Which city in Russia is the best for living and doing business? It is very difficult to get an objective answer to this question. After all, for a comprehensive assessment, it is necessary to take into account many different criteria. Recently, authoritative publications summed up the results of the past 2014 and named the best cities in Russia for living, as well as for starting a business. You can get acquainted with these lists in this article.
The city and its place in the modern world
What is a city and what is its role in today's realities? This is the quintessence of their country or region, the locomotive of the economic and social development of the state. It is he who concentrates in himself all the latest technologies and leading minds. If we compare the state with a big house, then the system of cities will be its foundation, the strength of which directly affects the reliability of the entire structure.
It should be noted that each city has its own conditions for their successful development. Good cities in Russia for the life of people must have a number of certain conditions. Among them are such as developed infrastructure, investment attractiveness, high level of medicine and education, low crime,availability of jobs, environmental conditions and so on.
The best cities in Russia to live in
As you know, the popular publication "Kommersant. The Secret of the Firm" annually conducts its assessment, based on 13 different factors. Thus, every year the best cities in Russia for life are named.
Among the criteria on which the publication relies when ranking are the amount of per capita income, the purchasing power of residents, the level and quality of medical care, and so on. It is worth noting that the assessment is carried out among settlements with a population of over 100,000 people.
Last year, Kommersant. The Secret of the Firm assessed 149 cities. At the same time, data from local authorities, as well as Rosstat, were used. So, we bring to your attention a list of the best cities in Russia for a quality life:
- Kaliningrad;
- Krasnodar;
- Belgorod;
- Domodedovo;
- Irkutsk;
- Khimki;
- Podolsk;
- Yekaterinburg;
- Obninsk;
- Tyumen.
Curiously, neither the official capital of the country, Moscow, nor the northern capital of St. Petersburg made it into the top ten of the rating this year. The cities of Abakan, Novocheboksarsk and Orenburg close the first hundred.
Best cities in Russia for business
Another important indicator for the city is the presence in it of conditions for the development of private entrepreneurship. Who determines the good cities of Russia by this parameter?
The popular magazine "Forbes" in 2014 analyzed40 largest cities in the country. After that, he announced his rating of the best cities in Russia for doing business. Here are the top ten of this ranking:
- Kaliningrad;
- Ufa;
- Krasnodar;
- Tomsk;
- Omsk;
- Tolyatti;
- Irkutsk;
- Kemerovo;
- Kazan;
- Saratov.
As we can see, there are three cities here that were in the previous rating. These are Kaliningrad (1st place in both ratings), Krasnodar and Irkutsk. But we again do not see Moscow and St. Petersburg in the top ten. According to the authoritative magazine, they took the 14th and 21st places, respectively. The reason for such low rates is the very high competition for financial and labor resources in these megacities.
The problem of objectivity of estimates
There are doubts about the objectivity of such assessments. Thus, many Russians are very critical of such ratings. For example, it is obvious that the main criterion in evaluating the magazine "Forbes" were investments and financial flows directed to the city. However, this is far from the main indicator in creating a fertile ground for the development of businesses, both small and large.
An important role is played by the presence of a developed civil society in a particular city, its creative class. So, for a medium-sized settlement, a few dozen active residents are enough to radically change the fate of the settlement. Therefore, good cities in Russia are not those in which big cities are spinning.money, and those that are loved by the locals, they do their best for prosperity and development.
Nevertheless, let us consider in more detail those settlements of our country that have taken the highest positions in these ratings.
Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad is the best city in Russia for both life and business. At the same time, he holds the top line of the ratings for the second year in a row. Experts identified several positive factors characteristic of him, in particular:
- good economic and geographical position;
- availability of skilled labor;
- recreational and tourism resources.
Kaliningrad is really an unusual city for Russia. We can safely say that it is the most European in the whole country. In terms of industrial production per capita, it is the undoubted leader in the Russian Federation.
First of all, Kaliningrad is known as the world capital of amber. In addition, oil refining and food (fish) industries are developed here. Kaliningrad is also the best city in Russia for doing business (according to Forbes magazine). It is also worth noting the great tourist potential of the settlement: these are the numerous fortifications of Königsberg, the Amber Museum, the grave of the philosopher Immanuel Kant. In this regard, experts note that the best business in Kaliningrad can be the organization of transport and tourism activities.
Krasnodar
Second place in the ranking of the bestcities for life and Krasnodar took the third place in the list of the best business centers. At the same time, he managed to improve his position compared to last year.
Almost 800 thousand people live in the southern capital of Russia. The city is known for its high rate of housing construction. Thus, in 2014, about 1.5 million square meters of housing was built in Krasnodar, which was the highest figure for Russia.
The city has a fairly high economic and resource potential, which attracts significant foreign investment. All this creates good prospects for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Experts note that the construction complex, as well as the instrument-making industry, is developing most dynamically in it.
Belgorod
For the second year in a row, Belgorod is in the top three of the most favorable settlements for life in Russia. The city with a population of 370 thousand people is distinguished by a fairly developed infrastructure and a high level of education of its residents.
Metalworking, radio electronics, and the construction industry are the main industries for Belgorod. It can also be attributed to the largest scientific and educational centers in Russia. There are seven universities, as well as five research institutes.
Ufa
The second place in the ranking of the most comfortable cities for doing business in Russia was taken by Ufa - "millionaire" and a significant transportknot.
The most developed here are oil refining, chemical and construction complexes, as well as mechanical engineering. However, experts note an insufficient number of small factories for the production of building materials, as well as catering establishments. Large construction companies operating in the settlement in question need a large amount of building and finishing materials of local production. Therefore, entrepreneurs wishing to open a business in Ufa should pay attention to these areas.
Irkutsk
Irkutsk has shown great progress in the rating this year. The city, compared to last year, has risen from the 20th line to the fifth. Irkutsk over the past year showed positive dynamics in many of the socio-economic indicators. In particular, the population of the city has grown (by 10,000 people), and the purchasing power of citizens has also increased (by 7 times!).
The main natural resources of this settlement are the waters of Lake Baikal, as well as fish. They may well be of interest to foreign partners, in particular, China and Mongolia. For small businesses, experts recommend opening a bakery, a car wash, or a company for insulating apartments and balconies in Irkutsk.
Domodedovo
The rapid development of the economy and the growth of incomes of the population allowed this city near Moscow to rise from 32nd immediately to fourth position in the ranking of the best cities in Russia for life.
Domodedovo is a young city with a population of just over 100 thousand people. It is not surprising that in a small point located near the largest metropolis in the world, the building complex will be the most developed. Thus, the main city enterprises are the Domodedovo Concrete Concrete Plant and ZAO Stalinvest, which produces corrugated board, siding, etc. In addition, several large construction companies are successfully operating here.
In conclusion…
Good cities in Russia are not always large or "money". As world practice shows, any, even the smallest town, can become a kind of "paradise on earth." Not much is needed for this: the activity of local elites, businessmen and public figures, as well as assistance from local authorities.
