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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Op 24-2-2024 om 23:12 schreef Niall
Munnelly:<br>
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<div dir="auto">As I look to wrap up my business in rural Ireland
this year, I’m training my gaze outward for my next potential
home. As a single person, I reckon the best way to do
quantifiable good for the environment would be to move to a
densely-populated urban area with a robust public transport,
walking and cycling infrastructure.</div>
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<br>
I'm not going to pitch where I live, since it doesn't match at least
two of your three requirements, and possibly neither the third.<br>
<br>
We have population density. In fact, it's the ninth most densely
populated territory (country or dependency) in the world, and the
third most densely populated in Europe. Number two is Gibraltar,
number one is Monaco.<br>
<br>
We also have the 11th highest number of motor vehicles per capita
(more than Australia...), and the combination with the population
density is not a very good one.<br>
<br>
Public transport is free, but consists of buses, which get stuck in
the same traffic. Cycling infrastructure is slowly coming about, but
nowhere near Dutch standards. (OK, nothing comes close to Dutch
standards.) It's still dangerous.<br>
<br>
So, does it suck? Not really. The climate is fantastic. Summers can
be very hot, and neither cycling nor walking would be recommended.
Especially not for someone with a northern European skin. But having
mild winters is really nice.<br>
<br>
What's great about Malta is that it's essentially a holiday
destination, so there's plenty of entertainment around. Everything
is close by (except abroad; that's always an aeroplane trip or
perhaps a ferry). Taxi app services, which are still relatively
cheap, have three operators, so plenty of competition. It is by far
the most prosperous territory in the wider area, except for the
hyper-expensive places along the French Riviera.<br>
<br>
But rather than going to one specific place, consider the weather.
You don't really realise how much the weather in northern and
western Europe sucks until you've lived in the south. The
Mediterranean is a very pleasant region to live. Not the most
liveable, not the most affluent either, but generally beautiful and
pleasant.<br>
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<div dir="auto">Getting off my high horse, of course I want access
to the arts and all the benefits that cities allow. Where shall
I look that’s not in the US, Éire or Great Britain? I hope to
meet Jay in Vienna this year. Basque Country has great appeal. I
want to check out Occitania, absolutely. <span
style="font-family:-apple-system,helveticaneue;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0);border-color:rgb(0,0,0);color:rgb(0,0,0)">Brussels
seems like a smart idea. </span>What places are walkable,
cycling-friendly and punch above their weight, culturally
(especially musically) that I should investigate?</div>
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When it comes to liveable cities, those that score the highest in
terms of what makes a city great, you inevitably end up in Austria
or Switzerland. Especially the latter, though, is not exactly cheap.<br>
<br>
I'm wondering whether Barcelona would fit the bill. My wife and I
are going there in three weeks time; I'll let you know. 🙂<br>
<br>
- Peter<br>
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