The results are in, and the #1 capital city on the Korean peninsula drops to a still respectable #87 when stacked up against the Most Livable Cities in the Rest of the World (see here and scroll down for list). Fortunately, we beat Abu Dhabi, which placed an embarrassing 88th. Also making the list from Korea were Yeosu (#110) and Ulsan (#113), though my personal favorite–Gwangju–was nowhere in sight. As a country, Japan fared a bit better than its former colony:
Japan is home to the five highest-rated cities in Asia. Katsuyama leads in 9th position with a score of 123.8, followed by Kobe and Omuta in joint 25th place (score 122). Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka come in joint 53rd place and score 113.5.
Fine. But just wait till Yongsan is turned into Central Park on the Han, full of warbling swallows and swooning lovers. Then you’ll see Seoul up there with the Zurich’s and Katsuyama’s of the world.
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Yongsan Garrison is also home to the peasant. Mighty good eatin’ they are.
Catch ‘em quick before the apartments destroy their habitat.
Peasant? Is that a typo?
I’m hoping that’s pheasant…
Anyone else surprised to see Lexington, KY tie with Geneva and Montreal in the Health and Sanitation rankings? I’m not trying to harsh on Lexington. I’ve never been there, or thought about going, now it’s looking rather attractive.
Ulsan? No thanks. The list is based on international business, so it’s a bit skewed. Gangneung and Kyoungju a much nicer cities than Ulsan but not attractive to multinationals.
“We will build Gangneung as a city enlightened-minded mind always awaken form cultural values from daily lives.”
http://www.gangneung.gangwon.kr/english/main.jsp
See what I mean?
As much as I support turning Yongsan into a park after the transfer of USFK facilities to Pyongtaek, I seriously doubt the park itself will increase Seoul’s ranking.
If the SMC seriously wants to increase Seoul ranking then they can start by tackling air pollution causing emissions, reducing the number of cars on the streets, and stopping the crazy urge to put up high rise apartment buildings on every square inch of Seoul that doesn’t yet have a high rise apartment building
still respectable?!?
Take a break from the local kool-aid before you suffer permanent brain damage
What is the definition of “overall quality of living” for this survey? Honolulu the number one city in all the US?? You gotta be kidding. What a hole! Outside of Honolulu, Hawaii is magnificent but the city itself is a dump, the traffic is horrendous and literally, non-stop. Worse, the place has turned into an asian-ethnic freeforall for gang superiority. livability my ass…only if you crave stop and gos at 4am or road rage from the local goons.
Mr. Chips, hammer-on-nail! You are either a howlie or a rightful native. Land of F’-up politics (most liberal government in the nation). Too expensive, the list goes on! Full of bums.
Of course, the rest of that listing shows that whilst Seoul comes in ahead of Abu Dhabi in the Overall Quality of Living list (perhaps this is a result of the soju factor), Seoul is well behind Abu Dhabi in the area of Health and Sanitation (perhaps this is a result of the soju factor)
Sitting in Jeddah at the moment I would kill for even a bottle of soju
Cape Town has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Yet it finished front of Seoul, Warsaw and Bratislava to name a few.
In other words, that list is crap.
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