World’s best places to live in 2012 survey reveals some strange choices
This time of year we are deluged with lists involving either last year or the current one, and a new entry that might be of interest to the expat communities has just been released. The Daily Telegraph in the UK (known for its right-wing politics and likely an upscale readership) has announced the results of its survey of the World’s best places to live in 2012.
Evidently about 1500 of their readers participated (definitely a small sample for an unscientific poll) and the Top 10 choices are shown in a slideshow that mostly discusses the top ends of the real estate markets in each city, plus what one must do to get citizenship.
Their Top 10
- Hong Kong
- New York City
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tasmania
- Maui, Hawaii
- Buenos Aires
- Barbados
- Victoria, British Colombia
- Cape Town, South Africa
What I think it especially weird about the survey results is that they are a total mix of places that are barely alike in any way. I’d have thought that many people who choose Paris or Barcelona, or perhaps a long list of islands in the Caribbean, but these people are literally all over the map.
Hong Kong and New York City
The top two slots are actually very similar in that they have kind of an anything goes reputation, and living well in them is incredibly expensive.
Auckland (and its suburbs)
This seems an odd pick because travelers to New Zealand generally rate Auckland itself as their least favorite part of the whole country. Evidently this particular suburb is quite nice, but if you are dreaming of moving to New Zealand why move to its biggest city?
Turks and Caicos and Barbados
These actually make sense, especially if you survey people during the winter months. It’s still a bit odd that these two made the Top 10 and others like the Caymans or Bermuda or the British Virgin Islands didn’t.
Tasmania
I’ve not been to Tasmania and it sounds quite nice. It’s hard to believe it’s popular enough to make this list, but obviously it did.
Maui, Hawaii
The survey was done by a UK newspaper and if it were done in the US then Maui would likely be at or near the top.
Buenos Aires
This seems like an interesting choice because BA really is a fantastic city that also offers very good value to foreigners. Probably voted in by people who had very good holidays there, and I’d be tempted to vote for it myself for the same reason.
Victoria, British Columbia
Another unusual choice, partly because Vancouver, the large city closest to Victoria, seems to top the “most livable cities” lists almost every year. Victoria is out on Vancouver Island, and it feels more like England than anywhere outside of the British Isles. The weather isn’t any better either, so you have to wonder the motivation to go all that way.
Cape Town
Another I haven’t been to yet, but I hear it’s like a nicer version of Los Angeles, with a rather good climate. If the rest of South Africa had fewer problems then this one would probably be higher.
The bottom line
As fun as these lists can be, I think one like this where each participant is able to create his own definition of a vague question, is hard to take too seriously. And I’d think that if a left-wing newspaper read by the working class was to do one the list might include Spain and Portugal and maybe Florida.
Photo by betta design on Flickr
Not been to Tasmania? Why not come and see for yourself, starting with the capital city Hobart? Then, it’s up to you but you will need at least a fortnight. I’m a long time resident, have travelled widely in my 60 plus years but have found the quiet calm and beautiful environs of Hobart and surrounds and the state of Tasmania always draw me back, home. After a twenty minute drive in any direction from the city and you will find yourself in the bush, calm countryside, atop a snow capped Mount Wellington in winter, or with a crystal clear view out across the city below all year around. In case you are wondering, no I don’t work for the Tasmanian Tourism Department, I just a happy inhabitant. See you when you finally come down?
Cheers for now, Greg.
Greg, Thanks for that and I’m sure I’ll make it to Tasmania in the next few years. Everyone does rave about it and the tourism board seems to be doing a very good job of getting the word out, but still it’s a slightly surprising choice because it’s so remote for most people. I’m looking forward to seeing it myself in the coming years. -Tom
Not sure why you have to call attention to “right wing” “left wing” as if upscale readership is to be scrutinized over your ‘working class’ bleeding heart subjective comment. You sound like a true filthy liberal. I may be wrong though 🙂