Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto are among the ten best cities in the world to live in
Although Europe and Scandinavia often appear at the top of rankings on the healthiest or most pleasant countries in the world to raise children, Canada has been quietly climbing the ranks, consolidating itself as a great choice of nation to call home.
This new perspective was especially evident in the latest ranking of the best cities to live in by the Economist Intelligence Unit, which elected three Canadian cities to the top 10 of the list – no other country was so well represented.
The top three Canadian cities cited include Vancouver (5th place), Calgary (tied for 7th with Geneva) and Toronto (9th place), each with perfect scores in terms of health and education offerings. These factors appeal to Canadians, who praise positive government policies that improve the quality of life in the country.
“Our progressive policies and universal healthcare make Canada a wonderful place to live,” said Samantha Falk, a Vancouver resident.
“I can’t imagine living in a country where I have to worry about being able to afford a doctor’s appointment or take my child to the hospital, or risk bankruptcy because I have cancer.”
This feeling extends beyond politics, creating a sense of community that improves the lives, both at work and at home, of those who live there.
“From helping out in schools to supporting the elderly or small business owners, Canadians are known for their friendly and supportive nature,” says Jane Stoller, Vancouver resident and founder of Organized Jane, a consulting service for organizing business and life in general.
“This sense of camaraderie fosters a positive environment where individuals can thrive and find fulfillment in both their personal and professional lives.”
Canada’s investment in public transportation and transit systems also makes it easier to get around big cities.
Falk, who has also lived in Montreal, Calgary and Toronto, didn’t get her driver’s license until she was 24. A friend of hers didn’t get his until he was 53, simply because they didn’t need a car to get around.
However, what the locals appreciate most is the country’s strong connection with nature. “All three of the [best to live in] cities – like so many cities in Canada – are located close to nature and have also incorporated it into their city design,” says Falk.
“There’s the ravine system [smaller valleys or canyons] and the beaches in Toronto; Mont Royal and the tree-lined streets in Montreal; and Vancouver has Stanley Park, one of the world’s best examples of urban nature.”
But even outside the big cities, the focus on nature remains a prominent feature, mirroring the importance of wildlife to residents. “We are outdoor people!” says Falk.
Spread across the world’s second-largest country (by land area), each of Canada’s three cities has its own unique appeal. We spoke to residents of each location to find out what makes them live in and love their respective cities.
Vancouver
Located on the country’s picturesque west coast, Vancouver stood out as the best city to live in Canada thanks to its very high scores in the culture and environment indexes. It was beaten only by Auckland in the top 10.
“Vancouver’s unique and stunning combination of mountains and ocean makes it irresistible,” said Falk, who runs his communications company from outside the city. “Even after 20 years of living in Vancouver, the city still leaves me breathless.”
To make the most of the city and feel at home, she says you have to get out of the house – even (and especially) when it’s raining. An easy place to do this is Stanley Park, a 405-hectare public park in the city center that has a coastal rainforest with centuries-old trees, including the still-standing stump of an 800-year-old red cedar called the Hollow Tree.
For the truly adventurous, she recommends hiking the 2.9 km Grouse Grind trail to the face of Grouse Mountain. “Often called nature’s ‘staircase’, the trail will make you want to vomit, but the reward at the top is worth it,” she said. “Have a coffee or a glass of wine at the mountaintop restaurant and enjoy the view – and take the gondola elevator down.”
For those who prefer quieter adventures, the gastronomic scene is hard to beat. “From chic restaurants to cool food trucks and street markets, you’ll never run out of tasty snacks,” says Stoller.
Residents especially praise Vancouver’s sushi options, which she claims form the best and cheapest selection of sushi restaurants outside of Japan.
The city also fosters an entrepreneurial and collaborative mindset that creates a welcoming sense of home. “People in Vancouver are open-minded, diverse and love to come together on artistic, technological or green initiatives,” said Stoller.
She also says that the small geographical presence keeps the city organized and creative. “You won’t find as many big stores here, which promotes local shopping and helps the community,” she said. “It’s a win-win situation.”
Calgary
Situated near the Rocky Mountains in the western province of Alberta, Calgary outperformed the other two Canadian cities with its perfect stability score (a measure that assesses rates of civil unrest and government corruption).
Residents describe Calgary as having a small-town feel with big-city amenities, while also having a lower cost of living than other comparable cities in Canada.
“Despite being one of Canada’s largest cities, Calgary manages to maintain a unique charm that comes from friendly locals, a community-minded mentality and neighborhood-centric farmers’ markets,” says resident and travel blogger Lora Pope.
“However, there’s nothing lacking when it comes to trendy restaurants, cultural festivals and incredible nightlife.” The city is also diverse – the third most diverse in Canada, with more than 240 ethnic origins and 165 languages.
Calgary also has a lucrative oil and gas industry, a large white-collar business community and an affordable cost of living. “Locals have money and they love to spend it,” says Jessie P. Cayabo, a communications professional who moved to the city from Edmonton three years ago.
This means that downtown and the surrounding area are packed during the summer months, while during the field hockey season suits and ties are exchanged for Calgary Flames jerseys, the local team.
The Calgary Stampede rodeo, held annually (it starts on the first Friday in July), serves as a 10-day party that welcomes people from all over the world and where everyone wears cowboy-style clothes.
“People come out. The patios are packed and the restaurants are busy,” repeated resident Shannon Hughes, owner of Calgary-based consulting firm Captivate Benefits. She suggests reserving a seat at the Major Tom restaurant at sunset to truly appreciate the view of the city’s mountains.
Like much of Canada, easy access to nature improves the quality of life here. Calgary has the most extensive network of paved roads and bike paths in North America, with more than 1,000 km of trails for walkers and cyclists.
“My bike rides on these paths have led me to discover some of the city’s hidden gems, provided me with spectacular views, and given me a daily dose of outdoor time that I so crave,” says Pope.
Even in winter, the city has no shortage of activities, from skiing, skating, tubing, snowshoeing and even ice biking, with much of the infrastructure in place from when the city hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Locals say the winters are long and cold, so expats coming from warmer climates should invest in good quality winter gear.
Toronto
Canada’s most populous city, Toronto combines the vibrancy of a big city with more than 1,500 parks that keep residents connected to the outdoors.
With a perfect score in the stability sub-classification, Toronto maintains a sense of security that allows people to feel comfortable, whether they are walking, using public transportation or riding a bike.
In particular, the human-centered infrastructure means that life is much easier than in other similar big cities. Residents especially praise PATH, an underground pedestrian walkway that makes the Canadian winter more bearable. “From my office to the airport [train], restaurants, shopping and even doctor’s appointments, everything [is] conveniently accessible without the need for a winter coat,” said resident Hoang Anh Le.
Kyra Marskell agrees, saying that although the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) has its flaws, having integrated transportation options – most of them four minutes away – makes a big difference when coming from a suburb where driving is the only option. “We also have bike rentals all over the city, which is a great eco-friendly transportation option that I’ve been enjoying recently,” she adds.
The city is also known for its diversity, with more than 51% of its residents born outside Canada. “It’s the only major Western city where the visible [non-white] minority is the majority,” says Marcus Räder, CEO and co-founder of the software company Hostaway.
“There are opportunities to experience many cultures and languages here, and Canada embraces multiculturalism rather than pushing for assimilation.”
This cultural diversity enriches the community through a variety of festivals, cuisines of all prices and a respect for sharing new ideas and ways of life.
The entrepreneurial spirit also influences Toronto, with large companies (Uber, Google and Facebook have offices there) through to new start-ups. In recent years, the city has become the third largest technology center in North America, behind New York and Silicon Valley.
When combined with the city’s diverse community, the tech scene creates great exposure to people from different cultures and backgrounds, residents say.
“It’s interesting to learn cultural habits in relation to work and personal life,” says Jonathan Azouri, CEO and co-founder of CatchCorner, an app for booking sports facilities. “It’s almost as if you gain international work-life experience without having to leave the city.”