After the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of life in cities around the world is improving once again. According to the annual Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit, which assesses 173 cities worldwide on criteria such as stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure, the overall quality of living has reached a 15-year high.
This improvement is attributed to better healthcare and education standards in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, although the stability score has declined due to the global inflation crisis stemming from the Ukraine conflict. On the other hand, the removal of restrictions during the pandemic has led to improved cultural and environmental scores, resulting in overall positive trends.
This index uses data to assess how suitable a city is for living, but ultimately, the residents of that city can best describe their experiences.
We spoke to residents of the top 10 ranked cities to understand why they chose to live there.
Vienna, Austria
The capital of Austria has consistently held the top spot on this list, with the only dip occurring in 2021 when museums and restaurants closed due to COVID-19. However, Vienna’s residents say the city excels in stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Manuela Filippo manages two Michelin-starred restaurants with her husband’s help. She believes that Vienna’s rich history, reliable public transportation, easy access to cafes, theaters, and other entertainment venues make it a perpetual destination for enjoyment.
She says, “When we work a lot and don’t have time to go anywhere for a long time, we don’t even realize it because we can fulfill all our recreational needs within the city’s borders.”
Richard Voss is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Vienna’s Hotel Das Tigra. He thinks the city’s livability is enhanced by its cultural history and the activities available.
He says, “Vienna has many impressive historic buildings like Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Vienna City Hall. The city is also famous for its musical traditions, as Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss lived here.” He adds that residents can enjoy the city’s cultural traditions through numerous museums, theaters, and opera houses.
He suggests that people should also appreciate Vienna’s food culture.
Melbourne, Australia
Both Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, have secured third and fourth places in the rankings, which they lost during the pandemic due to the healthcare system being under pressure. However, this time Melbourne scored well in culture and environment, and its residents take pride in these aspects.
Jean Morel is the CEO of Carrier Solutions. She says Melbourne is a top city because of its food, cultural activities, events, and international sports like the Australian Formula 1 and Australian Open.
She says, “Traveling in the city has also become quite easy,” thanks to the trams that are easy to board and alight. Melbourne is also located just a short distance from some of the world’s famous beaches.
Kami Conner, a blogger from California, says Melbourne takes some time to discover compared to other cities. “Sydney is very beautiful with great views, beaches, and historic buildings, but Melbourne is not a city of buildings; it’s a city of culture, and it takes some time to discover it.”
She adds, “To discover Melbourne’s vibe, you need to sit in a cafe and have the best coffee of your life, try different foods at restaurants, and find hidden bars that are located behind mysterious doors or cabinets.”
She says Melbourne’s people are nicer than those in Sydney. Jean Morel also mentions the positive attitude of residents as a factor that keeps the city’s score high. “Melbourne’s people are quite friendly,” she says.
Vancouver, Canada
Three Canadian cities made it to the top 10 in this list, including Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. Among them, Vancouver ranks highest at fifth, mainly due to its culture and environment score. The residents of Vancouver love the city for the same reasons.
Tony Ho is a businessman. He says, “Vancouver offers easy access to forests, the sea, and the sky. Our transit system can take you from a beautiful English Bay beach to the city’s towering mountains in a single day, whether you travel by bus, bike, or boat.”
He is also fond of the diverse cuisine available in the city, which is a part of Vancouver’s multicultural identity. You can find everything here, from Ethiopian injera to Tibetan momos.
Tony, who is also a father of a young child, says he appreciates the city’s numerous parks and beaches, all less than 20 minutes from downtown. “This is something I would like my child to have access to throughout their life.”
People from different countries are drawn to the city due to its immigration policy. Joe Toleman, CEO of Rocket Plan, a mobile platform, says, “I am from Croatia and was looking for a city that promotes growth but is vibrant and welcoming.” He says the best thing about starting a business in Vancouver is the people. “You can get help from someone at any point during your journey. The business community here is very helpful.”
Apart from business, the scenery in Vancouver is also beautiful. Joe says, “When I need a break, there’s the ocean on one side and mountains on the other side of the street.”
