Melbourne the most livable city- EIU

[eeew]

The rankings are in. Melbourne in at number 1.

http://www.businessday.com.au/business/best-cities-to-live-20110830-1jj9d.html?rand=1314669119171

 

[buzzlightyear]

Isn't the Economist Intelligence Unit the same guys who say Melbourne have the 6th most expensive city in the world to live in, and they are also the ones who estimate our housing prices are 56% overvalued.

Yet we are number 1 most livebale city?

 

[Lawry]

Isn't the Economist Intelligence Unit the same guys who say Melbourne have the 6th most expensive city in the world to live in, and they are also the ones who estimate our housing prices are 56% overvalued.

Yet we are number 1 most livebale city?

beautiful observation buzz... LOL

 

[Token Funder]

Isn't the Economist Intelligence Unit the same guys who say Melbourne have the 6th most expensive city in the world to live in, and they are also the ones who estimate our housing prices are 56% overvalued.

Yet we are number 1 most livebale city?

Because it's a measure of something different


The Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveability rating quantifies the challenges that might be presented to an individual's lifestyle in 140 cities worldwide. Each city is assigned a score for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories:

Stability
Healthcare
Culture and environment
Education
Infrastructure

The categories are compiled and weighted to provide an overall rating of 1–100, where 1 is considered intolerable and 100 is considered ideal.

 

[units4me]

I'm guessing these commitees involved in saying we're the greatest haven't seen the the ring road with the missing section, or the end of the eastern freeway missing link. Or all our level crossings.

 

[Peter Parker]

I'm guessing these commitees involved in saying we're the greatest haven't seen the the ring road with the missing section, or the end of the eastern freeway missing link. Or all our level crossings.

The committees that decide these things are biased.

They assume lavish living allowances that allow renting in the best suburbs.

They assume inner city cultural interests.

They assume high incomes that allows consumption of the best things the city has to offer.

But

They do not assume people trying to buy a house in the outer suburbs

They do not assume suburban transport problems eg level crossings and infrequent buses

They do not assume average or lower incomes


For the itinerant executive or diplomat (the sort who reads the Economist), it is easy to see how Sydney or Melbourne would come up trumps.

But for people on lower incomes with less specialised jobs, places like Adelaide, Hobart, Newcastle, Geelong, Bunbury or Warrnambool come up trumps. The main benefit of regional is cheaper house prices and probably shorter commutes while the main liabilities is less tertiary education for children and less public transport.

 

[toony]

I suppose 56% premium to live in the worlds best city is worth it. Therefore prices are not over-valued. Thats what you pay to live in the worlds best city.

 

[Aaron_C]

In any 'survey' like this there are some who fall above, some who fall below...Should we compare Melbourne's Sunshine to New York City's Harlem as well for a 'fair' comparison?

 

[Belbo]

Look, Melbourne typifies everything that the international Economist reader genuinely aspires to: the grey, the flat and the monotonously predictable. Leave this creative clique to celebrate their ideal city. They deserve each other, truly. (While leaving all the more sunshine for the rest of us. )

 

[zed_kid]

For the itinerant executive or diplomat (the sort who reads the Economist), it is easy to see how Sydney or Melbourne would come up trumps.

I reckon there are way better cities than Melbourne for people like that, just saying

 

[Tony3008]

"Unfortunately, all metrics are only as good as the things they count; and the Economist Intelligence Unit Liveability Ranking, which is now interpreted as the league table among competing cities, is far from a scientific guide to anyone's experience in Melbourne or anywhere else. ... The rankings reflect an upper-middle-class view of the world that greatly values comforts and security but has no dimension of social responsibility, diversity, equity or sustainability. ... According to the unit, Melbourne scrubs up pretty well because it's peaceful, has excellent weather, has a good hospital system and is reliable and prosperous. The positive statistics derive from its climate, excellent police force, its remoteness from conflict and the availability and quality of private and public healthcare and education. ..."

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/welcome-to-the-worlds-most-liveable-delusion-20110902-1jqbd.html