All Articles

Victoria is victorious in MoneySense's 4th annual "Canada's Best Places to Live"

For the best places to work, retire, have fun or buy a home, MoneySense
    has the ultimate guide. For more, turn to the latest issue on newsstands
    or visit www.moneysense.ca.TORONTO, April 27 /CNW/ - Victoria is the new Best Place to Live in
Canada, according to MoneySense magazine. The West Coast city beat long-time
champion Ottawa-Gatineau for top spot in the magazine's fourth annual ranking
of the Best Places to Live in Canada.
    While Ottawa lost its No. 1 spot in the comprehensive ranking of 154
communities, it still managed to finish No. 2, just ahead of Kingston, Ont.
For the first time, Brandon, Man., and Peterborough, Ont., broke into the Top
10 Best Places to Live.
    The MoneySense rankings are based on an exhaustive database of 24
indicators, ranging from weather and crime levels to home prices and
employment prospects. This year MoneySense has added new data on tax rates and
"buzz factor" - the level of cultural, recreational and athletic energy in a
community.
    Unlike most rankings of cities, MoneySense's study is based purely on the
numbers. "Our grading system looks only at features that have a broad appeal
and that can be reliably measured," says Ian McGugan, MoneySense editor. "And
while we have nothing against beaches and nice scenery, we concentrate on
practical matters, like how easy it is to find a job, locate a doctor and
afford a house. We want readers to refer to our listings when they go to buy a
house, move or invest in a community."MoneySense's top 10 "Canada's Best Places to Live"

    -----------------------------------
    Overall         Community
    Rank
    -----------------------------------
    1.              Victoria
    -----------------------------------
    2.              Ottawa-Gatineau
    -----------------------------------
    3.              Kingston, Ont.
    -----------------------------------
    4.              Burlington, Ont.
    -----------------------------------
    5.              Vancouver, B.C.
    -----------------------------------
    6.              Moncton, N.B.
    -----------------------------------
    7.              Fredericton, N.B.
    -----------------------------------
    8.              Winnipeg, Man.
    -----------------------------------
    9.              Peterborough, Ont.
    -----------------------------------
    10.             Brandon, Man.
    -----------------------------------

    Some surprises

    -   Weathering Canadian weather: Some might think the West Coast would be
        shoo-in for best weather, but that would be only for those who like a
        lot of rain. While there is no Palm Springs North in Canada, when
        total precipitation, air pollution and temperatures are taken into
        account, Oakville, Ont., Port Hope, Ont., and Burlington, Ont., top
        the list.

    -   Montreal: Comme-ci, comme ça: New to this year's survey is the Buzz
        Factor. Which community has the most buzz in terms of arts, culture,
        sports and entertainment? Not surprisingly, it's Montreal. But which
        city, based on housing prices and average salaries, is the worst for
        work? Montreal.

    -   Go west, young man (and woman): Perhaps not surprisingly, the top
        five best places to work in Canada are in Alberta.

    -   Not everything changes as you get older: The MoneySense research
        found that the best places to live - Victoria, Kingston and Ottawa-
        Gatineau-are also the best places to retire.For a detailed description of methodology, more categories and charts,
and to find out where all 154 communities finished, see the complete rankings
at www.moneysense.ca.

    About MoneySense:

    MoneySense is Canada's personal finance and lifestyle magazine. Packed
with smart features, practical advice and easy-to-follow financial tips on
everything from home improvement to mutual funds, an average MoneySense issue
attracts 892,000 Canadians on the lookout for new ways to save, invest and
spend. MoneySense.ca is Canada's best all-around personal finance website.