The Economist Intelligence Unit has just published its world-wide livability index, that is, the best cities in the world to live in based on various criteria. Needless to say the Middle East is not on top of the heap:
A new survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit assessing the “liveability” of 127 cities worldwide has found Vancouver to be the most attractive destination. The survey shows cities in Canada, Australia, Austria and Switzerland as the most ideal destinations thanks to a widespread availability of goods and services, low personal risk and an effective infrastructure.
Jon Copestake, editor of the report, comments: “In the current global political climate, it is no surprise that the most desirable destinations are those with a lower perceived threat of terrorism.”
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s LIVEABILITY RANKING, part of the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, assesses living conditions in 127 cities around the world by looking at nearly 40 individual indicators grouped into five categories: stability; healthcare; culture and environment; education; and infrastructure. The survey gives a rating of 0%-100% and judges a city with a lower score to be the more attractive destination. A rating of 20% is where real problems are seen to begin – anything over 50% places severe restrictions on lifestyle.
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Africa and the Middle East: A long way to go
Africa and the Middle East, where cities have an average rating of 40%, fares worst of any region. Recent instability in the Middle East has made the threat of terror a key issue – although in Israel this is offset by a generally high level of development making Tel Aviv (23%) the best destination surveyed in the region.Strong anti-crime measures in many Arab states are also a stabilising factor, although a low crime rate can be outweighed by the many cultural restrictions in place. As a result, only Dubai (25%) and Abu Dhabi (26%) in the United Arab Emirates and Manama in Bahrain (27%) have similar liveability ratings to Israel.
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Livability in the Middle East
Dubai not being higher is a bit surprising. However, I’m not surprised by Beirut. It’s really hard to live in this city.
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Mahmood says that the Economist Intelligence Unit has just published its world-wide livability index, that is, the best cities in the world to live in based on various criteria. Needless to say the Middle East is not on top of the heap.
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Livability in the Middle East
Vancouver is the most liveable city in the world? Vancouver is like living in a sensory deprivation chamber. And I’m not convinced by a long shot that Cleveland and Pittsburgh are the best cities in America to live in. In most of America, the best place to live is in the suburbs of some big city, where you can have all the comforts of a nice neighborhood and well run town while still being able to occassionally dash into the city now and then. Austin, Texas would beat Cleveland or Pittsburgh for liveability. So would the wine country around San Francisco.
I also note that all the best places in the world to live are either in the Anglosphere or closely associated with it. In other words, those countries that either speak English or are closely associated with English speaking countries offer the best life. Those that have traditionally associated with the Soviet Union offer the worst living.
Something to think about,
Steve
Livability in the Middle East
Well, I agree with steve in US cities. Ive seen many city rankings with Austin at the top.. and Las Vegas is also booming. I’ve lived in austin for a while.. Other than the street jams, the tech-econ boom did it well.
As for the english speaking cities.. maybe because the survey and the article are in english? If it was in Russian, you can guess where you’ll find the concentration of best cities!
The Joker
Livability in the Middle East
This survey’s the equivalent of those motor mag reports which list Daihatsus or Protons as the ‘Best Buy Car’. Very appropriate in fact because places like Calgary, Geneva, Vienna and Melbourne are the urban equivalent of these models: inoffensive, worthy but deadly dull and most likely to appeal to old people.
To put it bluntly, what sort of moron would choose to live in Vancouver ahead of Rome or virtually any other north Italian city? And how’s suicide bomb target Tel Aviv ahead of Dubai or Manama?
Livability in the Middle East
[quote]And how’s suicide bomb target Tel Aviv ahead of Dubai or Manama? [/quote]
The answer is in your very question Scorpio.
Livability in the Middle East
I think its like my car.
My car is German, a little older and more experienced and definitely female – we have a great relationship but I have to lavish a lot of tlc on her. But the fun we have together, the arguments, the thrills, excitement and the attention she gets wherever she goes is unmatched. maybe that’s like living in London or Beirut or anywhere that has character, history and an ‘edge’
Now, would I buy a sterile Japanese saloon that does everything reliably, silently and without complaint. OIf course not — I would rather walk! Would i libe in Pittsburgh (wherever that is?), well, who knows?
Livability in the Middle East
I don’t know what “a sensory deprivation chamber” is, but Vancouver cetainly has a wholesome mixture of “stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure”. Also, note that this survey targets British expats, so speaking English is probably a plus when scoring the cultural aspect of a city. -a Vancouverite
Livability in the Middle East
Vancouver a little too cold for me. Winter temperatures rate high as a factor on my list of livable cities.
Aliandra
Re: Livability in the Middle East
Vancouver is in our plans for next year’s holidays. Last year we’ve done Toronto, we feel that Vancouver is a must, passing through Calgary maybe next time. We’ve heard good things about it and I can’t wait to go there.
Re(1): Livability in the Middle East
Mahmood, my friend, I think you have been ill-advised in your vacation counseling. Nobody goes to Vancouver for vacation, only to escape the draft in America. In fact, nobody goes to Canada for vacation unless its prescribed by a doctor to avoid any stimulation. The only legitimate reasons to visit Canada are to get cheap prescription drugs or marry your gay lover or to pursue careers in fur-trapping and timber-cutting.
Let me save you some money and show you how to simulate a Vancouver vacation in your own home: 1) Soundproof a spare bedroom and paint it white; 2) Sit in the middle of the room in a bare wooden chair with a took on your head wearing a lumberjack shirt; 3) Hang a pine scent car deodorizer over your head; 4) Play a moose call every couple hours; 5) All meals are Canadian bacon; 6) Ay?; 5) Keep popping the tops on Molson’s you pull out of the cooler by your chair until you fall asleep. That’s as exciting as it gets in Canada.
Mahmood, Mahmood, Mahmood, do a luau in Hawaii. See the Hollywood dream factory do its stuff in LA. Go scuba diving in the Keys south of Miami. Yell hit me at a blackjack dealer in Vegas. There will be plenty of time to see Canada when you are old and need a walker to get around.
Word To The Wise,
Steve
Re(1): Livability in the Middle East
That’s nice Mahmood. Vancouver’s very pleasant year around (rarely below zero or over 30 degrees centigrade), barring the frequent rain in late fall and early spring. Don’t miss Vancouver Island either, I personally recommend Tofino (a must for surfing). -a Vancouverite
Livability in the Middle East
You need lazer surgery on your eyes go to Vancover $1000 an eye there $3000 or so here.
billT
Livability in the Middle East
Michael Jackson got a jury summonds in Santa Barbara County, in California. Jackson says he now lives in Bahrain. Go figure??
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Authorities want
Michael Jackson back in court  this time as a juror. Jackson received a jury summons at his Neverland Valley Ranch, four months after he was acquitted of child molestation charges.
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“It’s just one of those ironies of life that he’d be called as a juror,” said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola School of Law who monitored Jackson’s trial.
It’s unlikely that Jackson will show up for jury selection. His lawyers have filed paperwork for a deferment based on the fact that he now lives in Bahrain.
http://tinyurl.com/bsvha
Re: Livability in the Middle East
Anon: “Jackson says he now lives in Bahrain.”
Well, there’s another way America has screwed over the Middle East. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was rioting in the streets over this.
Steve
Re: Livability in the Middle East
Either you’re very stupid or I am – and with this post I’m wagering that it’s you. What you seem to be suggesting is that Tel Aviv is preferable because it’s targeted by suicide bombers. You’ll have to forgive me but in my humble opinion that doesn’t add to a city’s ‘liveability’ however you interpret the term.
Livability in the Middle East
Bahrain, lock your boys in the house!!
Re(2): Livability in the Middle East
I prefer vacations in Canada to those the States. I detest cities, with the exception of a few European ones such as Rome or Venice, and I don’t go on vacation to shop, get stuck in crowds, or experience urban transport infrastructures. I’m youngish (31) and fit and outdoorsy so the States is good for me but Canada is even better. Personally I don’t find trail riding, mountain climbing, whitewater kayaking etc remotely boring or elderly. Blackjack in Vegas, on the other hand, strikes me as of interest only to those entering their twilight years.