Each year, the international consultancy company Mercer conducts a study to assess the quality of life in 230 cities all over the world. Various criteria as the socio-political and economic climate, health services, training opportunities, public transportation quality, environmental conditions and water and electricity services, are taken into account.
Entertainment, as restaurants, theatre, cinemas and sports are also taken into account, such as the availability of consumer goods.
Among the 230 world’s cities selected, here is the list of the 10 first European cities the most pleasant to live in of 2019.
1. Vienna
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is not only the most livable city in Europe, but also the most livable city in the world. It has received a pound rating on security, infrastructure, education and health care. Vienna has a pleasant climate and a very rich cultural life, with low housing and public transportation costs.
It originated in the Roman War Camp and later became an important capital of the Austrian Empire. Therefore, Vienna has many magnificent palaces and buildings related to the royal family. Baroque architecture and cafes who are famous for their desserts such as Sachertorte and Kaiserschmarrn attract the attention of visitors. The summer is the season of festivals and concerts.
You can also visit Pratt or take a ride on the Ferris wheel where you marvel at the colorful houses of Vienna and you will admire the art of Friedrich Stowe and Hendt Wasser.
The average wage in Vienna is 4567 euros per month.
2. Zurich
Zurich has a lot of things to try and to do, but unfortunately, you must have a considerable budget to finish them. There’s a medieval center, mountains, rivers and lakes. It’s a multicultural city which is comfortable to live in and work in any season.
You can shop along the unique Bahnhofstrasse and regard the surroundings on a short trip to Zurich Lake, you can also admire the breathtaking views of Uetliberg. In addition, you can eat some sausages in the Bauschänzli beer garden by the river or relax in the small bars and coffee shops on the winding old cobbled streets of the old town near Münstergasse.
For those who want to see something different, the FIFA Football Museum, the museum for exhibiting animals of all Swiss species and currency museum are excellent choices!
Zurich is the economic and artistic center of Switzerland. It is the largest city in the country with 405,000 inhabitants. The internationalization in Zurich is of high level that nearly 30% are foreigners.
According to an annual survey by Swiss Bank, Zurich residents have the strongest purchasing power in the world with an average wage of 9361 euros per month.
3. Vancouver
This is the first time Vancouver has won the third place in a livable city in Europe. Vancouver, located on the Pacific Ocean in southwestern British Columbia, is Canada’s main port city and important economic center. It’s also a political, cultural, tourist and transportation hub in western Canada. This is a city where both vitality and tranquility coexist. The scenery is beautiful with the mountains and the sea who are interdependent. The beauty of Vancouver depends not only the urban appearance and natural environment, but also is reflected by the social environment that people are inclusive and optimist. As we all know, Vancouver’s air is notoriously fresh. Most of the time it has blue and pure sky and white clouds. It’s always pleasant with the comfortable breeze.
Vancouver’s average monthly salary is 4371 euros.
3. Munich
In addition to Berlin, Munich is the city with the most tourists in Germany. Just the annual October Oktoberfest can attract about 7 million visitors. Munich has not only beer and pretzel, even though they do improve the livability here.
There are many museums with various exhibitions in Munich. If you don’t have enough time, you can’t miss Neue Pinakothek and the Deutsches Museum. If you are a car enthusiast, you can also visit the BMW Museum.
The things couldn’t be missed in Munich are the Marienplatz buildings, the Hofbräuhaus beer and strolling through the Englischer Garten for sunbathing or picnics. Munich’s Eisbach is the perfect surfing spot despite of being close to the Alps. So be sure to bring your surfboard.
The average income of Munich is 4651 euros per month.
3. Auckland
This is the first time Auckland has got the fifth European livable city. Auckland stands on the slender gorge between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean and it’s surrounded by two beautiful harbors. Half of it is a city and half is a sea. The city’s skyscrapers and antique Victorian architecture complete each other. There are full of boats in the big or little harbors. The harbor is dotted with more than 50 subtropical islands and hundreds of beaches. Auckland is also a city built on a volcanic cone. The 48 volcanic cones are covered with greenery and are embedded in the urban and rural fields. Many of them have been turned into parks, and there are two ancient rainforest mountains surrounding the city. The whole city is like a park with mountains, water and islands. As New Zealand’s largest city and former capital, Auckland is New Zealand’s industrial, commercial and financial center. The population density here is small. Most people enjoy slow pace of life with the balance of work and life.
Auckland’s average income is 5154 euros per month.
6. Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is a very livable city. It is relatively quiet thanks that it’s not a tourist city. Although the name ends with ‘dorf’ which means village, it is a wealthy and modern city.
For architecture enthusiasts, the modern media center Rheinhafen along the Rhine is a must visit. Some buildings here are built by the world’s top architects, and Frank Gehry built three buildings who adjacent to each other and form a dramatic skyline. Speaking of the Rhine, the old town is along the river. “Dielängste Thekeder Welt” is the longest bar in the world where you can enjoy a local dark beer who is called Altbier.
Düsseldorf is also the third largest community of Japanese in Europe, so you can go to Schadowstrasse for trying the Japanese cuisine.
The average wage in Düsseldorf is 4870 euros per month.
7. Frankfurt
Frankfurt is located in the heart of the Main River. There are skyscrapers, an annual book fair, and one of the busiest airports in Europe. The Frankfurters are diligent when they work, and they are crazy when they play.
Frankfurt was severely bombed during the war. Fortunately, the old city center has now been rebuilt where there is a good living atmosphere now. The cobbled pedestrian streets, shops and taverns, as well as chairs and umbrella-covered plazas around, all of them tell people to stop working and to look for life.
Walking along the Main River is a must. You can stay at the coffee shop or enjoy the moment on the man-made beach in the summer, or visit one or more of the nine museums in the marina. Every Saturday, you can go to the second – hand market that occupies the Schaumainkai promenade and the area around the Osterhaven Docklands. Maybe you will meet something unexpected.
The average income in Frankfurt is 4945 euros per month.
8. Copenhagen
The Danish capital is a model city for sustainable development by prioritizing bicycles and public transportation, by developing neighborhood stores and green space, and by adopting a common policy based on social interaction. What’s more, the city plans to reduce carbon emissions to 0% by 2025.
It is also one of the most influential cities on Instagram who has the Little Mermaid sculpture, the fairy tale writer Andersen, the oriental-style Tivoli Gardens, the world’s oldest theme park and the colorful exterior walls along Newport.
For the foodies, you must visit the Torvehallerne market and the night of Kødbyen. This area of restaurants and nightclubs was for meat processing before.
Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities to live in all over the world with a higher tax and social contribution than the rest of the world. The average salary is 6352 euros per month.
9. Geneva
Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland. It has a large number of international organizations and non-governmental organizations, such as United Nations Headquarters, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization.
Geneva is a Swiss jewel that is often overlooked. It’s located on Geneva Lake (also known as Leman Lake) and surrounded by the Alps. It is representative of cleanness, security, richness and culture.
Geneva Lake inspired many poets and writers, such as Byron, Shelley, Doyle and Twain.
The cathedral of the Old Town dates back to the 12th century and is a maze of cobblestone alleys with a variety of coffee shops. Every Wednesday and Saturday, there are many markets in Plain palais Square, such as the second-hand market, where you can find valuable bargains.
Like Zurich, the purchasing power in Geneva is particularly strong. The average monthly salary is 9197 €.
10. Basel
Basel is a cultural sanctuary with more than 40 museums. One of the most popular is the Basel Kunst Museum that is the home to the oldest collection in Europe. You can almost see masterpieces of all masters, including Picasso, Van Gogh and Warhol. Basel’s honey cake is strongly recommended, a traditional sweet dish that originated from the 14th century and made by Basel gingerbread maker.
The average income is 9046 euros.
*Resource : http://www.salaryexplorer.com/