{"id":1461,"date":"2026-08-11T11:31:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/?p=1461"},"modified":"2026-08-11T11:37:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:37:53","slug":"friendliest-canadian-cities-ranked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/?p=1461","title":{"rendered":"Friendliest Canadian Cities Ranked From Least to Most Welcoming"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1461\" class=\"elementor elementor-1461\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-170d523d e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-170d523d-8514d0a \" data-id=\"170d523d\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"170d523d\">\n    \t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-363dec5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"363dec5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1245\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/candian-girl-in-green-varsity-jacket-and-blue-jeans-takes-selfie-smiling-right-a-picturesque-view-of-the-cn-tower-framed-by-tr.avif\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1463\" alt=\"Victoria BC waterfront, the second friendliest Canadian city\" srcset=\"https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/candian-girl-in-green-varsity-jacket-and-blue-jeans-takes-selfie-smiling-right-a-picturesque-view-of-the-cn-tower-framed-by-tr.avif 1245w, https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/candian-girl-in-green-varsity-jacket-and-blue-jeans-takes-selfie-smiling-right-a-picturesque-view-of-the-cn-tower-framed-by-tr-300x169.avif 300w, https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/candian-girl-in-green-varsity-jacket-and-blue-jeans-takes-selfie-smiling-right-a-picturesque-view-of-the-cn-tower-framed-by-tr-1024x576.avif 1024w, https:\/\/currentmaple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/candian-girl-in-green-varsity-jacket-and-blue-jeans-takes-selfie-smiling-right-a-picturesque-view-of-the-cn-tower-framed-by-tr-768x432.avif 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1245px) 100vw, 1245px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Victoria BC waterfront, the second friendliest Canadian city<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77b72325 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-77b72325-6e8111d \" data-id=\"77b72325\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"77b72325\">\n    \t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-504dadfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"504dadfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e9a1d0a e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-4e9a1d0a-121fbfe \" data-id=\"4e9a1d0a\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"4e9a1d0a\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"34ccac43\" class=\"e-34ccac43-94a556c e-heading-base\">Friendliest Canadian Cities Ranked From Least to Most Welcoming<\/h2>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2a71e6 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-b2a71e6-552b1cf \" data-id=\"b2a71e6\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"b2a71e6\">\n    \t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57ca888f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"57ca888f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19e45863 e-con e-atomic-element e-flexbox-base e-19e45863-16c111b \" data-id=\"19e45863\" data-element_type=\"e-flexbox\" data-e-type=\"e-flexbox\" data-interaction-id=\"19e45863\">\n    \t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49efd6c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49efd6c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:348;67-414\">Canadians have a reputation for being polite, but that stereotype does not hold up everywhere. Some of the <strong>friendliest Canadian cities<\/strong> genuinely earn the title, while others feel cold and closed off to newcomers. As someone born and raised in Canada, I have lived in enough cities to know that friendliness is not evenly spread across the map.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:254;416-669\">So, I ranked seven major Canadian cities from least friendly to most friendly. Number four might surprise you, and the winner definitely will. Here is how Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Victoria, and Montreal stack up against each other.<\/p><h2 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:39;671-709\">The Least Friendly Cities in Canada<\/h2><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"9:1-9:298;711-1008\"><strong>Vancouver takes the number seven spot<\/strong>, and honestly, this ranking is personal. I was born and raised in Vancouver, and I can confirm it is the least friendly city on this list. In fact, the locals&#8217; prickly exterior is one of the reasons I eventually left for L.A. and never really looked back.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"11:1-11:320;1010-1329\">Vancouverites are not unkind on purpose. However, of all the Canadian cities on this list, Vancouver seems the most concerned with looking cool. The city never really graduated from high school, and where you sit still matters. That &#8220;lunch table&#8221; energy shows up everywhere, from social circles to who gets invited out.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"13:1-13:335;1331-1665\">Native Vancouverites act like the popular kids, while transplants remain the perpetual new kids in town. The city is also obsessed with sameness. Unlike Montreal, people are not trying to stand out with personal style. Friend groups tend to dress alike, and even adult friends still text things like, <em>&#8220;What are you wearing tonight?&#8221;<\/em><\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"15:1-15:255;1667-1921\">It is not that deep on the surface. Still, constantly worrying about what other people think tends to make people protective of their social status. As a result, no one is trying to invite you to the party; they are just trying to get invited themselves.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"17:1-17:127;1923-2049\"><em>Pro:<\/em> Vancouverites love giving directions, mostly because it makes them feel like true locals who know something you do not.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"19:1-19:158;2051-2208\"><em>Con:<\/em> If you have just moved there, making friends can feel nearly impossible, especially if you work remotely and have zero interest in joining a run club.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"21:1-21:273;2210-2482\"><strong>Toronto lands at number six<\/strong>, and the West Coast versus East Coast rivalry rages on. Toronto wins this round, but only barely. In many ways, the city has that classic New York energy. Everyone seems busy, even when they are not, and everyone always has somewhere to be.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"23:1-23:348;2484-2831\">Breaking into Toronto&#8217;s social scene is genuinely hard. Once you do, though, Torontonians show a much softer side. The city&#8217;s biggest issue is that people build their lives quickly, including careers, partners, routines, and friend groups. Many decide in their late teens whether they want kids before thirty or after forty-five, then stick to it.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"25:1-25:224;2833-3056\">There is far less room for spontaneity here than in most other Canadian cities, and that rigidity affects the overall friendly vibe. Consequently, forming new friendships as an adult newcomer takes real effort and patience.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"27:1-27:117;3058-3174\"><em>Pro:<\/em> Torontonians are incredibly loyal. Their inner circle may be small, but once you are in, you are in for life.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"29:1-29:143;3176-3318\"><em>Con:<\/em> Like tends to run with like. Lawyers hang out with lawyers, and artists hang out with artists, so crossing social lines rarely happens.<\/p><h2 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"31:1-31:33;3320-3352\">The Middle-of-the-Pack Cities<\/h2><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"33:1-33:330;3354-3683\"><strong>Calgary sits at number five<\/strong>, and Calgarians genuinely have two sides. Think Southern Belle charm paired with Southern judgment. They are warm, chatty, and honestly welcoming toward newcomers and visitors alike. They will ask where you are from, what brought you to Calgary, and point you toward the best local barbecue joint.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"35:1-35:270;3685-3954\">However, do not assume they have not noticed your kid running circles around the table and screaming. They absolutely have. They just will not mention it to your face. That said, the warmth still feels real in the moment, even if the gossip starts the second you leave.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"37:1-37:92;3956-4047\"><em>Pro:<\/em> Calgarians are nice to your face, and that warmth feels genuine while you are there.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"39:1-39:67;4049-4115\"><em>Con:<\/em> They cannot help but gossip about you on the car ride home.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"41:1-41:275;4117-4391\"><strong>Ottawa comes in at number four<\/strong>, and it genuinely suffers from being extremely mid. There is a strange mix of high ambition and low pulse throughout the city. People generally do not move to Ottawa unless they want a government job or are chasing a third graduate degree.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"43:1-43:311;4393-4703\">That said, Ottawans tend to be genuinely decent people. They are thoughtful, dependable, and generous with their time. Meanwhile, they are also constantly watching the clock, so they are not exactly the type to shoot the breeze for hours. Because of this, conversations often stay efficient rather than casual.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"45:1-45:155;4705-4859\"><em>Pro:<\/em> If you ask an Ottawan for directions, you will reach your exact destination. In fact, skip the map app entirely; they already know the coordinates.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"47:1-47:190;4861-5050\"><em>Con:<\/em> They have a terrible poker face. Since they are busy trying to change the world, they are not especially interested in scrolling through forty-seven photos of your kid&#8217;s soccer game.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"49:1-49:325;5052-5376\"><strong>Edmonton claims the number three spot<\/strong>, and it genuinely does not care whether you think it is cool. That is exactly why it works. Unlike some other Canadian cities, there is not much social climbing happening in Edmonton. People here are grounded, unpretentious, and happy to stop for a chat without sizing you up first.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"51:1-51:250;5378-5627\">There is a real warmth that makes Edmonton surprisingly easy to settle into. Elsewhere, calling someone &#8220;nice&#8221; might sound like a backhanded compliment. In Edmonton, it is simply accurate. People here are just kind, and it is not complicated at all.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"53:1-53:48;5629-5676\"><em>Pro:<\/em> You will feel like a local by day three.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"55:1-55:80;5678-5757\"><em>Con:<\/em> The price of admission is picking a side in the ongoing Calgary rivalry.<\/p><h2 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"57:1-57:36;5759-5794\">The Friendliest Cities in Canada<\/h2><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"59:1-59:297;5796-6092\"><strong>Victoria takes the number two spot<\/strong>, and it has serious summer-house energy. Not the old-money, East Coast kind, but the barefoot, &#8220;stay for another drink,&#8221; jump-off-the-dock kind that never takes itself too seriously. That laid-back attitude is a huge part of why the city feels so welcoming.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"61:1-61:310;6094-6403\">Victorians carry an island energy that Vancouverites simply do not have. They are open-hearted, easygoing, and noticeably less jaded than their mainland neighbours. While Vancouver can feel like everyone is protecting their social status, Victorians seem genuinely happy to let people be exactly who they are.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"63:1-63:277;6405-6681\">You notice this warmth in small moments. Servers actually linger and chat after the bill is paid, not because they are chasing a bigger tip, but because they enjoy the conversation. It is only a short ferry ride away from Vancouver, yet Victoria could not feel more different.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"65:1-65:83;6683-6765\"><em>Pro:<\/em> Victoria offers the perfect blend of island charm and mainland convenience.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"67:1-67:98;6767-6864\"><em>Con:<\/em> Expect a never-ending procession of elementary school field trips along Belleville Street.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"69:1-69:313;6866-7178\"><strong>Montreal earns the number one spot<\/strong>, and it is easily the friendliest of all the Canadian cities on this list. Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois culture carries an unfair reputation for rudeness across Canada. In reality, that stereotype likely comes from years of English Canadians resenting mandatory French class since grade nine.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"71:1-71:290;7180-7469\">The truth is that Montrealers are simply unbothered. On the surface, that ease can look cold, but underneath it, they are just genuinely comfortable in their own skin. Because they are not constantly trying to impress each other, that same confidence shapes how they treat total strangers.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"73:1-73:345;7471-7815\">Picture a twenty-five-year-old woman travelling alone and sitting at a neighbourhood bar. In Vancouver, no one talks to her. In Toronto, people only approach if they are trying to take her home. In Montreal, though, locals are down for the plot. They will share a smoke, recommend a bar across town, or invite her to tag along with their group.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"75:1-75:340;7817-8156\">That same confidence spills into everything else in the city. Nobody cares whether an outfit is from Zara or a designer label; what matters is how it is worn. People dance because they genuinely want to, not because everyone else is already doing it. This romantic, European spontaneity is something the rest of English Canada often lacks.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"77:1-77:246;8158-8403\">That energy is exactly why strangers, and famously Anthony Bourdain, fall in love with Montreal. People here are not constantly sizing each other up. Instead, they are simply enjoying their own lives while making room for you to enjoy yours too.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"79:1-79:94;8405-8498\"><em>Pro:<\/em> Montreal will make you feel like a regular, even after just twenty-four hours in town.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"81:1-81:119;8500-8618\"><em>Con:<\/em> When someone asks if you speak French and you answer <em>&#8220;un petit peu,&#8221;<\/em> they already know that means you do not.<\/p><h2 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"83:1-83:53;8620-8672\">Final Thoughts on the Friendliest Canadian Cities<\/h2><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"85:1-85:329;8674-9002\">Ranking the <strong>friendliest Canadian cities<\/strong> was never really about crowning a single winner. Instead, it is about understanding how geography, culture, and history shape the way people treat strangers. Vancouver and Toronto may struggle with warmth, but Montreal and Victoria prove that Canadian friendliness is very much alive.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"87:1-87:201;9004-9204\">Ultimately, every city on this list has something worth appreciating, even the ones near the bottom. Still, if you are chasing genuine warmth and spontaneous connection, Montreal remains hard to beat.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Victoria BC waterfront, the second friendliest Canadian city Friendliest Canadian Cities Ranked From Least to Most Welcoming Canadians have a reputation for being polite, but that stereotype does not hold up everywhere. Some of the friendliest Canadian cities genuinely earn the title, while others feel cold and closed off to newcomers. As someone born and raised in Canada, I have lived in enough cities to know that friendliness is not evenly spread across the map. So, I ranked seven major Canadian cities from least friendly to most friendly. Number four might surprise you, and the winner definitely will. Here is how Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Victoria, and Montreal stack up against each other. The Least Friendly Cities in Canada Vancouver takes the number seven spot, and honestly, this ranking is personal. I was born and raised in Vancouver, and I can confirm it is the least friendly city on this list. In fact, the locals&#8217; prickly exterior is one of the reasons I eventually left for L.A. and never really looked back. Vancouverites are not unkind on purpose. However, of all the Canadian cities on this list, Vancouver seems the most concerned with looking cool. The city never really graduated from high school, and where you sit still matters. That &#8220;lunch table&#8221; energy shows up everywhere, from social circles to who gets invited out. Native Vancouverites act like the popular kids, while transplants remain the perpetual new kids in town. The city is also obsessed with sameness. Unlike Montreal, people are not trying to stand out with personal style. Friend groups tend to dress alike, and even adult friends still text things like, &#8220;What are you wearing tonight?&#8221; It is not that deep on the surface. Still, constantly worrying about what other people think tends to make people protective of their social status. As a result, no one is trying to invite you to the party; they are just trying to get invited themselves. Pro: Vancouverites love giving directions, mostly because it makes them feel like true locals who know something you do not. Con: If you have just moved there, making friends can feel nearly impossible, especially if you work remotely and have zero interest in joining a run club. Toronto lands at number six, and the West Coast versus East Coast rivalry rages on. Toronto wins this round, but only barely. In many ways, the city has that classic New York energy. Everyone seems busy, even when they are not, and everyone always has somewhere to be. Breaking into Toronto&#8217;s social scene is genuinely hard. Once you do, though, Torontonians show a much softer side. The city&#8217;s biggest issue is that people build their lives quickly, including careers, partners, routines, and friend groups. Many decide in their late teens whether they want kids before thirty or after forty-five, then stick to it. There is far less room for spontaneity here than in most other Canadian cities, and that rigidity affects the overall friendly vibe. Consequently, forming new friendships as an adult newcomer takes real effort and patience. Pro: Torontonians are incredibly loyal. Their inner circle may be small, but once you are in, you are in for life. Con: Like tends to run with like. Lawyers hang out with lawyers, and artists hang out with artists, so crossing social lines rarely happens. The Middle-of-the-Pack Cities Calgary sits at number five, and Calgarians genuinely have two sides. Think Southern Belle charm paired with Southern judgment. They are warm, chatty, and honestly welcoming toward newcomers and visitors alike. They will ask where you are from, what brought you to Calgary, and point you toward the best local barbecue joint. However, do not assume they have not noticed your kid running circles around the table and screaming. They absolutely have. They just will not mention it to your face. That said, the warmth still feels real in the moment, even if the gossip starts the second you leave. Pro: Calgarians are nice to your face, and that warmth feels genuine while you are there. Con: They cannot help but gossip about you on the car ride home. Ottawa comes in at number four, and it genuinely suffers from being extremely mid. There is a strange mix of high ambition and low pulse throughout the city. People generally do not move to Ottawa unless they want a government job or are chasing a third graduate degree. That said, Ottawans tend to be genuinely decent people. They are thoughtful, dependable, and generous with their time. Meanwhile, they are also constantly watching the clock, so they are not exactly the type to shoot the breeze for hours. Because of this, conversations often stay efficient rather than casual. Pro: If you ask an Ottawan for directions, you will reach your exact destination. In fact, skip the map app entirely; they already know the coordinates. Con: They have a terrible poker face. Since they are busy trying to change the world, they are not especially interested in scrolling through forty-seven photos of your kid&#8217;s soccer game. Edmonton claims the number three spot, and it genuinely does not care whether you think it is cool. That is exactly why it works. Unlike some other Canadian cities, there is not much social climbing happening in Edmonton. People here are grounded, unpretentious, and happy to stop for a chat without sizing you up first. There is a real warmth that makes Edmonton surprisingly easy to settle into. Elsewhere, calling someone &#8220;nice&#8221; might sound like a backhanded compliment. In Edmonton, it is simply accurate. People here are just kind, and it is not complicated at all. Pro: You will feel like a local by day three. Con: The price of admission is picking a side in the ongoing Calgary rivalry. The Friendliest Cities in Canada Victoria takes the number two spot, and it has serious summer-house energy. Not the old-money, East Coast kind, but the barefoot, &#8220;stay for another drink,&#8221; jump-off-the-dock kind that never takes itself too seriously.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,15,27,30,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canada","category-cities","category-lifestyle","category-opinion","category-travel"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Friendliest Canadian Cities Ranked<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the friendliest Canadian cities, ranked from least to most welcoming \u2014 plus why Montreal takes the top spot in this fun city ranking.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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