Liverpool has shaken off its negative social image since Capital of Culture year, according to a new study.
The city has also received an economic boost thanks to tourism in 2008, the report from Liverpool University academics found.
Most visitors now think it is a welcoming place that has a lot going on creatively, without relying on stereotypical draws such as sport.
And more than three-quarters of city residents believe Liverpool is a better place to live than it was before the culture award.
During 2008 positive stories in the media concerning the city's culture dominated over bleaker examples of social issues, the City Council-commissioned study concluded.
University of Liverpool Social Scientist Dr Beatriz Garcia, who helped complete the five-year report, welcomed the public's updated perceptions.
She said: "The city has undergone a remarkable image renaissance locally, nationally and internationally.
"We found that general opinion of Liverpool was informed by very 'dated' images of the city, which ranged from positive but fixed associations with the Beatles in the 1960s to more negative views of social deprivation in the 1980s.
"The European Capital of Culture, however, presented a richer picture of Liverpool as a contemporary, multi-faceted city with a vibrant cultural life that reaches far beyond that of football and music."
However, the report suggested the hysteria that followed the city's successful bid resulted in "unrealistic expectations".
Dr Garcia said many people believed long-term unemployment and poor health problems would be addressed single-handedly.
She added: "These are challenges that go far beyond what a one-off cultural programme alone can meet."
More long-term success will come from projects including the Echo Arena and Liverpool One shopping centre, the report added.
Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "The year gave the city a priceless platform to showcase a new, dynamic and creative Liverpool on a global stage and the unqualified success of '08 has forged a great sense of ambition to set new goals and the confidence to achieve them."
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