2009 has been a rough year so far. Financial markets have tanked worldwide, those of us still in jobs are waiting to lose them, the British Motor Show was cancelled, and Rachel Stevens is getting married. It's all enough to get a man dreaming of a fresh start -- and what better way to get one than to start a new life in a new city? It's with this in mind that AskMen.com brings you our inaugural guide to greener pastures: The Top 29: Best Cities To Live In.

The AskMen.com editorial team chose this year's best cities by applying an incredibly clever statistical formula to eight lifestyle categories (you'll find them listed within each city's profile), then evaluating the results in conjunction with some of the less tangible characteristics that make for great cities. Naturally, the ongoing global recession influenced the selection and ranking of the Top 29; criteria such as cost of living and economic stability carried greater weight than they might have in different circumstances, leading to some surprise inclusions (hello, Edinburgh). Their spots didn't come at the expense of some classic favourites, however: cities like New York City and Paris have experienced an economic mauling, but they still offer enough in the way of women, culture and entertainment to offset this.

The entries on the list are diverse, but they all have one thing in common: They're great cities for men to live in. Enjoy the Top 29!   Start with No. 29