If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? According to a new report, there’s one practical answer: Vienna, Austria.
The European city has been named the world’s most livable city by The Economist Intelligence Unit for the second year in a row. What catapulted it to the top spot? Things like low crime, quality public transportation, healthcare availability, the moderate climate, great education, and affordable housing availability. Coming in a close second was Melbourne, Australia, followed by Sydney, Australia, Osaka, Japan, and Calgary, Canada.
It’s an accolade, indeed, for the European capital. But what’s even more impressive is that it's the second time this year the city's been bestowed with the "most livable" title. Back in March, Mercer came to the same conclusion after considering similar factors.
Both Mercer and the EIU also cited the city’s culture—like food and drink offerings, sports, and recreation opportunities—as another reason for its great living conditions.
After all, the city has a diverse art scene which includes the historic Belvedere Museum and the Secession Gallery—home to works by Vienna's avant garde artists at the turn of the 19th century. Quaint cafes dot every street, like Joseph Brot, famous for its bread. Even the tap water, pumped straight from the Alps, is extraordinary.
“We swim in lakes of drinking-water quality; we bike to work,” Christina Steinbrecher-Pfandt, artistic director of Viennacontemporary, told Vogue in 2016. “The way people live in Vienna is the way people should be living.”
How about in the good ol' U.S.A.? Honolulu was the top ranking city at 22nd. Other American standouts were Atlanta (33rd), Pittsburgh (34th) and Seattle (36th). New York ranked 58th—brought down by a lack of affordable housing, perceptions of safety risks, and struggles with infrastructure. But the silver lining is the city ranked high for cultural factors! Because yes, you can see that matinee of Hadestown—but you may need an extra ten minutes of travel time if you're taking the subway to get there.