It’s subjective, to be sure, but are there really 64 more livable cities in this country than Okotoks?
Any ‘best of’ list, and in this instance we’re referring to one recently released by The Globe and Mail, is sure to stir the pot as those with vested interests debate where the city is ranked. The national daily did its best to remove that emotional component by developing data-driven rankings using a host of metrics, from housing and health care to crime and climate, but even doing so still leaves the results open to interpretation.
The exercise included 439 cities across the country that have a population of at least 10,000, but it’s clear the rankings skewed toward larger centres. Twelve of the top 20 are in B.C., including 11 in Greater Vancouver or Greater Victoria, which is kind of ironic given that a great many people can’t afford to live in these most livable places, while Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Saskatoon made up four of the remaining eight spots in the top 20.
There’s no doubt that bigger cities have more of everything, so it’s hard to compete on that level, meaning Okotokians will have to be satisfied knowing their hometown was ranked within the top 15 per cent of the more than 400 cities analyzed.
Okotoks might lack some of what larger centres can offer, but its mix of small-town charm and big-time amenities is an appealing combination. Throw in picturesque natural surroundings and easy access to Canada’s fourth largest city and it’s no wonder why we’re experiencing growth pressures.
The bigger cities can have their higher rankings, as well as their crime and congestion, and we’ll carry on knowing that what we’ve got here is second to none.
No. 65 seems a little on the low side, but then again, it's probably not a bad idea to fly under the radar.
