There are several local communities that are ranked among the best Cities to live in Canada.
Owen Sound is the highest among communities in Grey, Bruce and Simcoe Counties at number 50.
That is according to the new rankings of 200 Cities from Money Sense Magazine.
Money Sense releases the rankings every year and ranks Owen Sound at number 50 for 2013 — right after Whitby and right before Quebec City.
It is a big improvement for the Scenic City, which was ranked 133rd by Money Sense in 2012.
Owen Sound is also ranked 25th among the best Small Cities to live in Canada — with a jobless rate of 6 per cent and an average household income of 68 thousand dollars.
The rankings are based on several factors — including weather, crime, housing, health care, culture and wealth.
Collingwood is the next highest ranked local community on the overall list at number 54, moving up from 90th in 2012.
Orillia is ranked 66th, up from a 79th ranking in 2012.
Barrie is ranked 73rd, an improvement from 120th in 2012.
Midland moved up 17 spots to 161 in 2013.
Money Sense lists Calgary, Alberta as the best City in to live in Canada.
Other notable communities include Burlington at number 3, Oakville is 5th, Ottawa is 6th, Stratford is at number 14 and Toronto is 28th.
For the full list, check the rankings at http://www.moneysense.ca/best-places-2013/
Orillia’s Manager of Economic Development Dan Landry is very pleased with Orillia’s ranking.
Landry says the fact the city moved up in the ranks from 79 to to 66th says a lot about what City council has done to make Orillia a good place to live and do business.
Landry says the cities unemployment rate, the price of a house and access to medical care all favoured Orillia.
He says the ranking puts Orillia in a very favourable light when compared to our larger neighbour to the south, Barrie.
Landry says the fact Orillia is in the top 100 speaks volumes to potential investors and new residents.
He says the aim now would be to move Orillia up into the top 50 best places to live in Canada.
