Melbourne: Not the “Best Tourist City”, but the “Most Desirable City to Live In”

The Order of a Burger

In Melbourne's inner north, there is an unassuming little eatery where people are willing to queue for over an hour just for a burger with a "cult following." This is not the restaurant of some celebrity chef, but a daily ritual of the community. This scene is precisely a microcosm of the Melbourne way of life.

A City, Not Just Sights

In 2026, Melbourne was named the best city in the world by Time Out. This ranking did not come from the subjective judgments of travel experts, but from a survey of 24,000 local residents across 150 cities. This means it is not just a place "worth visiting," but a place "worth living in." 94% of locals highly rated its food, 92% praised its arts and culture, and 77% recommended its nightlife. Most notably, among Gen Z respondents, Melbourne was ranked as the third-best city in the world for young people to live in.

A Sense of Community: A City's New Competitive Edge

While major cities around the world are chasing landmark buildings and large-scale events, Melbourne's charm lies hidden in its everyday spaces: alleyways covered in graffiti, record stores tucked away on street corners, rooftop bars and gardens. These spaces form a micro urban ecosystem that gives those living in it a sense of belonging. Perhaps this is precisely the new trend of "community spirit" as a measure of urban competitiveness.

The Warmth of Infrastructure

This year, Melbourne opened a brand-new Metro Tunnel, a major project that completely transforms the public transport network. But what is worth noting is that it does more than just shorten commute times—it makes the city's various nodes more accessible. Good urban infrastructure is an amplifier of lifestyle.

Why Do Young People Choose to Stay?

In the survey, Melbourne's young residents gave particularly positive feedback. Sports events, music festivals, food weeks—these are not just city calling cards, but part of everyday life. When a city can offer young people a constant sense of novelty and possibility, it naturally becomes a magnet.

The Heartbeat of Global Cities

Melbourne's rise to the top is not an isolated case. Looking across the list, many cities share similar characteristics: community-oriented, culturally vibrant, walkable, and rich in nightlife. This may signal that a new urban philosophy is taking shape—one that no longer measures success by economic size or tourist numbers, but by the feelings of the people who live there.

The City Is the Best Invitation

Every year, Time Out releases this list, and this year marks its tenth edition. Rather than a ranking, it reads more like an observational report on urban lifestyles in a new era. Melbourne tells us that a great city is not defined by its buildings, but by the people who are willing to queue for an hour, pause in alleyways to admire murals, and spend leisurely afternoons in the park—together writing its story.