… completely predictable. It seems that little has changed over the last two or three decades, or over the last century for that matter as London, Paris and New York top the list of the world’s most desirable cities.
A massive survey of over 200,000 people from 189 countries carried out by the Boston Consulting Group and TotalJobs has revealed the top ten most desirable cities to live and work in, and they are very similar to the list such a survey would have returned 10, 20 or 50 years ago:
1. London
Once the heart of the biggest empire in the world, now a hugely populous, hugely pricey economic hub.
2. New York
“New York, New York”. Like Frank Sinatra, everybody has wanted to be a part of it since the days of the rat pack.
3. Paris
Even more of an old favourite than London, “Viva Paris” has been the phrase on the lips of those seeking culture, employment and un cafe bien since the enlightenment.
4. Sydney
Sydney may be one of the newer world beaters, but it has still been experiencing record population growth since the gold rush of the 1850s.
5. Madrid
The Celts, The Romans, The Visigoths, The Vandals, The Leonians, The Castillians, The Arabs and … err … The Spanish. All have wanted a piece of Madrid in their time.
6. Berlin
Okay, so Berlin has had a patchwork history to say the least, but it’s place at the heart of world events is ever an attraction.
7. Barcelona
Queen sang it it, and the Spanish footballing community shout it “Barcelonaaaaaaaa!”
8.Toronto
Another relatively new entry, but then Canada has been topping quality of life and desirability lists galore since our grandparents found they didn’t like choking on soot.
9. Singapore
Okay, so this is an unequivocally new one. Singapore is the sucess story to launch the Asian century and the exception that proves the rule of continuity.
10. Rome
As the Romans said “Quad erat demonstrandum”; “My case is proved”