[Barnet Flame]

Vancouver has topped of a list of the world's best places to live for the fifth year in a row.



The list, compiled annually by The Economist Intelligence Unit, is based on a study of 140 cities around the world. It rates cities across five areas: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
Vancouver managed to score 98 points out of 100 mainly thanks to its high standards in terms of healthcare and education. It is followed in the list by Melbourne in second place and Vienna in third place, while the rest of the top 10 is largely dominated by Canadian and Australian cities, just like last year.
The highest-ranked British city in the survey is Manchester, which comes up in 42nd place – three places higher than last year. It is followed by London, which is up one place at number 53.
Survey editor Jon Copestake commented that London "benefits from strong cultural and recreational activities, but scores less well on the perceived threat from crime or terror". He added: "With only 1.6 per cent separating them, London and Manchester have similar levels of liveability".
The survey is used by companies across the globe to calculate allowances for expatriate employees. The lowest ranked city on the list is Harare in Zimbabwe with 37.5 points.
Top 10 cities according to The Economist Intelligence Unit:
1. Vancouver, Canada
2. Melbourne, Australia
3. Vienna, Austria
4. Toronto, Canada
5. Calgary, Canada
6. Helsinki, Finland
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Perth, Australia
8. Adelaide, Australia
10. Auckland, New Zealand

http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3360769

I've been to four of the cities on that list and I can't argue too much with the findings. I'm hoping to make it five cities if the Flames play in Helsinki.

I live in the 53rd best city.