Uploaded on 2015-12-09 by LauraLombardero

My choice for the top 5 livability criteria are: 1. Safety 2. Political stability 3. Job opportunities 4. Climate 5. Sanitation standards **ii.- Why do we live where we live?** I live in A Coruña, a medium city in the norhwestern corner of Spain. It’s right by the Atlantic ocean, and it has a population of approximately a quarter of a million people. Some reasons why I live here are: 1. The most important reason why I live here is because my **family** lives here. I was born not very far from A Coruña, and my parents and siblings all live in the close vicinity. Obviously, there is no need for pictures to illustrate this point. 2. The **climate**, as well as the existing landscape and environment, which I believe are closely related. The latitude and the proximity to the ocean make the climate very mild and attractive. Both the summer and winter peaks are very much in the human comfort zone (at least mine!). ![This picture was taken last summer, because of its rarity, we very seldom reach higher than 30º temperatures.][1] This picture was taken last summer, because of its rarity, we very seldom reach higher than 30º temperatures. 3. The **political stability**, or the existence of a stable and democratic regime. This is not something characteristic only of the city, but of the country. What is more specific of A Coruña is that the local government is very much committed with assuring the democratic stability and the civil rights, which is something I value. ![ingrese la descripción de la imagen aquí][2] The city town hall, celebrating the LGBT awareness day last summer. 4. The **recreational possibilities and environment**. Being a coastal city with mild weather, there are many beautiful beaches very close, even downtown, to take advantage of. But other green areas and nature are very close as well, forests, rivers… a couple of examples of beaches we have IN the city centre: ![ingrese la descripción de la imagen aquí][3] ![ingrese la descripción de la imagen aquí][4] 5. The **culture** and entertaining possibilities. The cultural life in A Coruña is very important, and unusual for a town its size. There are many theatres, clubs, concert halls and its even home for the Symphonic Orchestra of the region. ![ingrese la descripción de la imagen aquí][5] During the month of August, there are free open air concerts everyday. **iii.- To what extend does your own place of residence fulfil your ideal livability criteria?** I would say at about 90% **iv.- What would you change?** In my opinion, the worst part of A Coruña is the lack of infrastructures for non-automobile mobility. The public transportation possibilities have a lot of room for improvement, and there are almost no safe infrastructures for bicycles. **v.- Why do we move?** In case I would change my place of residence, I would want to go to: 1. Copenhagen: it’s a larger city, it can provide many job opportunities, it ranks very high in all livability scores 2. Barcelona: it’s a larger city, it can provide many job opportunities, it ranks very high in all livability scores, the weather is nicer 3. Sidney: it’s a larger city, it can provide many job opportunities, it ranks very high in all livability scores, the weather is nice, I find Australia very appealing to explore [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/144966629286793.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14496663722607616.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1449666875229857.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14496669033073837.jpg [5]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14496664706742344.jpg