Covid shuffled the popularity rankings of cities, with Zurich leading

Paris – The COVID-19 epidemic and the associated necessity to spend significantly more time at home and in the immediate surroundings have dramatically changed the ranking of the most popular world capitals among the wealthiest individuals. In 2022, Zurich topped the list for individuals with assets over one million dollars (21.5 million crowns), followed by Copenhagen and Tokyo. Paris lost its top position, and other major cities like New York, London, and Hong Kong also fell. The ranking is compiled by the real estate company Barnes.

"It seems that Zurich, Copenhagen, Miami, and Stockholm offer better than all other cities what wealthy families desire the most right now: high quality of life, good environmental conditions, and safety," writes Thibault de Saint Vincent from Barnes in the study.

The French capital, according to Le Figaro, was prepared to lose its top position due to frequent strikes, whether in transportation or caused by the yellow vest movement. The coronavirus and repeated strict lockdowns merely completed Paris’s drop to seventh place. Bordeaux is the French newcomer of the year, ranking 50th on the list this year. The city in the west of France has welcomed 20,000 residents over the last decade, and the popularity of the city, which is two hours away from Paris, continues to grow.

There were also twists in the United States, where New York fell from second to 11th place, Los Angeles dropped 12 spots, and Miami emerged as a new star. "Working from home, low taxes, year-round warm weather, golf courses, and quality of life are increasingly attracting residents from New York and California to move (to Miami)," states the report. According to Barnes, property prices in Miami are also 40 percent lower than in other metropolises.