In search of a better life? It could be time to turn your compass westward, specifically toward Western Europe and Western Canada. According to the Economic Intelligence Unit’s annual Global Liveability Index, cities in both of those regions are among the top five most livable cities this year.
Five categories—stability, culture and environment, health care, infrastructure, and education—are taken into account in the survey’s ranking system. A handful of these attractive cities would be the perfect place to flee for a more economical life as well, given that inflation was still high in September at 8.2%.
Here is a list of the top 5 liveable cities
1. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is waiting for you, as Billy Joel likes to sing. Joel was inspired by the city of Vienna, also referred to as the “city of music” because it is the birthplace of Mozart and Beethoven and is currently the home of the Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Philharmonic. Additionally, it features reasonably priced housing, low crime rates, and typically clean and green areas for locals.
Austria has seen its own inflation issues this year, with its annual rate rising up to 10.5% in September, much like the majority of the other cities on this list. Additionally, it has been impacted by the Ukraine war, which analysts say would hinder part of the nation’s economic recovery, like many other European nations.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is the destination for you if you want ice cream, rye bread, and hot dogs.
Danish people established the idea of hygge, a cozier comfort lifestyle typified by candles, warm sweaters, and pleasant company. Inflation in Denmark reached 10% in September. However, despite all of that, the ongoing war on the continent, and COVID-19’s lingering impacts, it is anticipated that GDP would grow faster than the government’s initial forecasts, reaching 3.4% in 2022.
3. Zurich, Switzerland (Tied)
There’s no need to search any farther if you want to run away to Switzerland to escape terrible inflation. Switzerland is the “country that inflation left behind,” as Reuters stated in an earlier story. Switzerland recorded a moderate rate of 3.2% in September, whereas the rest of the globe (and particularly Europe) has been battling soaring inflation.
3. Calgary, Canada (Tied)
It’s time to acclimate yourself to Cow Town. At the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Canada, this medium-sized city is no longer exclusively for cowboys.
Although Calgary is less well-known abroad than Canada’s larger cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, it will nonetheless astound you with its culture, history, and proximity to natural wonders like Banff. According to WorldAtlas, it receives roughly 333 days of sunshine annually, making it Canada’s sunniest city.
Calgary’s GDP is forecasted to expand at a rate faster than the rest of the nation for the remainder of this year, reaching 5.5%, well exceeding the nation’s anticipated growth of 3.8%.
5. Vancouver, Canada
Mountain ranges, the Pacific Ocean, and a diversified cuisine scene are all present in Vancouver, one of the biggest and most diverse cities in the nation. Vancouver is one of the few cities that appeals to both city dwellers and outdoor enthusiasts.
According to the Vancouver Economic Commission, the city has one of the fastest-expanding low-carbon economies in North America. Although the epidemic did cause some delays, local economic growth has begun to recover, driven by the green economy, digital entertainment, construction, and technology. However, inflation is a worry. Inflation in British Columbia was 7.7% in September.