10 Best Cities to Live in, Ranked

Stockholm and its minimalist Scandinavian culture just make the top 10 with 156 international air routes, a monthly transit cost of $97, and bustling nightlife until 5 a.m. However, it is quite pricey, typically ranking as one of the world's most expensive cities to live in, so be sure your wallet is big enough for Stockholm.

As the third Japanese city in the top 10, Japan must be doing something right. Kyoto has 74 international routes, but a monthly transit expense at $168, and nightlife that stays open till 5 a.m. However, it's Kyoto’s preservation of Japanese history and culture that sustain its livability.

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While I may be biased to Sydney after living there for almost a year, Sydney definitely deserves the #8 spot. It has only 49 international plane routes, a higher monthly transit expense of $117.50 (although transit caps at $2.50 AUD on Sundays), and a crippling night life with new "lockout laws" that prohibit entry into bars and clubs past 1:30 a.m. But even with those drawbacks, its impressive landscape, public transit network, food, shopping, access to a breathtaking coastline, and fabulous weather still make it extremely livable.

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Never heard of Fukuoka? This up-and-coming city on the island of Kyushu is one of the greenest in Japan. With 21 international air routes, a low monthly transit cost of $73.50, and nightlife that entertains until 5 a.m. it's on my destinations-to-watch list.

Often referred to as Australia's "Second City", Melbourne surpasses Sydney on this list. With 45 international routes, a monthly transit card at $105, and nightlife open until 3 a.m., it's relatively comparable to the New South Wales' capital whose shadow it usually lives in. It’s Melbourne’s more artistic and exploding culture that sets it apart.

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The second German city to make the top 10, Munich features a luxe airport that’s home to 231 international routes. This makes it one of the most accessible cities on this list, not to mention Munich’s relatively low inexpensive monthly transit cost ($72.80), ample green space, and 118 language schools.

Given its incredibly popular biking culture, Copenhagen has very low monthly transit costs ($54) and 156 international air routes—making it a major European hub and the fourth best place to live. for such a small city. Nightlife here lasts until 5 a.m., making it the fourth-best place to live.

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Austria’s palace-dotted capital boasts 166 international air routes, very inexpensive monthly transit costs ($54.50), 111 language schools, and 235 indie bookstores. It takes third place in the world for livability.

Berlin's nightlife goes 24/7, so it’s no surprised it ranked high on this list. But the capital of Germany also crushed the other measures—166 international plane routes, relatively inexpensive monthly transit costs ($91.50), and 222 independent bookstores make it a runner-up.

With over 13 million people, Tokyo is considered an Asian megacity. Its nightlife (clubs stay open till 5 a.m.) and other nocturnal measures make it number one for livability. It also has 135 international air routes, and monthly travel card costs averaging $160 (the second most expensive in the top 10). Plus, it has 1,300 indie bookstores—surpassing any other city on the list by over 1,000.

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