Victoria and Saanich rank among Top 25 small cities

It's hard to disagree with the latest ranking that places the City of Victoria atop a list of the best small cities in Canada.
 
"With its mild year-round climate and an artisanal, independent spirit at play among rainforests and Pacific beaches, Victoria is the hometown you never knew you coveted," Bestcities.org states. "But you’d better bring cash. And (please!) some young kids."
 
Victoria's compact and vibrant downtown and craft beer scene helps the city rank high for its nightlife but the capital gets strikes against it for the lowest birth rate of any Canadian city and a dearth of housing.
 
Also on the list is the District of Saanich, at 23, for being "smart, sustainable and self-sufficient" and the "urban heart" of Vancouver Island.