Not sure how I’ll swing it, but I’d like to live, even for a short while in one of the 21 cities below deemed to offer the best quality of life. London by the way, is number 39 of the list. Chicago, my previous city of residence is number 51.
So which country would I choose if I could waive a wand and make it so? Well, New Zealand and Australia are quite appealing but as they are so far from everything else, not sure I’d go through with such a move. Canada is also appealing but its perhaps too much like America to really consider. Germany is another contender, but thinking I’ll just take a pass. As such, top of my list like the list below would have to be Switzerland. No I’ve never been, but based on everything I’ve read, it does sound like a wonderful country to visit and live, if even for a short while.
1 1 Geneva Switzerland 106.5
1 2 Zurich Switzerland 106.5
3 3 Vancouver Canada 106.0
3 3 Vienna Austria 106.0
5 5 Frankfurt Germany 105.5
5 10 Munich Germany 105.5
5 12 Düsseldorf Germany 105.5
8 5 Auckland New Zealand 105.0
8 5 Bern Switzerland 105.0
8 5 Copenhagen Denmark 105.0
8 5 Sydney Australia 105.0
12 10 Amsterdam Netherlands 104.5
13 13 Brussels Belgium 104.0
14 12 Melbourne Australia 103.5
14 15 Berlin Germany 103.5
14 15 Luxembourg Luxembourg 103.5
14 15 Stockholm Sweden 103.5
14 12 Toronto Canada 103.5
14 15 Wellington New Zealand 103.5
20 20 Ottawa Canada 103.0
20 20 Perth Australia 103.0
Survey methodology
The data for the 2005 survey was largely collected between September and November 2004 and was regularly updated to take account of changing circumstances.
The overall quality of life ranking is based on an evaluation of 39 quality of life criteria. The covered topic in 2005, “personal safety and security,” is based on an evaluation of six criteria that have been drawn from the overall quality of life survey. New York has been used as the base score for quality of life with a score of 100 points.
Mercer’s study is based on detailed assessments and evaluations of 39 key quality of life determinants, grouped in the following categories:
• Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement, etc)
• Economic environment (currency exchange regulations, banking services, etc)
• Socio-cultural environment (censorship, limitations on personal freedom, etc)
• Medical and health considerations (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc)
• Schools and education (standard and availability of schools, etc)
• Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, traffic congestion, etc)
• Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure, etc)
• Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars, etc)
• Housing (housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services, etc)
• Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters)