsdale compared to neighbourhoods like Lacombe Park, but they exist. Main-floor living with a partially below-grade basement that feels like part of the home. Good for buyers who want bungalow convenience with more square footage.
Style vs. Lifestyle: The Decision Matrix
| Your Situation | Best Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First purchase, limited budget | APART/condo | Lowest entry point, predictable costs |
| Small family, yard priority | BUNG/bungalow | Single-level, outdoor space, expandable basement |
| Growing family, need bedrooms | ST2/two-storey | Separation of spaces, modern layouts |
| Retiree, low maintenance | APART or updated BUNG | No stairs or no yard — pick your trade-off |
| Investor, rental focus | APART or BUNG | Highest tenant demand, easiest to manage |
Why Style Diversity Matters for Akinsdale
Most St. Albert neighbourhoods trend toward one dominant style. Jensen Lakes is two-storey suburbia. Mission is condo-heavy. Akinsdale's mix of bungalows, condos, and two-storeys means it doesn't age out of its buyer pool. Young buyers start in condos. They graduate to bungalows. Their kids buy two-storeys. The neighbourhood serves every stage.
That longevity is why 1,244 homes have sold here since 2010. It's not a flash-in-the-pan development. It's a community that evolves with its residents.
Not sure which style fits your budget and life? Call or text 780-937-7534 or email john@johncarle.com — I'll walk you through the active inventory and help you match your needs to what's actually available.
Data source: 30,844 St. Albert MLS records (2010–2026 Q1). All statistics calculated from actual sold transactions.