• Vienna is considered one of the best cities to live in.Vienna, panorama image by Galina Raltseva from Fotolia.com
  
  Trying to decide on a place to live is a very difficult and subjective process. Many different organizations attempt to help people with these sorts of decisions by ranking cities both within the United States and across the world based on a widely varying set of criteria. When you examine a few different indexes, several cities pop up again and again.
  
  

Vienna, Austria

• Vienna ranks very high on several different lists of the best places to live, including being ranked at number one on the Mercer Quality of Living Survey in 2009 and number two on the Economist Intelligence Unit's global livability report in 2010. The reasons for its ranking include its arts and cultural organizations such as its opera house and museums, its sunny continental weather, pleasant architecture, and harmonious political and social landscapes.
  
  

Vancouver, Canada

• Vancouver, Canada, was ranked number one by the Economist Intelligence Unit and tied for number four on the Mercer report. A report by Monocole magazine also ranked Vancouver at number 14. Reasons include its friendly, low-key atmosphere and the natural beauty of its location next to snow-capped peaks.
  
  

Zurich, Switzerland

• Zurich, Switzerland also ranks very high on several different lists. It is number two on the Mercer list and number one on the Monocole magazine list, although it is not in the top 10 in the EIU's list. Reasons for Zurich's high ranking include its setting nestled next to the Swiss Alps, its excellent public transportation system, and its strict emissions standards.
  
  

Melbourne, Australia

• Melbourne also ranks strongly on each one of the surveys, coming in at number three on the EIU's list, number nine on the Monocole magazine list, and number 18 on the Mercer list. Melbourne is highly ranked because of its global cuisine, its unique neighborhoods, and its frequent festivals.
  
  

Auckland, New Zealand

• Next door in New Zealand is another highly-ranked city, its capital of Auckland. Auckland rates number 10 on the EIU list, number 20 on the Monocole list, and ties for number four on the Mercer list. Auckland is the center of New Zealand, one of the youngest first-world countries renowned for its beauty and the host of outdoor activities.