A Most Expensive European City You Need to Visit

This city constitutes both a county and a municipality. It is the capital and largest city in the country. It was founded in the year 1040, and established as a “kaupstad” or trading place in 1048. It is the economic and governmental center of the country. The city is also a hub of its country’s trade, banking, industry and shipping. It is an important center for maritime industries and maritime trade in Europe.

This city is considered a global city and was ranked “Beta World City”by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network in 2008. It was ranked number one in terms of quality of life among European large cities in the European Cities of the Future 2012 report by fDi magazine.

A survey conducted by ECA International in 2011 placed the city as the second most expensive city in the world for living expenses after Tokyo. In 2013 the city tied with Melbourne Australia the fourth most expensive city in the world, by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s Worldwide Cost of Living study.

In January 2015, the municipality had a population of 647,676, while the population of the city plus urban area was 942,084. The population is currently increasing at record rates, making it the fastest growing major city in Europe. This high growth stems mainly from international immigration and related high birth rates, but also from intra-national migration.

The country itself is about the size of California, USA, and has a population of slightly over five million people, so the city and its urban population make up about a fifth of the country’s entire population.

The immigrant population in the city area is growing slightly faster than the country’s population. In the city proper this is now more than 25% of the total. The cityscape is being redeveloped as a modern city with various access-points, an extensive metro-system with a new financial district and a cultural city. The city received The European Sustainable City Award and in 2007 Reader’s Digest ranked it as number two on a list of the world’s greenest, most liveable cities.

 

Geography and Climate

There are 40 islands within the city limits and scores more in the immediate area. Not being stingy with lakes, there are 343 lakes in the area. The average temperature varies from about −4.3/24.3(F) degrees to 16.4/61.5(F) in July.

This is a European city where daylight varies greatly, from more than 18 hours in midsummer, when it never gets completely dark at night, to around 6 hours in midwinter.

Snow is usually plentiful in forested areas and often in the city in winter, making it a great winter sports venue.

Rainfall is spread across the year, the rainiest month being August.

 

This is a “must visit” City

With so many good factors about this city it is easy to understand why the population is increasing. Among other attractions the city has an amazing number of museums. Many of them are located next to each other and don’t take long to visit.

If you like winter sports this is a great place to visit. The city has a comprehensive public transport system, consisting of buses, trams, trains, metro and boats.

 

Expensive or not, the Population is Growing

The high growth rate of this popular European city includes other factors, but is mainly from international immigration plus high birth rates. So being rather expensive to live here has definitely not dissuaded people from moving here. The charm of the city can also be found in the affluent inner-city suburbs. In addition, there are many exciting building projects, and the city’s whole waterfront is undergoing a thorough change.

In 2010 this expensive European city was ranked the most expensive city in the world. However, there are still possibilities for getting bargains during the big sales. The prices on famous brands are not higher here than in London or Paris. They are often lower, even if they are not on sale. The big sales are in January and August.

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