By Ilan Joseph, Broker, ABR®, e-PRO®, AMP® | TopTorontoAgent.ca
March 30, 2013 | © All rights reserved
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In it's 8th annual best places to live report, MoneySense magazine goes in depth to tell us which Canadian communities rank highest for overall quality of life.
The report looks as such factors as income, employment, affordability, culture, education, crime, access to medical, weather & more. How do Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and other GTA cities rank?
#10 Newmarket, Ont. This town has it all, high household incomes ($107,353 on average), great weather, low unemployment (4.69%) and some of the lowest crime rates in the country. #9 Lethbridge, Alta. Brace yourselves; there are a number of Alberta cities in the top 10. Lethbridge sets the bar high posting impressive scores in the weather category (more than 70% of days in a year are rain- and snow-free) and homes are super affordable with the average price tag set at just $183, 491. #8 Lacombe, Alta. Lacombe is growing quickly thanks in part to a strong economy and low taxes. In addition to its 8th overall finish, Lacombe also placed 3rd on our Best Small Cities in Canada list. Average household incomes top $119,500. #7 Saanich, B.C. Saanich scored well in almost every category we tracked, including access to healthcare and low taxes. This suburb of Victoria would have done even better if the housing prices weren't so high. The average home in the city costs $562,115. #6 Ottawa, Ont. Our 2012 No. 1 ranked city has fallen to No. 6 on this year's overall list (2nd among large cities) but make no mistake, our nation's capital is still one great place to live. Household and discretionary incomes in Ottawa remain high, but aren't keeping pace with the growing wealth rushing to the West. #5 Oakville, Ont. Oakville earned high grades for being a safe city with plenty of high-paying jobs and a strong arts community. But it's Oakville's climate that makes it the envy of the nation. It's the sunniest, warmest place we've got. #4 Strathcona County, Alta. The third richest city in Canada, Strathcona County also boasts plenty of daycare spaces and neighbourhood children making it a great place to plant roots. The average household brings in $147,945 a year and homes cost just $371,619 on average. #3 Burlington, Ont. Strategically placed in the centre of Ontario's Golden Horseshoe, this city takes full advantage of being close to the economic engine of Toronto and the industrial powerhouse of Hamilton. The unemployment rate in Burlington is 4.65%. #2 St. Albert, Alta. High incomes ($139,628), low unemployment (3.82%) and affordable housing ($344,967 average house price) helps this Edmonton suburb take top prize in our ranking of the best small cities in Canada and 2nd overall. #1 Calgary, Alta. Looking for a big city with a laid back feel, plenty of job opportunities and a young vibrant community? Go west. A strong economic foundation has turned Cowtown into the best city in the country.- Toronto ranks 28th
- Vaughan ranks 23rd
- Markham ranks 34th
- Richmond Hill ranks 26th
Most Kids At Home: Vaughan, Ontario
The majority of households in the city north of Toronto, 64% to be exact, have children. Vaughan is also home to the most homeowners with more than 90% of residential dwellings occupied by title owners. It also has the highest concentration of married couples at 63% of the adult population.
The full report and list of 200 communities that made the list can be found here.
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Ilan Joseph is a Real Estate Broker with Sutton Group and is co-founder of a 10-person award-winning Toronto real estate team. You can find him on Twitter, YouTube and Google+. For over 10 years, Ilan has provided more than 1400 buyers and sellers valued advice and service, enabling them to reach their real estate goals. He’s kind of like the Bruce Willis of real estate.
