Québec, Quebec

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is getting ready to celebrate its 400th birthday on July 3rd, 2008. And while history, culture, and romance fill the air, Quebec's French-speaking capital of more than 682,757 (the city itself has a population of 169,076) is a surprisingly practical place to live (though you will need to speak French in order to work here). It's incredibly affordable – expenses such as housing, food, and clothing cost a few thousand dollars less per year than other major Canadian cities. The city is also very family friendly and safe.

Quebec City is renowned for its affordable gastronomic delights and excellent restaurants, its art galleries and museums (such as the Musée de la Civilisation), and the grand Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which dominates the city. Located on the St. Lawrence River, the beautiful Laurentian Mountains mark the city's skyline and add to the beauty of the old forts and other historic architecture of Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) and Place Royale (one of the oldest districts in North America). And in the summer, you can hike and bike along the numerous local trails and parks or stroll the winding lanes and shop the boutiques of Old Quebec.

In the winter, there's skiing and snowboarding at nearby resorts like Mont-Sainte-Anne, Stoneham, and Le Relais and ice climbing at the Montmorency Falls. The winter also brings the yearly Quebec Winter Carnival, with its famous Bonhomme (the carnival's snowman mascot), which has been running for the last 50 years. The two-week long celebration is the largest winter carnival in the world (attracting one million visitors) and involves everything from night parades and concerts to snow-sculpting competitions and sleigh rides.

All in all, you'll be glad you're not just visiting this magical city.

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