Vienna tops this year’s Global Liveability Index again, despite sliding down a few notches on a different researcher’s livability list back in February. Vienna was also the top city on the 2018 and 2019 lists but slid off in 2021 because of the pandemic. The Global Liveability Index is an annual ranking that assesses and compares the livability of cities around the world. It provides a measure of the quality of life and the overall living conditions in different cities based on various indicators – typically including stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment. The index is compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a research and analysis division of The Economist Group.
The 2023 Global Liveability Index names the top 10 Most Livable Cities as follows :
Vienna, Austria
Copenhagen, Denmark
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Vancouver, Canada
Zurich, Switzerland
Calgary, Canada
Geneva, Switzerland
Toronto, Canada
Osaka, Japan
Auckland, New Zealand
Melbourne came in third and Sydney came in fourth among a group of Australian cities that followed the two European capitals, Vienna and Copenhagen. Copenhagen has consistently holding up its position as a runner up every year. Vancouver came in fifth, Calgary came in seventh, and Toronto came in ninth, all representing Canada. Zurich, Geneva, Osaka, Japan, and Auckland completed the top 10.
The Asia-Pacific area recorded the largest gains. New Zealand’s Wellington rose 35 positions to No. 23, and Auckland rose 25 positions to No.10. Bucharest, Romania, and Perth, Australia, both climbed 21 ranks to 12 and 99, respectively, in the meantime. Vietnam’s Hanoi made a significant improvement, moving up 20 ranks to 129.
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The City of Dreams
Vienna is often referred to as the “City of Dreams” because it was the hometown and creative inspiration for the renowned Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. However, the nickname “City of Dreams” has multiple layers of meaning associated with Vienna’s rich cultural history and contributions to the fields of arts, literature, and philosophy. Here are a few reasons why Vienna is called the “City of Dreams”:
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, lived and worked in Vienna. His groundbreaking theories on the interpretation of dreams and the unconscious mind have had a profound influence on psychology and the understanding of human behavior. Freud’s work and his emphasis on dreams as a gateway to the unconscious have contributed to the association of Vienna with the concept of dreams.
Cultural and Intellectual Legacy
Vienna has a long history of fostering creativity and intellectual pursuits. It was a hub of artistic and intellectual activity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known as the “Viennese Golden Age.” This period saw the emergence of groundbreaking thinkers, writers, musicians, and artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Arnold Schoenberg, and Arthur Schnitzler. The cultural and intellectual vitality of this era, combined with Vienna’s vibrant coffeehouse culture, contributed to the notion of Vienna as a place where dreams, ideas, and innovation thrived.
Music and Opera/The City of Music
Vienna is renowned as a city deeply connected to classical music. It was the home of famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, and continues to be celebrated for its prestigious music institutions such as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna State Opera. The city’s musical heritage and its association with the Viennese waltz contribute to the romantic and dream-like image of Vienna.
Architecture and Beauty
Vienna is known for its stunning architecture, which includes majestic palaces, grand cathedrals, and intricate Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings. The city’s aesthetic appeal and its historical landmarks create an atmosphere that can be seen as dream-like or fairytale-like, adding to its reputation as the “City of Dreams.”
Vienna’s luscious landscapes along with other factors earned it the Greenest City in The World in 2020, balancing urban life and a thriving nature is a feat not every city may have.
Lebenskunst
Vienna consistently ranks highly in global surveys for its quality of life – clearly placing well on scoresheets as factored by the EIU. The city offers a high standard of living, safety, cultural amenities, and a strong social welfare system. This reputation for providing a good quality of life contributes to the perception of Vienna as a place where dreams can come true.
Lebenskunst or the art of living well is something the Viennese locals and those who have lived in the city for long practice. Despite the soaring prices of many things, we still enjoy a cup of coffee with friends, walk around the city with good delight, and simply enjoy the greenery once spring/summer arrives.
It’s important to note that the nickname “City of Dreams” is a poetic and metaphorical description of Vienna rather than a literal interpretation. It captures the city’s historical, cultural, and intellectual significance and the sense of inspiration and creativity that has emanated from it throughout the years.
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Vienna looks like a beautiful city to live at. I would love learning more about the culture!
Yes, grateful despite the many changes brought about by the pandemic and war :/
I’ve heard the architecture in Vienna is stunning! I will add this city to my bucket list!
You should, it’s a joy to walk around and look at the buildings – I do this a lot…lol-
Vienna is such a beautiful place and I would love to travel to some of these places listed here as well.
Sounds like such a lovely city. I would love to be able to see the city sometime. I love a beautiful city.
I’m loving how the city of Vienna looks when reflected against bodies of water!
yes, it is romantic at night. by the danube river!
Wow! Vienna looks like a really wonderful and amazing city! I would really love to go and visit this place
What a wonderful city this is! Imagine living here I’m sure it would be awesome and amazing