Vancouver and Toronto ranked best spots to live in North America

This year’s Mercer’s Quality of Living Rankings is out and it ranks Vancouver and Toronto the best spots to live in North America.

The list is an annual report that compares 230 cities worldwide. Globally, Vancouver is the fifth best place to live, it says. Toronto is 15th. Vienna topped the list with Zurich and Auckland following. But in North America, the top three best cities are Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa, respectively.

When looking at cities across the globe, it considers ten criteria including housing, natural surroundings, and political and social environment.

European cities dominated the list with Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva and Copenhagen also making the top ten. As runners, we’re wondering which is the best city to run?

As for our Canadian cities represented in the report, there’s no shortage of running opportunity there. BMO’s Vancouver Marathon takes thousands around the picturesque city. Those who live there get loads of running opportunity. Vancouver has plenty to offer in the way of both trail and urban running.

As for Toronto, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon just achieved IAAF Gold Label status this year. And don’t forget, the city is getting pumped up for hosting this year’s Pan Am Games. 

Which city/ town is your favourite to run in? Canadian Running wants to hear from you.