The World's Best City [According to the U.N.]

Sky News ^ | 10/05/2005 | unknown

[loreldan]

Beaches, ski resorts, mountains, great weather and friendly people are just some of the ingredients of the best place to live in the world.

But where is this heaven on earth, where can you have a great standard of living and healthcare, get your hands on the world's best goods and experience some of the best services?

The answer, according to the United Nations quality of life survey, is Vancouver in British Columbia.

The "City of Glass" - so called because of its mirror-fronted skyscrapers - has topped the poll every year for nearly a decade.

Conde Nast Traveller describes Vancouver as the "perfect Pacific city, shimmering on the edge of a beautiful harbour."

Canada did well in the poll, with two other entries: Toronto at number nine and Calgary in tenth place.

Jon Copestake, editor of the Economist Intelligence Unit, which commissioned the research, said: "There are hardly any problems in Canada and even less in Vancouver."

An impressive five Australian cities made it into the top 10, explaining why so many Brits escape the UK for Down Under.

London failed to impress in the survey and came a dismal 47th out of the 127 cities included.

The worst place to live was named and shamed as Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

The 10 best cities to live in are:
Vancouver, Canada
Melbourne, Australia
Vienna, Austria
Geneva, Switzerland
Perth, Australia
Adelaide, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Zurich, Switzerland
Toronto, Canada
Calgary, Canada

The 10 worst cities to live in are:
Tehran, Iran
Douala, Cameroon
Harare, Zimbabwe
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Lagos, Nigeria
Karachi, Pakistan
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Algires, Algeria
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

[loreldan]

I've not been to Vancouver, but I hear it's beautiful. I guess it's a plus that an American city was not included in the worst cities, being a UN study and all.

[IslandJeff]

Geographically, Vancouver is gorgeous, and, infrastructure-wise, pretty well planned (i.e. no freeways ripping through the city).

But, like most big cities, there are parts of downtown one best avoids after dark, lest they seek junkies and prostitutes.
Still, it's worth a visit.

[BamaGirl]

I thought Havana, Cuba would be their favorite city. Go figure...

[martin_fierro]

What?? No mention of Pittsburgh in the 10 best?

Lightweights.

[gridlock]

Vancouver is nice, but it has no character. I spent some time in Vancouver, and there it reminded me of what they say about Oakland, California. There is no there there.

[frogjerk]

It is also a plus no Iraqi city is in the bottom 10...

[p. henry]

Great weather?????????

[infidel29]

Pittsburgh and Cleveland tied for #26 on this list... Cleveland is the poorest city in America per capita and Pittsburgh just cleared "junk" status in it's bond ratings a few mnths ago. "The Economist" my arse.

Both cities are held in the fist of demonratic control. Looking at the top ten just makes me shake my head. The title should be "World's Best City for Globalists and Liberals"

[Maceman]

I hope this means the UN will be relocating to Vancouver.

[Siena Dreaming]

I didn't like Vancouver. Everyone wearing black and it seemed dull. Don't want to go back.

[Maceman]

I hope this means the UN will soon be relocating to Vancouver.

[infidel29]

You posted while I was typing, see #8

[Clemenza]

Live about 2 hours south of Vancouver. Its nicer than Seattle (better transportation, high rise buildings due to lack of Seattle's asinine zoning restrictions, great restaurant scene), but isn't THAT great (kinda dull when compared to NY, lots of junkies and homeless along Hastings going into downtown, crappy Canadian shopping).

[Clemenza]

Pittsburgh is the most UNDERRATED city in America. Needs more jobs to attract young people, however.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

Largest Chinese population on the West Coast.

Great food..

[martin_fierro]

Sadly, if the Burgh doesn't get its act straightened out, and soon, it's well on its way to becoming the next Detroit.

IMHO.

[mcCabesPub]

i thought for sure New Orleans would be 1 of the worst..the way the EU and UN were reveling in our supposed mishandling of the relief efforts....

[loreldan]

That would be nice for sure! :~)

[loreldan]

Well, if it was a Hollywood poll...

[Cyclopean Squid]

I lived in Vienna for about 6 months while studying abroad. An absolutely wonderful place to live. It is my ardent wish to retire there (I have a while to go before that particular goal is achieved).