Oz and Canada rule list of top cities to live in

IT’S no wonder Irish people are flocking to Canada and Australia — seven of the top ten most liveable cities in the world are in these countries.

With Dublin coming in at 46th spot on the list of 140 cities, Vancouver emerged again as the best city in the world to live in for the fifth year. Melbourne claimed second place from Vienna.

Irish people have been flocking to Australia and Canada since the recession hit, with 50,000 people expected to emigrate this year.

In the annual survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Vancouver, which hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics scored 98% on a combination of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Dublin scored 89.6% which is equal to Cleveland in the US and ahead of Milan, Rome or Singapore. Dublin is also ahead of London, which scored 88.4% and is in 53rd spot.

Editor of the report, Jon Copestake said: “Mid-sized cities in developed countries with relatively low population densities tend to score well by having all the cultural and infrastructural benefits on offer with fewer problems related to crime or congestion.”

Pittsburgh was the top US city at 29th place, just ahead of Honolulu. Los Angeles moved up three places to 44th and New York city held onto the 56th spot. The top Asian city was Osaka at number 12 while Hong Kong came in at 31. Beijing, capital of the world’s most populous nation however just managed a 72 spot.

Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, once again claimed the worst position, with a rating of 37.5%, narrowing beating out the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka.

The survey ranks cities based on 30 factors such as healthcare, culture and environment, education and personal safety.

In Britain Manchester beat future Olympics host London, with the Northern city taking 42nd spot.

“The 2012 Olympics host benefits from strong cultural and recreational activities, but scores less well on the perceived threat from crime or terror.

“Londoners should not be disheartened though. These challenges are the same that many global cities face and with only 1.6% separating them London and Manchester have extremely similar levels of liveability. In fact both are well above the cut-off point where a city might be said to have problems,” said Mr Copestake.