MoneySense Magazine’s annual Best Places to Live in Canada list is out, and Moncton is the only Maritime community to crack the top 50.

Moncton was named 49th, with Halifax next at 74, Charlottetown at 99, Fredericton at 109, Saint John at 191, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality at 217, and New Glasgow in last at 219.

“It's always great to get a phone call from a local resident, or even a friend from away out in Calgary, saying, ‘Congrats on the number one pick, can't wait to move back home,’” said Moncton Deputy Mayor Shawn Crossman.

The survey says low-priced housing and access to healthcare in the hub city puts Moncton ahead of its Maritime rivals.

The Moncton Wildcats and plenty of green spaces are also listed as pros, but harsh winters and an estimated 5.9 per cent unemployment rate may have contributed to Moncton sliding from 28th place in 2015.

People elsewhere in the Maritimes believe their communities may have deserved a better score.

“Halifax and the HRM area is fantastic to live in,” said Leo Schmidt, a business owner in Eastern Passage. “I've lived in various parts of Canada and I love how friendly people are here.”

“When things are going good in the industrial business, we do great,” said Saint John city councillor Gerry Lowe. “When it isn't, we have those up and down peaks. I mean, I've lived here all my life and I don't want to move.”

“I like Fredericton because it has the feel of a larger city, but also the feeling of a small town, and that's something I've always admired about it,” said University of New Brunswick student Madi Banks.

While they're not in the top of the annual rankings, these communities can take pride in the fact that at least they made it onto the list when thousands of others across the country didn't.

For Moncton, it's a small nod that points to something bigger.

“It's not any one list that will define us, but when we put them all together, it does show there's something special in Moncton,” said Richard Dunn, Moncton Economic Development officer.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.