Melbourne Named World's Most Livable City for Seventh Straight Year
Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranks the most livable cities in the world, and for the seventh time in a row Melbourne, Australia topped the list.
Melbourne scored 97.5 out of 100 on the annual list, beating out Vienna (#2) and Vancouver (#3) for the top spot. Meanwhile, Australia's largest city, Sydney, didn't even crack the top 10 this year. Another notable absence on this list? Any city in the United States.
So, what makes Melbourne so great? The Economist Intelligence Unit bases its rankings on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. While foreign visitors won't necessarily benefit from the city's access to top-notch education or healthcare, Melbourne's excellent food scene, easy access to public transportation, world-class museums and beautiful parks makes it the ideal spot to unwind on vacation.
Let's start with the first meal of the day. Breakfast - or "brekkie" - is serious business in Melbourne. There are innumerable restaurants throughout the city dedicated to the most important meal of the day. These aren't the watered-down mimosa brunch factories you'll find in American cities, either. Here, it's more likely you'll happen upon perfectly poached eggs, avocado toast loaded with local vegetables and the best cup of coffee you've ever had in your life. Be sure to check out the avocado toast at Two Birds and the chia pudding at Middletown.