The Orchards is a 500-acre master-planned community in Southeast Edmonton that was designed around green space, walkability, and family living. It is also one of the few neighbourhoods in the city where you can rent a brand new townhome with the kind of amenities usually reserved for homeowner communities.
If you are considering a townhouse rental in The Orchards, here is what the neighbourhood offers, what is available, and how it compares to other Edmonton options.
The Orchards Neighbourhood Overview
98 Acres of Park Space
The Orchards is built around connected green spaces, not as an afterthought but as the central design principle. The community includes:
- Walking and cycling trails throughout
- A splash park for kids
- Tennis courts
- A hockey rink
- A toboggan hill
- Community gardens
- A dog-friendly environment with green spaces
This is not the kind of neighbourhood where you need to drive to a park. It is designed so that park space is part of your daily walk.
Schools
Two schools are within walking distance of Cherry Hills:
- Jan Reimer K-9 School (public)
- Divine Mercy K-6 Catholic School
For families, being able to walk your kids to school instead of driving across the city is a significant daily advantage.
Shopping and Services
Orchards Plaza Shopping Center is a 5-minute walk from Cherry Hills. South Edmonton Common, one of Western Canada’s largest retail centres, is a 10-minute drive. Daily errands do not require a long commute.
Commute Access
- 15 minutes to Nisku Industrial Area via QE2
- 15 minutes to Edmonton International Airport
- 10 minutes to South Edmonton Common
- Direct access to Anthony Henday Drive for city-wide commuting
What Townhome Rentals Are Available in The Orchards?
The Orchards is primarily an ownership community with single-family homes and duplexes from builders like Brookfield Residential, Excel Homes, and Homes by Avi. Rental townhome options are more limited, which makes the available inventory worth knowing about.
Cherry Hills at The Orchards
Cherry Hills is a purpose-built rental townhome community of 80 units at 8051 Orchards Green SW. Every unit is:
- Brand new — no previous tenants
- 3 bedrooms with 2.5 bathrooms
- 1,544 sq ft of living space
- Double attached garage — room for two vehicles plus storage
- Ground-floor den — home office, gym, or flex space
- Private balcony
- In-unit laundry
- Pet-friendly — dogs and cats welcome with approval
Starting rent: $2,125/month
Current offer: 1 month free rent on a 13-month lease
What Living in The Orchards Is Actually Like
The Walkability Factor
The Orchards has a Walk Score of 65 and a Bike Score of 70, which is strong for a suburban Edmonton community. Trails connect throughout the neighbourhood, and key destinations like schools and shopping are accessible on foot.
The Community Feel
Because The Orchards has a Residents Association with organized events, a clubhouse, and shared facilities, there is a stronger sense of neighbourhood here than in many Edmonton communities. This matters if you have kids or if you want to feel connected rather than isolated.
Winter Considerations
The trails are maintained in winter and the community is designed with Edmonton’s climate in mind. Having a double attached garage means you are never scraping windshields at 6 AM or warming up your car in a surface lot.
How The Orchards Compares to Other SE Edmonton Communities
| Feature | The Orchards | Summerside | Walker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park space | 98 acres | Lake + parks | Growing |
| Walking trails | Extensive network | Good | Limited |
| Schools (walking) | 2 nearby | 1-2 nearby | Limited |
| Community facilities | Clubhouse, splash park, tennis, rink | Lake, playgrounds | Playgrounds |
| New build rentals | Cherry Hills (80 townhomes) | Limited | Limited |
| Commute to Nisku | 15 min | 18-20 min | 20 min |
Visit The Orchards
Reading about a neighbourhood is one thing. Walking the trails, seeing the community spaces, and stepping inside a 1,544 sq ft townhome is another.
Book a tour at Cherry Hills to see the townhomes and the neighbourhood together. Call (587) 409-9635 or email [email protected] — tours are available 7 days a week by appointment.
Ready to See Cherry Hills?
Experience our spacious 3-bedroom townhomes in Edmonton's Orchards neighbourhood.
