This site has interesting rankings and commentary on the cost of
living and quality of life in various cities; I am quoting only
the Canadian stuff because that's what I'm most interested in and
it's kind of a pain to cut and paste their tables. (and I don't
want to be smacked down for copyright violations)
http://www.finfacts.ie/costofliving.htm
> Though still relatively inexpensive, Canadian cities continue to
> move up in the rankings due to the strength of the Canadian
> dollar. Toronto is in 89th place (71.8) and has become more
> expensive than a number of US cities. Ottawa is the least
> expensive Canadian city and takes 124th position (62.6).
http://www.finfacts.ie/costoflivingcanada.htm
> Mercer Cost of Living Survey 2004
> Canada city index (New York as base of 100)
>
> +------------------------------------------------------------+
> | Global | Global | | Index | Index |
> | Rank 2004 | Rank 2003 | City | 2004 | 2003 |
> |-----------+-----------+--------------+----------+----------|
> | 89 | (104) | Toronto | 71.8 | (64.9) |
> |-----------+-----------+--------------+----------+----------|
> | 96 | (110) | Vancouver | 69.6 | (63.2) |
> |-----------+-----------+--------------+----------+----------|
> | 113 | (120) | Montreal | 66.4 | (59.5) |
> |-----------+-----------+--------------+----------+----------|
> | 114 | (116) | Calgary | 66 | (62.1) |
> |-----------+-----------+--------------+----------+----------|
> | 124 | (127) | Ottawa | 62.6 | (57.2) |
> +------------------------------------------------------------+
http://www.finfacts.ie/qualityoflife.htm
> Health and sanitation rankings
>
> Calgary ranks as the world's top city for health and sanitation,
> according to the survey. The Canadian city scores 121 and rates
> just above Honolulu, which takes second place with a score of
> 120. Helsinki and Ottawa follow closely in the rankings with
> scores of 119.5 and 118.5, respectively.
>
> Scores are based on the quality and availability of hospital and
> medical supplies and levels of air pollution and infectious
> disease. The efficiency of waste removal and sewage systems,
> water potability and harmful animals and insects are also taken
> into account.
I heard that last month the air cleared up a bit in Ottawa,
at Calgary's expense ;)
> North America: Four of the world's top ranked cities for
> health and sanitation are in North America.
>
> All of the Canadian cities covered by the survey appear in the
> top 20 rankings, with Calgary in top place with a score of 121.
> Ottawa is in fourth position with a score of 118.5, followed by
> Montr�al and Vancouver, both in ninth place with a score of 116.
> Toronto is in 18th position with a score of 115.
>
> In the US, Honolulu ranks highest (position 2), with a score of
> 120. Other top-scoring cities include Minneapolis (position 5,
> score 117) and Boston, Lexington, Pittsburgh, and Portland (all
> at position 9, score 116). The lowest scoring city in North
> America is Atlanta, ranked 76 with a score of 95.
--
Gerald Oskoboiny <
[email protected]>
http://impressive.net/people/gerald/