quality of life
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Park life
Brazil's Santa Catarina state is booming, thanks to its location and skilled labour. Its capital, Florianópolis, is now regarded as one of the country's best places to live and work.
Trade secret
Once a colonial trading hub, George Town on the Malaysian island of Penang lost out to Hong Kong and Singapore. Now its faded villas and relaxed pace are luring a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Maltese crossing
Malta, the Mediterranean island with a population of 400,000, is booming thanks to EU membership and its adoption of the euro. It’s also perfectly poised to exploit renewed trade with Gaddafi’s Libya.
Saggen
Beyond being an ideal event city, Innsbruck’s year-round vibrancy makes it perfect for second, or even first home status. Prices may be high, but then so is the quality of life.
Isle be back
Japan's Okinawa prefecture is experiencing a renaissance. Companies large and small are capitalising on its relaxed, affordable lifestyle, great beaches and warm climate, with the city of Naha leading the way.
Up for adoption
From Germany’s power-generating homeowners to Genoa’s congestion-cutting van-share scheme and Estonia’s booming flat tax economy, here are 10 public policy initiatives that ministers and mayors should study with care.
Observation
How often do you plot what your perfect day would look and feel like, or think about what would improve the way you cross towns, country and continents? I do it all the time.
Life’s a beach
Known as a New Zealand playground, the Bay of Plenty is enjoying a commercial makeover thanks to its thriving port, transport links and booming population of entrepreneurs. Monocle visits a region going global.
The hills are alive
Bolzano, South Tyrol's capital, is experiencing a business boom beyond tourism. Hi-tech start-ups are soaring in Italy's richest province, attracting entrepreneurs with its efficient public services and multicultural atmosphere. Is this Europe’s Boulder?
Finn blue line
The Åland archipelago in Scandinavia is a model harmonious ‘nation’ without full independence. Prosperous and Swedish-speaking, these Finnish islanders were happy until the EU arrived, challenging their unique arrangement and way of life.
