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March 01, 2022

Where's the best place in the country to live?

If you've ever wondered about picking up and moving, you've probably thought long and hard about what makes a community a good place to live.

MoneySense's most recent ranking of Canada's Best Places to Live attempts to tally every important aspect of numerous communities in Canada, taking into account weather, jobs and home prices – as well as public safety and access to health care.

At the top of the list you’ll find Ottawa, Kingston and Burlington. Bringing up the rear, cities to avoid include La tuque, New Glasgow and Williams Lake.

For a more financially-focussed positioning, the folks at Turbotax have concentrated on places that can mean more money in your pocket.

Best place in the country to be stinking rich: Alberta

While you’re paying more income tax in Alberta in the first income bracket of other provinces, the more income you make, the better off you are. If your annual income is in the six-figure range, Alberta is the place to be.

Best places to be a student: Alberta, Ontario, Québec

Alberta edges out Québec as the best place to be a student, offering a monthly credit of $654 per each full time month and $196 per each part time month, whereas Québec offers a flat rate for education.
Students in Quebec receive a tax credit of $1940 for each term of full time education.

Ontario also has an increased monthly education credit amount compared to some other provinces: $481 per each full time month and $144 per each part time month.

Best place to be a new parent: Québec

While Manitoba has a Prenatal Benefit, which provides parents-to-be with less than a $32,000 income a monthly benefit during pregnancy, expecting parents in Québec get the biggest bang for their baby.

The monthly amounts received from the Régie des rentes du Québec greatly exceed all other provinces, on top of the national child tax benefit. Single parents receive additional benefits as well.

If you had your choice, where would you like to be? What’s the most important criterion for you?

By Gordon Powers, MSN Money

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...

Jason BucklandJason Buckland

The modern-day MC Hammer of money, Jason can often be seen spending cash that isn’t his with the efficiency of a Wilt Chamberlain first date. After cutting his teeth as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, he joined the MSN Money team with...