Close your eyes and imagine a place where you can spend every day surrounded by blue waves, sandy beaches, sunny skies, and as much avocado toast as your heart desires. Now open your eyes because that place exists, and—for obvious reasons—it’s been voted the most livable city in the world for the seventh year in a row.
Every year the Economist Intelligence Unit publishes its Global Liveability Ranking, and Melbourne has a habit of coming out on top. But it’s not just because of the city’s perfect weather and endearing Aussie accents. Cities (140 of ’em worldwide) are scored on a list of factors across five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Sadly, not a single US city cracked the list’s top 10.
Melbourne has a habit of coming out on top. But it’s not just because of the city’s perfect weather and endearing Aussie accents.
International big cities like London and Paris didn’t make the cut because—despite being full of fun things to do—their high crime levels, congestion, and issues with public transportation led them to fall in the rankings.
The most livable cities, on the other hand, have the full package: people are happy, comfortable, well-paid—you catch the drift. Though most of them are on the other side of the globe, you can still practice gratitude for what you do have—and then, obviously, plan a trip to Australia.
Feast your eyes upon the most livable cities in the world, and start saving up for an Aussie beach house ASAP.
The 10 most livable cities
- 1.Melbourne, Australia
- 2.Vienna, Austria
- 3.Vancouver, Canada
- 4.Toronto, Canada
- 5.Calgary, Canada
- 6.Adelaide, Australia
- 7.Perth, Australia
- 8.Auckland, New Zealand
- 9.Helsinki, Finland
- 10.Hamburg, Germany
If you’re looking to plan a domestic trip, these waterfall hikes are calling your name (and Instagram account). While you have your phone out, check out photos of the app’s most-photographed city.
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