If you have a reasonable good income and what the best of what life on the mainland has to offer, then I think that Shanghai would be your best choice.  It's a dynamic, exciting, going places kind of a city and you can actually breathe the air on most days, as opposed to Beijing.  Public transport, particularly the subways in Shanghai, are world-class and they can whisk you about the city in almost no time. It has a pulse and flavor that puts it up there with London, Paris and New York.  Beijing is nice but after all of those hutongs came down, it's rather modern and bland these days.

None in my opinion,people are all usually about me trying too get ahead of each othere,2nd 3rd tier the best were you meet real average people,not the cream or the worst of society

Dont think its first tier, but Dalian is a really nice place to live. I found the people to much better in the way of manners and politeness (comparing with the south). Also the layout of the city is really good for getting around, and going from one end to the other is easy and doesnt take forever.

Its on the coast and there is a nice costal road that is ideal for cycling/jogging/walking for a outdoor workout with fresh air. Going away from the coast, there are also nice natural areas that are protected, so they are also clean.

I have been in the big cities here, and the hustle and bustle of it all can get annoying pretty quickly

Don't know if it's first tier, but if I could find a job in Qingdao I'd live there. But, in my field, there aren't any. 

it  does not matter your income is how much, i think if you wanna peacefully, and calm, shihezi is the best city, environment is also best, it not so expensive, accomodation is also good and cheap, so i suggest shihezi is best.....

Shanghai. Much cleaner than Beijing!