Calgary Ranks 3rd on “Best Places to Raise Kids in Canada 2015”

Calgary Scores High in Indicators Related to Raising Kids

Calgary has managed to take one of the top three spots on MoneySense Magazine’s annual “Best Places to Raise Kids in Canada” in 2015.

Overshadowed by a drop from 2^nd to 19^th on “Best Places to Live in Canada”, the larger parent report done by MoneySense every year, Calgary’s low average daycare costs and high average incomes seem to have been deciding factors for its success as one of the top places to raise a family.

I personally could tell you many reasons why you should consider moving to Calgary, or why I love Calgary in general, but MoneySense doesn’t take personal opinion into account – just cold, hard statistics from across 34 different categories.

Here are the top 10, each with their respective daycare costs, amount of families with children and percentage of population under the age of 15:

Top 10 Canadian Places

#1 – St. Albert, AB

• Average monthly daycare fees - $955
• Families with children – 57.6%
• Population under age of 15 – 19.1%

#2 – Burlington, ON

• Average monthly daycare fees - $1,222
• Families with children – 54.1%
• Population under age of 15 – 17.5%

#3 - Calgary, AB

• Average monthly daycare fees - $955
• Families with children – 57.9%
• Population under age of 15 – 19.2%

#4 - Oakville, ON

• Average monthly daycare fees - $1,222
• Families with children – 62.8%
• Population under age of 15 – 19.6%

#5 – Strathcona County, AB

• Average monthly daycare fees - $955
• Families with children – 58.3%
• Population under age of 15 – 20.2%

#6 – Blainville, QC

• Average monthly daycare fees - $152
• Families with children – 65.1%
• Population under age of 15 – 21.7%

#7 – Ottawa, ON

• Average monthly daycare fees - $1,222
• Families with children – 54.1%
• Population under age of 15 – 17.9%

#8 – Milton, ON

• Average monthly daycare fees - $1,222
• Families with children – 64.5%
• Population under age of 15 – 25.2%

#9 –Halton Hills, ON

• Average monthly daycare fees - $1,222
• Families with children – 62.6%
• Population under age of 15 – 20.6%

#10 – Spruce Grove, AB

• Average monthly daycare fees - $955
• Families with children – 60.1%
• Population under age of 15 – 22.0%

What Factors Are Considered?

MoneySense Magazine’s annual “Best Places to Live in Canada” report examines a handful of indicative factors including:

• Unemployment rate

• Household incomes

• Income and property taxes

• Affordable housing

• Healthy population growth

• Crime rates and seriousness of those committed

• Walkability and access to public transportation

• Weather and what it is like year round

• Prominence of arts and sports communities

Calgary managed to score in the top 25 percentile of four out of nine main categories mentioned above with low unemployment rates, high average incomes, good access to public transportation / walkability scores and a strong arts and sports community.

I Love Calgary

There is no doubt in my mind that Calgary can, and will regain its spot as the second best place to live in Canada at some point in the near future. After all, the slowdown that the Calgary Metropolitan Area (CMA) and province are experiencing can only last for so long.

If the past is any indicator of the future, it seems that a highly active and prosperous economy will not only get YYC back up to the top on MoneySense rankings, but also contribute to a higher quality of life for all living within the Calgary Metropolitan Area.

• See these 7 Reasons to Love Living in Calgary, Alberta today.

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