Valencia is a modern and welcoming city which has been declared the healthiest city in the world to live in 2022. As soon as you set foot in the city, it is evident that its residents are open minded and have a rich cultural heritage. Moreover, Valencia has been awarded the healthiest city in the world not just once, but twice in a row and will continue to hold that recognition in 2022.
According to a study carried out by the British platform Money.co.uk, the city which lies on the banks of the River Turia tops the ranking of all the cities in the world. Madrid, Canberra, Lisbon, and Tokyo complete the top 5.
The list considers factors such as the life expectancy, health care costs, air pollution, obesity rates, safety, and hours of sunlight.
What does Valencia have?
According to Money’s 2022 data, Valencia has everything it takes to win the title of the world’s healthiest city for the second year in a row. The city is known for its weather, the best paella in the world, minimal pollution levels, and high-quality health care. With a high life expectancy of 83.5, residents of Valencia have a long life to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Above all the musical and culture is rich. Hence, residents really prioritize social connection, leading to a very healthy work life balance“, the report notes.
Source: money.co.uk
Mediterranean flair
The city’s climate has an average annual temperature of 17 degrees and 2696 hours of sunlight per year. Indeed, it is one of the factors, along with its proximity to the sea, which has helped the city get to the top of the list of world’s healthiest cities in the world. The climate encourages people to spend time outdoors and socialise, all while taking in those rays of sunshine which are so effective at synthesising vitamin D.
In addition to this, the city exhibits a low level of pollution compared to other large Spanish regional capitals. Its several green areas, 142 kilometres of cycle lanes and over 15000 bicycle parking spaces. Evidently, these factors, along with the Mediterranean breeze that caresses the 109 kilometre long coastline, all contribute to good air quality.
Valencia the healthiest city in the world in 2022
A distinctive Mediterranean gastronomy with more than 6000 restaurants and close proximity to the huertas – communal vegetable gardens common in Spain and Portugal – make its residents’ diets rich in fresh and nutritious products. All these factors translate into a lower risk of disease and a life expectancy of 83.5 years.
Moreover, life in Valencia is not only long, but also peaceful and culturally interesting. The city has 48 museums and exhibition halls, over 30 concert halls, hosts more than 20 art, music, and theatre festivals. Most famously it hosts the City of Arts and Sciences museum. Overall, its leisure spaces scattered throughout the city promote an urban and active lifestyle.
Why start a business in Valencia?
Valencia has an international airport with connections to Paris, London, Berlin and Moscow. It also has the Mediterranean’s main commercial port, which is only two and a half hours away from Barcelona by train and only one and a half from Madrid.
Furthermore, with 17 accelerators, 12 incubators and, according to the Startup Observatory of the Valencian Community, 1012 startups registered in the region managing an investment of over 200 million euros a year. Valencia is the perfect region for entrepreneurship.
The city has more than 30 investor funds, more than 20 coworking spaces and more than 100 tech events per year, including Valencia Digital Summit: the main tech event of the Valencian Community. In fact, it is international meeting point for entrepreneurs, startups, corporations, and investors, which aims to attract and retain talent and investment, foster alliances between ecosystems worldwide, and position the Valencian Community as an international tech hub of reference.
Nonetheless it has a highly competitive education system, with more than 15 top international schools, 2 top public universities and 6 private universities where more than 3,500 engineers and developers graduate every year. As a result, Valencia is the best Erasmus destination for today’s youth who will become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.
Valencia is the healthiest city in the world in 2022 for the second year in a row. It is likely to remain so for many years to come.
