The Portuguese city is praised for having a short average commute time, low levels of pollution and a competitive cost of living.
O Porto comes in 8th place in the ranking of the least stressful cities in the world, according to an international report released by Remitly, a North American company specializing in international money transfers.
The analysis evaluated more than 170 cities on several continents, with the aim of identifying the places where it is easier to live with tranquility, balance and well-being. To arrive at the results, the researchers took into account determining factors in everyday urban life, such as average travel time, cost of living, quality of healthcare, crime levels and air pollution.
According to the study, Porto stands out for its balance between accessibility and comfort. Residents take, on average, less than 20 minutes to travel 10 kilometers, a figure considerably lower than that recorded in many large European cities. To this is added a relatively competitive cost of livinggood health services and lower pollution levels, factors that contribute to a less exhausting urban experience.
At the top of the ranking are two cities in the Netherlands, with Eindhoven and Utrechtrespectively. In total, four of the ten least stressful cities are Dutch, with Gronigen appearing in fifth place and Rotterdam completing the top 10.
The Netherlands are not the only repeaters in the top 10, with Australia also having two cities on the list, with Canberra in third and Brisbane in ninth. Norway also secures two positions, with Trondheim tied with Gronigen in fifth place and Bergen in seventh place.
At the opposite extreme, New York emerges as the most stressful city in the world. Dublin and Mexico City, respectively, complete the least desired podium. Manila appears in fourth place, followed by three more European cities, with London, Milan and Athens. The Brazilian city of São Paulo took eighth place, while Turin and Calcutta rounded off the list.
For residents or simple visitors, the ranking leaves a clear message: Porto is not just a place to visit, but one of the best places in the world to live calmly and with quality.
