Rent Real EstateCanadian Cities Rank High
Vancouver, British Columbia, ranks number one for quality of
living, according to the world-wide quality of living survey
by William M. Mercer Ltd, an international human relations
consultancy. This survey fuels the continuing rivalry
between Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal but does not end
controversy as the others earn top ranking in different
surveys.
"Topping the list is Vancouver, followed by Zurich, Vienna
and Bern," states the official survey release, which
explains that these cities shared the highest rating since
their scores, based on 39 quality-of-living criteria, were
so similar. The survey of 218 cities identifies other
Canadian cities in the top 10 rankings: Toronto (joint 5th
position), Montreal (joint 7th position) and Calgary (joint
9th position). A combination of social stability, excellent
infrastructure and good leisure facilities earned Canadian
cities their ratings.
Quality of living factors included political, economic and
environmental factors, personal safety and health,
education, transport and other public services. The ratings
are used by multinational companies to calculate
compensation for differences in quality of living standards
for employees posted to jobs around the world. Variables
affecting personal safety, hygiene and the basic comforts of
living and relating to crime levels, transportation and
education services make the biggest differences in comparing
the top cities and those in developing countries. Cities
were ranked against New York which established the base line
with a score of 100. Compared with the top four cities,
which each scored 106, the least desirable cities are
Brazzaville and Pointe Noire in Congo which score 23 and
30.5 respectively.
Montreal beat out Toronto, Vancouver and Boston in a North
American ranking of university students per capita, says a
survey recently released by Montreal"s McGill University.
According to survey spokesman, this survey is significant
since knowledge-based industries want to locate where they
have access to an educated workforce. The higher ranking may
also make it easier for Montreal to attract top researchers
and sizable research grants.
Montreal is number one at 4.38 students per 100 inhabitants
compared to 2.78 students per 100 inhabitants for Vancouver,
which placed ninth, and 2.61 for Toronto, which placed 10th,
according to a National Post report on the survey.
Toronto ranks itself number one in population and as
headquarters for Canada"s financial community.
What does the battle to become number one mean to
homeowners?
It may mean a thriving economy since people want to live and
work where they can have the highest quality of life and
best job opportunities. The resulting economic development
may create a strong tax base which may take the pressure off
residential property owners. International recognition for
quality of life and academic standing may attract
much-sought-after high-tech businesses and international
investment.
A number-one rating may attract more retirees as the
demographic age wave begins to look for somewhere to enjoy
those "golden years." This may mean a housing boom which
drives up real estate values and has developers fighting for
every square meter of vacant land. The very features that
earned Vancouver its number one rating may disappear in
massive grid lock.
Or, a number-one ranking may mean nothing more than a new
factoid to toss about in the next boasting match.
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