ATTRACTIVE LIFESTYLES April 2010 © Toronto Region Research Alliance THE TORONTO REGION IS … • Ranked #1 for Best Quality of Life by Foreign Direct Investment (2009) • North America’s 2 nd best place to live (Mercer Quality of Living Survey, 2009) • Ranked #5 World’s for Liveability by Global Power City Index (2009) • One of the most diverse regions in the world: • 42% of the regional population was born outside Canada • Over 100 languages and dialects spoken • Ranked 4th for culture and creativity according to economist Richard Florida • Ranked #4 Best City to Experience Culture, behind London, Paris and New York (Global Cities Index, 2008) • Many different residential choices from downtown to suburban to small town to rural • Known for its safe communities with considerably lower crime rates than major US cities • The most cost-efficient and 2 nd highest volume public transit service in North America • Venue for strong public services, schools, transit systems and health care • Located in the safest country in the G7 HOW WE RANK… Top North American Cities for Quality of Life Vancouver Toronto Ottawa Montreal Calgary Honolulu, HI San Francisco, CA Boston, MA Portland, OR Washington, DC Chicago, IL New York City, NY Seattle, WA 107.4 105.3 105 104.2 103.5 103.1 103 102.2 100.6 100.3 100.3 100 99.8 Base City: New York, US = 100 Source: Mercer, 2009