Top 50 Best Cities in the World

[Calienta]

As rated yearly by Mercer, for Quality of Living. I really think Europe's got their heads on right!

http://www.mercer.com/referencecontent.jhtml?idContent=1307990#Top50_qol

Mercer’s study is based on detailed assessments and evaluations of 39 key quality-of-living determinants, grouped in the following categories:


Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement, etc)
Economic environment (currency exchange regulations, banking services, etc)
Socio-cultural environment (censorship, limitations on personal freedom, etc)
Health and sanitation (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc)
Schools and education (standard and availability of international schools, etc)
Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, traffic congestion, etc)
Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure, etc)
Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars, etc)
Housing (housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services, etc)
Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters)


Base City = New York = 100 points

1 Zurich Switzerland 108
2 Vienna Austria 107.9
2 Geneva Switzerland 107.9
4 Vancouver Canada 107.6
5 Auckland New Zealand 107.3
6 Dusseldorf Germany 107.2
7 Munich Germany 107
7 Frankfurt Germany 107
9 Bern Switzerland 106.5
10 Sydney Australia 106.3
11 Copenhagen Denmark 106.2
12 Wellington New Zealand 105.8
13 Amsterdam The Netherlands 105.7
14 Brussels Belgium 105.4
15 Toronto Canada 105.3
16 Berlin Germany 105
17 Melbourne Australia 104.8
17 Luxembourg Luxembourg 104.8
19 Ottawa Canada 104.7 :snuggle:
20 Stockholm Sweden 104.5
21 Perth Australia 104.3
22 Montreal Canada 104.2
23 Nurnberg Germany 104.1
24 Oslo Norway 103.7
25 Dublin Ireland 103.5
25 Calgary Canada 103.5
27 Hamburg Germany 103.4
28 Honolulu, HI United States 103.1
29 San Francisco, CA United States 103
29 Helsinki Finland 103
29 Adelaide Australia 103
32 Singapore Singapore 102.9
32 Paris France 102.9
34 Brisbane Australia 102.4
35 Tokyo Japan 102.2
36 Lyon France 101.9
37 Boston, MA United States 101.8
38 Yokohama Japan 101.6
38 London United Kingdom 101.6
40 Kobe Japan 100.9
41 Milan Italy 100.8
42 Barcelona Spain 100.6
43 Madrid Spain 100.5
44 Washington, DC United States 100.3
44 Osaka Japan 100.3
44 Lisbon Portugal 100.3
44 Chicago, IL United States 100.3
48 Portland, OR United States 100.2
49 New York City, NY United States 100
50 Seattle, WA United States 99.8

[Diogee]

thats a fucked up list... the US cities listed dont even list that good in the US but on global standards they are better :S

[I Got Priors]

Well, I am offended LA didnt make the list! GeeZ....who doesn't LOVE the smog and traffic here?

[Diogee]

Just cuz a city has less than 500K people dosnt mean its not worth looking at...

there are a lot better cities in the US to live in than the ones listed but stupid major cities get more attention :argh:

[Calienta]

I don't know what company has the resources to look at every city in the world with less than 500k pop. though!!

[Doobz]

chicago #44 hahaahahahahhahaah... i guess i can accept that...

[Drunken Monk]

The base city for that study was NYC :S

Also, Glasgow made it as #43 in the safest cities list. haha..hahaha..HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Calcutta should be up there :glare:

[Asgard]

2 Geneva Switzerland 107.9 <-------- I live here :D

[Drunken Monk]

2 Geneva Switzerland 107.9 <-------- I live here :D


My mom's actually been there and I agree from what I saw of the pictures, beautiful city :)

[Calienta]

2 Geneva Switzerland 107.9 <-------- I live here :D

/me moves in with Luis :heybabe:


I've been to Annecy by Geneva ... my favourite place in the world right now :)

[swiss miss]

quite obvious....... really

hopp schweiz!!

seriously better than any place ive ever lived, youre a lucky fellow Luis.... can you get me another job there??

[Asgard]

/me moves in with Luis :heybabe:


I've been to Annecy by Geneva ... my favourite place in the world right now :)

Ok...i'll perpare the room ;)

quite obvious....... really

hopp schweiz!!

seriously better than any place ive ever lived, youre a lucky fellow Luis.... can you get me another job there??

hey why not...depends on what u wanna do :P

[Drunken Monk]

Thought I'd enlighten you a little bit about the conditions in my home city since it didn't make it on the list :) It's Calcutta by the way, on the east side of India near the Bay of Bengal..


Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement, etc) - The police usually go away if you offer them a free meal or a subway token :hehe:


Economic environment (currency exchange regulations, banking services, etc) - We have over 35 different banks dealing with currencies from all over the world and sometimes currencies you've never even heard of! (Pakistani rupee for example :angel:)


Socio-cultural environment (censorship, limitations on personal freedom, etc) - I have shown my arse in public on more than 3 occasions so there are no limitations on personal freedoms as such..


Health and sanitation (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases,
sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc) - The last outbreak of an infectious disease we had was a phenomenon known as "Americanisation" where our TV show were riddled with too many re-runs of 'Friends' and people were acting a bit too much like Chandler.


Schools and education (standard and availability of international schools, etc) - Indian board schools aren't co-ed which leads to a lot of sexual frustration and hence early teen pregnancy. However this is essential employment for the many pharmacies selling a wide array of contraceptives ranging from the ever popular pill, to a picture of Rosie O'Donnell.


Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, traffic congestion, etc) - We have water..what're you trying to suggest? :glare:


Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure, etc) - We have over 3 malls and 6 theatre establishments found in all corners of the territory as well as India's premier cricket ground - The Eden Gardens :)


Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars, etc) - The average ratio for person to car is 1:3..this may seem surprising but state legislation constitutes "feet" as a mode of vehicular transportation from the days of the palanquin!


Housing (housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services, etc) - I have a house, which is fully furnished and recently we were introduced to the fridge as well which has seen a tremendous drop in the outbreak of food poisoning and diarrohoea across the city. Ah modernisation! :)


Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters) - The last natural disaster we had was an influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. They work in our Income Tax department now..


Tada! :flowers:

[Jacx]

Ahh yes, this old chessnut, I used to check it every year also. Its great when linked in with the big mac index run by the economist each year, however I cannot link it as u need to be a member.


edit here is some examples:
http://www.oanda.com/products/bigmac/bigmac.shtml

Figures (all prices in US Dollars)

Five most expensive


Iceland - US 7.44
Norway - US 6.63
Reunion Island - US 6.23
Switzerland - US 5.05
Denmark - US 4.84

Five most affordable


India - US 1.40
China - US 1.41
Hong Kong - US 1.54
Malaysia - US 1.57
Venezuela - US 1.58
Egypt - US 1.60

http://www.theglobalguru.com/article.php?id=97&offer=GURU001

[Zeus]

You are all fucked, Detroit is a beautiful city if you like the apocalyptic look ;)

[Dai]

Is it just cities with greater than 500,000 population?

Can't see how Glasgow on list for personal safety - thought it had highest murder rate in Western Europe. Edinburgh's definitely safer than Glasgow, but smaller (only 421,000, I think) - just too tiddly to get on :(

[Diogee]

I dont know the min requirements I just know the cities listed suck and the only reason why they made the list at all was cuz they had a big population... :fing: but I understand whats the point of looking at every small city in the world

[swiss miss]

Is it just cities with greater than 500,000 population?

Can't see how Glasgow on list for personal safety - thought it had highest murder rate in Western Europe. Edinburgh's definitely safer than Glasgow, but smaller (only 421,000, I think) - just too tiddly to get on :(

berne is probably the 4th or 5th biggest city in switzerland (luis can correct me!) with a whopping population of 130,000 (according to wiki 2007)... so it aint just big cities!

im sure edinburgh is safer than glasgow but they both happen to be in scotland - location of the worst adult literacy and lowest life expectancy in western europe. frankly im amazed glasgow made the list......

[Santo]

. frankly im amazed glasgow made the list......


They stole the spot :sneaky:

[Diogee]

this list isnt by safest....

[Sir Brian]

Ok, if you value Primary Education & Safety then Nottingham probably aint for you... :P

However in this beautiful city we have...

The University of Nottingham - Which consistantly comes in the top 5 of the UK's best Universities.

The Queen's Medical Centre - The UK's biggest hospital, and the biggest Teaching Hospital in Europe!

Holme Pierrepont - Home of The National Watersports Centre!

Nottingham Ice Arena - Home of The £43 million National Ice Centre!
& Major venue for all touring bands/artists.

Robin Hood - Home of the legend of Robin Hood, the Sherrif of Nottingham etc...

Paul Smith - The Home of Paul Smith, the internationally acclaimed fashion designer. www.paulsmith.co.uk

Shopping - Nottingham was last year voted the 3rd best city in Britian for shopping, behind only Glasgow & London. Due to it's wide range of indie, specialist and independent shops and the inevitable major chain stores.

Notts County Football Club - Nottingham is home to the world's oldest league football club.

Nottingham Forest Football Club - Nottingham is home to one of the greatest :hehe: clubs in England, who are twice European Champions.

Trent Bridge - Nottingham is home to one of the finest Test Cricket grounds in the country, which is also the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club - one of the most successful clubs in English cricket.

Nottingham Panthers - Nottingham is home of Britian's biggest Ice Hockey team.

Nottingham Rock City - Is the best gig venue in the country, and the city in general is recognised as having a fantastic music scene!

Nightlife - Fantastic! Walkabout, Oceana, Gatecrasher, Halo, Ocean, Revolution, Kucamar's, Squares, Limes, Yates, Weatherspoons, Rock City, Scream, Stealth, Lloyds'... need i say more... :duffman:


http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nottingham-life/life.php

[Dai]

im sure edinburgh is safer than glasgow but they both happen to be in scotland - location of the worst adult literacy and lowest life expectancy in western europe. frankly im amazed glasgow made the list......[/QUOTE]

Edinburgh and Glasgow are world's apart in terms of health.

Couldn't say for literacy, but I would suspect that Edinburgh would be better in that regard, higher socio-economic status across the board.

I don't believe Edinburgh was included in their list - even if I saw the list and it was on it, I couldn't bring myself to believe Glasgow was safer.

Kirsty and Phil (from Location, location, location) rated Edinburgh best place to live in UK this year.

But I'm not totally slagging off Glasgow - my sister stays there, I've had many a good night out there in my younger days with no trouble, and the people are stereotypically friendly :)



P.S. Brian - regarding Nottingham doesn't it have some amazingly large amount of females compared to males as well?

P.P.S. 2 links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate - Switzerland alphabetically above UK with equal literacy rate of 99%.

http://www.scotland.org/about/fact-file/population/index.html - Scotland individually literacy rate 99%.

P.P.P.S. I'm just jealous of the clearly superior lifestyle and pure dead brilliance of the Swiss, so forgive me my bitterness. Definitely planning to visit there in next 2 years (when saved up the pennies).

[Sir Brian]

P.S. Brian - regarding Nottingham doesn't it have some amazingly large amount of females compared to males as well?

good point! :D
4 females to every 1 male in Nottingham City! :duffman: :duffman: :duffman: :duffman: :duffman: :duffman: :duffman: :duffman:

[Asgard]

Is it just cities with greater than 500,000 population?

Can't see how Glasgow on list for personal safety - thought it had highest murder rate in Western Europe. Edinburgh's definitely safer than Glasgow, but smaller (only 421,000, I think) - just too tiddly to get on :(

No, geneva has +/- 300,000

[Spork!!!]

Fuck big cities, wouldn't live in one (visting is different) if you gave me a house for free...
I like being able to jump in my car in the middle if town and be out in the sticks within 20 mins, not 2 hours to the outer suburbs...
My town only has approx 150k ppl, just enough to support a public and 2 private hospitals, a university, the southern hemispheres largest wave tank and world class maritime college. We have an airport and ports/shipping is less than 1hr away by road.
The state capital where services are better is only 2hr away. We have 1 1/2 acres here 15 mins from the CBD! Would have to be millionaires to do that in big city. "Traffic Jams" here happen once a week, on Friday afternoon between 5 and 5:30pm, where traffic can be backed up for over 100m at 1 or 2 sets of lights, and you can usually get a parking spot (for $3-4/day) right where you are going. Want to see a band/go shopping/ fine dining? Plane to Melbourne and back is cheap ($40-120 each way dep. on "specials") 'cos Melb's a gr8 place to visit, but I wouldn't live there again..

[swiss miss]

Ok, if you value Primary Education & Safety then Nottingham probably aint for you... :P

However in this beautiful city we have...

The University of Nottingham - Which consistantly comes in the top 5 of the UK's best Universities.

The Queen's Medical Centre - The UK's biggest hospital, and the biggest Teaching Hospital in Europe!

Holme Pierrepont - Home of The National Watersports Centre!

Nottingham Ice Arena - Home of The £43 million National Ice Centre!
& Major venue for all touring bands/artists.

Robin Hood - Home of the legend of Robin Hood, the Sherrif of Nottingham etc...

Paul Smith - The Home of Paul Smith, the internationally acclaimed fashion designer. www.paulsmith.co.uk

Shopping - Nottingham was last year voted the 3rd best city in Britian for shopping, behind only Glasgow & London. Due to it's wide range of indie, specialist and independent shops and the inevitable major chain stores.

Notts County Football Club - Nottingham is home to the world's oldest league football club.

Nottingham Forest Football Club - Nottingham is home to one of the greatest :hehe: clubs in England, who are twice European Champions.

Trent Bridge - Nottingham is home to one of the finest Test Cricket grounds in the country, which is also the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club - one of the most successful clubs in English cricket.

Nottingham Panthers - Nottingham is home of Britian's biggest Ice Hockey team.

Nottingham Rock City - Is the best gig venue in the country, and the city in general is recognised as having a fantastic music scene!

Nightlife - Fantastic! Walkabout, Oceana, Gatecrasher, Halo, Ocean, Revolution, Kucamar's, Squares, Limes, Yates, Weatherspoons, Rock City, Scream, Stealth, Lloyds'... need i say more... :duffman:


http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nottingham-life/life.php

brian, i think you confuse "top 5 best universities" perhaps with top 5 most popular. I fully admit to being a university snob having been to the highest ranked university for my subject and then to imperial. I believe nottingham is extremely popular, and for this reason may be difficult to get into... but one of the top 5 universities in the country it really isnt
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gug/gooduniversityguide.php

[Canadiana]

Wow hockey teams in Britain. GO STOCKHOLM. And ha 5 Canadian cities beat out USA

[steff]

Just cuz a city has less than 500K people dosnt mean its not worth looking at...

there are a lot better cities in the US to live in than the ones listed but stupid major cities get more attention :argh:

Smaller cities should be better for obvious reasons.

[Sir Brian]

brian, i think you confuse "top 5 best universities" perhaps with top 5 most popular. I fully admit to being a university snob having been to the highest ranked university for my subject and then to imperial. I believe nottingham is extremely popular, and for this reason may be difficult to get into... but one of the top 5 universities in the country it really isnt
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gug/gooduniversityguide.php

without sounding rude, i would never listen to what the Times has to say. :bye:

:hehe:

[XXX]

:bye:Thats it we are moving to Switzerland.

:goodevil:SwisMiss Can we move in with you?