Moving abroad is often motivated by the quest for better living standards. Like every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit publishes its Global Liveability ranking based on a range of criteria including stability, education, healthcare, infrastructure, culture, and environment. To help you choose your next destination, Expat.com gives you an insight into six of the world's most liveable cities.
Vienna
The Austrian capital city, Vienna, is considered as one of Europe's leading cultural hubs, especially since the city centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With remarkably well-preserved architecture including museums and monuments, Vienna is much more than a tourist destination. Providing an unparalleled quality of life to its inhabitants, Vienna is the world's most liveable city. The city has a rich cultural heritage with its folk atmosphere, music festivals all year round, and a modern contemporary vibe. If you're considering moving to Austria with your family, your children will benefit from a high-level educational system with many nurseries and public and private schools. You will be delighted to know that education is free of charge in Austria. Vienna also hosts many vocational, technical, and general schools, not to mention the University of Vienna which is the country's oldest and largest university. Regarding healthcare, like most Austrian cities, Vienna also has its own modern and well-equipped health infrastructure with highly skilled medical staff providing quality healthcare. Needless to say that Vienna is a stable and safe city.
Melbourne
Australia's second largest city, Melbourne is also the world's second most liveable city. Dubbed the capital of culture, cuisine, fashion, and sports, Melbourne is world famous for its modern infrastructure alongside its well-preserved historical heritage. It also stands out as the most Westernised Australian city. Every year, Melbourne hosts international events such as the Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open, and the Melbourne Cup. As a cosmopolitan city, Melbourne is an excellent choice for those seeking a better quality of life thanks to its diverse natural landscapes, its festive atmosphere, and many restaurant and coffee shops. Ranking among the world's QS Best Student Cities in 2018, Melbourne is home to some of the most prestigious Australian universities including the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Younger children are entitled to a quality education in a healthy multilingual environment which helps them fully develop their potential and acquire a range of skills. Regarding healthcare, Medicare is famous for its excellence. However, it is only accessible to permanent residents and Australian nationals.
Osaka
Located in the Honshu Prefecture, Osaka isn't the first destination you would think of when relocating to Japan. However, besides being the third largest city in Japan, Osaka is also one of the world's most liveable cities. Osaka owes the third spot not only to its stability but also to its anime and manga culture, its rich cuisine, as well as its robust infrastructure combining a touch of history with modernity. You will also find a developed transport network there which makes getting around so much easier. Also, did you know that Osaka had been considered San Francisco's twin for sixty years? Osaka can also boast of its quality education at all levels, especially with its students' excellent performance in science, mathematics, and reading. You will also find many prestigious universities and other higher education institutions in this city. Regarding healthcare, Osaka hosts more than 500 modern and well-equipped hospitals with highly qualified and skilled medical staff. It's worth noting that foreign nationals who are planning to stay in Japan for more than a year are eligible for the National Health Insurance.
Calgary
Nicknamed Cowtown, Calgary's historical heritage contribute to its charm. Today, Calgary is a concrete metropolis, surrounded by the Rockies on one side and vast plains on the other. While preserving its authentic touch, the city has significantly developed over the years. With its diverse landscape, interspersed with impressive skyscrapers, Calgary is a prosperous, cosmopolitan city, offering not only stability but also an unparalleled quality of life for its inhabitants. Calgary is no doubt the perfect choice for moving with your family thanks to its quality education system even though it differs from one province to another. You will thus find many nurseries, as well as public and private schools. Funded by taxes, public education is free of charge for all residents. Calgary is also famous for its higher education institutions including the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, the South Alberta Institute of Technology, and the Alberta College of Art and Design. You might be surprised to learn that Calgary is the second Canadian city with the highest level of academic performance. Furthermore, these institutions make a significant contribution to the city's business activities, labour market, and the development of technology, art, and sports. Also, Medicare, which is the public healthcare system, covers all permanent residents in Alberta provided they have stayed in the province for at least six months over a 12 months period, and they are not covered by a similar system in any other territory.
Sydney
One of the world's major tourist destinations, Sydney is also an attractive city for a long-term expatriation. Sydney is primarily known as being a cosmopolitan city where some 250 different languages are spoken. Besides its economic prosperity, providing a range of career prospects in various fields, the city holds a magnificent architecture including the world famous Sydney Opera House, the Skywalk, and the Sydney Tower alongside monuments, museums, art galleries and nature parks. Sydney is with no doubt a city where you will enjoy quality of life in a festive atmosphere all year round. With its modern and well-equipped health infrastructure, the city boasts of its quality healthcare and highly skilled medical staff. Furthermore, Sydney is home to some of the best universities in Australia, including schools and technical institutions. The University of Sydney, the University of Western Sydney, the University of New South Wales and the University of Technology of Sydney are some of the most popular ones. Moving there with your family will also allow you to choose from numerous public and special schools, as well as international schools.
Vancouver
Located in British Columbia, Vancouver is one of the most cosmopolitan and densely populated cities in Canada. It comes with no surprise at the 6th spot of the world's most liveable cities thanks to its historical and cultural heritage. Vancouver is one of the country's most diverse cities in ethnic and linguistic terms. Surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape, interspersed with mountains and valleys, Vancouver also has a vibrant arts scene including theatre, music, art museums, and galleries. Over the past few years, its modern and developed infrastructure has allowed it to host many international events such as the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, TED Conferences, and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015. Those who are considering a move with their family can choose from a range of public and private schools, from primary to post-secondary levels. Among Vancouver's most prestigious universities, you have the University of British Columbia that comes up 51st in the QS Top Universities Ranking, and the Simon Fraser University, where large numbers of international students choose to enrol every year.
