The #2 'best place to live in Canada' is a cozy city just 2.5 hours from Montreal

If you've been dreaming of a fresh start in a city where salaries are higher and house prices are affordable(ish) then you might want to look west of Montreal — 2.5 hours west, to be specific.

On August 18, Global Citizen Solutions released its latest list of the top 15 best places to live in Canada, based on factors like employment opportunities, average salaries and home prices, cost of living, and crime rates, among others.

This year, it was Calgary that snagged the very top spot. The Alberta city was praised for its impressive career opportunities, moderate living costs, and low crime rates, as well as its lower taxes.

However, if you're not sure about a complete cross-country move from Montreal, don't worry. The cozy city that swept the number two spot is a whole lot closer to home.

Enter: Ottawa. According to the ranking, Ottawa secured the second spot on the ranking due in part to its strong showing on Numbeo's Quality of Life Index, where it actually ranks number one. It scores so highly thanks to its top hospitals, low rates of crime, and mild traffic and pollution.

Ottawa is also punching way above its weight when it comes to affordability, with above-average access to homeownership due to lower housing costs, and a more reasonable cost of living compared to other major cities (around $1,479 per month for a single person).

The average salary in Ottawa sits around $64,995, and the average home price is $719,800. It's a combination that's getting harder to find in Canada's biggest hubs, which means there's more breathing room to actually enjoy what the city has to offer.

Residents can explore the city's unique mix of attractions, from Parliament Hill and the 202-kilometre-long Rideau Canal to the always-busy ByWard Market, where local food stalls and quirky boutiques make it a go-to spot for weekend wandering.

History buffs can dive into the Canadian War Museum or the Canadian Museum of Nature, while anyone who loves green space will appreciate the city's countless parks, bike paths, and easy access to nature.

Of course, nowhere is perfect, and the ranking warns wannabe Ottawa residents that the city's northern location means cold and snowy winters. However, these conditions won't be entirely unfamiliar for Montrealers.

So, if you're okay with snowy winters, Ottawa offers a high quality of life without the chaos (or price tag) of a mega-metropolis.

If the chill (both in vibes and temperature) nature of Ottawa doesn't appeal to you, though, don't panic. Montreal wasn't too far behind Canada's capital on the list.

Ranking just behind Edmonton in third place — praised for its sunny conditions, affordable house prices, and access to outdoor activities and nature — Montreal took the fourth spot overall.

The average salary in Montreal is $57,246 and the average home price is $671,600, so it might be a stretch to describe the city as "affordable." However, according to the ranking, Montreal's thriving business scene, electric nightlife, stellar hospitals and world-class public transit system still make it one of the best places to live in Canada.

And while Montrealers may disagree with the heavy STM praise and the claims that the city's cost of living is "relatively" affordable, it's hard to argue with the city's overall top-five position.

So if you're not quite ready to trade late-night bagels for quiet canal strolls, no pressure. You're already in one of the best places to live in Canada — and sometimes, staying put isn't settling. It's just choosing what already works.

The best places to live in Canada

1. Calgary, AB
2. Ottawa, ON
3. Edmonton, AB
4. Montreal, QC
5. Hamilton, ON
6. Victoria, BC
7. Halifax, NS
8. Vancouver, BC
9. Winnipeg, MB
10. Waterloo, ON
11. Toronto, ON
12. Saskatoon, SK
13. Charlottetown, PEI
14. Fredricton, NB
15. Quebec City, QC

You can find the full report here.