11135 Siena Tops Quality Of Life Charts

Can anyone post a direct link to Oggi's survey. Ive tried looking on their website to see how our area fares but my Italian isnt good enough yet to find the info,
Cheers
Nigel

It is not possible to access the Oggi's page unless you are a suscriber; however, here is a link that gives you the rankings:
[url=http://www.clandestinoweb.com/tavole/qualita-della-vita-07-12-08.html]QUALITA' DELLA VITA'_07_12_08 - Clandestinoweb: sondaggi politici, elettorali. Il sondaggio politico elettorale che fa opinione[/url]

Brava Gala!!!

Well, I was in a long discussion recently with a fellow (rich, origin UK) ex-pat, and we agreed that Siena would be about bottom of the list as a place to live. It is almost unliveably over-touristed March through October. I nipped up to Siena to have a coffee with a UK (tourist) friend and his girl in November - they had hoped to visit the cathedral, but the queue was too long for them to bother. So Siena is off my list February through December - which means maybe January is okay, except Siena is probably shut then.
A big pinch of salt is required before reading (or believing) these articles....

I was surprised to see that Pisa is number 23. Since we moved from there 25 years ago, we have seen much urban sprawl and an incredible increase of crime, particularly home intrusions including when the occupants are asleep. Our friends have told us that burglars use infrared glasses at night and a special knock-out spray that keeps the inhabitants asleep. When they wake up, they have no idea what happened. The friends we stay with have a nice house, surrounded by a walled garden, security gate and two dogs. Nevertheless, they sleep with all of the windows closed and shuttered for fear of a robber entering. Once my friend's husband was sick at home for the day and robbers who had befriended the dogs tried to get into the house only to be scared away by our friend's wife who fortunately came home early. Two other friends have also had intruders in their homes while asleep. One lives in Livorno which is also on the best places to live list, while the other is in the Pisa area. Both of them have experienced this twice now. We are also told that the crime has at times become violent and people have been attacked with knives. Pisa is vastly different than when we lived there and even though we have friends in the area, it will not be where we retire to.

Hi Sally, we're residents of the Province, it's our nearest big town about a 25 min drive away, much less as the crow flies. Always feel so proud writing the (SI) at the end of our address for I am so fond of the city. Watching Quantum of Solace in a cinema in Siena last month, you could just sense the collective pride amongst the audience when the city appeared on the screen with everyone recognising every corner and alley, and didn't the town look good? But it's not the first time the city has won this, it was won before a couple of years ago, I have the cutting somewhere from the local paper. I haven't read the article yet as am dashing out the door to Rome in a minute but quality of life, education, employment opportunities, etc must, I'm sure, all rank pretty high here.

[quote=Charles Phillips;105066]November - they had hoped to visit the cathedral, but the queue was too long for them to bother.[/quote]

Sorry, Charles, but take it from someone who is in Siena at least once a week all year round, you were extremely unfortunate to encounter a long queue at the cathedral in November. I was there with friends from London half term week late October and walked straight in, and again with hubby on the first Wednesday of November. Even in September with visitors we only queued for 5 minutes or so. But it would be worth waiting 5 hours for there's nowhere else on earth so beautiful as the interior of Siena Cathedral, even places such as the Taj Mahal or the Pyramids pale in comparison.
From October through to late April the city isn't that busy, especially mid-week. But if you want to come in January, with the exception of possibly a couple of cafes on Il Campo, of course everywhere's still open.

Sorry, I promise last word on subject but there was no queue at the Cathedral yesterday morning when it opened at 10.30 and probably no more than a handful of other visitors (if that - there were more staff around than tourists) for the hour plus we were inside. And the only place I spotted that was closed in Siena was the ice cream parlour on the corner of via di Citta/Pellegrini but lots of good alternatives still open. So come now!

Ciao.
Siena is Nr. 1....once again. Ok. But that's nothings special. I believe it is more, because all the other city are wearst. Also Siena did change in the last 10 years in bad in some things.
But for sure it is one of the best looking old towns in Italy and besides the unique campo and the duomo there is many many spots to explore.
Also crime is low (thanks our contrada's I believe) and also business is for sure better then in other city's (MPS, Novartis, ecc. ecc.)
Glad to hear that somebody watched the new Bond in Siena.
Like I wrote under culture&entertainment > not everybody was happy about having Bond in Siena...but the result came out better then expected.
Ciao !

Elefante, great post and I can fully believe that the contrada system has a positive impact on crime. Oh, yes, we've both seen Quantum twice but it's also prompted friends and former colleagues all around the world to write to us asking, "Do you live anywhere near that beautiful city with the red roofs?" and it's great to reply, "yep, we do!". It's definitely done a lot to promote Siena in the eyes of potential tourists.

Siena is a wonderful city. And certainly the movie is going to help to promote it, as well as Massa Carrara, but both are even more beautiful when you can visit them. I was surprised that Lucca did not fare amongst the ten top cities because it certainly has quality of life.

An English accademic friend teaches at the University in Siena. We discussed the town being voted no.1 again this year, but we both agreed that in summer it can be vile in the centre and the rudest bar tenders, shop keepers and towns people can be found in Siena at that time. Afterall there are lots more tourists to replace those that have been upset by rudeness.

[quote=Noble;105419]..... but we both agreed that in summer it can be vile in the centre and the rudest bar tenders, shop keepers [B]and towns people [/B]can be found in Siena at that time. Afterall there are lots more tourists to replace those that have been upset by rudeness.[/quote]

Stop !
Rude bartenders and restaurant and shop keepers you will find all over touristic city's in Italy. But also in Spain and Greece by the way. Examples ? Florence, Venice, Rome. So like it or not.
Rude town people ? Well not everybody who is not involved in the touristbusiness like's to see there city filled with 'one-day-tourist' who don't care about the locals. They eat cheap pizza's out of the box, and throw away the garbage on the streets. They sit down on the campo and make big picknicks. Some even get towels out and think they are at a pool to get sun. Some walk in the duomo with shorts and scream around like in a football-stadium. And on the 'promenade' as a local you don't even feel being home. That's the bad part on being a touristic attraction.
And rudness come's up especially during the Palio-days. Where tourist can't understand why it is so important for the local people. But that's another story and I don't want it explain anymore. Hope you understand.
Ciao !

Lack of education, basic manners and mainly respect for the cities and their monuments, not to mention the local population. We see it quite often in many countries, not only in Italy. The Japanese are quite polite and less noisy than other nationalities. They are constantly taking photographs but I do not think that they are a nuissance.
Also the garbage and pollution generated is difficult to endure. I would suggest heavy fines for those who have an absolute lack of respect for the city or monument that they are visiting.

[quote=Gala Placidia;105678]The Japanese are quite polite and less noisy than other nationalities. They are constantly taking photographs but I do not think that they are a nuissance.[/quote]
The japanese tourists are like you say polite.
I can tell you witch once are the 'wearst'. US and UK ! I do like them in general, but a lot don't have a sense for what they see and what they would be able to experience.
One american asked me in Siena, where the next McDonalds is. I told him that unfortunately there is one. He was happy and I couldn't understand that he can't wait to eat the same crap like at home. Other culture - other sense of what is good.
Ciao !

Dear elefante I do understand and agree with you but Venice was not voted number 1 and nor was Rome. I am not sure that Siena is really the best town in Italy to live in.....and from what you say the tourists spoil the place for those who do live there?

[quote=Noble;105737]....and from what you say the tourists spoil the place for those who do live there?[/quote]
there is just to many....in every other italian city local people like to walk up and down the mainstreet in the morning but especially in the evening.
in siena you do see locals but not that many. talking for myself, i stay away from that area during that time. in the piazza del campo, there is only one bar wich is used by local senese people.
maybe it can be that senese people are more closed then other italians. but that's the way it is.
ciao !