"老师很nice，在她的领域很牛，方向很好，给的钱也不错" -- I believe this is the most important thing you should think about it, plus, U of A is a very good one. As for Edmonton, for sure it's not that big or 热闹 as Toronto/Vancouver, but the main purpose you come is for studying, not for fun, right? There are a lot chinese in Edmonton, and at U of A as well.