Happy cities

[Foreigner]

Interesting article, rather long but relevant to most of us, IMO.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/...-cities-commute-property-prices?commentpage=1

Which is your happy city?

 

[scaredeycat]

The Cat family visited Copenhagen earlier this year and were blown away. The Danish approach to cycling was a revelation. This is a city where the temperature spends a lot of time sub zero, yet more than 30% of the population ride to work, school and university every day. The city has dedicated cycle lanes, separated from cars and pedestrians, designed with safety in mind. If only our politicians spent more time on their fact finding missions to see how Australian cities could adopt these ideas.
In answer to the question posed, we are ex Sydney siders who moved to Hobart 12 years ago; I've swapped. 2 to 3 hours stuck in traffic each day for a 15 minute commute - on foot. We live 300 metres from the finish line of the Sydney - Hobart yacht race and paid about one third the price of an equivalent property in Sydney.
Is Hobart a happy city? Absolutely!

 

[Foreigner]

Regarding safety, for cyclists, helmet doesn't look like compulsory in many overseas cities I have recently visited.

 

[aupirate]

I'm happy wherever I live, if im not happy I move, lifes too short. Currently Brisvegas is home we are trying city living in West End and loving it after 6 years on the Sunshine Coast.

 

[Simo]

Home always makes me happy,

Doesn't matter as long as Little Miss Simo is there it is always a happy place

 

[Justinf]

The Cat family visited Copenhagen earlier this year and were blown away. The Danish approach to cycling was a revelation. This is a city where the temperature spends a lot of time sub zero, yet more than 30% of the population ride to work, school and university every day. The city has dedicated cycle lanes, separated from cars and pedestrians, designed with safety in mind. If only our politicians spent more time on their fact finding missions to see how Australian cities could adopt these ideas.
In answer to the question posed, we are ex Sydney siders who moved to Hobart 12 years ago; I've swapped. 2 to 3 hours stuck in traffic each day for a 15 minute commute - on foot. We live 300 metres from the finish line of the Sydney - Hobart yacht race and paid about one third the price of an equivalent property in Sydney.
Is Hobart a happy city? Absolutely!

The moment I step off the plane at Hobart airport, I feel happy. Love the place and would move there tomorrow if possible.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I left Sydney due to the traffic too. Now live in Canberra, and love it! 15 minute drive to anywhere, no real peak hour, less people, lots of bike paths.

I reckon Canberra is a happy place (unless you are a single 20 year old so i am told!)

 

[Hvr]

I left Sydney due to the traffic too. Now live in Canberra, and love it! 15 minute drive to anywhere, no real peak hour, less people, lots of bike paths.

I reckon Canberra is a happy place (unless you are a single 20 year old so i am told!)

I hated Canberra and am loving being back in Melbourne. Horses for courses I guess. Especially apt today.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I hated Canberra and am loving being back in Melbourne. Horses for courses I guess. Especially apt today.

Yep, Canberra depends on your circumstances. I didn't like it as a single person, now love it with a young family.

 

[doctau]

I'm the same with Canberra - I went there as a graduate to a government department. Of the 80 people in the intake at the department, half left CBR within 18 months (I lasted 2.5 years). Most of my workmates with families loves it though.

I grew up in Tassie so love it there, but there is little work in my industry. Brissy is pretty nice

 

[vertisol]

Yep, Canberra depends on your circumstances. I didn't like it as a single person, now love it with a young family.

Ditto this

 

[JohnK]

Sydney is the place I love being in the most. Everything looks familiar, civilised. Has everything i need.

Then there is Pattaya. I dont think I could ever live there but certainly a great place to spend a holiday with a little bit of everything for most people although it is being ruined by the Russian, Indian, Korean, Chinese tour groups who do not belong anywhere outside of their respective homes.

Most places in Greece have a special place in my heart and that atmosphere is hard to recreate anywhere in the world. While my aunts are alive I will visit but not for any other relatives.

There are many other places I have visited and I would gladly visit again but then there are others (such as Bogota) I will never ever visit.

 

[Simo]

I am not a fan of Sydney,

Apart from the fact it has a Flounge.

I do like the harbour area views and some of the food precincts around.

I try and avoid Sydney at all costs apart from connecting flights.

Lacks atmosphere for any sport.

 

[markis10]

I am not a fan of Sydney,

Apart from the fact it has a Flounge.

I do like the harbour area views and some of the food precincts around.

I try and avoid Sydney at all costs apart from connecting flights.

Lacks atmosphere for any sport.

I would agree with those comments in general, for instance the Australian Surf LIfe Saving Championships started in Bondi, but with the exception of this year have been held in QLD for the last 15 years and head to WA next year, QLD in 2015. The one sporting event where Sydney does have something of a unique atmosphere is the Sydney to Hobart start, its about the only sport I can think of that captures the better side of Sydney.

 

[boomy]

I'm very happy at home in Melbourne.
The fact that I live 10 minutes from the city, 5 minutes from the beach and I'm surrounded by green parks and lakes is something I appreciate every day.
To me, Melbourne had a perfect mixture of a lively city and relaxed atmosphere.

 

[Limewood]

Moved from Sydney Eastern Suburbs to the city of Cairns just over 20 years ago and we love it, no heavy industry, no smog, no big traffic jams, wear shorts year round. It does however get very humid for 3 months of year but we do have aircon. everywhere.

The fresh food markets are excellent plus five large shopping centres and big name shops abound. Nothing like a nice cool drink and feed at waterfront with Mondo's being a favourite. A walk along the 5km esplanade pathway to the $25M lagoon pool is a must. The 1 hour drive to Port Douglas is very scenic and a fabulous place for lunch or to stay. Of course there are many beaches on the way with Palm Cove (30 mins.) a visitors favourite.

The price of properties is so cheap its not funny, a real nice 3BR/2B apartment in CBD/North Cairns can be had for 350K/550K, a 4 bedroom home, pool / air just 15/20mins from city $350K/$450K average, same in capital cities multiply 4 times. Investors are grabbing some bargains before prices go through the roof should $B of various projects get approved soon like the massive AQUIS resort.

Flights to Hong Kong are direct with CX under 7 Hours!, to USA either through there or via SYD/BNE. We have domestic & international terminals all with QF/VA lounge facilities, the dom. is about a year and cost $M.

Lucky to live here you betcha.