London is 'among EU's worst' Auckland is among Worlds best!

JCM

Mercer Quality of Life survey for people working abroad is out again.

London life is 'among EU's worst'

People living in London have among the worst quality of life in Europe, a survey has found.

London was ranked 11th out of the 15 capitals in the European Union (EU), in the Mercer Human Resource Consulting survey.

Only Madrid, Lisbon, Rome and Athens provided worse health, recreation, transport, and housing services....................

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3519969.stm

Zurich, Geneva top lifestyle list

The Swiss cities of Zurich and Geneva have topped an urban quality of life survey while war-torn Baghdad has ranked last.

The survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, published Monday, is intended as a guide to life for expatriates rather than for local residents.

A total of 215 cities were ranked based on criteria including economic and environmental factors, health, education, transport and safety.

Vancouver, Canada and Vienna, Austria tied for third place in the survey.

U.S. cities slipped, the company said, as tighter security caused more time-consuming entry and exit checks.

The highest-ranked U.S. cities were Honolulu and San Francisco, in joint 24th place. The lowest was Atlanta, at 66.

Countries in Europe, Australia and New Zealand dominated the top of the list, with Auckland, New Zealand; Bern, Switzerland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Frankfurt, Germany; and Sydney, Australia all in the top 10.

Baghdad received the lowest ranking, below Bangui in the Central African Republic and Brazzaville, Congo.

"The threat of terrorism in the Middle East and the political and economic turmoil in African countries has increased the disparity between cities at the top and bottom of the rankings," said Mercer senior researcher Slagin Parakatil.

The Top 10 (with last year's ranking):

1. Zurich (1), Geneva (2)

3. Vancouver (2), Vienna (2)

5. Auckland (5), Bern (5), Copenhagen (5), Frankfurt (5), Sydney (5)

10. Amsterdam (10), Munich (1)

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/02/29/cities.liveability.survey.ap/

robernelli · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 1:47 am Post subject:

Two things suprising about this list. 1 Frankfurt being in the top 10...I cant see why? 2 Wellington not being in the top 10. Its only 15th. Ok not bad out of 215.

I think this is a little misleading anyway because the best things about NZ is not really city life, and all but Auckland are not very big anyway.

Rob

richsadams · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 5:42 am Post subject: Best/Worst Cities

JCM,

Thanks for the article! It's always good to know you're making the right choices (read: anywhere in NZ! Mr. Green

)

Interesting to note that of the "best" cities to live in, most all are the most expenisve cities to live in as well. I've lived in several and loved them for the most part, but if you aren't making a lot of money...you have a hard time enjoying them! Hmmm