Middle age can bring its own lifestyle changes for Canadians, from divorce to becoming empty nesters. These individuals might want to downsize their homes and relocate to communities that offer stronger social cohesion and enhanced amenities for social activity. For this ranking, we’ve included data regarding the percentage of families without children, which would help people facing a transition find communities with individuals going through a similar life stage. We also prioritized factors related to the economy and health care to reflect the enduring pursuit of career growth and a likely concern about for a need for health care in the future.
This is one of six rankings designed to help people find the best city for them based on their stage of life. When people are considering relocating to a new city, there are many factors worth considering. It’s a highly personal decision, but a ranking with the livability of a city at the centre can help provide some guidance.
We’ve collected data from 448 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000. Our evaluation involved an analysis of 50 variables, which span 10 categories that we’ve identified as particularly crucial when an individual contemplates relocating to a new area. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate.
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Our methodology
When people are considering relocating to a new city, there are many factors worth considering. It’s a highly personal decision, but a ranking with the livability of a city at the centre can help provide some guidance.
This year, The Globe and Mail’s second annual Most Livable Cities ranking included 448 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000. The ranking was enhanced by a survey sent to readers, asking for insights on what matters most to them when choosing a place to live and how improvements can be made to our rankings.
Our evaluation involved an analysis of 50 variables, which spanned 10 categories that we’ve identified as particularly crucial when an individual contemplates relocating to a new area. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate. This included new variables, such as the density of museums and galleries – a popular request in the survey responses – and projected climate metrics, adding more forward-looking elements to the ranking.