Anticipation

While doing a little Wikipedia browsing I just came across MoneySense magazine’s Top Places to Live in Canada. Although many won’t be surprised, I was, to find Halifax rated #4. Of course there are many places I’ve never heard of, but #9 Red Deer I know — my Aeroflot flight to Moscow and its route map showed me flying directly above Red Deer on my way east.

But where is Vancouver? Who would guess #56? I have only scrolled far enough to find Victoria, BC — coming in as #35, Calgary #14, Moncton, New Brunswick, which I’ll visit on this trip comes in at 18, Quebec City at 23, Toronto #47.

How did these magazine-based city evaluators rate and rank? Housing was a big factor, weather even bigger.

The article is quick to point out it can’t measure friendliness, which is why I’m traveling to Halifax in the first place. I’ve made friends with several of the angel investors in eastern Canada, especially at the First Angel Network. They hosted a national conference on angel investing 4 years ago and again this October.

In a future post I’ll describe my plans for my 60th birthday bike ride in and around Victoria, BC set for this August. It rated #1 in Walk/Bike to Work, #3 in Culture, too. My fellow bikeNewportBeach advocate, Matt O’Toole loves to tell tales of biking around Vancouver Island.

What’s the best city in Canada? Ottawa came in at this arguably lofty perch. Coincidentally, I visited just last November when it was a little too cool for a California bicyclist; many new friends suggested I return in warmer weather for a closer look and I think I will. But it was in Ottawa, right after my lunch at Parliament when my Halifax friends named me an honorary member of the First Angel Network — that’s a favorite memory and it’s what’s bringing me back again.