7 Best Cities for Expats (According to Expats)
Video Overview & Insights
What are the best cities for expats?
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According to new survey data from InterNations, thousands of expats ranked their adopted cities based on quality of life, healthcare access, safety, ease of settling in, personal finances, and social life.
Some of Europe’s most iconic cities — including Rome, Milan, Paris, and even Lisbon — didn’t make the top tier.
Living in Da nang Vietnam now and loving it. It pretty perfect here i must say!! Nice to see my home in 10 years listed as number 1 here😊
So which cities did?
In this video, we count down the Top 7 Best Cities for Expats (according to expats themselves) and break down why people are thriving there — and what kind of lifestyle each city actually supports.
I’m Norwegian and live in Norway. My dream retirement city/town is either Henderson, Nevada or Carson City, Nevada. Been to Nevada 8 times, and many times for more than 5 weeks at a time. It is my soul home and I wholeheartedly love it. Alas, I know we’ll never be able to, because there is no retirement visa in the US.
If you're thinking about:
• Moving abroad
Hey Matt! Fun to meet you yesterday in Nazaré. My wife and I watch you guys from Japan, but hope to move to Nazaré in a couple of years. Cheers for the great channel!
• Retiring overseas
• Working remotely from another country
Lived in Malaga and Madrid briefly and loved both cities, though locals in Malaga are harder to understand, due to their southern Spanish accent. Vacationed in Valencia and absolutely loved it. Downsides to all locations are sweltering summer heat (and especially humidity in Valencia and Malaga). Not surprised Spain has 3 or the top 7, with the exception of their tax structure unless you’re still working and get in under Beckham law.
• Or building a life with more time and location freedom
This ranking may surprise you.
When I first started looking at where I want to relocate, I was torn between Alicante and Valencia. Then I was torn between Valencia and Malaga. And I'm pretty certain Malaga is where I'm going to land. Funny all three are on the top 3 or this list.
See the survey: https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2024/best-cities-for-expats-40486
ABOUT US:
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is perfect for me 🇪🇸😍👌🏻
Hi, we’re Matt and Dawn.
In 2023, we “unretired” and moved from the U.S. to Portugal’s Silver Coast. Now we live, work, and travel abroad while building flexible income streams — and we share what we’re learning about designing a life beyond traditional retirement.
Wow, four of the seven are in Spain 😮
If that sounds like your path, subscribe and follow along.
Of the listed cities, I've been to: Valencia, Madrid and Panama city. I LOVE Madrid and could picture myself living there if I were a little more fluent in Spanish. Valencia is beautiful and quite cosmopolitan, so I could see the #1 ranking. Very long time since I've been to Panama City, so I'm due for a revisit🙂
More User Perspectives
Top 5 (1st-5th): Madrid, Lisbon, Granada, Sevilla, Porto (Athough, too hot in summer).
@fosterfoster1218Are you ok after all these storms? Figueira was right on the way of Kristin….
@joaomramalho1I'm surprised Lisbon didn't make the list.
@HarlowPressI hear great things about Mexico City. Would love to hear more about why expats love it so much.
@JournalLensMexico City seems like a dream!
@MSadler