Top Cities to Live in Belgium

We've counted down through International Livings Quality of Life Index and named the Top 25 Places to Live in the World now we're counting back up to explore each country and look at the Top Cities to Live in within each country. Today we're at #8 on our list with Belgium.

If you're looking at Belgium and asking 'Where should I live?' or 'what are the top cities to live?' check out these top spots:

If you have an unlimited budget try : Genval, Waterloo, Tervuren, Overijssche. If you are looking for city life Park Cinquantire is quite lovely and not as expensive as the suburbs. Of course Brussels, Belgium is always on the top of anyones list looking at Belgium. Belgium was a strong performer in many categories, ranking 2nd for infrastructure, 10th for health and 12th for leisure and culture.
According to the International Living report, Belgium's capital Brussels is the greenest in Europe. It is also the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.

Major Cities in Belgium are Brussels, Brugge, Antwerp.

Brussels is the biggest city in Belgium. It is also an important city, being the administrative center of the European Union. Because of this, it is called the Capital of Europe. It was also the headquarters for NATO. Historically, it has been home to a mix of Flemish and French culture. Today, it is known for being an international center with a mix of nationalities. Children often know how to speak Flemish, French, English and/or German by the time they are in high school! It is a cosmopolitan city that has a mix of business and commerical buildings, but also castle remanents in the middle of the streets. It is a pretty expensive city. Its metropolitan area has around 1.8 million people. You can eat some of the best French fries and waffles in the world in Brussels. So one would not consider Brussels if looking for the Cheapest Place in Belgium.

Best Places to Live in the World - #2 Australia

The 'down-under' garners second place in the 2010 Quality of Life Index as published by International Living Magazine and for good reason, it's safe, wealthy, healthy and offers numerous opportunities for work and play.


Australia is truly a world away from the United States. Due to it's proximity to the rapidly growing and consuming populations of the Asian countries the Australian economy has been largely insulated from the economic downturn in America and Europe.

Australia boasts one of the nicest climates in the world plus a varied and interesting ecology that gives it's inhabitants beautiful beaches, for fun and sun; amazing wilderness for challenge and exploration; the great barrier reef for diving and undersea adventure; and of course a rich a diverse cosmopolitan life in Sydney and Melbourne making them some of the Best Cities in the World to live in.

Although the cost of living in Australia major cities is quite low it would certainly not be considered one of the Cheapest Places to Live.

Australia is an English speaking country with excellent health care and  infrastructure. With China and Asia experiencing major growth spurts Australia offers excellent employment opportunities to service those needs in a culture and society where many North Americans will feel right at home. All of this adds up to making Australia the 2nd Best Place to Live in the World.

The World's Most Liveable City

I recently had the opportunity to fly through Vancouver Interantional Airport - YVR. I was really in awe of the grand, modern and beautiful airport. It's high tech, sparkling clean and that is contrasted by huge displays of native Canadian Art in some cases hanging three stories tall. It got me thinking about the Best Places to Live in the World, which I have been blogging about for the past few weeks. This got me setting a new goal, once I finish my top 10 list of course, and that is to begin exploring the Best Cities in the World. Which then reminded me of something I had read about a few months ago.

I read that The Economist voted the City of Vancouver - in beautiful British Columbia Canada - the most Liveable City on the planet. What a perfect place to start! My home country of Canada was ranked 9th on the Best Places to Live - 2010 Quality of Life Index - so perhaps Vancouver is one of the Best Cities to Live in Canada? Some certainly think so.

Now 'The Economist' is not another one of those travel or touching feeling editorial magazines. It bases it's judgements on solid research, facts with weights and measures of what truly is 'liveable'. They look seriously at the standards of health care, culture, environment and infrastructure to name a few. On my brief stop in the city I could see why Vancouver one top spot 7 times!

The Times says, "Vancouver is the city that has it all!" Some even claim it has the Best Chinese Food in the World!

Of course many will have the opportunity to rate Vancouver for themselves either by visiting or watching closely on TV as the city hosts the 2010 Winter Olympics.