The Most Livable Cities in Canada

[@thebigleone1066]

I was thinking of retiring back to my native Canada after working for years in the States. I looked at how the Canadian dollar has shrunk compared to the U.S. dollar, how Canada’s productivity has declined from 6th in the world to 29th, the crazy cost of housing, the high cost of groceries, and the outrageous never ending taxes. I was left with no choice but to stay put in the States. I’m surprised anyone would want to move there at this time.

[@gingi453]

for the peaceful and wild nature of course and for the people (other than those in Ottawa and Brampton..)

[@keithwollenberg5237]

I would think that the Canadian health care system would be attractive to most retirees. If that's not a consideration for you, then you have done very well either financially, or at looking after your health, or both. Congratulations.

[@thebigleone1066]

The waiting time to see a doctor is awful. My friend died of prostate cancer because he couldn’t get in to see a doctor fast enough. By the time his appointment came up, the cancer was too far advanced. A lot of good Canadian doctors move to the states because they can earn much more money and if you live in rural Canada it can be very difficult to find a doctor.

[@kstar_kz]

I have been living in Winnipeg for almost 2 years so far. I'd say I am a bit surprised to see it ranked third; however, overall, the city is a great start in Canada. And yes, I couldn't agree more that embracing the winter is a must to truly fall in love with the city :)

[@mrttrmmurat4708]

Sir/miss how is life in Winnipeg? is there job opportunities? Or people can't find job? How is public transportation? I will not be able to buy a car if i come there almost for 6 month or a year. City busses works well? Or not?

[@kstar_kz]

@@mrttrmmurat4708 To answer your question precisely, it's important to know what your profession is. Certain fields offer many job opportunities, while high-paying positions are always in short supply, although I believe this is the case across Canada. Regarding public transportation, I would rate it here as a 6 out of 10. It's functional without a vehicle, but definitely not as convenient as having one. Unlike Toronto or Vancouver, Winnipeg is heavily reliant on cars, with 70-75% of residents preferring to use their vehicles over public transit. Therefore, if you don't plan on purchasing a car within the first few months of your arrival, it's essential to ensure that there are bus stops near the place you intend to rent.

[@DaveGIS123]

Winnipeg is a great city to live in. It has all the amenities of a big city, ranging from the Arts to the Zoo. However it can feel isolated because it's such a long distance to the next major city (Minneapolis, Minnesota is a 7 hour drive away). There are the same job opportunities as you'd find in any other major city, and Winnipeg's diversified economy protects it from the boom-and-bust cycles experienced by other cities.

[@springs9922]

Boringgggggggggggggggggg, you can embrace winter in almost any city in canada.

[@brascan]

Great job, thanks for sharing this! After having lived in Calgary, Gatineau/Ottawa and Montreal, I totally agree that Winnipeg, my current hometown, is one of the best cities to live in Canada. A week ago, in your video "Winnipeg - A hidden gem of Canada", I left some examples that shed some light on the reasons why this city deserves the bronze medal. Check it out!

[@MakeThatChange]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@mrttrmmurat4708]

You're saying this but some people say, your life is in danger in Winnipeg, like someone or a groups attack a person suddenly without reason, how's that so? They say crime rate is higher there.

[@brascan]

@@mrttrmmurat4708 It's not only me but a group of professionals of Globe and Mail concluded that Winnipeg is one of the best livable cities in Canada. Random attacks may occur in any place on Earth. You should do a thorough research on this topic and you will find that Winnipeg is way behind many other major cities in this country. I suggest you google the article "The Canadian crisis of 'stranger attacks'" by National Post.

[@anismint]

Your channel is outstanding. I often search for information about cities and there is so much misleading information out there, based on superficial "knowledge" about the country. It's great to see info that is supported by actual sources plus delighting to see that you add your critical view, from people who have travelled to those places and know the country more deeply. Thank you!

[@MakeThatChange]

Thank you very much!

[@WeShallOvercome_]

You’re absolutely right to highlight the lack of walkable areas. It’s such an important part of the quality of life in a city. As I European, I grit my teeth at the thought of a car being the only way to get anywhere 😬

[@Real_Firebird1170]

Thank you for sharing this! This will be very helpful information!

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you liked it!

[@murraytown4]

This was a terrific read. Glad you are covering it. And happy to have been born and raised in Victoria. The reason for the discrepancy with the Economist list is Canadians cannot appreciate what they have and hating on Toronto is a national pastime. While suburban, main street Oak Bay is quite walkable and self-contained, with little need to travel to downtown Victoria and with a beautiful waterfront and lovely homes. Paradise, but with the accompanying price tag. It’s a must visit.

[@MakeThatChange]

As always, thank you for your thoughtful insights!

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Victoria is nice largely due to the positive and intelligent small city community spirit of its people, and it's location and climate. If it grows big, it may lose the first trait.

[@dougpatterson7494]

I think a lot of these city rankings are based on quality of the city “if money is no object”. For a rich person world cities like Vancouver, Canada; Sydney, Australia and Zurich, Switzerland are great. For more middle-class and especially for lower-income people these cities aren’t so good to live in.

[@AL.BUNDY.]

One category these rankings always forget is "bugs". Never seen cockroaches before until I saw them in Toronto. Gross. Winnipeg and Regina have crazy, crazy amount of mosquitos. Sure bugs is a weird category, but the "crime" category is just as weird if u are analyzing a small town/city. For example, Saskatoon has virtually no crime if u don't frequent certain areas or types of people. Maybe bugs shouldn't be a category, but it should be a footnote like the way Pickering is footnoted with having a nuclear power plant. Another footnote that should be added is weather. Ultra freezing cold temps and excessive humidity are very difficult weather factors to live with.

[@MakeThatChange]

Great notes to keep in mind!

[@Da90sbaby]

❤NS, hope to live by the ocean or a lake🤗

[@rasheshdesai4273]

​@@MakeThatChange amazing information. May I know source for your information? I am looking to do one college project.

[@MakeThatChange]

It’s in video description.

[@rasheshdesai4273]

@@MakeThatChange thanks

[@jmpht854]

You’re missing something, outside a couple of scenic spots like Lake Wascana there is nothing in Regina but cars, homelessness, and expensive groceries. Immigration must be pulling the average age down, ‘cause it feels like the city’s half-full of 90-year olds.

[@domenicdapice7218]

Just made it for my retirement, staying away from Canada is the best thing.

[@MakeThatChange]

Where to now?

[@francisedisonarroyomaury5279]

I am not sure, Canada is a beautiful country, you don't know how big is te lack of infrastructure and crime is in latinoamerica. Maybe Europe is a good option but you need spend money.

[@supermash1]

To see cities like Melbourne, Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney, etc. as "the worlds most liveble cities" is absurd. The cost of housing in those places is obscene.

[@MakeThatChange]

I think cost of living has a direct correlation with quality of life. The more desirable a place, the more expensive it gets, otherwise the lack of demand would drive prices down.

[@World-xb2vr]

I been to victoria last year woow what a gorgeous city

[@joelcollins5586]

that aint a city

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Toronto ain't no city, it is a big snotty cesspool.

[@DavidWootton-yd5ws]

Many cities could replicate it if the people in Canada cared to plant trees and lots of flowers. Victoria was settled by the British who CARED about beauty. In my 80 years, i have realized that Canadians do not care about beauty. To me, this is the number one reason to live in a place.

[@sufyanmukri9610]

Great video to decide which city one should choose😊

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤗

[@sufyanmukri9610]

@@MakeThatChange Keep making such videos 😃

[@MakeThatChange]

Will do! 🙏

[@World_of_Mahdi]

Im moving from Dubai to Canada this year. Your videos helped me in choosing the right city for me, so thanks

[@MakeThatChange]

Great to hear! Hope you have a good move!

[@Ava2969ny]

@edwardsteek6764 - which city in Canada are you going to?

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Make your money in Dubai, move to Canada, then make Canada unaffordable for the people born here who made it into a country the rest of you want to move to...........

[@World_of_Mahdi]

@@soyouthinkyouaresmart754 well, u should say this to your government who gave me the visa, maybe u know better than them

[@luminisant]

stay away

[@sacphilip]

Thank you! This was a very comprehensive overview

[@MakeThatChange]

Glad it was helpful!

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Totally skewed towards Ontario, a good thing, all the nice towns and small cities in Alberta and BC need to stay the way they are, built by people who care about them.

[@CanadianBhaiSahab]

News flash: #10 OAK BAY & #7 SAANICH are somewhat suburbs of Victoria😂😂..I love my Victoria, BC.

[@francisedisonarroyomaury5279]

Hello Ana and Anastasiia, thank you for your videos, I always watch your videos, I have a question please if you could help me, I am a Peruvian forest engineer, I have 12 years of experience, and I am planning to go to Canada to study a master to get the PR, please could tell which master should I choose and which city, I was thinking the nater of forest engineering y Lakehead in thunder bay, because I realised the the silviculture and forest industry is strong in Ontario specially in thunderbay, also forestry is good in British Columbia, but the process to get the PR is complex in both provinces, so I am planning to go to study the master in management in Providence in Manitoba, but I am not sure if I could find jobs in Manitoba, nonetheless Manitoba have a friendly process to get the PR. I expect your advice, because I am very confused.

[@francisedisonarroyomaury5279]

The master in thunder bay is forest management , and the other in Manitoba is master in management.

[@chinonsomichael9839]

Third person to comment,loved your videos thanks

[@MakeThatChange]

Yay! Thank you!

[@tayntp]

I would presume this list is for real estate investment as I noticed the wide range differences in Vancouver metro areas got their ranking. For example, West Van and North Van reached almost the top as they are both pretty expensive neighborhoods, when Downtown only got the top 20s. Interestingly, Richmond BC is just south of Vancouver City but dropped so low on the list. More on the healthcare, I once attended a hospital in Sydney, Australia as an international student(with insurance, of course) for a treatment for my rashes hands, I got a question from a hospital worker there that if I have/know my family doctor. I was so confused as it isn’t common in my home country, Thailand. And also how could I expected to get a family doctor if I was a new comer! Luckily, I received the treatment I need and sent home with some medicine within that day. I guess it was because I had insurance ready on hand.

[@wesbrown738]

Kind of a weird list, some good picks but i feel like average RE price or rent is nust gloased over

[@vbyssey100]

Surprised that Vancouver ranks many places above Toronto!

[@hbbstn]

I'm convinced that GM and EIU are detached from reality.

[@MakeThatChange]

Great demonstration of how an extremely data driven approach doesn’t really make sense for the common folk.

[@napke8571]

Nice list, but when not counting Canada's extreme natural beauty I will not exchange the Netherlands for any country in the world. Of course a personal view as almost everyone does have reviewing their own country. I will go to Canada ( bucketlist 2025 ) for a vacation visit, travel around 3 or 4 weeks and go back to my country, so the daily troubles are less to none visible when you are only a visitor. And it is true when it comes to a housing crisis, also in the Netherlands here and you know what? We do not have the space like Canada, Canada is almost 260(!) times bigger ( landmass ) than my country 🤭 So please be kind to us, we also have to defend and fight against rising waterlevels, every year. But OK back to topic, if I move to Canada it will be some smaller place in Alberta or British Columbia, close to the mountains! Based on my experience in Europe I like the little more remote places, outdoor lover here. Thanks for the video, great channel!

[@joelcollins5586]

if ur from the woke ass netherlands i would stay away from alberta

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

And the BC Interior, a little more moderate than rural Alberta, but still votes Conservative for the past 75 years.

[@efp583]

@@soyouthinkyouaresmart754 We vote NDP, in October we have elections, we ll see. Check the wiki your data is wrong.

[@MakeThatChange]

Netherlands is a fascinating country, low key the most influential country in Europe and you guys are doing a lot of things right to future-proof your nation. Enjoy your travels in Canada!

[@rishi505]

please make more video on Victoria housing .great place to live

[@MakeThatChange]

thank you - noted!

[@turtleisasturtledoes6707]

I watched half your video. But I am not interested in moving to Ontario and those were the only cities you talked about. So I stopped. It okay. I guess that is what you know the most about. But it is also the part of the country I am least interested in hearing about,

[@MakeThatChange]

It’s unfortunate you didn’t last to see the top 10.

[@DavidWootton-yd5ws]

The Globe and Mail is so Torontocentric! To me, the last livable city would be Winnipeg. None of Canada is livable except for very southern Ontario and Southwestern B C . Personally, I hate winter so if I had the choice, I would leave this country for the west coast of U S A , for example. The person commenting does not seem very familiar with Canada. In the case of Hamilton, it is a very beautiful city if you know it ( over 100 waterfalls) but however, it is the Globe and Mail which ALWAYS portrays the worst side of the city - the graffiti and the cough, horrible industry. She was not even aware that indeed, the city has lots of parks and many kilometers of bicycle trails and lots of access to parks on both Lake Ontario and Hamilton harbor. They forget that Hamilton is no longer an industrial city since only 17% of jobs are industrial. Stelco is gone and the rest left the area decades ago. This is just one example why this video is totally false information. Perhaps, she should visit each city in detail before she makes a video.

[@luv2travel2000]

Same. I hate winter. Would leave for a warmer climate in the USA in a heartbeat.

[@alexanderscharf2806]

I often read that people are leaving Canada in large numbers due to it inaffordability, high house prices and woke culture. Would you relate to that?

[@MakeThatChange]

There’s a housing crisis and rising costs of living here. Just like in every developed country, Canada’s not special in that regard. Many are leaving Canada because they downshift and move to a warmer country with low cost of living like Mexico or Thailand.

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Woke culture exists in Liberal cities only, like Vancouver and Toronto. The rest of Canada is quite conservative, especially the West.

[@luv2travel2000]

If my comment is "allowed" to stay up on U T the exodus started in 2020 due to loss of freedoms and gubberment control.

[@luv2travel2000]

Yes, agree that after the #1 reason (as stated above) #2 🚛🚚🚛🚚 what happened with the t r u. k e r s.

[@sladjanvujasin4347]

❤

[@tarektahaamer6406]

Hi please we need video on latest updates on canada tourist visa thank you

[@armondmeilleur7563]

No more visas. Immigrants are not welcome!

[@keithwollenberg5237]

The presenter seems to be having trouble with the concept that affordability is exactly one component in a matrix of factors that determine livability, even though she explained the way livability was calculated at the beginning. Cities that are desirable in other ways will have more people who want to live there, driving up prices. So affordability operates in tension with just about everything else.

[@abdallahhachimi6579]

Can you do videos concerning the TEFAQ please ? Thanks in advance

[@nozmulm]

Houses in America are made out of wood that can easily brake and European houses are made out of concrete cement

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Canada is not America for all you foreigners out there, not any more than Scandinavia is Russia, or Sweden is Germany.

[@wokemaster1929]

Alright where does Mississauga rank?

[@MakeThatChange]

#102

[@debuthunter5389]

Montreal not even in the top 100... Does it apparently not value affordability, transit/walkability, safety, demographics? Lol. This list is whack!

[@kstar_kz]

Yet they have 11. Mont-Royal, Que.

[@debuthunter5389]

@@kstar_kz - I looked up the list on that data report website and Montreal was #146. Mont-Royal is classified as a different city to Montreal (like Westmount is).

[@sylvainb2366]

No wonder, this list was compiled by The Globe and mail according to what she says in the beginning.

[@MakeThatChange]

It looks like they've taken separate municipalities of Montreal like Westmount (16) and Mon Royal ( 11) and ranked them, instead of the whole city of Montreal. Mont-Royal is a 22,000 pop neighborhood just north of the Mountain

[@TheJimprez]

Most ranking systems have huge discrepancies in what they consider "important" to good living conditions. Personally, I think that Ultra-high housing cost cities, like Toronto, Vancouver, and now Calgary/Edmonton, and Halifax, should be instantly disqualified, UNLESS the viewership that you are trying to reach, is RICH people who can afford to pay 2400$/m, for a tiny bachelor with bad paint, and weird smells. The basic formula doesn't give the COST OF HOUSING a high enough value in that calculus. I LIVE IN Quebec City, and for me, after 7 provinces and maybe twice that many cities, NOTHING compares to it in this country, except maybe Newfoundland, but the weather is kind of scary there, so... It's just SO CHEAP here compared to everything West, Nova Scotia & P.E.I. Even Montreal is still cheap compared to everything 1/2 its size in the rest of Canada... Except it's getting really dirty and filled with never-ending public works that just keep on pining on. But it's still got the best parties on the continent, with the safety of a city 1/10 its size (there IS a small part that is a bit dangerous ... ask the cops, you CAN talk to them (politely) here...). I'm pretty sure that almost every province has more affordable places that don't lose out on public services, outdoors, and livability, but it's hard to pierce through the rental and house pricing bubble that crazy people are still pushing in the 9 provinces without REAL anti-speculation, and renter protection laws, and FIND those cities. PS: The "English is not welcome here' lunacy, or the "you NEED French to live in Quebec", is false for almost every city with more than 30,000 people, and definitely false for ALL of the cities. towns, and villages in the Eastern townships. But with the influx of people flooding to every new HIT city (look at what happened to Calgary and Edmonton in the last 7 months!!!), I'm kind of happy that Quebec is still a no-go province for most Canadians AND immigrants, it keeps the housing prices down and life a little cheaper, so I'm a bit biased...

[@luv2travel2000]

Thanks for the comment. I visited Quebec City in the summer once and I just loved the history and the older historic buildings. You're right, the cold weather means I never plan to live there. Enjoy your home! ❤

[@wesbrown738]

Anyone have a paywall free list?

[@hbbstn]

Can you imagine being a newcomer and relying on these rankings to pick a location to land? At this point, they are only for entertainment and good laughs 😂

[@MakeThatChange]

It's better for newcomers to move to the city where they can find the first job in their field. And then gain their first Canadian experience and take it from there

[@mrttrmmurat4708]

​@@MakeThatChangekind lady, where do you recommend people like me? I don't have specific field for profession, because i was a border-customs officer before ( for 6 years ) and i worked as an officer in prison and detention center ( for 8 monts ? . And these job and this education for this job is useless for somewhere else out of my motherland. Because i know i can not be officer. And unfortunately i am not a plumber or welder or carpenter that i can say i am master on this job or on that job . Consider me as total 0. My English level as b1 or maybe b2 for reading and understanding, but no fluently speaking because of lack of practice. I know this question will be weird but you look and sounds smart person , that's why i am asking What is my chance and where i can increase my chance to find job ( a job pays enough to live , rent house, buy food, pay bills ) is Winnipeg include many factories and manufacturing facilities that may hire people like me ? I am 32 years male.

[@MakeThatChange]

We recommend you consult Canada.ca, immigration tab and study all options that are available to you for immigration before thinking about cities. Once you know what immigration paths are available to you, you will narrow down on professions/jobs. This will help you find a city that has most of such opportunities. Wishing you all the best!

[@evilsensei8262]

Extremely surprised to not see Montreal in the list! One of the most walkable, affordable and culturally rich cities on the eastern side. I love it there, we are planning to move from Toronto to Montreal this fall. Can't afford to buy in ON. My husband and I have been learning french and we are close to being upper intermediate level. Also Montreal is safer than Toronto.

[@MakeThatChange]

It looks like they've taken separate municipalities of Montreal like Westmount (16) and Mon Royal ( 11) and ranked them, instead of the whole city of Montreal.

[@brascan]

I lived in Montreal and although I agree with some of your points, I must say that the city is one of the worst in Canada in terms of health care, just read local news and you'll see. Rent prices are becoming higher and higher, and if you don't speak fluent French, you will fall behind in the job market generally speaking. It's not me saying, do a proper research and you'll find out. Good luck

[@mrttrmmurat4708]

​@@brascanwould you recommend me somewhere? I will be newcomer. I will come from another country. So, my education my profession history is 0 for canada. No Canadian experience no Canadian education. Where would you recommend me? I really need help

[@brascan]

@@mrttrmmurat4708 I'm afraid I'm not the right person to do any recommendations on this matter. Please look for immigration professionals that certainly may guide you in the right direction.

[@Antares-vj7su]

I can't stand anymore this myth of Montreal being culturally rich or city of arts or whatever. It's not. City of clubs and techno? yes. Anything else, no.

[@glenbarker6927]

so you only talked about bc and ont. ....

[@AL.BUNDY.]

firsttttttt

[@MakeThatChange]

🚀

[@sorrywrongplanet8873]

Yeah right Yellowknife is better than Toronto?😂😂😂 And why is Vancouver divided into sections but not Toronto or Montreal?

[@MakeThatChange]

Montreal is also divided into sections like Mount Royal and Westmount municipalities. 😀

[@joelcollins5586]

dont move to canada its shit for the enxt 30 years

[@icetow33]

The Globe & Mail list is ridiculous. Six of the top 10 places are parts of Victoria and Vancouver, where nobody can afford to live. Calgary is also much better than Regina and Winnipeg.

[@soyouthinkyouaresmart754]

Very true. Calgary's rental prices are skyrocketing now due to videos like this. Also, this video presents mostly the good side of all these places, and is very Ontario biased.

[@petperthecommenter3364]

Everywhere is overpriced, by a lot, so you are taking baloney

[@MakeThatChange]

if *everything* is overpriced... does that mean everything is actually *reasonably* priced?

[@lessonsfromfilms5101]

Seen Whitby and Pickering but no Ajax or Oshawa eh😂😂😂

[@MakeThatChange]

Oshawa #234, Ajax # 151. So both didn't make it into top 100

[@whatdoyouwantfromme1029]

" None 👈🙏✌🏼🇨🇦😑

[@johnkatsaros7340]

I think you are ignoring a huge aspect of livablity. Climate.

[@MakeThatChange]

Good one.

[@tinaz1818able]

I remembered you said you would leave Canada but you are still here today. LOL. Seems like Canada is still better than your motherland😂😂😂

[@MakeThatChange]

We've never said we plan to leave Canada. You're probably mixing us up with someone else? 😂

[@shawnniadi4193]

You are lovely ❤❤ from Moose Jaw

[@MakeThatChange]

🙏