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October 26, 2009 - 9:52 AM

Cities with the world's best quality of life

Zurich by night (© Swiss-Image)

When it comes to quality of living, Zurich, Geneva and Bern have for years occupied top slots in international rankings.

The three Swiss centres greatly benefit from their enviable historical setting, human scale and sustainable development policies.

Maybe they cannot boast the cultural heritage of Rome or the modernity of New York, the economic dynamism of Shanghai or the sophisticated charm of Paris. But Zurich, Geneva and Bern are reputed to provide something even more important: excellent living conditions.

For this reason, the three Swiss cities always feature near the top of the classifications drawn up each year by the British business consultancy Mercer, which researches quality of living in 420 cities worldwide. Zurich has held the top spot for seven years out of the last ten.

The survey is based on 39 criteria, subdivided into 10 categories, concerning the political system (including restrictions on freedom and censorship), economic framework (such as the availability of consumer goods and banking services), social infrastructure (health, crime, transport), training opportunities, cultural amenities, recreational activities, climate and the environment.

Are comparisons possible?

But, using these criteria, is it possible to compare the likes of Geneva with great cities such as London or Tokyo? "Of course it's possible. Think of crime, for example: for every city, there are statistics clearly indicating the risks to the safety of its inhabitants", replies Christa Zihlmann, Mercer's global information manager in Geneva.

"In drawing comparisons between cities, we take into account hard facts and figures, such as the crime rate, bank and shop opening hours, the provision of schools and hospitals, temperatures, pollution, the number of cinemas and theatres or the average call-out time for an electrician or plumber", she adds.

The data gathered by the British company is used by private firms and public bodies in calculating the hardship allowances payable to their expatriate employees. In cities like Vienna or Zurich, which head the 2009 rankings, the allowances are minimal. While in Baghdad, Dhaka or Bangui, at the very bottom of the list, the allowances are much higher.

Size matters

Zurich, Geneva and Bern score high marks in all categories of the Mercer classification. They benefit in particular from fundamental conditions that have long typified Switzerland, such as political and economic stability and high quality infrastructure and services.

"The strengths of Swiss cities undoubtedly include security, an absence of strikes, good schools, reliable hospitals and efficient public and private services: buses and trains run on time, letters and parcels reach their destination, the water is drinkable, and there are good telephone services and internet access", Zihlmann points out.

Compared with their rivals, Zurich, Geneva and Bern have the advantage of being relatively small for cities of international standing.

"The fact that their airports are close to the city centre, there is open countryside nearby, the traffic is not overwhelming and pollution not a serious problem are very definite advantages".

A debt to the past

The human scale of Swiss cities is the result of historical factors that have prevented the rise of enormous urban centres: Switzerland has never been an imperial or colonial power, its federal structure ensures a degree of balance between one city and another, and industrialisation has been fairly gradual.

To improve their quality of living, the three Swiss cities have for years invested heavily in such sectors as public transport, cultural institutions and parks.

"Zurich's growth objectives include not only economic success but also sustainable development in the social and environmental fields", explains Brigitte Wehrli-Schindler, manager of Zurich's city development department.

"Zurich has become a cosmopolitan city, offering many of the advantages of a metropolis, without the inconveniences. For example, it is very strong on culture, gastronomy and leisure activities. And at the same time, it is free of major security and traffic problems: children can go to school unescorted and many managers take the tram to work."

High cost of living

Neither Zurich, Geneva nor Bern can claim to be an earthly paradise, though, as Wehrli-Schindler is quick to acknowledge.

"The downside of this success is of course the high cost of living. This is most obvious when you are looking for accommodation: finding somewhere to live is increasingly difficult and expensive."

"Where quality of living is concerned, it is difficult to find any real weaknesses, especially if you compare the problems of Swiss cities with those of Moscow, Lagos or Calcutta", counters Zihlmann.

And what sort of welcome can you expect to receive? After all, the Swiss are not known as the most engaging and open people in the world.

Zihlmann disagrees.

"The Swiss may be very discreet and reserved. But, having lived in Geneva for 15 years, I would say that they can also be very warm and friendly," she says.

Armando Mombelli, swissinfo.ch

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If you want to take home ownership as a barometer of standard of living the Swiss are big losers in that department.
I lived in Zurich for nearly seven years and most of my immediate social group could only dream of buying a home. These were not people on low incomes either. Here in London I own a fair bit of property and look forward to spending my pension on more exciting things than rent - unlike the Swiss. I also find the standard of living so much higher here in every aspect and can only conclude that those that are satisfied with Switzerland are very easily pleased.

Those that berate The Swiss and Switzerland really could not have opened their eyes very wide and taken the initiative themselves. I have been here nearly five years now and within 18 months had assembled Swiss friends, have found the Swiss to be kind, polite and very respectful. Wary, a little, but it still has not stopped me making new "Swiss" friends. On top of this I have far too much to do in my spare time and cannot cover everything I want. Starting in central Switzerland and moving to the North / Eastish region, the climate is awesome from my perspective, standard or quality of living far surpasses my native England and I am very much looking forward to completing the next five years in Zurich and becoming a proper Swiss citizen. That is how much I love it here over my old UK life, but then everyone is entitled to their opinions.

I studied in Switzerland and am impressed by the integrity of the Swiss people. I consider it to be my second home and visit there often.

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Well mr Zihlmann needed 15 years to find some warm and friendly people in Geneva. I dont think i can spend 12 more years looking for such thing. Swiss ''cities'' are not exactly cities. They are small but very wealthy villages so i think its not fair to London, Paris, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai or Rome -just to mention a few real cities- to be compared to villages with great infrastructure. Unless off course you are over 65 and you need to be close to a hospital...

I have found that Switzerland is interesting only for a long weekend at the most. The place is clean and the mountains are nice but that is nowhere near enough to sustain me.Having lived in both Geneva and Zurich and been bored to tears on both occasions I disagree strongly with this report. These cities lack the essential vibrancy, stimulation and excitement that I have grown to love in London and New York. I am originally from Japan. I still go skiing there however but my own personal barometer for 'quality of life' places Switzerland firmly at the bottom of my list.

Having lived in Basel,Switzerland for 11 years,I miss it every single day of my life here in Doha,Qatar(where we shifted about two yrs ago)and most of all,the gorgeous Swiss weather!!!I know many people would probably raise an eyebrow at my fondness of "the Swiss weather",but what they may not realize is how you get to miss not only the fun and beauty factor provided with such an amazing climate but also the high standard of living, which is most certainly not available in most of the European countries as well as the rich Arab countries.Doha,still a developing country,has a long way to go.Swiss people,may seem to be not"very engaging and open minded" are,on the contrary, very friendly and helpful(as in my experience).Some people may find it "the land of the living dead" but for me, its most certainly the most calm and peaceful place to be, apart from the high cost of living of course:)!We love going back to Swiss homeland every so often and would most certainly like to settle down there eventually!However,at the end of it,I still wish to see Switzerland making job opportunities and studying in English, a lot more easier or accessible for the foreigners settled there as opposed to people having to go through grueling language courses.Thankfully though,I can boast of having enough command on the German language,which helped to get by my daily life when we lived there.Cheers to all!

I lived in the UK for 2 years and am about to move to Zurich. I also lived in Belgium (wher I am from), Luxembourg and the Netherlands. So far goes my personal comparison and not more. I think people living in Switzerland do not know what they have and may be have too much time to complain about the system.

I lived in Switzerland for three years. I think people see what they want to see. Those who rates three Swiss cities as the best do that on their own terms. They have their interest and will not condemn their finding and will not take it as the absolute. I have my experience and view. Like other countries I have been to, there are things good and bad about each one but I question how three Swiss cities have maintained that position over some other cities for four years.

You need to take Switzerland for what it is: a small country with beautiful scenery, incredibly expensive and after you have done the little mountain walkings and looked at the Alps and the lakes for the 100th time, a place so boring that you have the impression time stands still. My son describes CH as the "Land of the Living Dead" and can't wait to reach his 18th birthday (in 2 years) to move to NY or London (where he was born). I will support him.

Of course they're warm and friendly, just look at the minaret debate going on right now.

Switzerland is very impressive on a wide array of dimensions. Having visited many times, and wishing to return (in fact--wishing to join the Swiss team as a citizen), can say there's nowhere in the world offering its unique blend of nature, culture, and warmth. The people are fantastic!

I wonder on what basis are these rankings based
I lived in many countries, here is the worst quality of life I am experiencing, I am here I hope for one or 2 more years then I am out of here, i am struggling to work with one kid, life is too bloody expensive , the weather sucks, so what quality of life!!!

Plenty of sunshine in Switzerland. I grew up in South Africa and lived there for almost 40 years, but don't think that there's any less here.
As for social benefits, they are considered in the survey and contribute to the rating.

Visited Zurich two weeks ago and was utterly charmed. I met the most interesting, funny, smart, and fascinating people who proved that the city is complex and cool, gilded yet rather edgy,full of beautiful art, and money but also a place of nonsense ( DADA), of free thought, and above all, anything but boring.

Every year the results of this survey are posted here, and it always amuses me that they are. It's interesting that the Swiss attach such importance to how their quality of life compares to the rest of the world. But I suppose that if you don't have to worry about so many of the things that others with a lesser quality do, you will have time on your hands. It bears testimony to the fact that there's little else to worry about in Switzerland apart from the next referendum topic and banking secrecy. I would also disagree with the perception of the Swiss not being engaging and open. I've lived near both Geneva and Zurich, and I've found people to be very friendly. People are the same the world over, reach out to them, and they'll reach back. Naturally you're not going to speak to every stranger on the street, but that's the same in every city. Try chatting to the locals on the streets of New York, London or Moscow while they're commuting or shopping, and see what response you'll get.

Apparently the folks rating these cities don't place much value on the lack of sunshine and warm weather in northern Switzerland nor do they seem too concerned about how difficult it is for an average wage earner to accumulate retirement savings due to the extremely high cost of living.

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GALLERIES

Zürich/Bern/Geneva

Do Switzerland's cities deserve top ranking?

MERCER CLASSIFICATION

2005
1. Zurich and Geneva 3. Vancouver and Vienna 5. Frankfurt and Munich 8. Bern

2006
1. Zurich 2. Geneva 3. Vancouver 4. Vienna 5. Auckland 9. Bern

2007
1. Zurich 2. Geneva 3. Vancouver and Vienna, 5. Auckland and Düsseldorf, 9. Bern

2008
1. Zurich 2. Geneva and Vienna, 4. Vancouver 5. Auckland 9. Bern

2009
1. Vienna 2. Zurich 3. Geneva 4. Vancouver and Auckland 9. Bern.

SWISS CITIES

Zurich
The Swiss financial centre, and its biggest city. The city itself has a population of 380,000, while the agglomeration as a whole has 1.1 million.

Geneva
The seat of several international organisations, and Switzerland's second largest city in terms of population: 180,000 in the city itself, and 500,000 in the agglomeration as a whole.

Bern
The Swiss capital, housing the federal government and parliament and most of the administration. It is the fourth largest city in terms of population, with 120,000 in the city itself, and 340,000 in the agglomeration as a whole.