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Auckland, New Zealand
Tied at number 10 with Osaka, Auckland climbed more than 25 spots from last year, due in large part to its delayed reopening from the pandemic, where restrictions and mandates weren’t fully lifted until September 2022. Alongside its perfect education score, the city also had the highest culture and environment score among the top 10 cities, a data point that residents echoed in their experiences here.
“A beautiful secluded beach is probably within a 20-minute car drive for most living in Auckland, if not closer,” said resident Megan Lawrence, who blogs at My Moments and Memories. “We have a stunning aquatic playground on our doorstep, with many ways to enjoy it. Likewise, the city is fringed by beautiful native bush, where it’s easy to escape and not feel like you’re in a city at all.”
As the largest city in New Zealand, residents also benefit from world-class events, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “We get all the best concerts, shows and sporting events right on our doorstep,” said resident Greg Marett from guided travel company AAT Kings. “Next week, I am going to see Egypt In The Time of the Pharaohs at the Auckland Museum.”
He also emphasises the beauty of the city’s stunning harbour, with the moored yachts and sailboats giving it the nickname “The City of Sails”, and recommends first-timers visit the Auckland Maritime Museum to learn about the city’s maritime history and New Zealand’s history of competing in the Americas Cup.
As a relatively young and culturally diverse country, New Zealand embraces and adapts to food cuisines from across the world, so both restaurants and supermarkets have many choices on offer, says Lawrence . But what really makes it liveable is the friendliness of the people. “Most Kiwis are kind, willing to help and always have a cheery hello when you cross paths on a walk,” she said. “I love how open with a smile and a hello people are here.”
Living In is a series from BBC Travel that discovers what it’s like to reside in some of the world’s top destinations.
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