By Vernon Daily Courier staff Wednesday, May 9, 2007 http://vernon.ok.bc.ca/stories.php?id=42990
The secret is out: Vernon is the best place to live in the Okanagan. But according to Canadian Business Magazine, Vernon is ranked just 89th in a list of the best cities in Canada to live. Kelowna came in at 103 and Penticton 109. The placements were based on a number of factors including weather, economy, real estate and attractions. Ottawa-Gatineau was ranked No. 1 in Canada. With Vancouver and Victoria the lone B.C. cities to crack the top-50 in the nation. Jennifer Strachan, Greater Vernon Services community marketing co-ordinator, said the news is “great” for Vernon. “Coming first in the Okanagan is a pretty good position for us,” Strachan said Wednesday. Strachan said the rating shows Vernon is a balanced community for families to live and for businesses to set up shop in. “It‘s about people being able to get jobs and being able to live here over the long term,” she said. Vernon Chamber of Commerce manager Dawn Lasby said the rating shows how well the Vernon economy is doing and that people can “live, work, play and retire here. “It‘s all good news from a chamber of commerce point of view because we are welcoming new businesses all the time.” Lasby said she is concerned that many Ontario cities were rated as having a better average annual income than Vernon.
The lifestyle offered in the Okanagan is still a strong drawing factor, but Lasby said city planners still need to attract more high tech and light industrial jobs to the region “so young people can find jobs and afford houses and stay in Vernon.” Strachan said North Okanagan officials are doing a good job with the official community plan which is the guide to how growth is managed in the city. Strachan added she is not concerned Vernon will grow too large, too fast. Kelowna has been cited as an example of what happens to a community that grows too rapidly with spiraling housing costs and a variety of associated problems that come with rapid growth. The ranking was based on a variety of factors including average annual income, the affordability of housing, homicide rates and other indicators. City received bonus points for amenities with Vernon receiving extra recognition for Silver Star Resort and the local casino, but failed to receive public transit points. Weather was the single most important factor and Vernon was eighth in Canada for the most days over 30 C and had the 15th lowest amount of annual rainfall. However, Vernon scored poorly when it came to affordable housing as compared to annual income levels. Overall Vernon had the 12th least affordable housing.
No comments:
Post a Comment