I travel very little and I don't know much about cost of living nor the quality of life from those places very well, but I see very few places in the world that has give you a good bang for your buck, so I am putting this out there because this may also help other plebs better make their decisions on places to live.
For me, I am looking for a descent country/city with good quality of life, good security, happy people with low time preference, good food, but on a reasonable price.
The problem with most countries is that they are too endebted therefore too much debt hold by the gov and the people which make it extremely difficult for people to live a good life, they must be in a constent rat wheel that never stop until death.
This is probably going to get a lot of hate, but I think the united states has pretty good, off mainstream areas, for good quality of life. You have to look inwrad. Outside the coasts and common areas. There's a multitude of gems. The problem is you have to find them in the vast underpinning of each state. 😅
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Right answer, particularly if you're a US citizen already here, the cost of going elsewhere has already been arbitraged.
It's no more research to find where in the US is good for your specific situation vs. where in the world might be.
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I’m Singaporean and my wife’s Japanese. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that I would find it difficult to eke out a living as an EFL teacher in Japan, I would choose Japan, hands down.
Life is just more colourful and vibrant there. I think the greatest minus point is that the Japanese economy is experiencing the pits, so forging a career as an expat is fraught with difficulties. But let’s say you speak fluent Japanese and boast a skill set that is in demand, Japan will wow you because:
  • it’s largely an agricultural country and farmers and fishermen take great pains to make their produce
  • it has four seasons, and its sublime scenery juxtaposed against historic landmarks will satiate your wanderlust
  • people are generally honest and sincere, which makes them easy to live and work with. And let me tell you, let the Japanese have a couple of drinks and soon, you will be karaoking with them at the top of your lungs
  • its cultural festivals are boisterous and fun
  • its thorough attention to detail, which will brighten up even the most mundane experience
  • its penchant for punctuality, which helps you know what to expect.
  • people are hardworking to a fault but are generally less money-minded than us Singaporeans. Their intrinsic motivation and adherence to ikigai are rather nice to witness.
Ya I love Japan ❤️
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Interesting take about the less money-minded attitude of Japanese in a country so indebted and an economy struggling for 30 years. Maybe the fact that Singaporeans are money conscious because they have to, the country would collapse if it was following the monetary policies (i.e., endless deficits) of so-called developed countries who get away with everything. Stark contrast of living in these post-colonial countries versus everybody else having to produce in the real world
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Yes you are right. We have to be shrewd about money because we are so small and have zero natural resources
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Interesting take
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201 sats \ 1 reply \ @kr 29 Jan
Just saw Kevin Kelly recommended this article on his blog, probably one of the most well-researched and up-to-date answers you’ll find.
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Thank you! Will check it out
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From my personal experience, I would recommend Brazil. Brazil is a huge country with many options. South of Brazil is considered to be much richer than North/Northeast. Most of the GDP is made in South such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo and FlorianĂłpolis are considered to be more like European. Therefore, South of Brazil has a better quality of life because of high income and population density. Foods are always fresh because North of Brazil always have sunshine and of course there is also the Amazon too. Always have plenty different type of fruits, vegetables and lots of meat, especially beef. You also find plenty of beaches since the costal is thousands of kilometres. People are generally very friendly, kind and always open for conversation with anybody. South of Brazil is more expensive than North however if you are coming from places such as US, CANADA, EU etc.. even South of Brazil will be very cheap for you. I never experienced any danger in Brazil however there are places where you need to pay more attention to your things. Rio is typically one of these places and of course the favelas. But of course you do not want to go to favelas because there is not hing for you there. So it is obvious. I also would like to mention that people tend to have a very different mentality over there than in western countries. People take care each other don't overlook on each other. Relationships are very important. Money is not everything and people do not do things just for money. Most important is family!!! They love enjoy life, have deep conversations, good food and football on the beach.
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Brazil is amazing!!! Thank you! I would like to try their beef steak and the beaches
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I visited Vietnam 10 years ago, it doesn't check all the boxes, but it was extremely cheap to eat, you could also find very affordable accommodation, clean, with Internet etc. A very beautiful country with the most amazing food. But as I said, that was 10 years ago, and I haven't gone back since.
In general, South-East Asia tends to be relatively cheap, safe, and there's a huge westerner community in Bali, Thailand etc, but it's a completely different culture...
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Danang (vietnam) is the city I recommend for westerner. beautiful beach, big community and much less pollution than Hanoi or Saigon
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Very good idea, I like Vietnam
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Ireland is pretty cool, but russia has low debt and also seem to pursue a gold standard so no chance of debt any time soon? They also flexed versus Ukraine and its allies and seem to be getting away with it which gives confidence to its people its nice to be around confident people. But who knows.
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Underated comment.
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I hope I just misunderstood you. Are you really endorsing Russia? Russia and confident people? WTF?
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I wouldn't call that an endorsement but yeah maybe they are. But I don't care I am just looking for the best customer service with the best price, for now there is war in that region I would like to stay away of wars, just a thought
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Ok, but the question is different. At least if we consider “quality of life” in a broader sense, like to be a free citizen not being sentenced for your own opinions, for example. Russia is not Moscow only, most people don’t have access to flushing toilets, people live like not ten, but 100 or 200 years ago, no progress, spread alcoholism, poor life expectancy, goodness, I could continue…
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Don't expect happy people in Russia. They aren't friendly, open. They are mostly cold and rude. The weather sucks most of the time.
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Fair enough
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Yeah, that's a little bit of a contrarian view right there but still worth some searching.
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Im doing a bit of research and will take the liberty of sharing some here. My apologies.
Afaik European and US capitals dont look this clean (This is a random shot from Moscow)
And the list of russian holidays
Im sure this post will come back to haunt me since i will be accused of being a russian. It is what it is.
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No you're good, thank you! Some Russian friends told me people live great in Major cities
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swiss
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check Cuzco, is way more gorgeous than the tour pics.
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I think that one of the best countries to live in according to the quality of life is Spain both in gastronomy, as well as in climate, hospitality of people, especially in the south of Spain, its security, etc, the problem is the incessant inflation and a political panorama that leaves a lot to be desired, but for example, the prices in the center of Spain and in the less populated areas are very low, so I think that if you have some money, you could live in the center of Spain very comfortably.
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Laos is probably the most low time preference living place.
But Thailand is quite similar too with more of a community and better visa options and much more places that will take your bitcoin as payment.
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Much apreciated too thanks
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Portugal is a top choice among the financially independent who are looking for the best bang for their buck in early retirement.
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Agree, I love Portugal.
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Which city do you think is more expats friendly
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I doubt it’s a popular choice, but I’ve lived in Brisbane Australia for about 8 months and it’s an incredible place. Some of the most beautiful women you’ll ever see, decent prices, especially if you’re being paid in sats or dollars and everyone was really nice and welcoming.
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I lived on the Gold Coast (just under Brisbane) for more than a year. I used to go up to Brisbane for meet with friends. It is a good to be, it's safe, clean and not too busy however it is not my favourite. Perhaps because I compare most cities to the european cities.
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Some of the most beautiful women- I'll hold you right there, bud!
My mother's from the Netherlands, so it's the Netherlands, not Brisbane.
Case closed!
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Lol "Case closed
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Never heard of Brisbane but definately worth a look specially after what you said there, thank you
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Definately no hate here, but yeah I have to agree with that, most people juge their entire country based on the only city/state/province they know and never travel to discover more
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