With high crime rates, traffic congestion, and long commutes, the quality of life in most major cities may exclude them from being the best places to live. Yes, you are close to a lot of different amenities, but you can get many of the same benefits without the hustle that can cause so much stress.
1. Vienna
Vienna has been considered the best place to live since 2009, and with all of the history, that doesn’t sound too bad. Vienna has the largest population in Austria and quite a bit of cultural, economic, and political diversity. Vienna transforms the old to new, and they won the urban planning award in 2010 for improving living conditions across the city.
2. Zurich
The largest city in Switzerland, you have access to many different amenities. This particular city offers the economic backbone of Switzerland offering 1/9 of the total jobs. Low tax rates attract businesses and individuals alike, and overseas company have also set up shop here. There are 82 banks here, and this is also Switzerland’s biggest tourist destination. Zurich has a lakeside location combined with many leisure activities.
3. Auckland, NZ
Auckand is found in a beautiful country and houses 1.35 million people, which makes up 30% of the country’s total population. 63% of residents are European and Maoris and Pacific islanders make up about 24%. Auckland has 11 extinct volcanoes, two harbors, and the largest boat ownership per capita in the world. This is also the second safest city in the Asian region. Singapore is #1.
4. Munich
The third largest city in Germany, Munich is one of the key economic centers of the country. This city houses some of the biggest businesses including the engineering firm Siemens and the insurer Allianz. As the population has aged, this city does have a shortage of skilled laborers, even though there is an extremely prosperous economy.
5. Dusseldorf, Germany/British Columbia
In a tie, Dusseldorf is 7th in line in Germany for having the highest population. Dusseldorf has a high center of fashion and trade fairs, and this is one of the top telecommunications centers in the country. Dusseldorf also comes with Hewlett Packard and Nokia Siemens.
British Columbia on the other hand is the only Canadian city to rank. It is known as one of the most livable cities in the world in the past decade and ranked in the top 5 in the Mercer quality of life survey for the past 5 years straight. Vancouver has one of the mildest climates in Canada, even being quite pleasant, and the city is famous for green building, snowy mountains, water, etc.