Canada’s Best Places to Live in 2015

Ever wondered where’s the best place to live in Canada? MoneySense knows.

After months of sifting through reports from Environics Analytics, Statistics Canada and other data providers, MoneySense released their annual report on the best places to live in Canada in 2015.

“In a country that measures 6,521km across, with massively different economic regions and seven distinct climate zones, you can imagine it’s a ton to digest,” writes Mark Brown, the Reports and Rankings Editor at MoneySense. “We carefully weigh dozens of factors to geta  big picture of the overall health of 209 communities across the county.”

Considering 34 different factors, MoneySense believes that there’s a strong correlation between the economics of a city and the type of life you are able to build there for your family.

“Everyone wants to live in a beautiful part of the country, away from sub-Artic conditions, but we question how much you’ll be able to enjoy a city if you gave to work all the time – or if you can’t find work at all. It’s akin to owning a dream home and not being able to furnish it,” writes Brown. “Where you live shouldn’t jeopardize your retirement, prohibit you from putting your kids through school or limit your ability to take a vacation now and then. That’s why measures like housing prices, employment and income are particularly important, and are given the greatest weighting in our report.”

Other factors considered include access to good health care, low crime, good public transportation, and nice weather.

Topping this year’s list is Boucherville, Quebec.

Sitting across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal, this predominately french speaking community hosts a population just over 43,000 and scored high in just about every one of MoneySense’s categories, making it the number one place to live in Canada this year.

Boasting low unemployment, high incomes, affordable housing, strong population growth, good access to transit and a vibrant arts community, Boucherville has moved away from it’s past suburb appearance that was littered with box stores and chain restaurants. Today the city is becoming known for it’s growing number of food options, which includes L’Amour du Pain, one of the best bakeries in Greater Montreal.

Coming in second place on MoneySense’s list is our nation’s capital: Ottawa, Ontario. Earning high marks for income, transportation, access to health care, and low taxes, Ottawa’s housing market may not sound cheap but its affordability score is on par with cities half it’s size. Recognized for historic buildings, museums, and Parliament Hill, residents love it for the farmer’s markets, growing restaurant scene and nightlife.
Ranking in third is Burlington, Ontario. Situated nearby Toronto, Hamilton, and the U.S. border, the proximity to these larger cities may be one of the main reasons families settle there, along with its house prices.