The top cities to live, play, and work

Top cities to live in

The top two positions continue to be held by Zurich and Sydney, respectively. Zurich has appeared in many international rankings over the years that have seen it featured as not only one of the top cities for quality of living but also one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. However, its popularity would indicate that the high quality of life trumps the cost of living in Zurich. Sydney is also a popular expat destination with an ideal climate for those wishing that summer would never end.

Abu Dhabi (having moved up four places), Vancouver (being a brand new entrant) and Stockholm (having leapt up five places) are in joint third place. Abu Dhabi is a popular destination in the Middle East, not least due to the job opportunities available there. Vancouver is another city that has previously ranked highly for the quality of life it affords, and with Canada as a whole being featured as one of the world's happiest countries, its entry into the rankings seems to have been inevitable. The capital of Sweden, Stockholm, is known for both the high quality and high cost of living, as is often the case in the Nordic countries.

In joint sixth place are London, Amsterdam and Toronto. London is one of the most popular expat destinations and is considered to be the leading global financial capital. It also has comparatively affordable rent, when judged against other international financial centres (though those living may argue that this isn't quite the reality). Amsterdam is famous for its poppies and for having a remarkable cycling culture. However, it also seems to be a very liveable city, with a more relaxed nature than some of the other major capitals featured. Toronto is regarded as Canada's financial capital and is a bustling metropolis. While Vancouver is perhaps more favoured by outdoorsy types, Toronto has a more urban feel, as well as reasonable rent prices (though again, those living in the city may dispute this) and a good quality of life.

Top cities to visit

Maintaining its position as the most popular city to visit is Paris, which has historically been romanticised thanks to its scenic views and iconic Parisian lifestyle that have drawn tourists from around the world, though it is particularly accessible to those living in the EU. From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower it has monuments and museums that are famous around the world and attract interest from those that would like to visit. Rome proved popular with participants, moving up from third to second place. Like Paris, it is a cultural icon that has constistently been portrayed in popular culture over the years. However, it is perhaps more prominent due to the historic monuments that offer glimpses into the Roman Empire.

Pushed down by Rome's popularity, the overall most popular city, New York, is down to third. In a similar fashion to Paris, New York has appeared in movies and TV shows throughout the years, forming part of iconic scenes. It also has internationally renowned museums and is popular with fashion aficionados. Another popular international city is London, which, in addition to being quite liveable, is also a good place to visit, taking fourth place. In a similar style to New York, it is a melting pot of cultures with all manner of cuisines to enjoy and activities to partake in, as well as arguably more historic architecture on display (though certainly not as historic as what the likes of Rome have to offer visitors.)

Top cities to do business

New York and Abu Dhabi come out as the clear frontrunners when it comes to doing business, in first and second respectively, with a five per cent margin separating second and third place. New York is one of the world's leading financial centres (though the high rent prices make it unsurprising that it only just sneaks into the most liveable cities in tenth) and a top international startup hub, attracting businesses and businesspeople from far and wide. It is home to some of the world's leading financial institutions, making it a commercial hot spot. Abu Dhabi's popularity as a place to conduct business is undoubtedly connected with its beneficial tax system. The city has a number of multinationals located there, from major oil companies to big-name banks.

London and Hong Kong are in joint third, with both being known as leading financial centres, particularly in their respective parts of the world. London is home to a number of established financial institutions and companies, as well as being the leading city for startups in Europe. Hong Kong is a particularly important Chinese outpost that has a certain degree of economic autonomy that makes it popular with those looking to do business in the country. Consequently, it is certainly not a surprise that both cities have proven so popular.