Vienna is again the world’s most liveable city and we should all move there

Austria’s capital, Vienna, must be laughing at the rest of the world as it once again takes the title of the most liveable city.

A survey of 231 cities which looks at political stability, health care, education, crime, recreation and transport, crowned Vienna the champion.

Europe featured eight times in the list of the top ten, with Switzerland and Germany each boasting three cities, according to the survey from HR consultant firm Mercer.

No one can beat the the hometown of Freud as it’s reigned supreme for nine years in a row, probably thanks to its healthcare, cultural scene, and housing that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Austria, Wien State, Vienna, Kohlmarkt and Hofburg — Austria, Wien State, Vienna (Picture: Getty)

Mercer says that the city of 1.8 million people scores so high because it provides expats with high security, well-structured public transportation, and a variety of cultural and recreation facilities.

Zürich, Switzerland came in second place while Munich jumped into third position as ‘over time the city has made a concerted effort to attract talent and businesses by continuously investing in high-tech infrastructure and promoting its cultural facilities,’ said Mercer.

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Auckland in New Zealand was joint third place with Munich while Baghdad, Iraq was voted the worst.

Australia didn’t fare as well as its Lord of the Rings cousin, with Sydney coming in at joint tenth place with Basel in Switzerland.

Melbourne, which is often lauded for its quality of life only managed to be ranked 15th, sharing it with Toronto in Canada.

Switzerland, Zurich, View of river and old town — Zurich isn’t too bad either. (Picture: Getty)

The survey is carried out each year to help companies and organisations figure out compensation and hardship allowances for staff they send overseas, meaning those that are sent to an arse end of a place can claim some expenses.

If all this ranking business has got you wondering where London was placed, then don’t hold your breath; there’s 40 countries that come before it.

And not a single American city even made an appearance in the top 20, but San Francisco was rated the highest, at 30.

Unsurprisingly cities devastated by conflict like the American-led war in Iraq, Yemen’s capital Sanaa, and Damascus in Syria ranked the lowest, positions they’ve held for a decade.

So, do you live in any of these cities?