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Canada’s Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto have been ranked among the top 10 cities of the Global Liveability Index 2023.
Under this index the living conditions in cities are evaluated. A city appearing in this list means that its health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure are in very good condition.
How is the life of the people of these three cities of Canada? What is it like to live in the top cities of Global Liveability Index 2023? To find out this, we have talked to the people living here.
Cities in European and Scandinavian countries often come out on top and are believed to provide the best upbringing for children, but Canada is quietly pushing itself to join the race.
This is also proved by the fact that three Canadian cities have made their place in the first ten, in which Vancouver is at fifth, Calgary at seventh and Toronto at ninth. These cities are on top in terms of health care and education.
Vancouver resident Samantha Falk says that our progressive politics and healthcare together make Canada a great place to live.
“I can’t imagine living in a country where I had to fear seeing a doctor, taking my children to the hospital, or going bankrupt because of cancer,” she says.
Canada is investing extensively in public transportation and transportation systems that make travel in major cities easier.
Falk, who has lived in Montreal, Calgary and Toronto, did not get her driver’s license until she was 24. Her friend got her license at the age of 53. This happened only because the public transport of the city was so good that they did not need a car to travel anywhere in the city.
Falk says that the three cities that have come on the list, like other cities in Canada, are very close to nature and they have also included it in the design of their cities.
vancouver
image source, Orchidpoet/Getty Images
All three cities are special in their own ways. First of all, let’s talk about the city of Vancouver situated on the west coast of the country.
Vancouver has been declared the most livable city in Canada. The reason for this is the better score of this city in the sub-index related to culture and environment. In this matter, among the top ten cities of the world, only Auckland has a better score than Vancouver.
The residents here also express the same sentiment. They have an emotional connection with the natural beauty of their city.
“Vancouver has a unique combination of ocean and hills, and that’s what makes it so attractive,” says Falk.
Falk runs a communication firm in this city. He says, “I have been living in this city for twenty years and even now I find it as lovely as it was at first sight.”
Samantha says that the city’s Stanley Park, spread over 405 hectares, is in the center of the city and has centuries-old trees. There is also a 700-800 year old hollow cedar tree, which is called The Hollow Tree.
There is also a 2.9 kilometer long Grouse Grind Trail to hike and several great restaurants for those who prefer a quieter atmosphere.
Vancouver resident Jane Stoller says, “Apart from fancy restaurants and food trucks, there are also farmers markets here. There is no dearth of taste here.”
She specifically mentions Vancouver sushi restaurants and claims that they have the best and cheapest sushi dishes outside of Japan.
Stoller says the people of Vancouver are open-minded, diverse and like to unite around art, technology or green campaigns.
calgary
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These cities are located near the Rocky Mountains in the western province of Alberta. The citizens here say that this city gives the feel of a small town with all the facilities of modern cities. The cost of living here is also lower compared to other cities in Canada.
Travel blogger Lora Pope says, “Although Calgary is one of the largest cities in Canada, it has managed to maintain its unique beauty. “The neighbors are friendly, there is a sense of community, and there are farmers markets that cater to neighborhood customers.”
She says, “Despite this, there is no dearth of trendy eating places, cultural festivals and nightlife here.”
This city is also ahead in diversity and in this matter is at third place in Canada. People of 240 races live here and 165 languages are spoken.
It has a thriving oil and gas business and a large white-collar business community, yet the cost of living here is not very high.
“Calgarians have money and they like to spend it,” says Jessie P. Cayabo, who works in communications.
The annual Calgary Stampede festival is held here from the first Friday in July, lasting ten days, in which people dress in Western attire and have a wild party. People from all over the world come to this festival.
“People come out, restaurants are busy and patios are full,” says resident Shannon Hughes.
She recommends booking a spot at Major Tom’s Restaurant to get the best view of the city’s mountains.
Like most parts of Canada, proximity to nature makes life better in this city too.
Calgary has the largest and most extensive bike path network in North America. There are more than 1,000 kilometers of paved paths for walking and cycling.
Pope says, “Cycling on these paths, I have discovered many hidden places of the city. “There are spectacular views here and my desire to get out every day is also fulfilled.”
In winter, when the area is covered with snow, people enjoy activities like skiing, skating, tubing and snowshoeing.
The city hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988 and the facilities built then are still in place.
The winters here are long and harsh, if you are thinking of coming here from a hot area then do not forget to buy good clothes and gear for winter.
toronto
image source, Rubens Alarcon / Alamy
It is the largest city in Canada and gives the feel of a modern city. There are also more than 1500 parks which keep people engaged with outdoor activities.
The infrastructure here has been developed keeping in mind the human aspects so that life here is easier than in comparable big cities.
People here most appreciate the ‘Path Network’, an underground walking path that makes Canadian winters livable.
Blogger Hoang An Le, who lives here, says, “From my office to the airport, from going out to dinner to shopping, even going to the doctor, this path network can be used without wearing a winter coat.” Could.”
Kyra Marksell, who lives here, says, “Bicycles can be rented anywhere in the city, this is a green mode of transportation that I have recently enjoyed a lot.”
This city is also known for its diversity. 51 percent of people living in Toronto were born outside Canada. “This is the only major city in the West where minorities (non-white people) are actually a majority,” says Marcus Rader, founder of the software company HostAway.
He says, “There are a lot of opportunities here to experience diverse cultures and languages. Canada embraces multiculturalism and does not force people to assimilate.”
This cultural diversity enriches the community through various festivals, cuisines and respect for sharing new ideas and ways of living.
“It’s interesting to learn about people’s cultural habits in relation to their work and personal lives,” says Jonathan Azzurri, CEO of the Catch Corner app.
“You get to experience international work life without leaving the city,” he says.
This city is also known for its entrepreneurship. Up here, there are offices of big companies like Google and Facebook. Besides, many new start ups are also coming up here. After New York and Silicon Valley, it is also the largest technology hub in North America.
The cultural diversity and technological richness of this city provides good opportunities to people coming from diverse backgrounds.