The results are in: Vienna is the best city to live in—based on quality of live. Granted, everyone has his own opinion about what makes a city a great place in which to live. Often, those opinions are formed by subjective reasons. While you might choose a city because your family lives there or that's where you went to college, there are other factors to consider. They include the quality of education available for your children and the public services available to provide for your health and well-being.
Each year studies are done to determine the quality of living in cities around the world. Those studies look past the sentimental issues that keep us rooted in the same place our ancestors settled and ask question like:
How safe you are in in your own home? What public services are available in your area? Are your children receiving a quality education? Is your government restricting your personal freedoms? Do you have access to a variety of recreational activities? They also assess things like how the economy has impacted your ability to buy and sell, transportation issues, health care, air and water quality, and a variety of other factors.
The 2010 study performed by Mercer, which provides information to businesses and non-profits with employees stationed around the world, looks at all of those factors for over 300 cities in countries around the world. This year's top city is Vienna, Austria.
Why Vienna?
Vienna's economy has remained stable, despite the financial downturn that many areas of the world have faced. The Austrian government has also remained strong and public satisfaction is high among the citizens. Public services are easily accessed in the city and the education system is excellent. Air and water quality are good, and inexpensive public transportation is readily available.
Safety: An area's crime rate is always a factor when considering quality of life. According to the Overseas Security Advisory Council's Austria 2010 Crime & Safety Report, "Crime has increased in Austria over the past year, especially in Vienna, but the country as a whole continues to enjoy a low overall crime rate."
Climate: Vienna, a beautiful city set amid a panoramic countryside, enjoys a four-season climate. Mild temperatures, averaging 68-86°F in the summer and 32°F in the winter, make it an attractive tourist destination year round.
Language: While many resident speak English, German is the official language. And while English might be common in areas like Vienna and other larger cities, those planning to relocate to Vienna for any length of time would need to learn German for work purposes if nothing else.
Currency: Austria is a part of the European Union, so the currency in use is the Euro. The cost of living is moderate, but for those relocating from the US, it might seem high given the devaluation of the dollar over the last few years.
Relocating overseas is a big step, even if it is a work-related move. But if you are considering a move, look more closely at Vienna.
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