A “safe” city with over 1.6million residents is said to be the world’s happiest city to live in, and despite boasting an array of towering skyscrapers, it’s also ‘surrounded by nature’. It’s a place where many billionaires choose to call home – and it’s also a popular tourist destination due to sandy beaches framed by the turquoise sea.
The UAE capital city of Abu Dhabi offers stunning seascapes such as the highly-rated Saadiyat Beach, where turtles and dolphins are often spotted, according to visitors, and it’s said to be ‘more chilled’ than neighbouring Dubai. Just out of the city, there are mangroves and much wildlife to see, including the Arabian oryx and the mountain gazelle. The nearby Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island can be reached via boat trips if you wish to escape the urban landscape, or a desert safari can take you to Al Wathba to explore a sandy wilderness.
TimeOut magazine surveyed the global landscape to find the happiest cities. The survey was ‘based on locals’ responses,’ and Abu Dhabi took the top spot.
Reporting on the results and what they were based on, TimeOut said: “Our happiness metric was based on the percentage of positive responses to five statements:
“My city makes me happy; I feel happier in my city than other places I’ve visited or lived; The people in my city seem happy; I find joy in the everyday experiences my city offers; The sense of happiness in my city has grown a lot recently.”
TimeOut said the Emirati capital ‘got all-round top marks, with a near-perfect 99 % of locals agreeing that their city makes them happy’.
A whopping 93 % of people living there reportedly said that they felt happier in Abu Dhabi than “anywhere else”.
The city also topped the vote for walkability and was hugely praised for its culture, traditions, green spaces and nature, with visitors describing seeing the “most epic sunrises” in Abu Dhabi.
In the city itself, thousands have reviewed the Abu Dhabi Mall for being an exceptional shopping experience with its 200 shops, food courts and cinema for all to enjoy.
On Google reviews, one impressed recent visitor wrote: “A reflection of what the capital city has to offer in its entirety. The view from both inside and outside the mall is spectacular.
“The cleanliness of the mall and the availability of security personnel on every corner of the mall is incredible. You feel not just safe but secure while enjoying the very best shopping experience.”
Another visitor reviewed the mall on Google, writing: “Always a pleasant place to visit – clean, spacious, and full of great brands. One of Abu Dhabi’s classic malls, still elegant and lively after all these years.”
