South Korea, Thailand Lose! The Top City Young People Want to Live In Is ‘It’: Convenient Transportation, Great Safety, and Unmatched Living Amenities

The criteria young generations use to choose where to live are gradually changing. The renowned travel and culture platform Time Out recently released its '2026 Annual Global City Survey,' analyzing responses from Gen Z individuals aged 18 to 29. The results show that Tokyo, Japan, has claimed the top spot as the world’s most livable city, with Porto, Portugal, and Melbourne, Australia, following closely in second and third place. Among Asian cities, Shanghai secured fifth place, while Seoul, South Korea—popular among young Taiwanese—ranked 14th.

2026 Gen Z Most Desired Cities to Live – Top 20 Ranking

1. Tokyo – Japan 2. Porto – Portugal 3. Melbourne – Australia 4. Edinburgh – United Kingdom 5. Shanghai – China 6. New York – United States 7. Copenhagen – Denmark 8. Berlin – Germany 9. Valencia – Spain 10. Bangkok – Thailand 11. Naples – Italy 12. Cape Town – South Africa 13. Kraków – Poland 14. Seoul – South Korea 15. Paris – France 16. Athens – Greece 17. Mexico City – Mexico 18. Rio de Janeiro – Brazil 19. Vancouver – Canada 20. Vienna – Austria

It’s Not Just About Nightlife Anymore! Gen Z Redefines ‘Going Out’

In the past, a city’s appeal to young people was often measured by the vibrancy of its nightlife or the richness of its bar and club culture. However, Liv Kelly, the author of the Time Out survey and a travel writer, points out that while Gen Z is often misunderstood as aloof and antisocial, data shows they still crave human connection—just in different ways. Instead of spending energy on weekend drinking binges, today’s youth prioritize low-pressure, healthy interactions woven into daily life.

Kelly emphasizes that the keyword Gen Z uses to evaluate urban livability is the 'Third Place'—spaces outside home and work/school where one can comfortably linger, relax, and naturally interact with others. The survey assessed multiple indicators, including cost of living, dining, culture, walkability, access to green spaces, and ease of making new friends.

Why Tokyo Took First: 100% Daily Happiness and a Highly Convenient Lifestyle Network

In this survey, Tokyo achieved the highest satisfaction, claiming first place. Data shows that 100% of Gen Z respondents in Tokyo reported feeling happy in their daily lives, and 89% affirmed the quality of the local nightlife. Time Out identifies Tokyo’s core strengths as:

- Exceptional transportation and walkability: A highly developed public transit system allows easy access to lively, neighborhood-rich areas. - Abundant and diverse 'Third Places': Venues offering alcohol-free activities like sports nights enable young people to socialize without drinking. - Rich cultural resources and stable housing supply: Unlike many major Western cities facing severe housing shortages, Tokyo’s relatively stable housing availability significantly boosts its livability.

That said, Tokyo isn’t without flaws—only 33% of respondents found nightlife spending affordable.

Porto and Melbourne Follow Closely; Shanghai and Seoul Have Their Highlights

Porto, Portugal, ranked second, is celebrated for its strong 'community cohesion' and affordable arts scene. All respondents expressed satisfaction with the local community atmosphere, and 93% found dining, drinking, and cultural spending reasonable. Its scenic coastal and mountainous setting, along with numerous low-cost cultural facilities, makes it highly appealing to youth. Melbourne, Australia, ranked third, scored a perfect 100% in dining satisfaction and 97% approval for its cultural environment. Independent theaters, live music venues, and expansive green spaces are its standout features.

Among other Asian cities, Shanghai broke into the top five due to exceptional social accessibility—76% of respondents felt it was easy to make new friends. The recent rise of 'phone-free socializing' has attracted many young people to put down their screens and return to face-to-face conversations. Seoul made the list at 14th place, thanks to the trendy popup culture in Seongsu-dong, the traditional hanok art district in Anguk, and its vibrant street food scene. All young respondents praised its walkability, and 75% gave high marks for green spaces and ease of friendship-building.

This latest survey reveals that today’s youth no longer envision ideal cities as places to 'earn money and drink it away.' Instead, they seek cities where they can walk freely, connect with nature, affordably enjoy leisure time, and find belonging and meaningful connections—without the pressure to consume alcohol. This is the new ideal urban landscape in the eyes of Gen Z.