San Francisco has been crowned the “world’s best” city, according to Time Out.
The international media brand deployed its network of editors from across the world—as well as surveying some 27,000 global city dwellers—to narrow down its list of the best cities on the planet.
Each city’s nightlife, restaurants and cultural highlights were taken into account, as well as the city’s sense of community, which in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic is perhaps more important than ever to making a place feel welcoming.
Cities’ environmental initiatives were also examined, as well as their commitment to progressive activism and their general air of friendliness.
Time Out says San Francisco’s “unbeatable combination of progressiveness, acceptance and sustainability” earned it the gold.
San Francisco was also applauded by Time Out for its response to the pandemic, and for boasting one of the highest vaccination rates in the U.S.
Even amid strict shutdowns, San Franciscans found ways to support one another, says Time Out, recalling when residents hung sourdough starters from telephone poles for neighbors to pick up.
The city’s pivot to outdoor dining in the wake of the pandemic was also praised by Time Out, who said the result is the city’s streets resembling “one big outdoor party.”
“This year’s list of the best cities in the world shines a spotlight on cities that adapted during a time where the key factors that make these metropolises the place to be—fun, culture and socializing—were largely off the table,” said Caroline McGinn, Time Out’s global editor in chief, in a statement.
“You’d think a pandemic might defeat the point of living in a city, but the results show that community spirit is higher than ever, people are supporting each other as well as local business and initiatives, and many of us are even having some fun.”
Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the northern English city of Manchester, the Danish cycling haven of Copenhagen, and the cultural hub of New York City round out the top five on Time Out’s list.
