H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Love all the biking/walking paths and parks, and transport is pretty easy if you're on a main track like I am. Sporting events are amazing too. Cost-wise, though? Holy hell. Holy hell.
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That's Melbourne, 5 years running world's most liveable city.
- Thread starter Ozzy Onya A2Z
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This is most expensive for expats. Chinese cities are high due to the differences between what a Chinese citizen gets and what an expat gets.
There's also a big difference between most expensive and least affordable.
Here are the least affordable cities (salary vs cost of living) in the world:
Worlds 10 Least Affordable Major Metropolitan Markets
Hong Kong, China 17.0 ($762,437 median price; $44,730 median household income)
Vancouver, Canada 10.6 ($704,800 median price; $66,400 median household income)
Sydney, Australia 9.8 ($812,000 median price; $82,800 median household income)
San Jose, U.S.A. 9.2 ($860,000 median price; $93,400 median household income)
San Francisco, U.S.A. 9.2 ($744,400 median price; $81,200 median household income)
Melbourne, Australia 8.7 ($658,000 median price; $75,900 median household income)
London, U.K. 8.5 ($706,400 median price; $84,222 median household income)
San Diego, U.S.A. 8.3 ($517,800 median price; $62,700 median household income)
Auckland, New Zealand 8.2 ($613,000 median price; $75,100 median household income)
Los Angeles, U.S.A. 8.0 ($481,900 median price; $60,000 median household income)
Darren870
Member
Yea, great city! Fortunate enough to own a (town)house here too. Actually wasn't too bad in terms of price and I am in Brunswick.
Of the major cities I've lived in I put it above NYC, and it goes back and forth with London.
I will say Sydney and Hobart are really pretty to drive around though, just because they are hilly and have pretty landscapes while Melbourne is flat.
Of the major cities I've lived in I put it above NYC, and it goes back and forth with London.
I will say Sydney and Hobart are really pretty to drive around though, just because they are hilly and have pretty landscapes while Melbourne is flat.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
But, Brunswick's $18 cocktails...
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
Ah, my bad. Yeah I thought Melbourne & Sydney would be up in the stratosphere for cost of living. Shit is expensive, no arguments there.
At least they dropped the prices to Zone 1 (if you were travelling 1+2). It's been a good saving this year.
Though the myki system wasn't thought out properly and troublesome for tourists.
lol what?
Its actually not all that flat once you head east of the CBD. Get yourself up to a scenic lookout like Rialto Tower and you'll see what I mean
Tabris, I'm not going to reply to you because you're a flaming jackass.
All cities that aren't NYC are inadequate in comparison.
Darren870
Member
Ha! Yes, this is true.
The alcoholic in me likes London more because of that alone. The alcohol prices here are just crazy. I still can't get over it almost 2 years later. Give me back my 3 pound pints.
I don't even think I've ever seen a reasonable priced cocktail here.
I was actually just up there last week for Dinner. I know its not all flat, and have lived in a few of the Melbourne suburbs, but its really flat compared to Hobart and Syd. However, I love driving around in the Yarra Valley. I fell in love with that place when I was living in Lilydale for 6 months. I go back frequently.
I've never heard of Vancouver being called one of the most diverse cities.
You're a flaming jackass. Why don't you go promote Sony products like your history advises.
This is old, so trying to find a new one, but here's one:
According to a 2014 study - 43% of Metro Vancouver residents have an Asian heritage, so the number has increased quite a bit.
You're in a thread where your counterpoint to Melbourne being the most liveable city is "Sorry bro I'll take NYC". I respond asking why (pertaining to the debate this thread is about) and you come back with this? If you don't want to converse your points don't post in the threads
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
It's fine to have that opinion but you should really dot point some reasoning, you know for comparison
I've lived in both NY and Melbourne, among others. Fucking love NYC but I would never live there again. It's too congested, poor environmentally speaking, crime is an issue, talk about costs vs. value for living conditions etc. I love the diversity of the people and events in the big apple from when I visit or lived there previously but I would never chose to live there again. In terms of diversity out and about from the cities themselves Melbourne wins hands down from beaches and the natural environment/animals to accessob;e snow fields and range of sports.
This is old, so trying to find a new one:
A quick google search shows a ton of lists without Vancouver anywhere.
http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/t...erse-cities-in-the-world-348360/?singlepage=1
I'd post more but I'm on my phone. Also, what's the racial breakdown in Vancouver?
Also your list is a bit unfair in that it's just based on percentages. In the number of actual people, it's not really close. Hard to have much of a significant culture for these other groups when the actual number is relatively small.
My gf had a lot of family in Vancouver so I spent quite a bit of time there. It's a lovely city but too slow for our tastes. Much better outdoor life though!
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Even London seems crazy to me thanks to the sweet brewery prices in LA. When I went back for work this summer we hit every one in, like, a 100 mile radius. <--If you go to LA/South Bay I will give you this treasure map.
But, yeah. That was the first and last cocktail I've ever had in Australia. At least the wine is relatively cheap for how good it is.
Grocery prices are also a punch to gut every time we go. Sweet Cheesus.
milanbaros
Member?
I'll take London. There is a lot of problems but as a true global city it beats even New York in my experience. No where like it in the world.
Darren870
Member
It's fine to have that opinion but you should really dot point some reasoning, you know for comparison
I've lived in both NY and Melbourne, among others. Fucking love NYC but I would never live there again. It's too congested, poor environmentally speaking, crime is an issue, talk about costs vs. value for living conditions etc. I love the diversity of the people and events in the big apple from when I visit or lived there previously but I would never chose to live there again. In terms of diversity out and about from the cities themselves Melbourne wins hands down from beaches and the natural environment/animals to accessob;e snow fields and range of sports.
100% agree with all of those, and NYC is my home city. While I would live there again, if I ever moved back home, I would prefer Melbourne over it for all the reasons you listed.
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
There's 4 ways to go with the Yarra Valley:
1. Driving around.
2. Eating and drinking.
4. Fishing and camping.
5. Paintballing with your mates.
A group of us combined all 4 in a weekend and it was glorious.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Vancouver
Vancouver is:
European Canadian at 46%
Chinese at 28%
South Asian at 6%
Filipino at 6%
Southeast Asian at 3%
Japanese at 2%
Korean at 2%
Other at 7%
Manhatten is:
White at 54% (27% of which is Hispanic - weird stats on this wiki)
Black at 17%
Asian at 9%
Other at 15%
Mixed at 4%
So I guess they are close, our diversity is just within the Asian ethnicity grouping more.
Vancouver is:
European Canadian at 46%
Chinese at 28%
South Asian at 6%
Filipino at 6%
Southeast Asian at 3%
Japanese at 2%
Korean at 2%
Other at 7%
Manhatten is:
White at 54% (27% of which is Hispanic - weird stats on this wiki)
Black at 17%
Asian at 9%
Other at 15%
Mixed at 4%
So I guess they are close, our diversity is just within the Asian ethnicity grouping more.
Fuck yeah, Melbourne!
First came to Melbourne just over a decade ago from the UK. Chose Melbourne over Sydney on a whim. Had no knowledge about the place. Couldn't even point to it on a map. Instantly fell in love with the place. It's the single greatest city I've ever lived in.
I knew straight away that I wanted Melbourne to me be my home. Since then, have been to most of the other major cities in Australia, and while they each have their pros and cons, Melbourne reigns as King.
It's pretty. It's cultured. It's safe. It's dynamic. It's diverse. The job market has always been vibrant. The food is phenomenal. The surrounding countryside is stunning. The perfect city to raise a family in. Now have two kids born here, and their life growing up in this city will be so awesome.
Hey GAF, you should move to Melbourne. It's the best.
First came to Melbourne just over a decade ago from the UK. Chose Melbourne over Sydney on a whim. Had no knowledge about the place. Couldn't even point to it on a map. Instantly fell in love with the place. It's the single greatest city I've ever lived in.
I knew straight away that I wanted Melbourne to me be my home. Since then, have been to most of the other major cities in Australia, and while they each have their pros and cons, Melbourne reigns as King.
It's pretty. It's cultured. It's safe. It's dynamic. It's diverse. The job market has always been vibrant. The food is phenomenal. The surrounding countryside is stunning. The perfect city to raise a family in. Now have two kids born here, and their life growing up in this city will be so awesome.
Hey GAF, you should move to Melbourne. It's the best.
kerotan_eater
Banned
I don't understand this. Have you been to there? I highly doubt a city can scream multiculturalism anymore than a city like Melbourne.
Head of Vengarl
Banned
TIL that Lagos is the largest city in Africa. The Lonely Planet summary is pretty good:
"Lagos is the largest city in Africa, it has wall-to-wall people, bumper-to-bumper cars, noise and pollution beyond belief, an intimidating crime rate, and maxed out public utilities. Elevated motorways ringing the island city are jammed with speed freaks and absurd traffic jams ('go-slows') on top, and tin-and-cardboard shacks underneath.
Named after the Portuguese word for lagoon, Lagos has been a Yoruba port, a British political centre and, until 1991, Nigeria's capital. The economic and cultural powerhouse of the country, and with much thanks to an absurd influx of oil money, it has an exploding arts and music scene will keep your yansh engaged far past dawn. If you're headed to Nigeria, you'll have no choice but to jump right into the madness here."
"Lagos is the largest city in Africa, it has wall-to-wall people, bumper-to-bumper cars, noise and pollution beyond belief, an intimidating crime rate, and maxed out public utilities. Elevated motorways ringing the island city are jammed with speed freaks and absurd traffic jams ('go-slows') on top, and tin-and-cardboard shacks underneath.
Named after the Portuguese word for lagoon, Lagos has been a Yoruba port, a British political centre and, until 1991, Nigeria's capital. The economic and cultural powerhouse of the country, and with much thanks to an absurd influx of oil money, it has an exploding arts and music scene will keep your yansh engaged far past dawn. If you're headed to Nigeria, you'll have no choice but to jump right into the madness here."
Why would you pick Manhattan and not nyc itself? You'd exclude most of the people in the city.
If you want to argue that Vancouver is more diverse than nyc, go for it. You're in the ... minority ... there.
Darren870
Member
Err yea, I even try to get deals by buying directly from the Brewery and they still want $20-25 for a 6-pack
. I do miss the east coast beer and how cheap it was. I really need to go back to the US and check out some of the breweries London's micro brew scene was horrible actually. Besides a select few there it was always fullers or young's pubs.
Wine is great here though, 100% agree with that. Though Cali does have nice wine too.
Yea, groceries can sting. We go to Costco for staples and really have to shop in season or for discounts. I feel like we've gotten it under control, but man the first few months here I was pulling out my hair. My diet definitely changed pretty fast when I got here and found the cost of things. Maybe I'm just used to the prices now....
It was a picture of Manhattan posted. Same as our downtown.
Because Vancouver doesn't segment into racial communities. We have one area where there is a higher concentration of Asian ethnicities but it's not the same as NY's level of segregation.
The other big difference, and why Toronto leads most lists for most ethnically and culturally diverse city, is how other cultures are accepted. This is a Canada vs US thing, and it's a different vibe here when you are another ethnicity then it is when living in a US city.
Also I just posted statistics that point to Vancouver being culturally diverse.
EDIT - You said you've been to Vancouver. Did you walk downtown? See sushi, indian, thai, bubble tea, hot pot, korean bbq, etc restaurants every block or two?
A picture of Manhattan means you ignore the other millions of residents In the city? How does that make sense? Never change, GAF.
Darren870
Member
Ha, great place! I really need to get some mates here though. All the people I've met have kids and the missus and I often are competing with new borns when trying to get our friends to come out to the pub.
I think another thing that puts Melbourne so high on my list is the lack of crime. In NY I've had my fair share of run ins. Seen plenty of friends come back bloody or bruised or robbed at knife or gun point.
In London I witnessed plenty of hood rats jacking peoples phones on their bikes. Causing havoc in the city. Plenty of friends getting mugged and people starting crap for no reason. I witnessed 20 kids smash the crap out of one kid in front of the Mayors house. Another time I had identify a kid in a line up that stole some pregnant ladies cellphone while she was texting and walking.
Here? Would never even once think or worry about that. I ride my push bike in to work everyday, can see people constantly walking on their phones. That would be snatched in two seconds in other cities. You have to worry very little here about crime. People actually are happy. I mean just watch the news. You get maybe one or two crimes a day that are reported. They report about car accidents more then actual crime.
The drivers are rubbish though...
Such a stupid statement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Melbourne
For example, my office has around 120 people working here. The vast majority born outside of Australia, and moved here as immigrants (myself included). On the last culture day at work, we found out we have over 40 nationalities represented.
Viewing people's ethnicity as 'white' or 'non-white' is such an American viewpoint. Melbourne has huge populations of Greeks, Italians, Jews, British, Kiwis, all with their own cultural differences. You can't lump them all together as 'white'. Melbourne's Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the World, and you have people from all throughout Asia calling Melbourne as home.
I always thought of a person's nationality as being different than their race. So much racism is based on a person's physical characterstics, so that's why some folks lump a white Canadian together with a white Brit. In terms of culture, I totally get what you are trying to say. But in terms of racism and feeling comfortable in a city that had no one else that looks like you, it's a bit different.
Mohonky
Member
Australia is the most racist country on the planet according to gaf.
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
I too am in the young family mode, 2 kids (6 and 3). Crime is low here and I like to think just being happy is an Australia trait. Also the news tries to play crime up and considering their low production values the media in general encourage that perspective far more than the reality in Aus, I'd rather they invest the production resources and cover real news stories each day.
As for driving I can confirm Australians/Melburnians can't merge into a highway for shit. If this was LA we'd have decreasing population growth from all the road rage shootings
If you're on Xbox One hit my up some time, GT is the same as my GAF name.
milanbaros
Member?
Switch Back 9
a lot of my threads involve me fucking up somehow. Perhaps I'm a moron?
I've lived in three of those top cities. For me it goes
Vancouver
Melbourne
Toronto
But that's just one man's opinion. Vienna looks amazing though, I'd love to visit some day.
Edit: Purely anecdotal, but perhaps due to growing up in Canada and near Toronto, I did find Australia a degree or two more racist than it was back home. Just casual shit locals would say amongst other, white, locals. Nothing extremely vindictive or anything, just more common and accepted that it was back home.
Vancouver
Melbourne
Toronto
But that's just one man's opinion. Vienna looks amazing though, I'd love to visit some day.
Edit: Purely anecdotal, but perhaps due to growing up in Canada and near Toronto, I did find Australia a degree or two more racist than it was back home. Just casual shit locals would say amongst other, white, locals. Nothing extremely vindictive or anything, just more common and accepted that it was back home.
The simple fact that Australian history is shaped by racism towards 'wogs', e.g. people from Southern Europe who are white, but noticeably distinct from Anglo Saxon whites, shows that this isn't the case. Prejudice doesn't start and end with skin pigmentation. Otherwise Jewish/Irish history etc would be entirely different.
The Us vs Them at the heart of racism comes down to differences between groups. Be that purely physically, or purely culturally, or a mix of the two.
Sorry, should have clarified. Longest running Chinatown in the Western world.
http://chinatownmelbourne.com.au/about-chinatown/
RoadHazard
Gold Member
Except for all the deadly critters waiting to murder you around every corner you mean? Sure, yeah, if you manage to survive that I'm sure it's very nice!
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