The 10 best small cities in the world for affordable real estate and a thriving cultural scene
Japan, the US, Italy, France, Switzerland, Australia and even Portugal all made Monocle’s all-new chart of world’s best cities where the cost of living is affordable and life is still even enjoyable
Some of the best-known cities in the world, where many aspire to live and work, are naturally the least affordable when it comes to home ownership.
But there is no need to have big city envy when smaller hubs offer quality of life and a realistic price tag. The inaugural Small Cities Index, compiled by global media publication Monocle, rounds up 25 of the best places, chosen not only for their lifestyle attractions, but also for doing business. So where are these hidden gems?
1. Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne, Switzerland, takes the top spot. A city with fewer than 200,000 people, it is described as providing “something of a sweet spot when it comes to offering an optimum balance of social and cultural diversity and quaintness”.
Dating back to the Roman era, Lausanne is a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes. In the medieval city centre, which remains largely car-free, small alleyways are lined with cafes, boutiques and lively street markets, and there are many architecturally significant buildings to explore.
In addition to the largely French-language state school system, the city has a good range of international schools.
Getting around is easy: Lausanne is billed as the smallest city in the world with a rapid transit railway (28 stations) as well as a good road network.
Switzerland is strict on foreigners buying property, so options may be limited – but around 60 per cent of residents in the country rent their homes. Long stay flats in Lausanne are listed on property rental sites from about €1,135 (US$1,264) monthly (two bedrooms, unfurnished).
2. Boulder, Colorado
