Cluj-Napoca ranks 10th in the list of Europe’s best cities for quality of life, topped by the Swiss city of Zurich, according to a European Union survey report. 71,153 residents from 83 cities, Politico.eu reported on Friday, citing News.ro.

The 112-page report is based on the results of a survey conducted between January and April 2023 in cities in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Great Britain, the Western Balkans and Turkey.

It turned out that approximately 9 out of 10 people are satisfied with life in their city. Not bad, but while overall satisfaction remains high, last year’s results show a slight decline compared to the 2019 survey, when the Commission last published a similar report.

There are also dissatisfied residents. Residents of Istanbul, Athens and Palermo report much lower levels of satisfaction than other survey participants.

Here are the cities that entered the top 10 according to the degree of satisfaction of their residents:

10. Cluj-Napoca

Considered the most important city in Transylvania and the second most populous city in Romania, Cluj-Napoca seems to be a great place to live as well. In Cluj-Napoca, 94% of residents said they were satisfied with life in the city. Being also a hub for the development of the country’s technology sector, the city ranks second in terms of employment opportunities: 73% of residents say that finding a good job is easy.

9. Braga, Portugal

This Portuguese city was recognized as the best European destination in 2021. But it’s not just a great place for tourists: it’s also loved by residents: 94% of respondents said they were happy to live in their city. Braga is also considered a safe city (84% of respondents said they feel safe walking alone at night) and a good place to live for immigrants, the elderly and families with young children.

8. Rostock, Germany

In the coastal city of Rostock in Germany, 94% of residents surveyed said they were satisfied with life there. Rostock is also a good place for the elderly and families with young children (second and sixth in Europe respectively). 85% of respondents said that they are satisfied with their personal situation at work; according to this indicator, the city ranks first in Europe.

7. Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva ranks seventh, 95% of respondents are satisfied there. While Geneva ranks high in several other categories (83 percent job satisfaction), the city ranks last for housing affordability, with only 8 percent of respondents saying it’s easy to find good, affordable housing in their city.

6. Stockholm, Sweden

The unrelenting northern temperatures don’t seem to bother the residents of Stockholm, which is ranked sixth, with 95% of people satisfied. In general, Stockholm is considered a good place to live for people from the LGBTQ+ community (it ranks seventh in Europe). But, as in Geneva, not many residents find it easy to find affordable housing.

5. Gdansk, Poland

A Polish city of great historical significance and home to one of the biggest ports on the Baltic Sea, Gdansk also has a lot of satisfied people (95 percent). It is also considered a good place for immigrants from other countries to live, and 92% of people surveyed said they were satisfied with the city’s cultural facilities.

4. Leipzig, Germany

Surprise, at the top of the list! This is the city of Leipzig in East Germany, where 95% of residents are also satisfied. People also consider Leipzig a suitable city for families with young children, and 83% of them said they were satisfied with the air quality in the city.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

You may know Copenhagen for the Little Mermaid statue – a major tourist attraction – but did you know that it’s also the city with the third highest quality of life in Europe?? Ninety-six percent of residents said they were happy to live there. Copenhagen is also a safe city, but residents say they struggle to find affordable housing. Fun fact: Copenhagen may be the least corrupt city in Europe, with only 20% of residents saying there is corruption in the local public administration.

2. Groningen, Netherlands

Groningen is home to the largest pub in Europe (over 3,700 seats), which may explain the high satisfaction rate: 96% of people say they are happy to live there (who wouldn’t be?). Groningen is considered a great place for immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community, with plenty of green and public spaces. It is also considered clean and safe, with 86% of respondents saying they feel safe walking alone at night and that “most people in their town can be trusted”.

1. Zurich, Switzerland

In 2023, Zurich was considered the city with the best quality of life in Europe, with a satisfaction rate of 97%. Zurich residents are satisfied with their financial situation, jobs, public transport, health care, air quality… almost everything. It is also the best European city for LGBTQ+ people and seniors. Again, only 11% of people agree that it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price.

about Brussels-, the capital of the European Union, was only in 53rd place, but it ranks well in terms of the quality of medical services, entering the top 10, with which 87% of residents are satisfied. 76% of residents also rated the quality of local administration procedures. And it’s not a city where people feel isolated, with only 8% saying they’ve felt lonely in the past month.

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(Photo article @ Abdelmoumen Taoutaou | Dreamstime.com)