MoneySense magazine crunched a forest of data and reveals the surprising answer in the issue hitting newsstands today.
Toronto, April 10, 2006 Are you a young person looking for a great community to settle down in? A real estate speculator searching for emerging hot spots? A baby boomer verging on retirement looking for new horizons to explore? Is the average Canadian better off living in balmy Victoria B.C., enjoying the low unemployment rates of Estevan Sask., or taking advantage the low housing prices of Timmins, Ont.? Where are the best places to live in Canada?
Paradise by the numbers:
MoneySense magazine has pulled data for 108 communities of more than 10,000 people and crunched the numbers to figure out which communities across the country actually do have the best combination of natural advantages and economic good fortune.
The winners:
The No. 1 spot to live in Canada is Leamington, Ont., a city of 30,000 people on the shores of Lake Erie, just south of Windsor. Known mainly for its tomato-growing prowess, Leamington’s virtues include mild weather and a low unemployment rate. Its scores for household income and population growth are in the top 25% of all communities considered for the ranking.
In No. 2 spot was Guelph, Ont., a pleasant university town an hour west of Toronto. It scored well in all categories but was dragged down by relatively expensive housing.
Lloydminster, on the Saskatchewan-Alberta border, grabbed third place, but its finish was hurt by frigid weather. Fourth place went to Grande Prairie, Alta., and fifth to Kitchener, Ont.
How we did it:
The editors at MoneySense focused entirely on what they could measure: weather, how many people walk to work, population growth, household income, unemployment, economic diversity, house prices and unique community features.
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 942,000 Canadians on the lookout for new ways to save, invest and spend.
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Media please contact:
Suneel Khanna
416-764-1219
suneel.khanna@rci.rogers.com
