Vancouver Canada places # 3 in most desireable place to live in the world survey

[RbSX]

Not only do Vancouverites live in the world's third-best urban centre, but they also enjoy the highest overall quality of life in Canada.

A view of the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre from the Port of Vancouver.
(Chuck Stoody/Canadian Press)
So says an annual international survey published Monday that ranked 215 cities around the globe, based on 39 criteria measuring such quality-of-life determinants as personal safety and social, economic and environmental conditions.


RANK CITY SCORE
1 Zurich, Switzerland 108.1
2 Geneva, Switzerland 108
3 Vancouver, Canada/ Vienna, Austria 107.7
5 Auckland, New Zealand/Dusseldorf, Germany 107.3
7 Frankfurt, Germany 107.1
8 Munich, Germany 106.9
9 Bern, Switzerland/ Sydney, Australia 106.5
Vancouver ? which tied with Vienna, Austria, at 107.7 points ? fell just short of top-ranked Swiss cities Zurich (108.1 points) and runner-up Geneva (108 points).

But Vancouver was not the lone Canadian city to crack the top 25.

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Mercer Human Resource Consulting, which conducted the survey, also included Toronto at 15th, Ottawa at 18th, Montreal at 22nd and Calgary at 24th. Every Canadian city scored better than all the U.S. cities surveyed.

Still, Vancouver led Canadian cities in the global ranking even after foul weather last year that saw storms knock out electricity for days and even set off a boil-water advisory.

Crime was weak spot
So where did Vancouver falter? Mercer research spokeswoman Danielle Bushen noted that Vancouver scored well all over the board except in its weak spot ? crime.

"Crime rates in North America tend to be slightly higher than in Europe in general and this holds true when you compare locations like Zurich and Geneva to Vancouver," Bushen said.

Bushen said the frigid Canadian winters do count against places like Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, but for the most part they are stable and safe places to live.

"All of those things that could cause real differences in quality of life, and really create significant limitations on a person's quality of life, just aren't an issue. So we rate very highly," she said.

In terms of health and sanitation, Calgary scored top points as the cleanest city in the world, followed by Ottawa in fourth place, Montreal and Vancouver tied for 10th and Toronto at 21st.

The survey scores were determined by how they stacked up against one "base city," in this case New York, which was assigned a base score of 100.

By comparison, the scores for the Canadian cities were:

Toronto at 15th place, 105.4 points.
Ottawa at 18th place, 104.8 points.
Montreal at 22nd place, 104.3 points.
Calgary at 24th place, 103.6 points.

The wartorn Iraqi capital of Baghdad was considered the least desirable city to live in, with a score of 14.5.

That quip about baghdad is pretty funny.

I dunno, I personally don't find many cities in the US that bad but I'll never have to confront some of the stuff that they factor into the surveys.

 

[buck]

It is a great city, was just there a couple of weeks ago.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: buck
It is a great city, was just there a couple of weeks ago.

If we could only drop an incindiery device into the east side and get rid of the pan handlers it would be awesome.

 

[Molondo]

toronto was 15th? thats rigged.

 

[moshquerade]

but it's ccccold there.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Molondo
toronto was 15th? thats rigged.

Agreed.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
but it's ccccold there.

<cue stereotypes>

Not nearly as cold as people like to think it is.

Rarely gets below freezing in the winter, and hits high 30s low 40s in the summer.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: moshquerade
but it's ccccold there.

<cue stereotypes>

Not nearly as cold as people like to think it is.

Rarely gets below freezing in the winter, and hits high 30s low 40s in the summer.

oh i know it's not Siberia cold, but it's not what you'd call a warm climate there either.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: buck
It is a great city, was just there a couple of weeks ago.

If we could only drop an incindiery device into the east side and get rid of the pan handlers it would be awesome.

Hmm, I could see getting rid of most of E Hastings. Except for the New Amsterdam cafe.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: moshquerade
but it's ccccold there.

<cue stereotypes>

Not nearly as cold as people like to think it is.

Rarely gets below freezing in the winter, and hits high 30s low 40s in the summer.

oh i know it's not Siberia cold, but it's not what you'd call a warm climate there either.

It hits 104f in the summer...

 

[txrandom]

Isn't Canada America's backyard? That makes it part of the United States.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: moshquerade
but it's ccccold there.

<cue stereotypes>

Not nearly as cold as people like to think it is.

Rarely gets below freezing in the winter, and hits high 30s low 40s in the summer.

oh i know it's not Siberia cold, but it's not what you'd call a warm climate there either.

It hits 104f in the summer...

wow, it's like Florida then.

 

[AMDZen]

Your forgot to post the link to the actual, and very biased, study:

http://www.mercerhr.com/knowledgecenter...ummary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1128060

Conducted by Mercer, owned and operated out of Geneva, Switzerland. Gee....I wonder how Zurich and Geneva became #1 and #2 in the entire world. Considering the guy that wrote the conducted and wrote the whole damn thing lives in Geneva I'd say it pretty obvious whats going on.

But then again you wouldn't notice that since your equally biased and had to show that "OHHHH OHHHH LOOOKKKK MY HOME TOWN IS #3 IN THE WORLD PEOPLE AND YOU, AND THE CITY YOU LIVE IN SUCK!!!!!!111111111!!!!!!!!!"

Lets get a "City with the highest cost of living" study posted, maybe with the highest taxes the world over and see where your beloved Vancouver ranks.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

And, WOW, "Mercer Human Resource Consulting" is based in Canada. Go figure. Hmm.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
Your forgot to post the link to the actual, and very biased, study:

http://www.mercerhr.com/knowledgecenter...ummary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1128060

Conducted by Mercer, owned and operated out of Geneva, Switzerland. Gee....I wonder how Zurich and Geneva became #1 and #2 in the entire world. Considering the guy that wrote the conducted and wrote the whole damn thing lives in Geneva I'd say it pretty obvious whats going on.

But then again you wouldn't notice that since your equally biased and had to show that "OHHHH OHHHH LOOOKKKK MY HOME TOWN IS #3 IN THE WORLD PEOPLE AND YOU, AND THE CITY YOU LIVE IN SUCK!!!!!!111111111!!!!!!!!!"

Lets get a "City with the highest cost of living" study posted, maybe with the highest taxes the world over and see where your beloved Vancouver ranks.

In the study done by the UN it was #2.. so I mean say what you may, our quality of living is certainly higher than most of the states.

I'd gladly have my taxes 5% higher for that.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: txrandom
Isn't Canada America's backyard? That makes it part of the United States.

oh look, it's a texan.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
And, WOW, "Mercer Human Resource Consulting" is based in Canada. Go figure. Hmm.

Read the post above you, based out of Geneva, Switzerland.

Reading > you.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
And, WOW, "Mercer Human Resource Consulting" is based in Canada. Go figure. Hmm.

Read the post above you, based out of Geneva, Switzerland.

Reading > you.

The first link I hit was Wikipedia and they say Canada.

Also check these guys site.

"Former Vice President Al Gore presents at Mercer Investment Consulting Conference"

The Honourable Al Gore, Chairman of Generation Investment Management, and former vice president of the United States of America, was the keynote speaker and he explored the investment rationale for the integration of environmental, social and corporate governance issues into the investment decision making process of global pension funds. In particular Mr. Gore stressed that climate change is one of the most financially significant issues facing investors today, and that it is widely recognised that addressing the financial risks posed by climate change is consistent with a pension trustee?s fiduciary obligations.

?Pension funds and other institutional investors rely on continued economic growth to protect or enhance their assets. In practice, institutional investors own a slice of the global economy and so need the global economy to thrive. If global climate change is a threat to long term global growth, it is in their interests, and consistent with prudent investment practice, to identify, measure and mitigate that risk? said Mr Gore.

In addition Mr. Gore challenged the shorter term metrics that now pervade what is essentially a longer term pension?s consideration i.e. protecting and growing a pool of assets for the future benefit of employees.

Tom Geraghty, Head of Mercer Investment Consulting in Ireland and co-chair of the conference noted that: ?Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues are gaining momentum in terms of investor interest, and that investors are paying attention to which companies are good citizens not only by their words but also by their deeds?.

Also at the conference was Andrew Kirton, the European Head of Mercer Investment Consulting and co-chair of the conference. He added: ?While these ESG factors are increasingly perceived as having an impact on corporate finance performance, they are scarcely ever incorporated into investment decision making. This leaves room for corporate scandal, environmental degradation and human rights abuses all of which can effect both companies bottom line and share price.?

Sound very "independent" to me. :thumbsup:

Anything to try to make yourself feel better about freezing your ass off six months out of the year anywhere that isn't 20 miles form the American border and having your a government that taxes you like you like it.

 

[meltdown75]

Canada > US

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: AMDZen
Your forgot to post the link to the actual, and very biased, study:

http://www.mercerhr.com/knowledgecenter...ummary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1128060

Conducted by Mercer, owned and operated out of Geneva, Switzerland. Gee....I wonder how Zurich and Geneva became #1 and #2 in the entire world. Considering the guy that wrote the conducted and wrote the whole damn thing lives in Geneva I'd say it pretty obvious whats going on.

But then again you wouldn't notice that since your equally biased and had to show that "OHHHH OHHHH LOOOKKKK MY HOME TOWN IS #3 IN THE WORLD PEOPLE AND YOU, AND THE CITY YOU LIVE IN SUCK!!!!!!111111111!!!!!!!!!"

Lets get a "City with the highest cost of living" study posted, maybe with the highest taxes the world over and see where your beloved Vancouver ranks.

In the study done by the UN it was #2.. so I mean say what you may, our quality of living is certainly higher than most of the states.

I'd gladly have my taxes 5% higher for that.

Maybe its only 5-10% higher sales tax, it varies throughout canada and I think BC has one of the lower percentages but income tax, property tax and all taxes as a whole are much much higher in all of Canada. Not to mention you don't even own that so called property that you pay taxes for. Socialism FTL

And the UN is even less credible

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Canada > US

Didn't use to be like this..... It is now.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
And, WOW, "Mercer Human Resource Consulting" is based in Canada. Go figure. Hmm.

Read the post above you, based out of Geneva, Switzerland.

Reading > you.

The first link I hit was Wikipedia and they say Canada.

Also check these guys site.

"Former Vice President Al Gore presents at Mercer Investment Consulting Conference"

The Honourable Al Gore, Chairman of Generation Investment Management, and former vice president of the United States of America, was the keynote speaker and he explored the investment rationale for the integration of environmental, social and corporate governance issues into the investment decision making process of global pension funds. In particular Mr. Gore stressed that climate change is one of the most financially significant issues facing investors today, and that it is widely recognised that addressing the financial risks posed by climate change is consistent with a pension trustee?s fiduciary obligations.

?Pension funds and other institutional investors rely on continued economic growth to protect or enhance their assets. In practice, institutional investors own a slice of the global economy and so need the global economy to thrive. If global climate change is a threat to long term global growth, it is in their interests, and consistent with prudent investment practice, to identify, measure and mitigate that risk? said Mr Gore.

In addition Mr. Gore challenged the shorter term metrics that now pervade what is essentially a longer term pension?s consideration i.e. protecting and growing a pool of assets for the future benefit of employees.

Tom Geraghty, Head of Mercer Investment Consulting in Ireland and co-chair of the conference noted that: ?Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues are gaining momentum in terms of investor interest, and that investors are paying attention to which companies are good citizens not only by their words but also by their deeds?.

Also at the conference was Andrew Kirton, the European Head of Mercer Investment Consulting and co-chair of the conference. He added: ?While these ESG factors are increasingly perceived as having an impact on corporate finance performance, they are scarcely ever incorporated into investment decision making. This leaves room for corporate scandal, environmental degradation and human rights abuses all of which can effect both companies bottom line and share price.?

Sound very "independent" to me. :thumbsup:

Anything to try to make yourself feel better about freezing your ass off six months out of the year anywhere that isn't 20 miles form the American border and having your a government that taxes you like you like it.

Actually I did further research and your right. Mercer is operated out of Canada, but this study was conducted out of their Swiss offices.

Either way, it was obvious to me that its a biased study. I saw it on DailyTech posted by some Euro Elitist from Denmark - obviously Ryan here did too and thought he'd show some Canadian Elitism also.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Canada > US

Didn't use to be like this..... It is now.

In some ways I agree. In others, America is still very much > Canada.

Vancouver is an awesome place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there

 

[yuchai]

Originally posted by: AMDZen

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Canada > US

Didn't use to be like this..... It is now.

In some ways I agree. In others, America is still very much > Canada.

Vancouver is an awesome place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there

Just curious...which city's on the top of your list?

 

[Dacalo]

I am not surprised at all. I drove up there with my buddies and that place is beautiful. The city felt safe even at night when we walked around.

I live in CA btw, the Golden State, where the weather is great. I always wanted to move up there someday.