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By Lindsey Galloway
2 July 2015

Leaving your wallet or laptop unguarded in a cafe may not be recommended

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for most, but residents in the worlds safest cities could likely do it without a
second thought.
For many, feeling safe can be key to feeling at home. So to understand what
it might be like to live in a super safe place, we sought out residents living in
some of the most stable and secure cities in the world, as ranked by The
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The list considered factors such as
personal safety, infrastructure stability, health stability and digital security
technology. Locals weighed in on the best neighbourhoods to live in, what
exactly makes them feel at ease and why safe doesnt have to equal
boring.
Osaka
Along with Tokyo (named the worlds safest city), Osaka embodies the
general peace of mind that can be felt throughout the country. Japan in
general is an incredibly safe country to live in, said Daniel Lee, founder of
the local English language Kansai Scene magazine, who moved from the
United Kingdom 17 years ago. So much so that locals are accustomed to
leaving their personal belongings unattended on tables in coffee shops while
they go and order. Its unthinkable anywhere else.

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Osaka's cherry blossoms in full bloom (Credit: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty)

Osaka is known for being business-focussed, which means that people work
and commute late into the night. Even at the latest hours, businessmen are
on the train, and the main terminals are populated as much at night as by
day, said Yoshie Yamamoto, who moved from Kyoto 25 years ago and runs
the oldest Noh theatre in the city. There is absolutely no problem for a
lady to be travelling alone late at night on the subways.
The work-oriented culture can also lead to friendly conversation. Osaka is a
city of salesmen, and the locals love to talk, Lee said. You can enter any
small watering hole and be treated like a long lost friend. You may not
understand a word of what they say to you, but the good vibes will win you
over.

A rice planting ritual in Osaka (Credit: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty)

For a chance to mingle with the locals, Yamamoto recommends living in a


downtown area such as Ikuno Ward or Abeno Ward, where Nagaya
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(traditional long houses) are still common. These places are relatively
cheap as they have been inhabited by the same locals [for years], she said.
If you are able to make friends with your neighbours, you will experience the
true Osaka character filled with affection, warmth and friendship.
Those looking for a more nature-focused lifestyle can head to the bed
towns surrounding the city, such as Minoh and Kita-Senri, which have easy
train access to downtown Osaka, as well as the nearby cities of Kobe and
Kyoto.
Amsterdam
With fewer than one million residents, Amsterdam is still relatively small
compared to other cities on the EIUs list, giving it a leg up when it comes to
providing a safe residential environment. The capital city also has a laidback
vibe that puts people at ease.

A busker performs from his bicycle in Amsterdam (Credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty)

I feel incredibly safe, said Toni Hinterstoisser, general manager at the


Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, who moved from New York City three
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years ago. The peoples free spirit makes them more relaxed about
everyday things. Nobody gets agitated easily. This is true even of the
police, who Hinterstoisser says are very present and polite, but also straight
to the point.

Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum (Credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty)

While all of Amsterdams neighbourhoods are considered safe, districts in


the south such as De Pijp and Oud-Zuid are more upscale. To the east and
north, neighbourhoods like Noord are considered to be up-and-coming.
Hinterstoisser lives in Oud West (Old West), which he likes for being only
2km west of the city centre and near Vondelpark, the citys largest park.

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A sunny afternoon in Vondelpark (Credit: Remko De Waal/Getty)

One word of caution: no matter where you choose to live, dont expect a
level house. As Amsterdam is mostly built on water, the houses are not
completely straight, warned Hinterstoisser. If you put a tennis ball on one
end of my living room, it will roll all by itself quite swiftly to the other side.
Sydney
Despite being Australias largest city, Sydneys neighbourhood-oriented
culture keeps residents feeling safe. Our community looks after each other,
said Richard Graham, a Sydney native and owner of local tour company My
Detour. If someone looks suspicious, we tell our neighbours, and word
soon gets around who to watch out for.

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Making bubbles in Sydney's Circular Quay (Credit: David Hancock/Getty)

The city recently adopted a plan to spend $15 million a year improving
footpaths and pedestrian crossings to encourage walking, and Victoria
Moxey, originally from Buenos Aires and founder of local visitor guide Urban
Walkabout, believes this is helping to keep life safe.
The streets are always filled with urban types sitting at coffee shops with
friends, walking dogs or just exploring the city, she said. Sydney is a city
where the more you walk the streets, the more you feel part of a
community.

Sydney's Running Festival on the Harbour Bridge (Credit: Greg Wood/Getty)

To make the most of this walking culture, expats often choose to live in Potts
Point, 3km east of the city centre, where Art Deco apartment buildings and
plentiful cafes give the neighbourhood a New York City vibe. Another
favoured option is Surry Hills, 3km southeast of the centre, which has the
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best coffee spots and restaurants in town, drawing hipsters, design lovers
and foodies.
For a true Australian beach lifestyle, residential-oriented Waverley or surferfriendly Bronte are about 8km southeast of the city, while Rose Bay is an
upscale harbourside option just 7km to the east.
Singapore
This Southeast Asian city-state takes law enforcement seriously, resulting in
a very secure environment. Rinita Vanjre Ravi, originally from Bangalore,
and co-founder of dine-with-locals site BonAppetour, sees how much
difference a well-funded police department can make. In Singapore, the
police force is well paid, which enables them to be concerned about the
welfare of their people, she said.

Singapore's Garden by the Bay (Credit: Roslan Rahman/Getty)

It also ensure laws are enforced. Vanjre Ravi finds that Singapore locals are
really honest. You can leave your bag at the table at any restaurant and go
to the cashier to order food with the peace of mind that your bag will still be
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there, she said. Residents know that there is a high chance of being
caught and punished.
A stable political environment and a no-tolerance policy for religious or racist
jokes also contributes to a harmonic city vibe.

A street sale in Singapore (Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty)

Still, living in such a populous area comes with its own set of challenges.
Managing the daily commute is key when finding a place to live in
Singapore, and locals advise living as close to work as possible. Vanjre Ravi
recommends Tiong Bahru as a central hipster neighbourhood with specialty
shops and trendy restaurants, though those in a higher income bracket can
look at the Duxton Hill apartments near Outram Park, 2km west of
downtown, notable for its restored colonial buildings and international
cuisine.

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The Mid-Autumn festival in Singapore (Credit: Roslan Rahman/Getty)

Stockholm
Being located so far north comes with its advantages, like never-ending
summer days. Stockholms natural light in summer, paired with a well-lit city
centre in darker times of the year, contributes to a feeling of safe public
spaces. Having two small boys, safety is increasingly important to me, and
Stockholm is simply brilliant for children, said Kat T, originally from London,
who writes the blog An English Mamma in Stockholm. There are
playgrounds in parks away from the traffic and many leafy, green areas right
in the centre of town.

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Cyclists in downtown Stockholm (Credit: Olivier Morin/Getty)

Though it doesnt have the non-stop buzz of London, Kat finds that
Stockholms slower pace can sometimes be a blessing. Despite its small
size, the city also feels dynamic and sophisticated, she said. Swedes are
early adopters of things new, especially technology, and are frequently
trendsetters.

A Color Run in Stockholm (Credit: Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty)

Most people live in apartments close to the Central Business District, but
those looking for better value should head 2km west to Kungsholmen, while
a funkier vibe (evidenced in vintage shops and avant-garde galleries) can be
found in Sdermalm 3km to the south. The waterfront areas have also been
recently redeveloped, with Hammarby Sjstad being among the most
popular for its walkable boulevards and eco-conscious design.
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Where do you rank in our tribe of worldly readers? Answer these


questions to get a sense.

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