Some of the most common motivations for leaving your home country and relocating include job opportunities, further studies, retirement, and moving closer to family. Choosing some of the best places to live in the world can be subjective. Sometimes it could be for a better climate, health reasons, lower tax, improved standards of living, or because of political instability. If I am moving, it will probably be in search of adventure.
If you decide to move to another country, you need to check out several factors. The most significant ones are work availability, visa requirements, safety, and accommodation. You have to also consider how you will adapt to a new culture, language, religion, laws, and norms. If you are up for the challenge, the only decision left is where to move to!
READ MORE: Here is our list of the top 10 places to visit in Asia
Check out our top ten best countries to live in!
The best cities to live in the world
The right place to stay must give you something priceless: peace of mind. This means it must be a safe area, hopefully affordable, and surrounded by friendly people.
Here are our ten top cities around the world where you can migrate and quickly call home:
- Tainan, Taiwan – The historical, modern city
- Singapore City, Singapore – The safe refuge
- Rovaniemi, Finland – Santa’s homeAdelaide, Australia – The food and wine city
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Asian western world
- Aalborg, Denmark – The learning ground
- Ocala, Florida, USA – Retirement city
- Dunedin, New Zealand – Stress-free zone
- Incheon, South Korea – The serene place
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) – The tax-free base
Tainan, Taiwan – The historical, modern city
As the oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan offers a blend of history and a modern yet cultural homeland to enjoy. You can visit the temples and parks, and get a view of the beautiful landscape. The area hosts the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival every year.
The city has a warm climate, friendly people, and the cost of living is very affordable.
Singapore City, Singapore – The safe refuge
According to the Global Peace Index report, Singaporeans do not expect to experience violent crime, unlike other countries. The city-state is immaculate, and the people are welcoming. It ranks highly as the best country to live in because almost everyone speaks English.
Singapore experiences a tropical climate and can be pretty humid, and its high standard of living is expensive. There are many taxes on goods, for example, alcohol, TV licenses, and cars, but you can enjoy Michelin starred street food cheaply!
READ MORE: Check out our complete Singapore Travel Guide
Rovaniemi, Finland – Santa’s home
If you had to choose a place to settle, why not pick Santa Claus’ birthplace? Santa’s story brings a mythical aura over the city, and its next best attraction is the magical Northern Lights. There are low crime rates, luxurious shopping spots, and breathtaking landscapes.
The downsides are the weather, which can be very cold, and the high costs of living.
Adelaide, Australia – The food and wine city
Adelaide is next on the list of the best cities to live in the world. It has a warm, dry climate for the majority of the year and a few wet months. Aside from that, it is a delightful place with beaches and parks to look forward to. It is cheaper to dwell here than in other Australian cities.
The people are a mix of cultures, with many immigrants coming into the country. Everyone is friendly and easygoing, and you get to enjoy their food and wine collection.
READ MORE: Explore down-under with our Australia Travel Guide
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Asian western world
Kuala Lumpur brings together lots of expatriates from around the world. It has many multinational companies and international schools, thereby giving visitors a new home away from home amongst some of the friendliest people in the world.
Even though it is more expensive than other areas in Malaysia, it still maintains reasonably priced options. Fun places to visit include the Batu Caves, National Palace, and Petronas Towers. The country experiences humid weather year-round.
Aalborg, Denmark – The learning ground
Denmark is another of the best places to live in the world. Aalborg is affordable because it hosts many students from around the globe. Key attractions are museums, Budolfi Cathedral, and zoos. The culinary scene and the nightlife make it a vibrant city.
The weather in the country is very dull, mostly cold and wet. The people are lovely, but it is not easy to make friends. It subsidises most of the services, which helps users receive the assistance they need.
Ocala, Florida, USA – Retirement city
Ocala is the ideal location if you have reached retirement age. Florida has a subtropical climate, which is warm and sunny for long parts of the year. Its winters are not too cold. As such, seniors can enjoy favourable weather throughout the year.
The tax rules for retirees are also great, allowing them to save more money. For entertainment, people can make friends with other retirees at golf clubs, beaches, parks, and other senior communities.
Dunedin, New Zealand – Stress-free zone
When Dunedin defeated Wellington to win the “best city to live in” in the country, it made people pay attention. The major cities, such as Auckland, are costly, whereas Dunedin offers affordable housing. Living expenses are not high either. Moreover, the residents feel safe here.
Exciting things to do include visiting the museums, checking out the architecture in the area, and spending time on the beaches. The city has a temperate maritime climate, which means yearly cloudy weather.
Incheon, South Korea – The serene place
Incheon is a historical city – relevant to the Korean War – and it could be the best place to live in the world due to its tranquillity. People who move here enjoy access to the coast, shopping opportunities, and thrilling nightlife.
The area has a continental climate, where you can get hot days over long periods and occasional cold spells. However, daily expenses can be high-priced if you are not earning more than US$1000 per month.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) – The tax-free base
Globally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has an overall terrorism index score of zero, which means you are highly unlikely to experience a terrorist attack. The weather in Dubai is hot and humid for most of the year, so thank goodness for air conditioning technology!
The cost of living is expensive, but it can be affordable if you are receiving a substantial salary from one of the many multinational companies located in the area. The good news is that you will earn a tax-free salary and not pay tax for foodstuff. It is a dream place to live, and you can enjoy the skyscrapers, shopping malls, hotels, the culinary scene, and beaches.
The list above represents the best cities to live in in the world. While some may be expensive, they offer other valuable aspects that may sway your decision. Focus on your main objective for moving, and you will be able to choose the ideal country to become your new home.
If you have any suggestions for the best city to live in or have any questions, leave us a comment and we’ll get in touch.