Canadian and Australian cities dominate top global liveability survey

[Editor]

Canada and Australia have the most liveable cities in the world, according to the latest survey carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit of 140 locations around the globe. Melbourne tops the list, followed by Vienna in Austria, then three Canadian cities, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary, then Adelaide and Sydney in Australia, Helsinki in Finland, [...]

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[MR68]

I'm always surprised Vienna is on the list, having lived their in my teenage years, it may be cultural and beautiful, but I really can't understand why it's so liveable ! There are so many many factors (which I prefer not to mention here on a public forum) which put me off staying in Austria for good. Many other immigrants we knew there felt the same as we did. We never felt welcome there. This is back in the 1980's. I doubt things have changed much there.

[NatureFairy]

Originally Posted by MR68

I'm always surprised Vienna is on the list, having lived their in my teenage years, it may be cultural and beautiful, but I really can't understand why it's so liveable ! There are so many many factors (which I prefer not to mention here on a public forum) which put me off staying in Austria for good. Many other immigrants we knew there felt the same as we did. We never felt welcome there. This is back in the 1980's. I doubt things have changed much there.

Really? Interesting..would like to know more. I've always heard otherwise as well!

Anyway, on the article: nice to hear that about Canada & Australia. Had no idea Australian cities were doing so well. I am torn between thinking Can and Aus are far more expensive than ppl let on (and more than I'd be able to handle -heard stories about housing, mobile bills in Can), but the article made a great point in that the usual glitzy cites like NY, Tk, London etc are ridden with crime and lots of other problems.

I'm still worried about economic fallout though. No doubt Canada is one of the lucky ones so I hope that won't change.

[MR68]

Hi Nature !

If you are interested to know my thoughts about Austria, please send me an email.

In my early 40's (I have learned the hard way sadly.....) I now realise the No. 1 reason any one is happy anywhere in the world is a sense of COMMUNITY and the friendliness of the people around you. Without a network of family and friends who can support you in times of need, a place soon becomes very "unliveable".

My husband and I have lived in many different European cities and have sensed a LACK of community in most of the cities we have lived in Europe, including our current home, the UK.

There is no such thing as a perfect place, but some places are very much better than others !

As for crime - there is a huge amount of crime in London (cars and houses broken into, muggings, pick pockets, etc.) I have experienced most of these myself or have had family and friends who have been victims of some sort of crime in London. My brother was left half-dead (he had just left a night club) back in the early 1980's. They mugged him of an entire week's wages (he was carrying a lot of cash which is a silly thing to do in London at any time of the day or night) they beat him half to death. He was in hospital for weeks with broken ribs and a fractured jaw. My sister was pulled out of her mini car and mugged in broad day light.

Now we also have gang wars and knife crime to add to the rest of all the things that go on in London. I guess it's no different to any other world city with a population of over 10 million ?

Having said all this, I will always love London (mainly due to it cultural diversity) but would never return to Vienna, even though it's No. 2 on this list !!!!!

[Helrig50]

Originally Posted by NatureFairy

Anyway, on the article: nice to hear that about Canada & Australia. Had no idea Australian cities were doing so well. I am torn between thinking Can and Aus are far more expensive than ppl let on (and more than I'd be able to handle -heard stories about housing, mobile bills in Can), ....

Yes, both are pricey. I find meats and seafood cost more in Canada, while most fruit & veg are somewhat cheaper. However you can do more growing your own in Oz, for longer, saving money that way. Pasta's cheaper in Oz, same for a lot of Italian and ethnic foods. Good wine's cheaper in Oz and much better variety, plus they give you deals in Oz, i.e., 20% or 30% off 6 or more bottles. Unheard of in BC liquor stores.

Housing's expensive all over Oz whereas Canada has some more affordable areas. When I say 'affordable' I don't mean 'cheap', just not as ludicrously insane as Vancouver, or mildly insane as TO. I didn't find Calgary too cheap either. Much more condos and apartments in Canada, whereas Oz has predominantly single-family homes.

Gas & electricity (utilities) are cheaper in Canada. Gasoline/petrol about the same, but depends on where in the country. Car & house insurance more expensive in Canada. Appliances seem about the same but overall cheaper in Oz because the GST is included in the price whereas in most of Canada you have to add over 10% in GST & PST to get to the real price, in BC that's another 12%. Minimum wage is higher in Oz. Most other salaries about the same although I find contract rates lower here in Canada.

It probably evens out with some things costing more, some less, some about the same, and all depending on your personal lifestyle. Two very different countries so I'd suggest the choice between the two should be more about other factors, preferences & needs.

Originally Posted by NatureFairy

I'm still worried about economic fallout though. No doubt Canada is one of the lucky ones so I hope that won't change.

Yes, who knows about that but given that both Oz and Canada have strong banking systems and weathered the previous fallout rather well, they should be okay, although I'd give Canada the slight edge in that. Oz is rather too reliant on selling minerals to China and their current government's a mess, imo.

[jawnbc]

While it's lovely to be well-thought of, it's important to see these reports in context.

These are rankings for ex-pat employees deployed overseas. In other words, if your company is going to send you somewhere and pay for your accommodation, move, etc, these are the best places to go. Which is why some things that make Sydney or Vancouver difficult for young families--real estate prices--aren't seen as such for this survey.