Every year research institutes, tourism magazines, national newspapers and expat portals draw up a ranking of the most liveable cities in the world. They take into consideration aspects such as urban planning and the transport system. The cost of housing and job opportunities. But also the quality of schools, the state of the health system, leisure opportunities, cultural activities and many other factors. Although with some variations, the cities that appear in the top ten they tend to be the same for everyone, even if their relative position may change. Referring to the most recent Mercer ranking, here are the 10 most liveable cities in the world.
10. Most liveable cities in the world: Sydney, Australia
It appears every time we talk about liveable cities. Modern, with new infrastructure and an efficient transport system (the metro is scheduled to arrive in 2019), it is not the Australian capital but its main economic and financial center. There are many job opportunities here. Both in banking, finance, manufacturing, services, education, but also in the hospitality and catering sectors. Salaries are among the highest in the country. The unemployment rate is at the moment below the Australian average. Considered the sixth best city in the world for students, the cost of living is Australia's highest, but it's an expat's paradise when it comes to suburban livability, a more relaxed lifestyle, proximity to beaches and nature.
10 bis. Most liveable cities in the world: Basel, Switzerland (tie with Sydney)
This city is suitable for families and children. Strategically located on the border with France and Germany, it is the capital of the Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Less expensive than Geneva or Zurich, it is crossed by the Rhine, which flows placidly between its parks. The historic center still retains an old charm, even if the city has been modernized by the presence of buildings of internationally renowned architects. Considered the cultural capital of Switzerland, it houses 40 museums. The international climate, the cultural events and the not excessive size of the city make it an interesting destination for expats.
9. The most liveable cities in the world: Copenhagen, Denmark
The capital of Denmark is a city where high livability goes hand in hand with an equally high cost of living. The climate is less cold than one might imagine. The hours of light, which in winter are lower than in Italy, are more during the summer. The job opportunities they are mainly in the tertiary sector. Including the bio-technological industry which finds its European center here. Life takes place mainly indoors. The city itself is quite small and in an hour you can cycle through it from end to end. Education is free (even at the university level) and there are courses offered by the state to learn the language, although in reality everyone knows English very well. Its inhabitants are very attentive to everything that is sustainable and ecological, from traveling by bike to organic food.
Copenhagen has also been nominated like one of the happiest cities in the world, especially as regards the balance between family and private life and work.
8. The most liveable cities in the world: Geneva, Switzerland
Many expats complain that it's all façade. A city that is too clean, where people are too polite and where nothing goes off the rails, they say. The city works like a clock, actually. The schools are excellent, the health system is efficient, there is a lot of greenery. The water of the lake is crystal clear, the traffic is orderly. The accuracy is perhaps at the expense of the warmth of the inhabitants. But the fact that things work well, that salaries are high (even though life is just as expensive) and that she is surrounded by nature can make up for its shortcomings. Basically, it is a city suitable for families, but not for young people looking for fun and stimulation. The shops close early, relatively few cultural and leisure activities are organized, the courtesy of the locals almost never turns into a concrete opportunity for friendship and exchange.
To mention the positives again, it doesn't hurt that it is a safe city with very high levels of education on average.
7. The most liveable cities in the world: Frankfurt, Germany
Among the capitals of European finance, it is a multicultural city. Here the work is not lacking if you are well qualified, know English well and also German. As the city in Germany with the highest GDP per capita, it is clear that both Germans from other parts of the country and expats from all over the world emigrate to Frankfurt. This means schools, housing and services are being stormed and competition for the best jobs is high. Despite this, the infrastructures are of a high standard, there is a lot of greenery and in general the city is a lively place full of opportunities. It has the highest crime rate in the country (and this is one of its contradictions). But it attracts many young people because there are more open positions (at trainee and graduate level) than the number of candidates available.
6. The most liveable cities in the world: Dusseldorf, Germany
This second German city also has ainternational atmosphere. Some multinationals such as L'Oreal, Trivago, Metro, Henkel are based here. There is no shortage of job opportunities: in Dusseldorf there are two thirds of all advertising agencies in the country, hundreds of financial institutions and two of the four German telecommunications operators. It is also considered the fashion and shopping capital of Germany. The dimensions of the city are on a human scale. Everything can be reached relatively quickly by bike or on foot or with the dense public transport network. There is a lot of greenery and a lively cultural scene (over 20 museums and 100 art galleries). A city suitable for students, young professionals and families.
5. Most liveable cities in the world: Vancouver, Canada
Of course multicultural. In Vancouver, over half of the population does not have English as their first language. In the city you find people from all over the world. There are neighborhoods inhabited by 90% of immigrants who come from the same country (mainly Asian) and others that are more mixed. The quality of life in Vancouver translates into an efficient and widespread public transport system (with the partly elevated Skytrain that connects the center and the suburbs and night buses), a high degree of safety on the streets and lots of green areas (such as the huge Stanley Park). In addition to colleges and universities of excellent quality and clear and efficient bureaucracy.
In addition, Vancouver was developed according to a particular urban plan. It involves a mix of skyscrapers where people live (which are called skinny towers because they are narrower than usual) and cafes, restaurants, shops, meeting places and services along the streets of the city center. The goal is to allow people to interact and spend time outside the home together.
4. The most liveable cities in the world: Munich, Germany
The third German city in the ranking is the most "Mediterranean". Not only because it is located in the south of the country and has a climate more similar to that of the northern Italian cities, but also for the lifestyle: beer gardens open in the evening to drink and chat with friends, many parks, large squares in where locals and tourists, museums and cultural events are concentrated. Monaco has such a high position for low crime, cleanliness, relaxed pace. There is also one in Munich large Italian community. In autumn it is stormed for the Oktober Fest, but it is worth visiting all year round.
3. The most liveable cities in the world: Auckland, New Zealand
On the other side of the world is Auckland, New Zealand's second largest city. A third of the country's population lives here. Despite its modernity and contemporary skyline, it is steeped in a naturalistically spectacular environment. The sea, islands and nature reserves within a few kilometers. The cost of living is greatly affected by the fact that most of the products are imported, but wages are on average high and house prices are not as excessive as in Australia. This destination is indicated for those who want to completely change their lifestyle: much more relaxed and stress-free, in close contact with nature, in a place that is different in history, culture and views from the European one.
2. The most liveable cities in the world: Zurich, Switzerland
In second place in the ranking is another Swiss city. Surrounded by mountains, divided in two by the Lammart River, it is located on the north shore of the lake of the same name. Well-being - and most jobs - are due to banking and finance. Zurich is in fact the economic capital of a country that has made money its main industry. The very high salaries they balance a cost of living which is among the highest in Europe. Also in this case the positive aspects of the city, excellent transport system, excellent schools, health that works and greenery, are offset by the scarce social life opportunities and in general by the difficulty of making friends with the locals.
1. The most liveable cities in the world: Vienna, Austria
For the eighth consecutive year the capital of Austria is on the top step of the podium of the most liveable cities in the world. In this city of less than two million inhabitants, the Old Town has been appointed World Heritage Site by Unesco. Excellent transport, health, schools. Vienna is considered a safe city and easily explored by bicycle. It's a city suitable for families and children. In fact, it offers many cultural activities but perhaps little nightlife, high level services (taxes are high but well spent) and a good degree of welcome by the local population. Vienna is the European capital of music, has conservatories, theaters and concert halls. Known for its sweets, it has an entire urban area, called Museum Quartier Wien, with museums and cultural institutions.
To find out more about Vienna, this is Paolo's blog dedicated to the Austrian capital.
