World's Best Places To Live

[JODO 2]

In Mercer Consultings annual Quality of Living Survey, Europe once again dominates the list of 215 countries around the world. The top three cities are, by rank, Vienna, Zurich (last years winner), and Geneva. Commonwealth nations fare pretty well, too, winning 9 of the top 30 spots -- even though London comes in only at 38. The U.S. also fares poorly, barely making it into the top 30 with Honolulu and San Francisco in the bottom two places. The top city in Asia is Singapore, at no. 26. No cities from Africa or South America are in the top 30. The bottom? Baghdad once again comes in at 215.

To find out which 30 global cities offer the best quality of life, read on.

The World's Best Places to Live 2009

No. 1: Vienna, Austria

Mercer score: 108.6*

2008 rank: 2

GDP: $325 billion (2008 est.)**

Population: 1,664,146 (total city); 8,210,281 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.5

*The rankings are based on a point scoring index established by Mercer Consultings 2009 Quality of Living Survey, with Vienna scoring 108.6 and Baghdad scoring 14.4. Cities are compared with New York as the base city, with an index score of 100. The quality-of-living survey covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. The survey also identifies those cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, effectiveness of law enforcement, and relationships with other countries.

**The World Factbook.Gross domestic product is denominated in international dollars, which is based on Purchasing Power Parity.

No. 2: Zurich, Switzerland

Mercer score: 108

2008 rank: 1

GDP: 309.9 billion (2008 est.)

Population: 1,307,567 (total city); 7,604,467 (total country)

Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 3: Geneva, Switzerland

Mercer score: 107.9

2008 rank: 2

GDP: $309.9 billion (2008 est.)

Population: 438,177 (total city); 7,604,467 (total country)

Life expectancy: 80.85

Getty Images

No. 4 (tie): Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.4

2008 rank: 4

GDP: $1.3 trillion (2008 est.)

Population: 2,285,900 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)

Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 4 (tie): Auckland, New Zealand

Mercer score: 107.4

2008 rank: 5

GDP: $116.6 billion (2008 est.)

Population: 1,303,068 (total city); 4,213,418 (total country)

Life expectancy: 80.3

No. 6: Dusseldorf, Germany

Mercer score: 107.2

2008 rank: 6

GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)

Population: 581,858 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 7: Munich, Germany

Mercer score: 107

2008 rank: 7

GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)

Population: 1,300,000 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.2

Getty Images

No. 8: Frankfurt, Germany

Mercer score: 106.8

2008 rank: 7

GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)

Population: 662,000 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 9: Bern, Switzerland

Mercer score: 106.5

2008 rank: 9

GDP: $309.9 billion (2008 est.)

Population: 962,983 (total city); 7,604,467 (total country)

Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 10: Sydney, Australia

Mercer score: 106.3

2008 rank: 10

GDP: $800.5 billion (2008 est.)

Population: 4,336,374 (total city); 21,262,641 (total country)

Life expectancy: 81.6

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/artic...es-to-Live-2009

[Danno 1,228]

The problem with these "best of" lists is... They use a point system which may or may not meet the average persons "wish list" of what to look for in a city.

I have no need to live in a place with exceptional medical care nor world class museums as I visit these places rarely. A city with great, small eateries would be of much greater value as would a local Govt. without excessive regulations.

Why is it with all the cities in the world the top ones as a group, have little diversity?

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

No. 8: Frankfurt, Germany

Mercer score: 106.8

2008 rank: 7

GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)

Population: 662,000 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.2

as long as you don't mind the noise........always a siren somewhere in frankfurt am main (and to the writer of the article in the op for failing to realize there are two frankfurts in germany (the other being frankfurt am oder).

[JODO 2]

I've always thought about going to Frankfurt or Munich for one of those Christmas markets. It always looks fun.

[almaty 19]

where is boo yah at?

this is unbelieveablr..sydney at #10..i assumed all the cities were from Oz..

[Nagishkaw 510]

No. 4 (tie): Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.4

2008 rank: 4

GDP: $1.3 trillion (2008 est.)

Population: 2,285,900 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)

Life expectancy: 81.2

Sounds good to me.

[blue123 0]

The World's Best Places to Live 2009

No. 1: Vienna, Austria

Mercer score: 108.6*

2008 rank: 2

GDP: $325 billion (2008 est.)**

Population: 1,664,146 (total city); 8,210,281 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.5

And I am moving to the US!!!

[Shad and Dani 3]

The World's Best Places to Live 2009

No. 1: Vienna, Austria

Mercer score: 108.6*

2008 rank: 2

GDP: $325 billion (2008 est.)**

Population: 1,664,146 (total city); 8,210,281 (total country)

Life expectancy: 79.5

And I am moving to the US!!!

The Greatest Country in the World!

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Frankfurt is pretty good.

Surprised Melbourne didn't make it to the list. My fav city by far.

[thetreble 19]

Why is it with all the cities in the world the top ones as a group, have little diversity?

Not true. Why say something like that unless you've visited all those places?

Vancouver is incredibly diverse and in canada alone, most people my age are first-born Canadians. Most of my friends parent's are from Europe, including mine. There is a lot of diversity there.

Awesome city.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Why is it with all the cities in the world the top ones as a group, have little diversity?

Not true. Why say something like that unless you've visited all those places?

Vancouver is incredibly diverse and in canada alone, most people my age are first-born Canadians. Most of my friends parent's are from Europe, including mine. There is a lot of diversity there.

Awesome city.

It is a great city...... an expensive one too

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Why is it with all the cities in the world the top ones as a group, have little diversity?

Not true. Why say something like that unless you've visited all those places?

Vancouver is incredibly diverse and in canada alone, most people my age are first-born Canadians. Most of my friends parent's are from Europe, including mine. There is a lot of diversity there.

Awesome city.

It is a great city...... an expensive one too

While cheap is sometimes great, great often doesn't come cheap.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I have no need to live in a place with exceptional medical care nor world class museums as I visit these places rarely.

Medical facilities are like insurance. You don't need them until you do.

[pedroh 21]

The problem with these "best of" lists is... They use a point system which may or may not meet the average persons "wish list" of what to look for in a city.

I have no need to live in a place with exceptional medical care nor world class museums as I visit these places rarely. A city with great, small eateries would be of much greater value as would a local Govt. without excessive regulations.

Why is it with all the cities in the world the top ones as a group, have little diversity?

yea cuz average people don't go to museums?

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

There is no other like Paris *sigh*