When considering the best places to retire, Canadians typically seek communities that are lively, safe and provide easy access to health care. For this ranking, we prioritized factors related to strong communities and health care services. On average, retirees want a secure, peaceful environment with good health care facilities, a pleasant climate and a variety of leisure activities. In addition to the criteria used for the main ranking, we’ve included data on the share of the population aged 65 and over, highlighting communities where retirees can discover enriching social opportunities.
This is one of six rankings designed to help individuals find the best city for their needs at different stages of life. When considering a move to a new city, it’s understandable that you have many factors on your mind. This decision is deeply personal, but looking at a city’s livability ranking may provide some reassurance and guidance as you navigate this important choice.
We have gathered data from 454 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000. Our evaluation analyzed 58 variables across 10 categories that we identified as crucial for anyone contemplating a relocation. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate.
Our methodology
When considering a move to a new city, it’s understandable that you have many factors on your mind. This decision is deeply personal, but looking at a city’s livability ranking may provide some reassurance and guidance as you navigate this important choice.
The third edition of The Globe and Mail’s Most Livable Cities ranking includes 454 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000.
This year, we added a population filter to our rankings. In addition to customizing our rankings by category, you can now filter cities based on size: small (10,000-29,999), mid-sized (30,000-99,999), large (100,000-499,999) and major (500,000+). This feature was developed in response to user feedback to ensure that our livability assessments are fair and precise, enabling better comparisons between cities of different sizes.