I'm writing this week's column from beautiful Toronto, Ont.
No, I'm not being facetious; I really mean "beautiful."
Yes, I used to be one of those people - like a lot of Vancouverites - who chided T.O. at every opportunity for its weather, its traffic and its centre-of-the-universe mentality.
But, over the past couple of years, I've been travelling here lots for work and I've actually become quite fond of it. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that it's the best city in the country to live in.
Toronto has a lot of things going for it. Its proximity to other major centres is handy. Travel to New York, Boston, Washington DC, Montreal and Ottawa for work or pleasure is quick and easy.
And while the unemployment rate is currently high, there are a lot of great companies to work for out here.
Toronto is, by far, the dominant location for corporate headquarters in Canada. In 2010, according to a Fraser Institute report, 35% of headquarters for Canada's top 500 corporations were located in the Big Smoke.
Incidentally, Vancouver ranks fourth behind Montreal and Calgary.
Sure, Greater Vancouver has its beauty with the mountains, the oceans and the newer architecture. But let's face it - the rain sucks.
The city is the country's third-most rainy with 161 depressing wet days. Moreover, on a lot of those days, the grey clouds obscure the view of our precious mountains.
Toronto, on the other hand, has four distinct seasons which is actually pretty neat.
In the winter you can skate on an outdoor pond, springtime is perfect and the summer feels like summer - great weather to catch a Blue Jays game or to just work on your tan.
I could go on and on: the city also has a vibrant theatre scene, an efficient transit system and a whole lot of major league sports teams. There's so much to do and see here.
Vancouver will always be my home - I was born and raised there.
But sorry guys. If I have to submit an unbiased vote for best city to live in the country, I'm picking Toronto.
Go Leafs Go!
