Below is a quick look at 5 of the best cities that you could head off to and learn to call home. This list is subjective and many amazing places will no doubt have unfairly not made the grade here, but that in no way takes away from the reality that all of these cities are incredible places to live. If you really want to completely change your life, these are definitely some of the cities that you should look at as first options when scouting the terrain for places to call home.
Barcelona, Spain
Big disclaimer: my best cities list is not based on any exhaustive research. It is instead based on my own experiences and the things that I have seen for myself, read, and been told about whilst travelling all over the world. Barcelona goes at the top of my best cities list because it has been my own home for the majority of my adult life. I’ve been fortunate to visit many other places all over the world, but I always come back here. Barcelona is one of the best cities in the world because it simply has everything. It is incredibly affordable,[1] it lives and breathes culture, the food is excellent, we have the sea on our doorstep and amazing nature views less than an hour’s drive away in any direction, and it is a happening city full of bars, big name concerts, and amazing people. For me, Barcelona is the best of the best cities in the world.
Melbourne, Australia
Australia seems to split opinion. A lot of people cannot wait to head over there as soon as they are able to take a gap year as a student, but at the other end of it, a lot of people are never really all that into the idea. Personally, I fall into the second category, however, there is no denying that many people see Australia as the perfect country to move to when they decide to make a complete life change. In recent times, Australia has become well-represented on lists of the best cities to live in the world. Melbourne is usually the one that places highest. Renowned for excellent levels of healthcare, education, and infrastructure, Melbourne is a relatively small capital of only four million people.[2] Their population is celebrated for its diversity and multicultural nature and, as with all of the cities on this list, Melbourne is highly regarded as a culinary capital that boasts a thriving cultural scene too.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon deserves a place on the best cities to move to list for a number of reasons. The first, for me, is because this is one of the great historical European cities and the history of times past still lives and breathes in every step that you take around here. Having said that, those old days are truly long gone and there is also a decadent feel to modern day Lisbon. A lot of the infrastructure seems a bit outdated and in need of a refresh, but this, too, seems to work in its favour and comes across as charming rather than off-putting. Lisbon is one of the best cities because it’s a beautiful place, very affordable, and one that is leading the way in a country that is starting to find its feet again after years of financial hardship. It’s only a matter of time before this great place rediscovers its stature of old, so it’s probably a good idea for you to get in on the ground floor now.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver lands on the best cities to move to list for a number of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that this is a real modern city that is still blessed with stunning scenery and great weather. Urban planning has been done in such a way so as to enhance the city experience for those who actually live in the city and this is also one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities. As you would expect from one of the best cities in the world, Vancouver also has great museums, excellent shopping, dining, and nightlife. Another big benefit for those looking to make a move here is that the cost of living is low to moderate compared to other global cities and there is an active and very accessible housing market to meet almost all budgets.
Vienna, Austria
In many best cities lists that have been published recently, Vienna has been coming out on top. I know from personal experience that this is a beautiful city, with amazing culture and architecture. And it seems to be gaining popularity as a counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of modern day big cities. New York and London are amazing places, but they can definitely burn you out. Vienna is a big city with all of the ingredients to afford you a happy life, but with a lot less noise and bright lights. Infrastructure, healthcare, and education are all excellent here, as you would expect. And Vienna is also one of the best cities because its population has access to the very necessary ability of escaping to nature whenever they need to breathe a little more easily. Vienna has something for everybody really and it will no doubt continue to be represented on best cities to live lists for a long time to come.[3] Additional photo credits: Ricard Aparicio @ Harshil Shah @
