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| Subject: 3rd most livable city in the world |
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Vancouver third in livability rankings
Two Swiss cities take top spots in annual assessment
Eric Beauchesne
CanWest News Service
Saturday, March 12, 2005
OTTAWA -- Vancouver is the third-best city in the world in which to live, behind only Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland, according to an annual quality-of-life survey of more than 200 cities.
Yet all of the Canadian cities surveyed are highly ranked, with Toronto in 14th spot, Ottawa 20th, Montreal 22nd and Calgary 25th, Mercer Human Resource Consulting said in releasing its latest annual survey results.
Vancouver´s third-place ranking was unchanged from last year. Toronto edged up one spot in the rankings, Montreal rose two spots, Calgary was down one, and Ottawa was unchanged.
"Climate," is what gives Vancouver the edge over the other Canadian cities, Mercer spokeswoman Danielle Bushen said in an interview from Toronto, adding that otherwise there´s very little difference among the Canadian cities in the quality of life.
In the U.S., the highest-rated cities are Honolulu and San Francisco, tied in 25th spot with Calgary, while Houston, in 68th spot ranks lowest.
The annual ranking of 215 cities is based on 39 quality-of-life criteria, including political and social environment, medical and health considerations, education, public services and transportation, housing and natural environment, and safety and security.
The five Canadian cities covered in the survey shared 18th position for personal safety and security and were the only North American cities in the top 20 in this category. Safety and security are a key reason that Canadian cities rank higher than U.S. cities in the overall quality of life, Bushen said.
The report highlighted the safety and security criteria of cities in this year´s report because it´s an issue that´s on people´s minds around the world, she said.
Globally, Canadian cities are ranked high for a variety of other reasons, including a relatively good environment, transportation, sports and leisure activities, personal freedom and freedom of the press, she said.
Luxembourg was the top city in terms of safety, which includes relationships with other countries, internal stability and crime, including terrorism, law enforcement, censorship and limitations on personal freedom.
"The top-ranking cities for personal safety and security are in politically stable countries with good international relations and sustainable economic growth," it said. "Most of the low-scoring cities are in countries with civil unrest, little law enforcement and high levels of crime.
"The world´s least secure city is Baghdad ... due to ongoing civil unrest and threats of attack in the city," the report said.
"Other low-ranking cities include Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, Bangui in Central African Republic and Port Harcourt and Lagos in Nigeria," it said, noting that those countries also continue to experience political turmoil and low economic growth.
The survey results are used by governments, major companies and organizations to place employees on international assignments, it said.
[12-03-2005,20:16]
[***.81.114.40]
sharon |
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(in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
Personally speaking, I think the whole Pacific Northwest coast is perfect for living.
[12-03-2005,20:30]
[**.66.78.235]
Yijie |
Sharon:: (in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
Was Vancouver ranked on first place two years ago ???
[13-03-2005,00:20]
[**.80.129.64]
famela |
Full story (in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
http://www.mercerhr.com/pressrelease/details.jhtml?idContent=1173105
[13-03-2005,07:14]
[***.66.199.110]
RON |
(in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
yes. we laugh a little bit because the organization that does the ranking (214 cities) is Swiss. #1 is Zurich and #2 is Geneva. Many Canadian cities rank highly, but Vancouver always wins because of our climate and scenery.
just for you Yijie... they interviewed a woman last night who thinks the ranking is all wrong. She picks Tofino.
[13-03-2005,14:43]
[***.81.114.40]
sharon |
(in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
I say... whatever place gets you a decent living.... where you enjoy... where you think that you can cherrish your dream...
That city is the best for you...
weather it be Vancouver, or be Toronto or may be White Horse... its all goood....
I have spoken to few ppl in Ottawa... and they stry to convince me to ove to Ottawa because ts better... I find Toronto much better...
[13-03-2005,15:26]
[**.146.150.99]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
Do you also have a similar on cost of living and other figures such as employment; taxes; rent rates; property etc.
[13-03-2005,17:32]
[**.249.224.71]
***** |
(in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
I can tell you a little bid about my city.
Nanaimo got 79,900 population, unemployment rate is around 9.8% 2002.
Rent rate? One bedroom apartment is around 470---550.
Average single-family house is around 250,000. Property tax for a 250,000 property is somewhere around 2000/annual.
Vacancy rate is about 1%.
As you guys know, my city is a retire town, industry depends on tourism service in summer. Like us, summer can be the best time for employment, winter most of people working in tourism industry either EI or go back to college.
Consider retire in Nanaimo or moving to Vancouver Island?
Looking for more information?
Please visit Tourism Vancouver Island Visit centre located in Bowen Road Nanaimo.
I will be more than happy to assist you in my office. I feel so happy this year liberal Government throws several million bucks in tourism industry.
Thank you for interest in moving to Vancouver Island.
[13-03-2005,19:48]
[**.66.78.235]
Yijie |
Australia and Canada are great places to live (in reply to: 3rd most livable city in the world)
Just browsing your site, I wondered why your recognition of the rated ´Worlds Most Livable Cities´ ommitted acknowledging that Melbourne, Australia has rated the most livable city for two years running. We are not at the end of the earth, just a fair way south of you!
Cheers, Suz
http://theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/06/1075854028808.html
1= Melbourne, Australia
1= Vancouver
1= Vienna
4 Perth, Australia
5 Geneva
6= Adelaide, Australia
6= Brisbane, Australia
6= Copenhagen
6= Montreal
6= Oslo
6= Sydney, Australia
6= Zurich
13= Helsinki
13= Stockholm
13= Toronto
[27-03-2005,21:47]
[***.28.99.205]
suzanne |
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