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Victoria is victorious in MoneySense's 4th annual "Canada's Best Places to Live"
Apr 27, 2009
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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.