One of North America’s leading urban thinkers has named Calgary as one of the top places to live in Canada.
Richard Florida, renowned author of The Rise of the Creative Class, has listed Calgary among the top cities in a study of 145 metropolitan areas in Canada, lauding it for its economic strength, quality of life and job potential.
The rankings, which cover five separate demographic groups, name Calgary as tops among recent university grads, second for mid-career professionals and No. 3 for families, empty nesters and retirees.
“Calgary has, in effect, really grown up,” said Florida, who crunched the numbers for the first Canadian edition of his Who’s Your City? series.
“There’s been a misconception of Calgary as a boom town, but the young people who have flocked to the city like it a lot and they have reason to stay.”
Only Ottawa-Gatineau ranked higher than Calgary across the five categories, earning the top spot for families, retirees and mid-career professionals.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier said the recognition following close on the heels of a Toronto Board of Trade report naming Calgary Canada’s top city are reasons for Calgarians to be proud.
“We consistently have received high marks by external, independent adjudicators and this demonstrates that Calgary is a very good place to grow a business or raise a family,” he said.
“But there are still many challenges in the years ahead and we’re not going to be resting on our laurels.”
Chima Nkemdirim of the Better Calgary Coalition said the rankings clearly single out Calgary as a vibrant centre that is fast becoming a destination for not only the career-focused but for families and those looking to settle down.
“To be in the top three for each of these career points shows this is a city that works for everybody,” he said.
“There are things that can be done better such as dealing with urban sprawl and improving Calgary Transit but this shows Calgary is a balanced city.”
