Recently a friend informed me that he was relocating to Australia as a result of work, initially it sounded a bit too much for me as I saw it as such a big leap. However, I just decided to have a look into the city as I surfed through the web, and this is what I came across. Quite Impressive for one country to dominate the rankings with four cities. The government really does deserve a pat on their backs if you ask me!
Aussie rules: Melbourne
named world's best place to live for the third year running as four Australian
cities feature in top ten
Melbourne was lauded for
its healthcare, education and infrastructure
The city beat Austrian
capital Vienna into second place in the rankings
The table was compiled
by the Economist intelligence Unit
With its beautiful
parks, enviable healthcare and location next to one of the world's best coastal
drives, it's little wonder people want to live in Melbourne.
While it may not
necessarily have the glamorous appeal of Sydney, Australia's second city has
been ranked the world's most liveable city for the third year running.
Home to almost
4.25million people, it beat Austrian capital Vienna into second place, with
Vancouver in Canada ranking third.
Top spot: Melbourne was
lauded in every category from healthcare to education in the rankings which saw
it crowned number one place to live in the world for the third year running
Australia dominates the
ranking with four cities - Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth - in the top
ten, with Canadian cities accounting for three of the others.
Despite its popularity
with tourists however, London is nowhere to be seen.
The rankings were
compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit which explains that the
destinations that score highest are 'mid-sized cities in wealthier countries
with a relatively low population density.'
The ratings take into
account: stability, worked out by looking at crime rates and civil unrest;
quality of healthcare; culture and environment; education and infrastructure.
1. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne
Winner: Australia's
second city was lauded in all categories, scoring the maximum 100 out of 100
for its healthcare, education and infrastructure and being awarded 95 and 95.1
in the stability and culture and environment categories respectively. The city,
home to 4.2million, has topped the rankings for the past three years, scoring
97.5 overall. Melbourne is famed for its vibrant multi-culturalism, burgeoning
arts scene, excellent food and wine and is the sporting capital of Australia.
2. Vienna, Austria
Runner up: Vienna was
one of only two European cities to make the top ten. Like Melbourne, it scored
maximum marks in terms of healthcare, education and infrastructure, and matched
the city in terms of stability. But surprisingly, given that the Austrian
capital is steeped in history, it fell short in the culture and environment
category with a score of 94.4. As well as its history Vienna has a colourful
contemporary arts and culture scene, a bustling nightlife, picturesque
vineyards on the outskirts and an innovative performing arts scene.
3. Vancouver, Canada
Third place: Vancouver
in Canada Scored top marks for health, education, and culture and environment.
It gained third spot thanks to its 95 out of 100 ranking in terms of stability
and a 92.9 mark for infrastructure. The city is known for its majestic natural
beauty located between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific ocean. The city is
relatively small compared to some of the other top ten destinations with a
little over 600,000 living there.
4. Toronto, Canada
Fourth: Toronto is the
provincial capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada. It scored
top marks in terms of stability, healthcare and education, but fell short of
the winners as it scored 97.2 in terms of culture and environment and a
relatively low 89.3 in terms of infrastructure. The city's most famous landmark
is the CN Tower, which at 1,815 ft tall is one of the world's tallest
buildings. The city's surrounds are home to some stunning wineries.
5. Calgary, Canada
Fifth: Calgary is the largest
city in Alberta, with a population of almost 1.1million. It scored 100 out of
100 in the stability. healthcare and education categories as well as an
impressive 96.4 in terms of infrastructure. But it didn't hit top spot because
of its 89.1 rating for culture. It was once ranked the world's cleanest place
to live by Forbes magazine. It's a relatively young city but still claims to
have a rich history and was the first ever venue for the Winter Olympics.
6. Adelaide, Australia
Sixth: Known as
Australia's wine capital, Adelaide scored top marks for healthcare and
education. But it could only muster 95 in terms of stability, 94.2 in terms of
culture and environment and 96.4 in terms of infrastructure. The city's tourism
website describes it as the '20 minute city' with all amenities including the
airport and beauty spots such as Adelaide Hills within a short distance of the
city centre. Adelaide has a diverse cultural mix.
7. Sydney, Australia
Seventh heaven: Sydney
is the third of Australia's four cities in the top ten. It scored top marks for
healthcare, education and infrastructure, but 90 for stability and 94.4 for
culture. Famed for its outdoor lifestyle, the city's iconic landmarks include
the Harbour Bridge, the Opera house and some of the world's most beautiful
beaches. Sydney is a great place to live if you like watersports, surfing,
seafood and wine.
8. Helsinki, Finland
Eighth: The Finnish
capital scored top marks for stability and healthcare and impressive scores of
96.4 for infrastructure, 91.7 for education and 90 for culture and environment.
It is the most populous city in Finland and located on a picturesque arm of the
Baltic Sea coastline. It is famed for its art nouveau architecture and
maintains its small-town feel despite being an international municipality and a
hub for Finnish commerce.
9. Perth, Australia
The final
Australian entry in the top ten. Perth hit top marks in healthcare, education,
and infrastructure and scored 95 in the stability category. But its overall
marked was dragged down by an 88.7 score for culture and environment. It is the
largest city in Western Australia and home to almost 1.9million people. Australia's
'sunniest capital city', Perth mixes vibrant city culture with stunning nature
and is home to some gorgeous beaches.
10. Auckland, New
Zealand
Auckland in
New Zealand scored top marks for its education. It scored 95 and above in all
other categories bar infrastructure, which saw it score 92.9. Like many others
in the top ten, Auckland, known as Tamaki Makaurau to the indigenous Maori
people, combines nature and a vibrant city life. The city claims that everyone
lives within half hour of a beautiful beach, a hiking trail and 'a dozen
enchanted holiday islands'.
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