Vancouver ranks Number 46 in survey of best places to live

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      I've always been skeptical about calling Vancouver one of the best places to live.

      The high cost of living, the growing income disparity between rich and poor, the lack of affordable housing, rising price of food, and haphazard public transportation certainly don't qualify it as the best place to live.

      Vancouver is a pretty city. It's a nice place to live, just not the best.

      My impression was justified by a recent survey done by staff at MoneySense magazine.

      According to their extensive analysis of 209 cities and towns across Canada, Vancouver came in at Number 46.

      The survey made a very valid point. They looked not at the beauty of a place as much as "the strong correlation between the economics of a city and the type of life you're able to build for your family." It's exactly what I've always thought—that scenic surroundings don't pay your bills.

      They considered factors such as good access to health care, good public transportation, and yes, even nice weather.

      From the cities and towns, Ottawa came second. In B.C., the District of North Vancouver ranked ninth. West Vancouver was 11th, Port Coquitlam was 34th, and Victoria was 50th.

      The best place to live in Canada is Boucherville, Quebec, mainly for its affordable housing and great livability factors.

      It has a population of 43,000. 

      In the same issue of the magazine, they also listed best places to live for new immigrants, which was interesting, to say the least.

      Factors they considered were things like employment, rental rates, and property taxes.

      The Victoria suburb of Saanich ranked first. According to the magazine, 17.1 percent of the population are immigrants and the average cost of a one-bedroom rental unit is $1,133.

      Closer to home it's Delta at Number 2, with 27.2 percent of the population being immigrants and the average cost of a one-bedroom rental unit at $1,030. 

      Others that made the Top 10 were Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.

      Comments

      7 Comments

      Bobbie ( my transgender alias )

      Jul 25, 2015 at 2:38pm

      I grew up on the outskirts of Vancouver in the early 80s. Remember the days of riding motorbikes in Burnaby and later outdoor parties in the bush around Coquitlam. Freedom and good wages with lots of open space to build. We had tree forts with the lumber we used to "borrow" from construction sites. ( before security guards become mandatory ) Freedom & fun trouble in every direction. Then the squeeze started coming........These surveys that tell us that Vancouver is not the once livable city do not take into account the ones who left years ago and the ones, like myself who pulled up anchor only recently. Yes, high prices are an issue. BUT what is even more unsettling is the all out corruption in the lowermainland within government as those that are left, fight tooth and nail to keep what they have from being taken away.....

      Hah

      Jul 25, 2015 at 2:48pm

      Seems this rating is too high. They should look again.

      John Stone

      Jul 25, 2015 at 4:09pm

      I agree with everything said by "Bobbie". We are being pushed out by a wealthy immigrant population that is diluting our culture. We, the people that grew up here are being pushed out because we live sustainable lives and that doesn't jive with the corporate agenda.

      We, the people that grew up here, are ending up on the suffering end of the disparity. All we ever wanted was to live a stable family life and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We can barely to live here anymore and foreign investment will eventually push us out.

      Patrick Leigh

      Jul 26, 2015 at 4:54am

      I moved to Vancouver from Edmonton almost two years ago. I have not regretted my decision at all!! I agree that the high cost of living might be an issue for some. In my situation, I love living in smaller spaces so the rent is more than comparable with Edmonton. The cost of food, groceries, eating out is easily on par if not cheaper here. As far as safety, let the numbers speak for themselves, homicides in Vancouver last year, 10. Homicides in Edmonton last year, 40. Two last points regarding cost of living. One, for anyone who has lived in a true winter climate, that experience alone increases your cost of living what with having to have a complete winter wardrobe and reliable vehicle ( I do not have a vehicle here the transit system is exceptional). Second, living here I save thousands because I do not have to escape it in order to have a vacation.

      Norman

      Jul 26, 2015 at 9:45am

      Finally a good article by a writer who can see what it is. I have grown more than tired by the mindless trolls of the local TV news media and Jon McComb of CKNW who keep trying to tell us this is the greatest city in the world. Being born here many decades ago and having lived here most of this time I have been witness to the decline of the Lower Mainland. Pretty scenery does not make up for the lack of affordability here, the lack of real and historical culture, .....the list goes on. Like so many now and more to come as soon as economic possibility presents itself to me elsewhere I'll be taking the first one way ticket out of here.

      Charlie Smith

      Jul 26, 2015 at 12:07pm

      The writer agrees.

      ?

      Jul 27, 2015 at 3:30pm

      Glad you agree Charlie. Unfortunately your magazine is a major contributor to foreign money ruining the real estate market here. And your support of the mayor's plan of condos to the sky doesn't help either. Question is, What are YOU going to do about it?????