The secret to life in the world's best cities

BBC News

5 days ago

Australia now has three cities in the global top 10 for liveability. Residents reveal what makes daily life here so appealing – and why it's not just about the weather.
The world's most liveable and happiest cities lists are usually dominated by European countries – but it may be time to look down under. This year, three Australian cities made the top 10 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Most Liveable Cities index, with Adelaide joining Melbourne and Sydney there for the first time.
It's no surprise to Australians, who have long relished a high quality of life. They point to big city benefits – galleries, concerts, sports, diverse cuisine – combined with Australia's iconic natural beauty as the winning formula.
"Australia has a deep respect for the outdoors. Lunch breaks can be swims, weeknights mean open-air cinemas and weekends are for farmers' markets packed with produce so good it barely needs cooking," said Andrea Seifert, a senior comms director for Eight Communications who grew up in Europe and Asia and recently moved to Sydney. "That kind of access to nature and culture is rare!"
This also translates into a culture where residents work to live instead of live to work. "The lifestyle is just easier. Not necessarily cheaper, but there's a different mindset here," said Cheryl Monkhouse, who lived most of her life in the US and now lives in Adelaide where she works for SeaLink Marine & Tourism. "Holidays are taken, and time off is not just expected but respected. Four weeks annual leave is the norm, not the exception."
She also says the national healthcare system is a lifeline, compared to the US where losing a job can mean losing health benefits and paying out of pocket for care. "In Australia, there's a sense of security knowing you and your family are covered no matter your employment status," she said.
To find out more about what makes these Australian cities so liveable, we spoke to residents about the things that most impact their daily quality of life.
Melbourne: Multicultural, caffeinated and sports-mad
Ranked highest out of the Australian cities and fourth globally, Melbourne scored perfect marks in both education and healthcare, and inched out Sydney and Adelaide with its high culture & environment score. Residents point to its cultural diversity as a major draw.
"The people, the food, the lifestyle – Melbourne is so multicultural," said Dani Feludu, who was born in Melbourne to European parents. "My husband is Nigerian. My closest friend is Indian. I live in the suburbs, not the city, and can walk 10 minutes from my house to get dinner from restaurants that serve cuisines like Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Korean and Turkish. The list goes on!"
Feludu recommends experiencing Melbourne's vibrant cultural life in iconic areas like Carlisle Street in Balaclava, Sydney Road in Brunswick and the city laneways.
Residents also rave about the city's cafe culture, a product of the Italian immigrants who moved here from the 1950s to 1970s, says resident Katherine Tuominen, founder of Catalyst Brand Strategy. "Beyond the quality and variety of coffee beans, cafes are a great place to connect with strangers and strike up a conversation – once you've enjoyed the beverage that is," she said.
And for sport lovers? Melbourne is paradise. "International events like the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix take place right in the city centre," said Melbourne-born Michael Rozenblit, founder of travel site The World Was Here First. "We also have great local sports like Aussie Rules Football (AFL) that draw huge crowds and are incredibly fun to attend."
Rozenblit recommends visitors go to an AFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). "The atmosphere is intoxicating, the game is unique and it's fundamental to Melbourne culture," he said. "Some games can draw crowds of more than 80,000 people."
Sydney: City perks, beach lifestyle
Australia's most populous city ranked sixth overall in the index, with perfect scores in education and healthcare, and strong rankings in infrastructure and culture & environment. Residents consistently mention that Sydney combines the buzz of a major global city with a lifestyle built around the outdoors.
"What I love most is the balance. You get all the perks of a big city, great food, art, culture and jobs, but with easy access to nature," said Sydney resident Liam Duffy. "I can be in a buzzing cafe one minute, and then at the beach or hiking in a national park within the hour. The lifestyle here feels very grounded and healthy."
Sydney's Bondi neighbourhood in particular is known for its strong wellness culture, contributing to Sydney's enviable quality of life. "I'm often down at the beach at 05:00 running or training with friends, followed by a quick dip in the ocean, sauna and ice bath session and a coffee, all before 07:00," said Alice Moore, director at Élysée Collective communications agency. Visitors can get a taste of this by doing the popular Bondi to Bronte walk, a 2.5km coastal path that passes through the city's best beaches and has plenty of hip cafes and bars along the way.
Beyond the 1,500km of walking and biking paths available in the city, Sydney's well-planned and easy-to-access infrastructure also makes the city feel more liveable. "Public transport is solid, healthcare is reliable and the city feels generally safe and clean," said Duffy.
Similar to Melbourne, Sydney has a diverse food scene that includes both high-end and affordable fare, including Japanese BBQ, Korean, Lebanese, Greek and Turkish. The new Sydney Fish Market is set to open this year, showcasing Australia's best seafood and set to attract nearly six million visitors annually (more than twice the current visitation). "Fresh prawns, oysters, bugs will be enjoyed right where the fishing trawlers come in every day," said Amanda Bolger, a general manager at Luxury Escapes.
To best appreciate the city, she recommends jumping on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. "You'll get a different perspective of Sydney from the water and essentially have an inexpensive Sydney Harbour cruise," she said, recommending a walk around Manly before hopping back aboard the ferry. "Don't forget to get a seat on the outside deck so you can get that Insta-worthy image with the Harbour Bridge/Sydney Opera House in the background."
Adelaide: The quiet achiever
Jumping up two spots in the rankings from 2024 to break into the top 10 for the first time, Adelaide saw its boost come directly from strong growth in its culture & environment score. The capital and most populous city of South Australia, Adelaide scores high marks from its residents for being a "big 'country' city", with a solid mix of access to nature and comprehensive infrastructure that makes life easier and more enjoyable.
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Locals describe it as a place where simplicity, affordability and nature come together. "Living in Adelaide, life is simpler," said Monkhouse. "It's connected and convenient without being overwhelming. Public transport is reliable, and my kids use it daily to get to school, the beach or meet friends." She contrasts it to her life in the US where public transport is often unavailable or unreliable outside of major metro areas, and rarely something kids would use independently.
Even though the population nears 1.5 million, residents say Adelaide remains easy to navigate. "You can still get just about anywhere in 30 to 45 minutes," said Erin Carey, director of PR agency Roam Generation. "I live in the Adelaide Hills and I can be in the city centre in just 25 minutes. It's easy to live here with the hills, the beach and the wine regions!"
In the Hills, she finds herself surrounded by nature, with kangaroos and koalas often visiting her property, while the beach is just 30 minutes away and world-class wineries even closer. "My ideal Sunday involves a countryside drive, either south to McLaren Vale or north to the Barossa [wine regions], to discover a new cellar door, sipping a crisp white wine in the sunshine while the kids hang out on the lawn," she said, noting she always takes first-time visitors to the Chalk Hill Winery, with vineyards dating to 1839 and the best views in the region.
Autumn (March-May) is a favourite time of year here, especially in the Hills town of Stirling when the leaves start to change. Elsewhere, Carey recommends the beachside suburbs of Aldinga and Moana for their laid-back vibes. "In just a few days, you can experience three incredibly diverse sides of Adelaide: the English village feel and leafy beauty of the Hills, the rolling vineyards of McLaren Vale and the rugged, ochre-coloured cliffs of the southern beaches," she said.
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