LONDON - The Swiss city of Zurich has come top of a list of
the best places to live in Europe, with no British cities making the list that
was compiled by Forbes.com.
Forbes.com said Mercer Consulting based the list on an annual
survey of worldwide quality of living.
1. Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich's tiny population - 376,815 at
the end of 2007 - is spoiled with over 2,000 bars and restaurants and a
breathtaking view of the Alps and Lake Zurich. Taxes are among the lowest in
Switzerland, and residents pay no inheritance tax though its gloomy weather and
traffic bring it down.
2. Vienna, Austria (Tie): The entire city centre of Austria's
political, cultural and economic capital has been designated a U.N. World
Heritage site. It has excellent education and infrastructure.
2. Geneva, Switzerland (Tie): Over 50 percent of Geneva's
population has a foreign passport, according to the region's statistics office -
not surprising given the heavy presence of U.N. agencies and organizations such
as the Red Cross. As a result, the city is geared to be global, with private
banking facilities, private hospitals and international schools.
4. Dusseldorf, Germany: Dusseldorf has built up its
infrastructure and international transport connections. The city, on the banks
of the Rhine, has a plethora of consumer goods and is considered the fashion and
shopping capital of Germany. Dusseldorf has a thriving economy, with some of
Germany's largest companies.
5. Munich, Germany (Tie): With a population of 1.3 million,
Munich is the largest city in Europe's top 10. Best known for its annual beer
festival, the city also enjoys a thriving economy, driven by the information
technology, biotechnology and publishing sectors. However, the city has a dearth
of international schools and its air is polluted.
5. Frankfurt, Germany (Tie): The financial capital of Germany
has some spectacular architecture, including the opera house and cathedral, and
a vibrant cultural scene. The city has excellent hospitals, shops and a thriving
economy. The poor availability of housing in the city centre and heavy traffic,
however, drag Frankfurt down.
7. Bern, Switzerland: Bern, in the German-speaking part of
Switzerland, is the world's second-safest city, according to Mercer, with 6 kms
(4 miles) of shopping arcades. The city may not have a buzzing nightlife, but it
does have excellent medical facilities.
8. Copenhagen, Denmark: Living in Copenhagen is pricey but
the city boasts 11 Michelin-star restaurants and, according to Mercer, is among
the best-served cities in terms of international schools and private medical
facilities. However the city's love of bikes means that congestion drags it down
the overall rankings.
9. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Amsterdam's red light district
and liberal policy on drug use don't do much for its family-friendly reputation.
What does? The city's canals, parks and museums, and the best selection of
international schools in Europe. Its ranking is dragged down by a lack of city
centre housing and air pollution.
10. Brussels, Belgium: The administrative centre of the European Union is
among the best connected cities in Europe and has a large number of schools
serving the expatriate community. It does, however, have a large amount of
traffic congestion in the city and air pollution. - Reuters
