How Liveable is Beijing?

Lauren McCarthy | Feb 23, 2011 3:00 pm | 9 comments | 7439 reads

The Economist’s yearly rating of the world’s most liveable cities is out. After a hard look at environment, health care, culture and infrastructure Beijing makes a mediocre showing at 72 out of 140 cities.

Beijing is the top-ranking mainland Chinese city on the list with Hong Kong making it in at 31. The rest of the mainland cities in order include “Tianjin (73rd), Suzhou (75th), Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dalian and Qingdao.”

According to the Economic Intelligence Unit, the ranking “assesses living conditions in 140 cities around the world. A rating of relative comfort for 30 indicators is assigned across five broad categories: stability; healthcare; culture and environment; education; and infrastructure. The survey gives an overall rating of 0-100, where 1 is intolerable and 100 is ideal.”

For instance, top finisher, Vancouver, Canada scored a solid A+ with 98% while Harare, Zimbabwe flunked out with a dismal 37.5%.

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merri0's picture merri0 Submitted by Guest on Mon, 02/28/2011 - 23:20

As someone who just made the move to Shanghai after 5+ years in the 'jing-- and who is firmly in the "Beijing rules, Shanghai drools" crowd--the idea that Beijing is MORE livable than Shanghai is ridiculous. Beijing has become just as expensive with none of the quality of Shanghai. It's hugely inconvenient to go anywhere since the city is massive; it's dirty, smells funny, the architecture is either ugly or being knocked down, and it's colder than shit or conversely...hotter than shit for all but two weeks in the Fall and two weeks in the Spring (you all know what I'm talking about).

Despite all of this, I love Beijing. I'd choose it any day over Shanghai (well, maybe not in March, suckas!). I love it for the same reasons I hate it-- plus, it's cooler, less pretentious, more cultural, and doesn't come with that atrocious Shanghainese accent.

But more livable? Nope.

djway830's picture djway830 Submitted by Guest on Wed, 02/23/2011 - 16:50

With the price hikes coming for rent, continued poor & worsening pollution, over-crowding, and lack of 'common logic' I really don't see Beijing staying in the middle much longer... expect a drop of 20-25 spots next year!

www.thedynamitegroup.com/djway.html

ericlihui's picture ericlihui Submitted by Guest on Wed, 02/23/2011 - 16:37

anywhere you stay is liveable. otherwise, how can we stay alive and see the sun arise or such bad though liveable beijing?

lets work instead of praying to make it bettr whereever we stay. gogo!

McCurry's picture McCurry Submitted by Guest on Wed, 02/23/2011 - 16:15

Take that African cities!

My choice is what I choose to do,
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you choose to be,
And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me.

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