Kharkiv has topped an annual ranking of "The 55 best Ukrainian cities to live in," which was presented by Focus magazine on July 8. The city climbed five spots in the ranking after strengthening its positions in such criteria as the average wage and tourist attractiveness. Kharkiv was also declared the city with the highest educational potential.
Kyiv remains in second place for the fourth consecutive year. Despite the highest level of business activity and the lowest unemployment rate, the highest level of tourist attractiveness and cultural events, Kyiv failed to top the table due to a high crime rate, poor environment and high prices for real estate.
Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi took third and fourth places respectively. Mukacheve in Zakarpattia region became fifth, after climbing 15 positions within a year.
Three new towns appeared in the rating in 2010, in particular, Kuznetsovsk in Rivne region (27th), Yuzhne in Odesa region (13th) and Komsomolsk in Poltava region (32nd).
