Auckland and Wellington World’s Top Cities to Live
Auckland (along with Vancouver BC) has been named the 4th best city in the world to live in according to 2010 Mercer Worldwide Quality of Living Survey which measures Quality of Life metrics. Wellington was judged 12th worldwide for quality of living. However the places were switched for eco-cities, Wellington was placed 5th and Auckland 12th place for world cities.
Uploaded on Flickr by Daniele Sartori
The 2010 Mercer Worldwide Quality of Living Survey was released today, ranking cities for overall quality of living based on political, socio-economic and environmental criteria as well as sanitisation, education and transport. The company also compiled a list of top eco-cities.
Global ranking
Quality of life:
1: Vienna, Austria
2: Zurich, Switzerland
3: Geneva, Switzerland
4=: Auckland
4=: Vancouver, Canada
6: Dusseldorf, Germany
7=: Frankfurt, Germany
7=: Munich, Germany
10: Sydney, Australia
11: Copenhagen, Denmark
12: Wellington
Eco-city ranking:
1: Calgary, Canada
2: Honolulu, United States
3=: Ottawa, Canada
3=: Helsinki, Finland
5: Wellington
6: Minneapolis, United States
7: Adelaide, Australia
8: Copenhagen, Denmark
9=: Kobe, Japan
9=: Oslo, Norway
9=: Stockholm, Sweden
12: Perth, Australia
13: Auckland
Asia Pacific
Quality of living:
1: Auckland (4th overall)
2: Sydney (10th)
3: Wellington (12th)
4: Melbourne (18th)
5: Perth (21st)
Eco-city ranking:
1: Wellington (5th overall)
2: Adelaide (7th)
3: Kobe (9th)
4: Perth (12th)
5: Auckland (13th)
Uploaded on flickr by Small
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I’m really surprised with the fact that it can be eco-friendly to live in Canada – it is a real industrial country!
Canada is very progressive when it comes to the environment, particular British Columbia.
Aukland or BC??? Which one??
Totally true! Heck, even the people are super smart at both places and they do not litter like we do in California! Heck, the only place that is cleaner is Switzerland.
I am embarrassed to say I am from the US! Especially when we had Bush for crimeny sakes!
How does the cost of living at each compare with California? What about the cost of health care? I hear good things from folks in Canada and bad things. I do not hear anything in between. Does Auckland have “free” healthcare like Canada?
I want WARM WEATHER though! So where in Canada can I enjoy the type of weather like Santa Barbara? I know Auckland is warm but when I want to come to the US I will have to spend a ton of time in the air and will cost a lot of money!
So.. Who lived in California and moved to Canada or Auckland?? What did you discover?
Thanks,
Dave in calif!
Dave´s last [type] ..Response cached until Thu 24 @ 5:43 GMT (Refreshes in 24.00 Hours)
NZ does not rank high on expensive places to live (mercer index) such as San Francisco or Los Angeles. This measure is the affordability vs average income of the population.
Second, all industrialized nations excluding USA have some form of Universal healthcare. It is most definitely not free, you pay for it in your taxes. Where as Canada has one insurance company per province (otherwise known as single payer), New Zealand has a single budget for healthcare that is managed by 9 region health boards. This is more like England’s system. There is also a large private insurance business in NZ where you can buy supplemental healthcare insurance if you so desire (Canada has this too). The bottom line is no-one is left without care and no-one goes broke because of healthcare costs. We are part of a community that supports each other and no one should be deprived of that support in a time of need.
In terms of weather, there is nowhere in Canada that has the same weather as Southern California, nor in NZ either. You have to go to Australia’s Gold Coast to get a similar weather experience. However, and having lived in the US for 6 years and Canada for 5, there are many things that are overwhelmingly positive about NZ and Canada societies that make up for the lack of sunshine.
Kiwibloke!
Thanks for the info.
I am totally hung up on the sunshine part… So the Gold Cost….
SF and LA are cheaper to live in than where I live now in Pacific Grove. I do not think anyone actually knows about PG but it is between Carmel, Monterey, and Pebble Beach (where the US Open golf contest was a few days ago).. Anyway, PG is expensive but it is BEAUTIFUL but it is foggy… Just down the road, in Carmel Valley, or Indian Springs the weather is BEAUTIFUL!
But it is expensive and out in the boonies…
The closest place to live I have found to a dreamland is Santa Barbara or San Diego but they are super busy and crowded.
Got a place to focus on??
Thanks
Dave in Calif
Dave´s last [type] ..Response cached until Thu 24 @ 5:43 GMT (Refreshes in 13.81 Hours)
Yep Queensland Australia.. the only problem is it is full of Aussies
I wouldn’t say that. Some parts of Canada are extremely eco-friendly and the list must have taken that into consideration.
Wow! I knew that a load of my compatriots were emigrating to NZ, and now it’s clear why – you obviously have some of the best scenery and weather, but you’re still a relatively well kept secret! Speaking as a Brit I’m appalled that the UK doesn’t place anywhere in the chart – we really are a dreary little country, aren’t we? Unfortunately as I’m not employed in one of the more desirable professions (or loaded with cash) the borders of many of the more attractive countries are closed to me, at least for the purpose of permanent relocation!
Judging from your site you already know how lucky you are, but I wonder if the same is true of all your fellow Kiwis?
.-= Michelle @ Sleep Sound Machines´s last blog ..Sleep Sound Machines =-.
You are right, many New Zealanders do not appreciate how lucky they are. I spend a lot of time out of the country so I see a different perspective. How can you miss it if you don’t go away.
p.s. I love going to the UK
I believe that Austria is the best European country to live according to the quality of life, because their life is excellently orghanized.
Auckland certainly has it’s charms ,its a great place to stay in.
While Auckland has some nice spots i like Wellington better as the public transport is so much better than Auckland, I guess I like the hills as well, Auckland is a bit flat.