London the best city in the world? Give us a break…

London has been crowned the best city on earth – and the rest of the world aren’t too happy.

The outrage stems from a top 10 list created by Resonance Consultancy. The company delved into data surrounding the ‘liveability’, ‘loveability’ and ‘prosperity’ of the world’s major cities.

Do locals like living there? Do tourists leave good reviews? Are there parks aplenty and a decent public transport system? These are all questions researchers asked themselves when deciding where to crown.

London, for an eighth year in a row, reached in the top spot. 

Paris – battling a bedbug epidemic – and New York – currently at risk of more heavy flooding – followed closely behind.

When Metro asked people for their opinions on the list, many turned their nose up at London’s place in the top slot.

In Paris, your wellbeing and lifestyle are the highest right

Phillip Sanders, a 29-year-old Mancunian who now lives in Paris, firmly believes the French capital has earned its place as the world’s greatest city – and that London is overrated.

He told us: ‘London’s days of being the world’s capital are long behind it. Post brexit, inflation, rent prices, lousy local officials, ancient public transport, it’s no wonder the best part of London is the nightlife and drinking. You need something to help you forget the mess you’re in.

‘Paris is often scoffed at by Londoners for being aloof and inaccessible, but that comes from the profound British arrogance where your presence deserves accommodation. Paris is a community unto itself, and expects an understanding and kindness to its language, history, and spaces.’

The English capital is also ‘too big’ in Phillip’s eyes, with it easily taking an hour to navigate from one part of the city to another.

And while London is a melting pot of cultures, the 29-year-old also raises the point that you’re more likely to find people in Paris who speak multiple languages. Through this, communities get more connected. 

He continued: ‘Culture is wide spread, and the city itself supports it.

‘London, the Tubes are more cramped, the architecture is a mess of deregulation, and the streets are just runways to some mega store. 

‘Paris however is a place of harmony. Every street delicately weaves into main roads, where one can equally be lost or found as the mood strikes. The Metro here is made for the people, with spacious interiors, ample seating, and open plan platforms.’

France may have hit headlines recently for its bedbug infestation and frequent strikes, but Philllip says the latter, at least, is no bad thing.

‘The Parisians have held strong against inflation, gas price hikes, and pension reforms. Striking too is a community effort that sees waves of your community supporting eachother.

‘Strikes are so often events, and are surprisingly well organised and safe. In Paris, your wellbeing and lifestyle are the highest right. Why waste away in your office when you could be living, talking, and soaking up the cities vibes?’

Tokyo has everything London has but is cheaper, cleaner and better organised

Meanwhile Paul Cardwell, who spent five years in London, is also dubious about its place on the list. He currently lives in Tokyo and the contrast between the two cities could not be more stark.

‘It’s busy like London but everyone follows the rules so there is order and it just makes for a much more pleasant environment to be in,’ he said. ‘It is incredibly safe. I can walk down any street at any time and nothing bad is going to happen.’

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‘That’s definitely not the same for London. Everything here is clean. I’d eat my dinner off the tube station floor. People are also super helpful – ask a stranger for directions and they will literally take you to the place you want to go to. 

‘It also has better weather as it gets seasons. You get a winter but also a guarantee of a good summer.

‘It is also much cheaper to live – rent is about half the price of London, the supermarket and eating out are much cheaper and higher quality, and going to events is also cheaper – I went to football for £15 and baseball for £12.

‘Essentially, Tokyo has everything London has but is cheaper, cleaner and better organised.’

Unsurprisingly, those whose cities didn’t appear on the list were also quick to chime in.

‘Edinburgh has been overlooked’

Sylvia Tilmann, 56, heralded the success of Edinburgh, which was recently crowned best city for quality of life in a separate study.

Like London, it’s a melting pot for cultures, which is demonstrated through the likes of the globally-renowned Fringe Festival and recently revived Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Sylvia, who teaches Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE), said: ‘I lived in Edinburgh for 17 years and it’s definitely been overlooked.

‘It has everything.

‘A varied music scene, plenty of art galleries and museums, a huge rock in the middle of the city where it can feel like being in the Highlands, an amazing seaside, an international airport and great transport links.

‘What more do you need?’

But it’s easy to criticise from the outside and it seems London’s still loved by those that live there.

Anne Iarchy works as a lifestyle coach in the English capital. She takes issue with the common stereotype that the city fosters selfishness and impatience.

The 51-year-old told Metro: ‘I don’t think Londoners are rude. It all depends on how you go about.

‘If you’re open, talkative and smiling, you’ll get the same back. Rude people are unfortunately everywhere these days. Not London specific.

‘At the same time, I’ve been very lucky to live in a fantastic street where everyone knows each other and if need be, we support each other and have regular street parties.

‘And when all works, public transport is quite easy as well. Be it buses, Underground or the Overground.’

Anne added: ‘I’ve lived in London for 21 years now. I moved here for work mostly, but also because it’s a city with so many opportunities.

‘London offers an amazing mixture of arts of all sorts – music, theatre, dance, exhibitions, and so on. It’s the place where everyone wants to perform or exhibit so you get the biggest names coming.

‘There’s plenty of multicultural food offerings both cheap and expensive and always plenty to discover.’

For born and bred Londoners, there’s no question about the Big Smoke being the best city.

Eloise Skinner, a psychotherapist and author, was born and raised in North London.

She told Metro: ‘As a lifelong Londoner, I’d say it isn’t my experience of the city. There are so many moments of connection and community in London. Although it might be true that Londoners seem to be quite busy or rushed.

‘I love London’s diversity – its mix of influences and multicultural background makes it such an exciting city. And the cultural experiences: art, theatre, music, events… there’s always something new to see or do.

‘The architecture of the city is also beautiful, with so much fascinating history.’

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