Siem Reap's Wet Market (Rahman Roslan/Getty)

Cycling Siem Reap (Jamie Marshall/Getty)

Living in: The world’s friendliest cities

 BBC | 16 October 2014

A warm smile on the street, a happy “hello” in a public park or the cheery sound of your name at the neighbourhood bar – it doesn’t take much to feel at home in a busy metropolis. And in the world’s 10 friendliest cities – as ranked by Conde Nast Traveler’s annual Readers' Choice Survey – these gestures are second nature, with locals who are quick to welcome visitors and neighbours alike. 

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Location, political perception and size were among the factors that played in readers’ responses – but since the evaluation of a place's friendliness can admittedly vary, we went to the source and talked to residents in five of the top 10 cities to find out what living there is really like. Whether rural or urban, big or small, these destinations have one thing in common: the people who live there cultivate a community-wide sense of happiness, hospitality and openness.
Dublin, IrelandAs any traveller who has joined in an Irish sing-along knows, Dublin is home to some of the warmest people on the planet. “I think a major part of [our] friendliness [comes] down to an inferiority complex,” said Martina Skelly, a native of the Irish capital. “We constantly want to make sure that visitors like us and are having a good time.”

A stroll in Temple Bar, Dublin. (Chris Jackson/Getty)

One of Europe’s smaller capital cities, Dublin also benefits from a low crime rate and a widespread feeling of security, so residents are more likely to lend a stranger a helping hand. That said, locals speak in hushed tones in public and are quick to notice foreigners who talk too loudly on trains, buses or in coffee shops; doing so comes across as being careless at best, and rude at worst.

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While friendly Dubliners are easy to find almost everywhere in the city, those who love nightlife often live in the city centre; families seeking good schools tend to live in the suburbs. Either way, most people live in houses, not high-rises. “Dublin is a very flat and wide city,” Skelly said. “We grew out rather than up, so apartments are much less common than in our European neighbours.”

Siem Reap, Cambodia

With its year-round mild weather, relatively small size and peace-loving Buddhist residents, Siem Reap cultivates a friendly and welcoming environment. “There’s a real sense of revitalisation,” said John McDermott, a photographer who moved to Siem Reap from the United States in 2004. “Cambodians have come out of the dark days of war and chaos. Now there is peace, and money coming in, and everything is interesting and new.”

A ride through Siem Reap. (Christopher Groenhout/Getty)

The community tends to be quiet and retiring. In other words, this is not a city for expats who crave nightlife. But for those looking to escape noise and pollution without sacrificing the creative energy often found in urban centres, Siem Reap can be a viable option.

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McDermott lives in a “chilled out” area called Wat Damnak. “Even though we’re close to the centre of town, cows graze by the side of the road,” he said. “It feels completely rural compared to Bangkok or Singapore.” But not all neighbourhoods in Siem Reap are sleepy. Christian de Boer, an ex-pat from the Netherlands who moved to Siem Reap six years ago, suggested Wat Bo as an “up and coming area” for its plethora of trendy restaurants, cafes and bars.

Auckland, New ZealandNew Zealand’s biggest city is also the country’s friendliest, perhaps because many of its residents are immigrants. “People have come from all over the world and understand what it is like to have relocated, so it is welcoming for tourists and new residents,” said Elle Armon-Jones, who moved from England in 2003.

The view from Auckland Harbour. (Paul Ellis/Getty)

Brad Kirner, a New Zealand native from Golden Bay on the South Island, credited Auckland’s range of outdoor activities. “The city is surrounded by amazing scenery and things to do,” he said. “That’s got to make people a bit happier, and therefore friendlier.”

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