Vancouver had the highest ranking in North America in the Mercer study, placed at number 10, a vibrant port city with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other.

Vancouver had the highest ranking in North America in the Mercer study, placed at number 10, a vibrant port city with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other.
Photo Credit: Canadian Press/Chuck Stoody

Canada: a pretty darn good place to live

All things considered, Canada is certainly one of the best overall countries to live in.  Pick your survey but Canadians know it’s a great place.

In its annual Quality of Life survey of cities, Mercer placed Vancouver at number 5 after Vienna in number one, then Zurich, Auckland, and Munich in 2nd 3rd and 4th.

Mercer analyzes cities to help multinational corporations and their executives and other staff being placed on international assignments. Employee incentives include a quality-of-living allowance and a mobility premium*. Mercer’s Quality of Living Reports provide valuable information and hardship premium recommendations for over 440 cities throughout the world; the ranking covers 230 of these cities.

2012 - Toronto, Canada's largest city, on the shore of Lake Ontario consistently ranks among the best cities in the world.
2012 – Toronto, Canada’s largest city, on the shore of Lake Ontario consistently ranks among the best cities in the world. © Ruby Buiza- CBC

“Taking a short- or long-term work assignment in a new country is both an exciting and challenging experience for employees and their families,” said Slagin Parakatil, Principal at Mercer. “Cultures, societies, and comparatively different climates, as well as political instability, high crime rates, and poor infrastructure can be difficult to navigate and settle down in for employees and their families. Employers need to assess whether their staff and families will encounter any drop in quality of living when relocating and ensure they are fairly compensated for it.”

In Mercer’s rankings  Toronto and Ottawa rank 15 and 16 respectively, with Calgary and Montreal in top 35.  The highest ranking US city is San Francisco at #27 below Singapore which is placed at #26.

Ottawa, along the Ottawa River the national capitla was ranked 16th best city in the world by Mercer in this year's Qaulity of Life survey of world cities.
Ottawa, along the Ottawa River the national capitla was ranked 16th best city in the world by Mercer in this year’s Qaulity of Life survey of world cities. The Canadian Parliament buildings are on the left © Emily Chung, CBC

However, another city survey released earlier this year, done by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit placed Toronto and Montreal as the best places to live in the world. This was determined through the Economists ranking of factors like the cost of living, food security, business environment, personal safety, and other factors.  In 2014 the Economist ranked Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary as third fourth and fifth best cities in the world.

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