The World's 5 Best Places to Live In

5. St Pauli, Hamburg:

St Pauli is almost on the Baltic and its home to HafenCity, the biggest spot of urban regeneration in Europe. The place has a world famous red light district around the street Reeperbahn. St Pauli is just along the Elbe, and to the north around Karolinenstrasse and Schanzenstrasse. It's still sleazy, and you may have to bob and go around the stag parties, but tucked among the porn are artists' studios in old slaughterhouses, experimental theatre companies. The place is more expensive than Berlin, but then Hamburg has the huge advantage of a vibrant economy and jobs.

Hamburg is amazingly bike-friendly, Elbchaussee, along the river and is perfect for cycle rides. The centre is only five to ten minutes away with HafenCity just beyond. Strandpauli beach bar is the place to visit with one of their "special" mojitos, or Rote Flora for some theatre.