Why Is Melbourne The World’s Most Livable City? The City With Two Faces

Melbourne. It’s been voted the world’s most livable city for four years in a row. One of the most friendliest and most resilient cities in recent times too. With over 140 nationalities among four million residents, naturally each of us in Melbourne find different reasons to live here.

Melbourne. It boasts a grid-shaped city with skyscrapers alongside narrow laneways lined with cafes.

Concrete and dreams make up the city of Melbourne. Yarra River | Weekly Photo Challenge: Half and Half.

Concrete and dreams make up the city of Melbourne. Yarra River | Weekly Photo Challenge: Half and Half.

The other day it was 4pm on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in June. The chilly winter wind whipped my face. I had two hours to kill in the city before catching up with someone. Standing at the Flinders Street Station intersection, cars whizzed by. As two trams rumbled past, the asphalt shook slightly beneath my feet.

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Why We Love Living In Cities. Especially Asians

City life. Some of us love a lot of the things that come along with being in the city.

I’m one of those city-loving folk in Melbourne. Whenever I have a free day, I usually head down to the city and see what’s going on there.

Silhouettes of Melbourne as the sun goes down. Princes Bridge | Weekly Photo Challenge: Silhouette.

Silhouettes of Melbourne as the sun goes down. Princes Bridge | Weekly Photo Challenge: Silhouette.

We love living in cities because everything is literally at the tip of our fingers here. Shops and restaurants are just around the corner in Melbourne: Nike shoes to Nintendo games, Hong Kong yum cha to Spanish paella. Convenient, and variety is never dull.

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Why We Love Summer. And Why Some Asians Don’t

When we think of summer, we think of sun. The beach. Blue skies. Cool drinks. Our swim suit coming off as we swim in the strong yet warm ocean waters.

Summer’s my favourite time of the year in Melbourne – December through to February – for many reasons. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Summer sunset city views, Melbourne. A pretty sight | Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer Lovin'.

Summer sunset city views, Melbourne. A pretty sight | Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer Lovin’.

We feel so much more productive, so much more eager about getting up during summer in Melbourne – there’s something about warmth that can be so inviting.

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Why I Love Melbourne

Recently I went on my first ever guided tour of Melbourne’s CBD. Along with about sixty others, mostly tourists, it was refreshing wandering through familiar city locations while listening to historical commentary from the Melburnian, blonde, university-aged tour guide.

On top of Melbourne, 88 floors up at the Eureka Tower | Weekly Photo Challenge: On Top.

On top of Melbourne, 88 floors up at the Eureka Tower | Weekly Photo Challenge: On Top.

It got me thinking: what’s so good about Melbourne? Why do I like living in one of the most livable cities in the world?

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Travel Solo Or Join A Tour Group?

Last Saturday afternoon, I was wandering around Federation Square. All of a sudden, about thirty people swarmed around me. I looked around and realised they were being herded by a tour guide in a bright green T-shirt.

“So, this is Federation Square,” announced the guide. “It was voted as one of the ugliest buildings in the world in 2012. An eyesore.”

Melbourne's so-called monumental eyesore, Federation Square | Weekly Photo Challenge: Monument.

Melbourne’s so-called monumental eyesore, Federation Square | Weekly Photo Challenge: Monument.

I chuckled. So did the tour group. I lingered behind them. The guy in green gave a casual historical spiel about the dull-coloured, so-called unsightly Melbourne icon.

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