Friday, June 24, 2011

Well, I'll Be Darned...

Despite the bad publicity our city received lately with the Stanley Cup riots, Vancouver has once again been ranked by Economist Magazine as the number one city in the world in which to live. Apparently Vancouver scored 98 out of a maximum 100, as it has done for the past two years. Okay, that's just insane. Vancouver? Has the Economist Magazine ever been to Paris? Apparently, Paris came in at number 16.

The top U.S. city was Pittsburgh at number 29, with Los Angeles moving up to 44th place and New York coming in at 56th. London moved up one place to 53rd while Paris came in at number 16. The top Asian city was Osaka at number 12, tying Geneva, Switzerland and beating out the Japanese capital of Tokyo, which came in at 18. ~~ Economist Magazine

London at 53? New York at 56?

Well, I must admit that when I visited those two cities and then came back to Vancouver, I was impressed with what a beautiful city I live in, compared to London and New York. It's like a jewel in comparison. But as far as excitement and energy, New York has Vancouver beat ~~ hands down. London was a bit too large in my estimation, and the traffic is crazy. Paris is beautiful, but a bit claustrophobic and the streets are dirty. I bought a beautiful pair of soft buttery leather shoes in Paris, and the first thing I did when I wore them outdoors was to step in a lovely little pile of dog poop. It's everywhere in Paris.

But, yes, Vancouver is beautiful, it's cosmopolitan, we have great schools and universities, a fabulous cultural scene, and more.  We're fortunate to be surrounded by the ocean and mountains, giving us a setting that feels as if we're in a jewel box.  And if you come to visit us sometime, we promise not to riot.

21 comments:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Don't question why. -chuckle- Just revel in living in the best place to live! :-)

Gentle hugs,
~♥~

Unknown said...

Enjoy it! It's a truly beautiful place and at the top of my list of places to see.

Pamela Kieffer said...

I have it on my list.

Leslie: said...

I agree that every time I have returned home, I wonder why I ever left. But it's nice to visit other places if only to appreciate ours.

Cloudia said...

We're both pretty lucky ducks :)



Aloha from Waikiki


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Katy said...

I'm so glad that I have had the chance to learn about your city. I find the idea of an urban city sharing space with beautiful land marvolous!

Kathryn said...

I'm a country girl myself, tho we don't live in the "real" country.

Every time we go to Orange County (CA, just south of LA), i am so happy when it comes time to go home.

Glad you love your city. :) It is good to like the place you call home.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Vancouver absolutely is a most beautiful city, and I hope very much to visit someday. Is it ok if I riot just a little when I get there, though?

DUTA said...

I like it that you're patriotic. Nowadays it has become a rare quality in people.

lovelyprism said...

I find this list a bit odd myself! I also found your description of Paris odd! When I went there I marveled at how CLEAN it was. And I seriously mean marveled. My daughter, whose dream it has always been to go to Paris was a bit disappointed, but I could live there based on the cleanliness alone.

Anonymous said...

Ooo. Stop rubbing it in, Jo. That survey did not say what ranking Kuala Lumpur was at, did it?

Linda Myers said...

I've been to Vancouver a few times, and it's a beautiful, classy city. I understand why you're proud of it.

But Pittsburgh?

PinkPanthress said...

So wait, you like Vancouver more than London.
I like London more then the place I live at...
Therefor I should love Vancouver more than anything in the World? ;)

So, #01 it is, hm?
Congrats on that!
It seems from what I have heard, to be true. Vancouver is very modern & green... greener than the Big Apple!

Canarybird said...

I would love to go back and see how Vancouver has changed since I lived there in the 1960s. It was wonderful then with beaches all around and the great expanse of Stanley Park where I took my girls to see the bears and penguins when they were small.
I never learned to ski but I can appreciate that the opportunity is there as another plus for residents. Good for Vancouver to be at the top again! I must come for a visit again one day soon.

B said...

It's the mountains. I'd have a hard time saying "no" to mountains. :)

KrippledWarrior said...

I've been to Vancouver several times and I would go again. I have been to New York and Paris, once each and I have no desire to return to either.

Paula Slade said...

That's awesome Jo - Vancouver is a gem!

I have to say, I do like Paris and New York - both have different "personalities" and are unique. I do agree about London - very sprawling although wonderful for sightseeing.

Kimberly said...

Jo! What didn't you just say damned!

John said...

I couldn't help but laugh at that last sentence! I haven't traveled abroad, but I was fortunate to spend a week in Vancouver and I must say it left quite an impression on me. I do hope to return some day. You're lucky to live in such a beautiful and unique city!

.Tom Kapanka said...

Jo,
I recently learned how to use the "stats" feature on blogger to see who has visit POI.
You can't imagine how honored I was to know you still care enough to read there.
This has been a difficult year in some respects, and I haven't been writing as much as I wish I could.

But there have been highlights to make up for the difficulties, and Kim's wedding was one of them.
Thank you so much for stopping by through all these years. I do hope to become an active reader again.

Whenever I hear VC, BC mentioned, I always say "I have a freind there." And I believe I do.

Whitney Lee said...

I would so love to come visit! It's been so long since I've been to Canada that I honestly don't remember too much. Still, I do remember the feeling of cleanliness and crispness. Besides, it's not quite as far away as London or Paris...