Binnenstad

Utrecht's old centre runs from Hoog-Catharijne and the Jaarbeurs to the Domplein, eleven neighbourhoods and just over 20,000 residents. Amenities reach 9.5 here, fitting for the beating heart of the city. Safety is the weak spot at 3.1, though the crush of station, shops and nightlife pulls that figure down. Social life, by contrast, scores 8.0. Nature (3.5) is scarce between the canal and the concrete.