World's Most Expensive Cities...

[Turkish]

And the winners are...

1. Moscow
2. London
3. Seoul
4. Tokyo
5. Hong Kong
6. Copenhagen
7. Geneva
8. Osaka
9. Zurich
10. Oslo
11. Milan
12. St. Petersburg
13. Paris
14. Singapore
15. New York City
16. Dublin
17. Tel Aviv
18. Rome
19. Vienna
20. Beijing

Link. (http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/15/pf/most_expensive_cities/index.htm?cnn=yes)

[paddy]

Moscow?! Anyone else surprised that's number 1? I would've thought too that Dublin would be higher up on the list.

[paleck]

I would have thought New York would have been much higher on that list as well.

[Queso]

Not surprised London is so high, but how come Tokyo has slipped to #4? That used to be the most expensive by a long way.

[miloblithe]

Methodology plays a huge part:

"A luxury two-bedroom in Moscow now rents for $4,000 a month; a CD costs $24.83, and an international newspaper, $6.30, according to Mercer. By comparison, a fast food meal with a burger is a steal at $4.80."

Sure, legal CDs cost 24.83, but pirated CDs (available at any mall) cost about one or two dollars. An international paper may cost $6.30, but the locally produced Moscow Times (in English) is either free or very cheap. And instead of that burger at McDonalds, you can get lavash by the metro for $1.25. The problem is that Russia has a long history of "screw the foreigner" pricing (as do most places really), but that doesn't really mean that's what it costs to live there if you know what you're doing.

As for rent in Moscow, yeah, that's expensive.

[iBlue]

I can't believe Moscow topped London. I wonder how they come up with these results. London is mind-blowingly expensive in every way.

[miloblithe]

I can't believe Moscow topped London. I wonder how they come up with these results. London is mind-blowingly expensive in every way.

I agree, having been to both within the last year, but it does depend on what you're comparing. I think hotels (as in there are no cheap ones that foreign travelers would have access to) and tickets to shows are going to be more expensive in Moscow.

[iBlue]

I agree, having been to both within the last year, but it does depend on what you're comparing. I think hotels (as in there are no cheap ones that foreign travelers would have access to) and tickets to shows are going to be more expensive in Moscow.
Ah, right. From that perspective that makes sense. I regularly drop my jaw at the cost of things in London. I'd venture the cost of LIVING in London to perhaps exceed that but this is purely speculation. All that being said however, this is coming from someone who grew up in the US (the los angeles area) so it's not a big surprise that I'd move here and be startled by the cost.

[FleurDuMal]

If this is the same survey as what I heard on the news this morning, it charts the most expensive cities for foreigners to move to. So the fact that the British pound is so incredibly strong at the moment will play a big part in where it is. And the fact that the dollar seems to be on the decline will explain the position of NYC.

[Queso]

Ah, right. From that perspective that makes sense. I regularly drop my jaw at the cost of things in London. I'd venture the cost of LIVING in London to perhaps exceed that but this is purely speculation. All that being said however, this is coming from someone who grew up in the US (the los angeles area) so it's not a big surprise that I'd move here and be startled by the cost.
You should count your lucky stars you didn't end up falling in lurve with a Russian then :p

[Abstract]

I'm sorry, but I can't believe Moscow is more expensive than London, either. I haven't lived in Moscow, but I really can't imagine a place more expensive than London. Tokyo is expensive, but I'm not quite sure if you can compare the two cities. If you compare a 120 square metre flat in central London to one in central Tokyo, then sure, I can imagine Tokyo being more expensive. However, in terms of everything else, London is more expensive for everything I can think of.

On that note, what happened to Sydney? It was at #4 several years ago, and now it's not even on the list? Did they investigate the pricing properly? I'm shocked by Sydney prices.....almost as shocked as I was when I moved to London. Sydney is definitely expensive. It may not be #1, but it should really be on the list.

And I heard about Seoul. I couldn't believe it because I went there like 15 years ago, but my new professor (for the next 8-10 months or so) is from Seoul and he told me that it's one of the most expensive cities. :o

[siurpeeman]

I'm sorry, but I can't believe Moscow is more expensive than London, either. Haven't lived in London, but I really can't imagine a place more expensive than London. Tokyo is expensive, but I'm not quite sure if you can compare the two cities. If you compare a 120 square metre flat in central London to one in central Tokyo, then sure, I can imagine Tokyo being more expensive. However, in terms of everything else, London is more expensive for everything I can think of.

On that note, what happened to Sydney? It was at #4 several years ago, and now it's not even on the list? Did they investigate the pricing properly? I'm shocked by Sydney prices.....almost as shocked as I was when I moved to London. Sydney is definitely expensive. It may not be #1, but it should really be on the list.

And I heard about Seoul. I couldn't believe it because I went there like 15 years ago, but my new professor (for the next 8-10 months or so) is from Seoul and he told me that it's one of the most expensive cities. :o

did you mean you haven't lived in moscow? either that or i'm not understanding something here (really late for me). :o

[robbieduncan]

On that note, what happened to Sydney? It was at #4 several years ago, and now it's not even on the list? Did they investigate the pricing properly? I'm shocked by Sydney prices.....almost as shocked as I was when I moved to London. Sydney is definitely expensive. It may not be #1, but it should really be on the list.

Really? I was there twice last year and found it very reasonable (but then I live in London). I found food and drink in particular to be very good value. Perhaps not cheap, but the quality was mind blowing. If you compared to similar quality food in London the price was amazingly low...

[dartzorichalcos]

I thought London was the most expensive city in the world but didn't expect Moscow to be number#1 on that list.

[cycocelica]

On that note, what happened to Sydney? It was at #4 several years ago, and now it's not even on the list? Did they investigate the pricing properly? I'm shocked by Sydney prices.....almost as shocked as I was when I moved to London. Sydney is definitely expensive. It may not be #1, but it should really be on the list.

Sydney is #21.

[iKwick7]

I thought London would be number 1. Man is that place expensive (especially with the horribly week U.S. dollar). Not surprised about NY though- NY isn't really that expensive (not regarding rent, of course).

[Peterkro]

I haven't looked through the full list but I would've expected Tehran to be in the top ten.

[Cassie]

Can someone tell me what country #6 is in? I've never even heard of it.:confused:

[Aea]

Can someone tell me what country #6 is in? I've never even heard of it.:confused:

Denmark?

[xUKHCx]

Can someone tell me what country #6 is in? I've never even heard of it.:confused:

Denmark?

Correct, it is in fact the capital of Denmark. <Insert remark about Americans here>

[~Shard~]

Correct, it is in fact the capital of Denmark. <Insert remark about Americans here>

Haha, I had to bite my tongue as well on that one - just too easy... :p :D

From what I remember, Russia was #1 last year as well, de-throning Tokyo - but I, too, am surprised Tokyo has now slipped to #4. From my multiple trips to London (and England in general) I can attest to the stuipidly high costs as well but being a world traveller and having a decent perspective on things, I have to say I am a little surprised it's #2 now... :cool:

[jono_3]

is crazy expensive to live in vancouver too

[srf4real]

I expected New York City to be much higher on the list... I guess we Americans have it pretty good.:o

[Counterfit]

Correct, it is in fact the capital of Denmark. <Insert remark about Arkansas-ians here>

Fixed.


Living in the south, I would expect that you would know the name from the chewing tobacco (either from seeing it in stores or because of NASCAR sponsorship, even if you don't follow it yourself). :confused:

[~Shard~]

is crazy expensive to live in vancouver too

Yes it is. On average 70% of a person's income in Vancouver goes towards suppporting the carrying costs of a 2-story home! :eek:

[asxtb]

Hmmm... I'd be interested in what a 'luxury' apartment is. In Tokyo, luxury apartments can get to be $10,000 and up. :eek:

[steamboat26]

I'm kinda surprised that DC isn't on there. I'm only 17, and don't really know how much things cost :D
But it seems like things are pretty pricey in DC

[Abstract]

did you mean you haven't lived in moscow? either that or i'm not understanding something here (really late for me). :o

Oh sorry, my mistake. :o I have lived in London, but haven't lived in Moscow.

Corrected.

Hmmm... I'd be interested in what a 'luxury' apartment is. In Tokyo, luxury apartments can get to be $10,000 and up. :eek:

I'm assuming you meant $10 million. In Hong Kong, there are quite a few apartments that start from $4000 per square foot, and in the same building, there will be a few that start from $7000 per square foot. Apartments at Repulse Bay can go for around $8000-10000 per square foot, depending on the housing market at the time.


is crazy expensive to live in vancouver too

Meh, not even as expensive as Sydney, although I think Sydney's housing market prices are just inflated. When the dust settles, it'll likely settle down to Vancouver levels.

[amd4me]

Moscow?! Anyone else surprised that's number 1? I would've thought too that Dublin would be higher up on the list.
Thats ********, I dont know what they are basing that on.
I have been all over the world and London,Geneva and then SanFran are the most expensive to stay.

[Abstract]

Yeah, I would have thought Geneva as well, although I don't have enough personal experience in Geneva to make such a judgement.

Toronto being 82nd place or whatever......how can it be Canada's most expensive city to live? The average house price in Toronto was around $350,000 CAD, making it the 2nd most expensive place to buy a house in Canada. Vancouver ranked #1 with a mean housing price of around $550,000 CAD. Look at the difference between ranks #1 and #2. Other costs seem similar to me.

[siurpeeman]

Hmmm... I'd be interested in what a 'luxury' apartment is. In Tokyo, luxury apartments can get to be $10,000 and up. :eek:

I'm assuming you meant $10 million. In Hong Kong, there are quite a few apartments that start from $4000 per square foot, and in the same building, there will be a few that start from $7000 per square foot. Apartments at Repulse Bay can go for around $8000-10000 per square foot, depending on the housing market at the time.

i actually think he was talking about monthly rent, which is absurd. :eek:

[OutThere]

Yay for Zurich and Geneva...visiting the fatherland = cutting a hole in my wallet and dangling it behind me on a string as I walk around. ;)

As far as cultural relativity goes, to people from the U.S, New York is really expensive. I live about 2 hours out of the city and things are still expensive here for people from, say, the midwest. The last time I was in New York over spring break I had a reuben and a coke for, eh, $12.00. :p London is also painful to Americans especially because of the horrible exchange rate (read piss poor dollar) right now.

It seems there are more british tourists here too...there have been a lot of English people visiting my area this summer and last (they come into the café I work at). Maybe they're looking for the closest Real American Countryside™ outside of New York? Or maybe they're taking advantage of the fact that the coffee and ice cream we sell costs them nothing. :p

[gikku]

The most expensive city is the one you're in, surely?

[true777]

What about San Francisco???

I live in both San Francisco and in Vienna (which is on the list), and find San Francisco to be a lot more expensive than Vienna, which really isn't that expensive at all.

I wonder how accurate those data are...

[Leareth]

Yes it is. On average 70% of a person's income in Vancouver goes towards suppporting the carrying costs of a 2-story home! :eek:

Its 70% of income, firstborn child and selling Kidney before you can even enter the housing market.

My rent alone is chewing up 70% of my monthly budget. and I dont live in a luxury apt either, or in the nice part of town.

My wage is pretty good, but I still feel the cost of living here.

[amd4me]

Its 70% of income, firstborn child and selling Kidney before you can even enter the housing market.

My rent alone is chewing up 70% of my monthly budget. and I dont live in a luxury apt either, or in the nice part of town.

My wage is pretty good, but I still feel the cost of living here.

Lol we had a house on the Crescent in Shaughnassy and it doubled in price, within 365 days.

[Leareth]

Lol we had a house on the Crescent in Shaughnassy and it doubled in price, within 365 days.

I can believe that.
I am in the Main and Broadway area and one of the new developments SOMA went from $306,000 in Sept 2006 to $603,000 in March this year for a 1br loft. ouch.
The new building going up right by my house was $407,000 for a 600sf 1 br.

I wonder what the olympics are going to do to housing prices.

[Cassie]

Fixed.


Living in the south, I would expect that you would know the name from the chewing tobacco (either from seeing it in stores or because of NASCAR sponsorship, even if you don't follow it yourself). :confused:

Indeed, I know it's a brand of chewing tobacco. Never knew it was a capitol, though.:rolleyes: