Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark has been voted the best city in the world to live in by the lifestyle magazine: Monocle. According the the feinschmecker magazine, there are numerous reasons why Copenhagen has gone from second to first place in a year, swapping positions with Munich.
I'm surprised at the results of this vote, I guess it takes someone else to see it from a different perspective in order to find it so amazing. Maybe I'm just used to living here...or maybe I see certain things as well, things that a foreigner/tourist might not see. But yeah... reading this article made me remember the wonderful things about this city and made me appreciate it. That was a good reminder because if someone doesn't tell you, then how am I supposed to remember that I live in the best city in the world? Kind of like the trees in the forest... Read on for the contents...
The low murder rate of only 6 murders per year are one of the reasons they state. It's also of great importance that in 2006 54.9% of the garbage were recycled and that 5000 new firms emerge per year placed Denmark in 5th place over innovative countries in the world.
High tolerance also plays a part and the magazine notes that we have an active equal rights policy and that since 1989 it has been possible for gay couples to have registered partnerships.
It's not easy finding the nicest city and that's why several writers themselves from Monocle are visiting the 40 different qualified cities. They state that they loved intellect, humor and great looks of the inhabitants of Copenhagen. Tyler Brûlé, chief editor at Monocle said that it was lovely walking the streets of Copenhagen, to see all the happy, good looking people. "It only takes 5 minutes to bike to the nearest park and it's possible to bathe in the harbor. Actually it's almost as if the city was DESIGNED to live in!"
Of course Denmark is internationally known for it's design as well as designers and they help raise the standard of living. The metro are one of the most important reasons why Denmark came in first this year. Being able to get of the plane and take the train/metro directly to ones destination without further obstacles is one tests passed. When you're downtown you can also enjoy the most qualified barista-scene north of Italy as well as enjoy interior and art innovation, awesome drinks and cocktails and wonderful food culture.
The winning part is that Copenhagen is not that big a city, it's cosy and intimate and everything is within walking distance or biking. And he loves the fact that we have a culture that allows us to be able to leave the baby stroller outside a store while we go inside to shop - with the baby still inside stroller!
A recent survey showed that Danish people were the happiest people in the world...why shouldn't we be? Apparently now, we also have the best city in the world to live in!
BEST CITIES 2008 - TOP 25 (cities in parenthesis show last years placements. Check to see if your city is on the list and whether it moved up or down from last year!)
1. Copenhagen (Munich)
2. Munich (Copenhagen)
3. Tokyo (Zurich)
4. Zurich (Tokyo)
5. Helsinki (Vienna)
6. Vienna (Helsinki)
7. Stockholm (Sydney)
8. Vancouver (Stockholm)
9. Melbourne (Honolulu)
10. Paris (Madrid)
11. Sydney (Melbourne)
12. Honolulu (Montreal)
13. Madrid (Barcelona)
14. Berlin (Kyoto)
15. Barcelona (Vancouver)
16. Montreal (Auckland)
17. Fukuoka (Singapore)
18. Amsterdam (Hamburg)
19. Minneapolis (Paris)
20. Kyoto (Geneva)
21. Hamburg
22. Singapore
23. Geneva
24. Lisbon
25. Portland
