World's Most Liveable Cities: 2011 Global Liveability Survey (PHOTOS)

Proud Aussies have an extra special reason to celebrate today, as Australian cities are considered the most liveable in the world, according to a new report.

Melbourne topped the list of 140 cities included the 2011 Global Livability Survey, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit. This is the first time in almost a decade that Vancouver has not come in on top, slipping slightly to third place in the survey. Cites were rated on 30 factors spread across five areas: stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure, according to The Economist.

“Australia, with a low population density and relatively low crime rates, continues to supply some of the world’s most liveable cities,” survey editor Jon Copestake was quoted as saying. “Despite the rising cost of living, driven by the strong Australian dollar, these cities offer a range of factors to make them highly attractive.”

Still, Canadians needn't fret too much -- in addition to Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary made the top ten. As Time is reporting, the top U.S. city was Honolulu, which came in at number 26.

View the world's 10 most liveable cities here:

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Comments

[Fergie1]

03:17 AM on 09/05/2011

The Melbourne Age had an article on Saturday Sept. 3 with a header:
" The Wold's Most Liveable Delusion" ! That kind of sums up these ratings. They are based on skewed ratings by The Economist. Not the real world!

[Bor Zoi]

11:04 AM on 09/04/2011

This is another story that generates more heat than light.

As many people have either said or hinted, these surveys ...
... have natural bias based on the metrics the EIU have defined for "livability";
... rank based on an aggregated, satisficing value (rather than focusing on a few key metrics);
... likely skewed for the intelligencia, not "the average person" (its by "The Economist");
... have probably underweighted income & disposable income as a factor to benefit access; &
... and as a corollary to income, available time (which is not necessarily the same as social welfare instruments like state-mandated holidays and child-care leaves).

[teddyelk]

05:54 PM on 09/02/2011

I don't know where they pulled Sydney from, yes if your rich its a great city to live in. It's probably more expensive than New York. If you like risking your safety to a drunken mob everytime you go out, or getting knifed, yeh its a great city. Other than that, Melbourne is way nicer, more cultural and still relatively safe to go out and enjoy yourself in, and the public transportation is better.

[a human being]

06:34 AM on 09/02/2011

Five down south and four up north made my compass to settle in the center!

[Made in the USA]

10:48 PM on 09/01/2011

A lot from down under.

[RhiannonRings]

11:51 AM on 09/01/2011

Sadly, I haven't been to any of the listed cities. I have been to Victoria, B.C. and thought it was lovely. I would like to see more of Canada some day, starting with Vancouver.

[Erewhon7]

03:22 PM on 09/01/2011

Avoid Calgary at all cost. Especially from November to October.

[Bob Metcalfe]

05:38 PM on 10/14/2011

God - don't go to Auckland unless you like being stuck in traffic :-).

[Erewhon7]

11:44 AM on 09/01/2011

Vienna is by far the best in the list. Best public transportation. Best art, music and culture scene. Safe and clean streets. Certainly the most beautiful. The architecture makes all the Canadian and Australian cities looks like hicktowns that they are. DId I mention the classical music scene!
Only issue-- cost of living is high.

[DushanRadovic]

10:39 AM on 09/01/2011

What, no African countries?

[WindySailor]

10:23 AM on 09/01/2011

How could they have overlooked Cleveland?

[netzwerg]

10:59 AM on 09/01/2011

Too much poverty and crime.

[anneeger]

04:48 PM on 08/31/2011

It does not surprise me one bit that no U.S. city made the top of the list.
Greedy developers and real estate agents determine how we live. The cities are built to accommodate cars and shopping centers, not human beings. Everything is designed that there is no more human contact. The rich sit behind gates and the poor sit behind bars. Wherever there is a beautiful vista it is taken by some developer and walled in for the superrich. The inner cities are mostly dead and the suburbs are in a state of apparent death.
I have never been to Australia and New Zealand but many times to Canada and Europe. It is interesting that Australia and Canada, both huge countries with rather small populations lead the list. That might change when they get more populated. On the other hand Europe is so densely populated and they manage to have many livable cities, even if there are only few on the list.

[CologneCitizen]

03:12 AM on 09/01/2011

My experience from visiting the US is that there is no real "city development". As you write correctly everything is ruled by money. Old places are torn down when new buildings promise more profit. Speculation rules and not needs of citizens or the preservation of beauty and style. I don't even know if all people in charge have to be corrupt. I guess many Americans are just raised on the mindset that money trumps everything.

[jcash4773]

02:08 AM on 09/20/2011

I'd happily eviscerate you.

[HarrietandBlahBlahNyborg]

04:46 PM on 08/31/2011

Also, for those people who complain about these "most liveable cities" being boooooring, well, the onus has always been on the individual. Some cities - like Aussie ones - will favour outdoor activities, so when you live there you go cycling, trekking, play sports, etc. When I lived in Japan, spent most of my free time in karaoke bars, going to restaurants, sightseeing, etc. Basically I adapted to what the city had to offer. Hence, I enjoyed every city I lived in and didn't moan because I can't go play cricket in Los Angeles! Some people just love to complain and take these lists as more serious than they're intended.

[HarrietandBlahBlahNyborg]

04:34 PM on 08/31/2011

I must be easily pleased because I've lived in Australia - loved it, England - loved it, Japan - loved it, and now the US - loving it. Basically, all the big cities of the world are about the same provided you have a good job that provides you with a good salary, you surround yourself with good friends and have a good attitude.

[tangelan]

01:27 PM on 09/05/2011

This is a comment I would associate with a rich person. Or someone that takes a lot of drugs.

[jimboh]

04:07 PM on 08/31/2011

Ah... cities of the world. When I was young nothing more fun than hitting a new city.

New York, Detroit, New Orleans and Montreal were hopping in my day.

God I loved New York and Montreal.....anyway doesn't matter what anyone else thinks
cause it's all in the eye of the beholder. If you know what I mean?

[squiems]

02:39 PM on 08/31/2011

Vienna. Really? Of all the cities in europe, vienna was the most livable? I can think of 20 different european cities I would rather live in. I saw more swastika graffiti in vienna than I did in russia, or even egypt.

[TAIsabel]

07:16 PM on 08/31/2011

Thank you!!!! My toughts exactly!!! It is the most racist, unwelcoming city I have ever been in. I have travelled a good part of the world and have walked in the streets of Nairobi, Marrakesh, Sao Paulo, Caracas and most of Europe and NEVER have I felt more unwelcome in my life than the times I was in Vienna ( had to travel there on my way to Slovakia during the early '90s). I am a very tough gal and can confront anything fearlessly but, NO ONE, NOT A ONE of the Austrians would assist me as I tried to call home from a payphone at the airport, not once but everytime I was there. They are truly unpleasant. Hell no, this si not a liveable city unless you are one of them. The swastika is alive and well there.

[QuesterQ]

07:45 AM on 09/02/2011

As someone living there quite a few years I have to admit people in Vienna aren't the most open or friendly. But basically it's the same as in all over Germany or several other central or northern european states, people tend to be a bit reserved or even grungy.

But the swastika thing, that's eastern germany, russia and so on. Austrians are really good at making sure they don't do anything which connects them with their past. You shouldn't confuse a somewhat "every should mind his own business" culture with racism. Believe me, there is not much difference between two austrians wo are strangers and an austrian and a tourist.

[EIEIOkiedokie]

02:33 PM on 08/31/2011

Maybe one day you'll even make it so the slide shows work.