Quality of Living: Cities

Mercer just came out with its rankings for cities with the highest quality of living:

Vienna retains the top spot as the city with the world’s best quality of living, according to the Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey. Zurich and Geneva follow in second and third position, respectively, while Vancouver and Auckland remain joint fourth in the rankings.

Very interesting. London and New York did not fare well. David Callaway makes a point of this:

It seems what makes a city good for bankers doesn't wash too well with the rest of us, or at least the ones who define these quality of life surveys. Which begs the question, does the presence of bankers in our cities bring down the quality of life? Seems a fair point, though doesn't explain why Baghdad was ranked last at 221st. Perhaps war zones are the only thing worse than financial centers when it comes to good living.

I found this very interesting. I believe that everyone has their own preferences. I believe in everyone's right to have these preferences so long as they do not infringe upon another's life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. My preference is beer, but I don't mind finance. I'd like to be in a city with both.