Globe and Mail's study ranked Canada's top cities for newcomers, focusing on integration ease, amenities, and affordable housing, targeting recent arrivals within five years. Data from 439 cities with over 10,000 population was analyzed, considering 43 variables across 10 key categories: economy, housing, demographics, healthcare, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation, and climate.
The top 20 cities are:
- 1. Pitt Meadows, BC
- 2. Victoria, BC
- 3. Winnipeg, MN
- 4. North Vancouver, BC
- 5. Saanich, BC
- 6. Wellesley, ON
- 7. Burlington, ON
- 8. Regina, SK
- 9. Delta, BC
- 10. Maple Ridge, BC
- 11. West Vancouver, BC
- 12. Oak Bay, BC
- 13. Abbotsford, BC
- 14. Colwood, BC
- 15. Norwich, ON
- 16. Parksville, BC
- 17. Fort St. John, BC
- 18. Port Coquitlam, BC
- 19. Middlesex Centre, ON
- 20. Coldstream, BC
Categories like housing were given more weight. A composite score was calculated for each city, with Victoria scoring high despite average marks in housing and healthcare. The study offered a comprehensive view of each city's strengths and overall livability.
In-depth analysis included job market and economic stability for the economy, housing affordability, population diversity and cultural richness, healthcare accessibility, crime rates and public safety, education quality, community engagement, leisure amenities, public transportation, and climate extremes. Some cities excelled in specific areas, like low unemployment rates in Oak Bay and Colwood, or high diversity in Port Coquitlam and Winnipeg.
