According to the annual GfK public survey, London is the best city in the world.
London and Sydney each moved up 1 place from last year, to 1st and 2nd respectively, while Paris fell to 3rd.
The survey aims to look at all aspects of a city; physical beauty and safety records are covered, but so are less tangible things such as friendliness of the people and a ready cultural mix.
Sydney came top in the safety stakes, whilst, probably not surprisingly, Rio de Janeiro came 47th. Sydney also came top in the friendliness category, with Moscow coming 50th. If you are surprised at that, you should read my Melancholy Moscow post.
However, it’s the London versus Paris element of these survey results that will likely generate the most conversation and debate. These two neighbour cities are less than three hours apart by Eurostar, but are separated by water, language, history, food, ….
If the debate needed any further fuel, then the infographic below, from Time Out, may be just the thing.
London vs Paris infographic: the urban head-to-head, by Time Out
Update:
Anna at Home & Away has pointed out that despite this accolade, London has just been voted the worst place to live, so I thought I had better to do an update to this post.
Crap Towns Returns‘ public survey has found London to be the crappiest city in the UK, the league table being:
- London
- Bradford
- Chipping Norton
- Southampton
- York
- Gibraltar
- Coventry
- Nuneaton
- High Wycombe
- Stoke-on-Trent
They have also found Hatfield to be the dullest and Hemel Hempstead to be the ugliest.
Travel with Intent 
I love graphics like these…and I think your “living in London” disclaimer is hilarious! Great post!
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We are talking about capitals only, right? LOL
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Interesting question. I’m not sure that was specified, but it looks that way
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I have studied and lived in Paris, and have only visited London briefly (for about a week, though bc it was with Londoners I got to see the touristy and the ‘real’ city), so it wouldnt be a fair comparison. I will say this: while Paris is more on my wavelength ‘high-culturally’ and aesthetically, I found London and Londoners to be warmer and more welcoming.
A bit of irony: apparently London had just been voted the worst city in the UK by the Brits!
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Ha, irony indeed. I’ll look out for that survey. There was one a few months ago, that voted Luton the worst city I think. I’m surprised at London being voted worst city, but if you haven’t got a job / any money, it would be a very lonely place to be.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449338/London-voted-worst-place-live-UK-Crap-Towns-Returns-book.html
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Thanks Anna. I have updated the post to reflect this now. Interesting stuff..
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Excellent, I really enjoyed that comparison 🙂 I may have missed it, but it didn’t make a point of London’s Museums being free, unlike those in Paris.
Another thing that’s missing is Anna’s comment re. Moscow. Won’t be long, though…. she must be out riding 😉
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I do have other hobbies, you know!
No, honestly, I do not think Moscow is close to competing in this category. The city is still very much in development as a travel destination, though strides are being made in that direction. Come to think of it, thanks for a post idea!
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Ah, there you are. I was starting to get worried.
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Don’t get me wrong Anna, I do love Moscow for its incredible sights and the metro. And I’m sure it will make rapid progress up that chart. The number 1 think I’d nominate for improvement is the traffic! I’ll watch out for your post.
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Well, my counter to the traffic bit is, just skip anything above-ground and either walk (downtown) or take the metro (I already have 3 posts on its awesomeness, and more in the works). But some things that you cant escape – lack of mid-price-range hotels, often mediocre food (which wont prevent it from being super expensive) unless you really KNOW where to go or just go for street food, and the scary security forces…even tho they’re there ‘for my protection.’
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I hope I haven’t offended her!
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It’s an impossible feat – and believe me, I’ve tried!
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And were disappointed when failed, and been trying over and over ever since 😛
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I’m nothing if not tenacious 😉
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Maybe I have more skill in the offence area. Many have told me that before!
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