The City of Cranbrook has, in the past, been the target of some less-than-flattering commentary by those who failed to see its charms and beauty and opportunities, while other centres in the Kootenays have been the subject of rave reviews, such as Fernie, Nelson, Kimberley and Invermere.

Perhaps times are changing.

MoneySense Magazine recently released a list of the top 190 places to live in Canada and Cranbrook was the lone municipality in the Kootenays (East and Central) to make the list. It is ranked 97^th.

“Canada’s Best Places to Live 2012 compiles, weighs and ranks 190 cities and towns in Canada by 22 separate categories, for a comprehensive data-driven snapshot of the

benefits and drawbacks of our urban communities in Canada. Here’s how we crunched the numbers,” Money Magazine explains. “While we can’t gauge many of the elements that people enjoy in their cities, the nearness of family, the friendliness of neighbours or even great sunsets, we have measured what can be measured and compared what can be compared from towns and cities across our provinces and territories.”

The categories used to establish the ranking were: walk/bike to work; affordable housing; household income; discretionary income; new cars; population growth; low crime; doctors per 1,000 people; weather; jobless rate and culture.

The top B.C. municipality was Saanich, ranked at No. 15, while Victoria was the second B.C. town, at No. 35, with Kamloops coming in at No. 44, Vancouver at 56, Salmon Arm 61, Delta 64, Courtenay and Nanaimo 73 and 74, Maple Ridge 80, North Vancouver 85, Port Coquitlam 87, Dawson Creek 89 and Coquitlam No. 96.

Cranbrook’s ranking really doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, said Mayor Wayne Stetski.

“Only comment I have is they obviously have never been here or we’d be even higher!” he told e-KNOW.

The City of Fernie, which is often rated one of the top ski towns in the world,

was probably not selected to be rated, suggested Mayor Mary Giuliano.

“I find it very interesting to read how they determined the ranking. I would have liked to know how the list of 190 cities was made and what kind of research was done to get to that number. B.C. cities didn’t even make the top 10 although Vancouver has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to live in the world.

“Had Fernie been chosen as one of the places to be ranked I believe it would have fulfilled the magazines methodology of assigning points.  For instance our crime is very low, we have a good ratio of doctors per 1,000 people, there is a hospital and a college, an Arts Centre and a world class ski hill as well as an Olympic size Aquatic Centre. There are specialty shops and big box stores, great restaurants and cafes,” Giuliano noted.

“The Quality of Life document produced last year by the city states that the majority of people feel Fernie is a safe place to live and raise a family. The rate of unemployment is very low and our population growth has increased by over five percent since the last census. We have exceptional air quality and clean water, good weather – although we get lots of snow in winter,” the mayor pointed out, adding she thinks such rankings do a disservice to many communities.

“I believe ranking cities as ‘best places to live’ by people who haven’t actually lived there to acquire first-hand experience is doing a disservice to many communities in Canada that are indeed great places to live.  Determining what is best is difficult because what may be considered to be best to one person isn’t necessarily what defines best to another.  This designation is certainly based on the needs of each individual.  For instance, for a young mother with children, Fernie offers a great deal. A safe environment, outdoor activities for parents and kids such as skiing, hockey, boxing, martial arts, soccer, softball, as well as drama and arts programs at the Arts Station and reading and writing opportunities at the Heritage Library,” she said.

“For the single person there is a night life and a myriad of sports to become involved with.  Healthy seniors can age in place here or move to the senior’s complex for care. If you are a senior with health issues or lack of finances then living in Fernie might be a little more difficult if you aren’t able to cope with all the snow removal required,” Giuliano stated.

“Overall, Fernie is a great place to raise a family, age in place and be a part of

community involvement.  I know, I have lived here for 58 years and can vouch for what I say,” she concluded.

For the full list go to:

https://list.moneysense.ca/rankings/best-places-to-live/2012/Default.aspx?sp2=1&sc1=0&d1=a

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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