Europe has been the center of Western Civilization since time immemorial. One of the most beautiful places on the earth, Europe has grandeur of its own. Travelers from all over the globe love to visit Europe at least once in their lifetime. If visiting this place could be so exciting, simply imagine the charm of being a resident of this wonderful continent. The Swiss city of Zurich has come up with a list of the best places to live in Europe compiled by Forbes.com. This list was based on an annual survey conducted by Mercer Consulting based on the quality of living worldwide.

1. Zurich, Switzerland
The most cherished destination on earth is Zurich with a population of 376,815. The place is also known as the commercial, financial and cultural hub of the country. Located at the northwestern part of Lake Zurich, close to the River Limmat, this city is considered as the paradise of earth. The splendid Zurich boasts of over 2,000 bars and restaurants along with a magnificent view of the Alps and Lake Zurich. The beautiful scenic views and excellent living standard of Zurich entitle the place with a nickname of "City of Best Quality Life."

2. Vienna, Austria
The hub of Austria's political, cultural and economic activities, the capital city offers excellent education and infrastructure. Added in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Vienna is the largest city of Austria. The exemplary lifestyle of Vienna bags it the second position among the top ten places to live in Europe.

3. Geneva, Switzerland
Popularly known as the city of 'Unfading Beauty', Geneva is located between the Lake Geneva and Mount Saleve. The stunning rose gardens of this city are famous all over the globe. Due to the heavy presence of U.N. agencies and organizations, this small city is all set to go global with private banking facilities, hospitals and international schools. Geneva ranks third among the best living places of Europe.

4. Dusseldorf, Germany
Located on the bank of River Rhine, Dusseldorf is among one of the gracious cities of Germany. The city has built up its infrastructure and international transport connections and has an abundance of consumer goods and is considered the fashion and shopping capital of Germany. This top notch city has a thriving economy with some of Germany's largest companies and important centre for banking. Dusseldorf also serves as the headquarters for many of the Ruhr's businesses. It is also among one of the richest cities in Germany and is famed for being the hometown of the supermodel, Claudia Shiffer.

5. Munich, Germany
With a population of 1.3 million, Munich is the fun city of Germany. The laid back attitude and easy going life of Munich can spoil anyone. Well known for its annual beer festival, the city also enjoys a flourishing economy, driven by the information technology, biotechnology and publishing sectors.

6. Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt is one of the most modern towns of Germany is well known for it skyscrapers, international airport and as the financial capital of Europe. This financial hub has some excellent hospital, shops, and booming economy. One of the wealthiest cities in the European Union, it is among one of the superb and exotic holiday destinations.

7. Bern, Switzerland
Bern is among the most charming towns of Switzerland. Located on the banks of River Aare, the city promises a lot of attraction and surprises to the visitors. This German-speaking part of Switzerland is one among the safest cities. Surrounded by densely wooded areas and mountains, Bern is not a crowded city. The city lacks in nightlife but it does have excellent medical facilities.

8. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is among the largest city in Denmark with a population of over 1 million. It is also known as the cultural center for the country featuring art, music, theater and design. Though the standard of living is pricey here but the party never stops for those who are looking for a swinging time. Education and medical facilities are excellent in the city but the congestion drags it down to its overall ranking.

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
May be many of us would like to live in Amsterdam because of the red light districts and liberal policy on drug use. On the other side, Amsterdam is culturally rich and music is an essential thing that reflects in its daily life style of Amsterdam people. Fun loving and merry-making is the USP of people here. The city has some best canals, parks and museums, and the best selection of international schools in Europe. However the ranking of the city is dragged down due to lack of city center housing and air pollution.

10. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is among the most beautiful Belgium cities. It has a wonderful cultural life, especially with its numerous theaters and cinemas. This administrative center of European Union is well connected with rest of the Europe with excellent transportation system. Brussels is an accessible, bustling, business and political hub that also manages to retain a strong sense of history and culture. The education system of the city is highly appreciated. However, the heavy traffic and air pollution is the major drawback of the city.

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