European cities among best places to live

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The Economist Intelligence Unit liveability survey puts four European cities in the top ten among 140 surveyed. Vienna is second only to Vancouver at the top of the league and most European cities occupy the top tier of liveability. The unfolding political, social and economic crisis in Zimbabwe means Harare comes bottom with the lowest liveability score.
The ranking, part of the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, assesses living conditions based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Vienna is followed by Melbourne. Toronto has improved rising two places in the index to fourth. Vienna, Helsinki, Zurich and Geneva make up the most liveable destinations surveyed.
Cities that score best tend to be mid-sized, in developed countries with a low population density, benefiting from cultural or recreational availability but with lower crime levels or infrastructure problems that can be caused by large populations.
Neither Nicosia nor Limassol were considered important to be included in the survey.
Athens (63rd) fares worst in Western Europe, failing to match the regional average in any category and suffering from educational and infrastructural challenges similar to less-developed locations.
Only two cities, Budapest (55th) and Prague (60th), fall into the very top category where there are few, if any, challenges to living standards. Along with Bratislava (65th), they make up a trio of top-ranked cities in the region.