The best cities on earth are hard to judge. Different surveys can produce radically different results. Here are some reasons why.
“Comparisons are odious”
People often ask me: ‘What is the best city you have lived in? Is it London? Berlin? Moscow? Istanbul? Kyiv? Manchester? Or Vienna?’
I usually answer with Oscar Wilde: ‘Comparisons are odious.’
Vienna has much to recommend it, including lovely countryside nearby
The best cities on earth: Vienna?
When I heard that that Vienna had this year taken first place in the annual Economist Intelligence Unit’s global liveability index I was reminded of Oscar Wilde. It was the first time a European city had ever won.
Vienna is a magnificent place to live. It has some of the world’s best cafes – see my famous cafe reviews – and awesome local countryside. It bristles with outdoor pools, and – my favourite – outdoor cinemas, comparable with Berlin’s. I am happy here.
The best cities on earth: Istanbul?
When I was deciding in 2011 whether to try and move to Istanbul, I was influenced by a report in the Financial Times. The FT made fun of rankings such as that of the EIU. It also mocked the Mercer quality of living survey, where Vienna has come top for years.
The FT said that the cities that tended to do well in such surveys were not necessarily places people wanted to live. Osaka, Calgary, Toronto or Zurich were all fine cities but not on everyone’s bucket lists. Cities that attracted people, such as New York or London, tended to do poorly because the surveys gave weight to security, stability and convenience – eg healthcare and education – rather than, say, rock music, excitement, job opportunities and chances of meeting your future partner.
An alternative way of finding the best city on earth
The FT therefore polled its readers. They voted Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia in the top left corner of Turkey the best city on earth.
Back in 2011, FT readers voted Istanbul the world’s best city
Yes, Istanbul is amazing
I lived in Istanbul from 2012 to 2016, and can confirm that it is no-holds-barred wonderful. It sprawls spectacularly over hills on each side of the beautiful Bosphorus. It has thousands of years of history, and has archaeological remains that put all other cities on earth to shame. Before travelling there, I read a history of Turkey and was bemused to be half way through before we reached the year zero. The food is great; the weather delightful; and the people terrific.
On the other hand, Istanbul is a city of over sixteen million people and does not score highly on the measures which Mercer and the EIU treasure most.
I, for my part, have enjoyed hugely living in all of the cities listed in the first paragraph. Other cities I like include Salzburg, where I spent a month in August 2016. But which city do you think is the best on earth? Answers in the comments section below, please.
P.S. If you enjoy fresh, original writing, you can follow me on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter (you can unsubscribe anytime you wish).
5 Responses
Leider kann ich die beiden Städte nicht realistisch vergleichen, denn in Istanbul war ich nur als Besucherin und fasziniert von ihrer Geschichte, der Lebensart, von den aufgeschlossenen Menschen. Aber als Wienerin, die jetzt endgültig in Wien lebt, ist für mich die lebenswerteste Stadt der Welt. Vor allem weil es eine kleine Großstadt ist, in der man nicht unbedingt ein Auto braucht, es Gechäfte gibt in denen man perönlich beraten wird und die so etwas wie Kommunikatrionszentren sind – vor allem die Buchhandlungen. Und es eine Stadt ist, die einmal das Zenrum eines Großen Reiches war, vor hundert Jahren Brennpunkt von Kunst und Wissenschaftwar, was bis heute ausstrahlt. Die heutige politische und gesellschaftliche Entwicklung macht mich als östereichische Patriotin allerdings zornig..
Danke Eva! Ja, Wien ist zweifellos wunderbar….
Venice, hands down, for me. I am a romantic. I was ready to die after spending a few days e there. A City floating on a sea. Glorious history. Beautiful palaces along the Grand Canal. Gondoliers singing romantic Italiae
n songs to young lovers as they paddle along the maze of small tributary canals. The palace of the Dukes of Venice. The gorgeous Saint Mark’s Cathedral….I can’t stand the beauty….
Excellent choice! Venice is unparalleled.