Three-part series on best Canadian cities to invest in

Part 2: Among top 10 cities – Vancouver, BC & Barrie, ON

In part one of this special three-part series, readers learned about the criteria some of Canada’s top real estate experts consider when determining which cities are the best to invest in and why.

In part two, a partial list of the top 10 cities is outlined and in part three, the remaining portion of that top 10 list will be revealed.

In 10^th spot for the 2018 list was Kelowna, B.C. As the province’s third most populous urban centre and dominant trading centre for the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna was once again highly regarded by investment analysts for its desirable climate, geographic location, recreational amenities and what analysts call “affordable housing.” In this year’s report that looks at last year’s data, Kelowna’s average home price was $890,583.

Next in line for this year’s list was London, Ontario where the city’s average house price for last year was $485,801, the average household income sits below $90,000 and the unemployment rate dipped from 7.7 per cent in 2016 to 6.6 per cent in 2017. Analysts continued to like London as a property investment option due to its low, city-wide vacancy rate of 3.7 per cent and its close proximity to both Toronto, ON and Hamilton, ON.

In eighth spot this year was Barrie, Ontario where the average household income is over $100,000, the unemployment rate sits at 5.4 per cent, a drop from 7.8 per cent in only one year’s time, and the average provincial GDP growth is 2.27 per cent for the period 2012 to 2017.

Vancouver, British Columbia came in at seventh spot on the list. Analysts saw the city’s unemployment rate dropped from seven per cent in 2016 to 5.6 per cent n 2017. They also noted the average household income was over $100,000 and the average provincial GDP growth for the five-year period ending in 2017 was 3.15 per cent. Vancouver stayed in the top 10 investment list also because of its geographic location.

Following Vancouver was Abbotsford, BC with an average household price of $972,360. Analysts reported the city’s average household income was $91,378.01 and the unemployment rate had dropped from 6.6 per cent in 2016 to 5.5 per cent last year. Analysts continued to like Abbotsford for what they refer to as a strong, long-term real estate market and community-focused development.

The list of best cities to invest in analyzes everything from desirability of neighborhoods to population growth and unemployment rates within the area. In 2018, Canadian experts researched over 2,200 neighborhoods across the country to come up with a top list of urban centres that stretch from coast to coast.

Make sure to check out the final part of this series that will profile the top five of Canada’s top 10 municipalities to invest in.

Lifestyle tips for healthier eating

(NC) Today's on-the-go lifestyles and the abundance of tasty, tempting fast food options can make sticking to healthy eating goals challenging. But maintaining a nutritious and appetizing diet can be easier than you think.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada's Prevention in Hand website offers one-stop-shopping for current information from numerous healthcare organizations to support your individual wellness, healthy lifestyles and the prevention of chronic diseases. Here is what some of their resources say about helping you and your family make good nutrition choices:

Make a plan. Take a few minutes on the weekend to plan out healthy meals and snacks for the upcoming week, including brown bag lunches for work and school. Having the dishes planned and ingredients purchased will encourage you to follow through on smarter eating and avoid reaching for the vending machine.

Find friendly fats. It's a myth that all types of fat are bad for your body. Healthy fats and oils help us absorb nutrients and add flavour to foods. Opt for natural fats from avocados, nuts and seeds, and oils like olive, coconut and flaxseed.

Make it a ritual. Research shows that eating together as a family can help you make better food choices, so try to enjoy at least one meal together every day. If varying work and school schedules prevent you from eating together, try breakfast together instead of the traditional family dinners. An omelet bar loaded with veggies is a fun and nutritious way to start your day.

Eat the rainbow. Enjoying a variety of fruits and vegetables with all the colours of the rainbow ensures you receive lots of vitamins, nutrients, fibre and antioxidants. Aim for at least one dark green and one orange piece of produce every day.

Try a meatless Monday. Avoid foods that are high in sodium, fat or cholesterol and go with healthier options with natural ingredients and nutrition – fresh fruit, vegetables or grains. Try a Meatless Monday with protein sources like lentils, beans and tofu. Reduce your sodium intake by seasoning dishes with herbs and spices rather than salt.

Find more information at www.preventioninhand.com.

www.newscanada.com

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