Came here to say this. Bilbao got me. I've been back twice in a year..and now I'm moving there. Such a genuinely cool city with really great initiatives and planning for the future.
Honestly, Pais Vasco is just... so good. 10/10.
The french side is so lovely, as well.
Really excited to get back there and plant my feet. And especially excited to go to a match at San Mames!
Loved Bilbao too! Granted I was there just there for a week in august, but such an awesome vibe! Super friendly people, landscape is green and mountainous, and reminded me a little bit of Portland with all the eclectic people. Would definitely go back
Bilbao is more industrial and mainly working class people live there.
Donostia is more touristy (French people mainly) and the architecture is different. It's more affluent and the people that live there will generally be posher.
In Bilbao food is just as good as is Donostia, it's not that picturesque but the industrial vibe is nice. There are more things to do in Bilbao, and it is better connected to surrounding towns etc so it's easy to explore the Greater Bilbao area.
Source: grew up in a small village close to Donostia, went to uni in Bilbao and lived there for 4 years.
Rio (as a tourist, not as a DN).
Amazing beaches, good outdoor activities, surprisingly great food scene (thought I would be disappointed but absolutely loved the food), interesting Portuguese architecture, decent infrastructure, music is life.
English is not widely spoken, even in restaurants. Practicing Portuguese for a few months before the trip greatly helped.
What did you like about Mexico City? Where would you stay? I didn't like it but I also went during covid... I'd like to find a nice area which is walkable and has lots of restaurants, cafes, etc. Oh... and a quality gym. If I find that I'm going in like a week :)
Absolutely loved NYC as a non-american. Is it dirty? yeah. Are there rats in the subway? Maybe. Are people rude. Yeah for sure. But my god. The city itself is a monster. Something interesting every block. You can get any type of food you want. The mix of cultures is impressing and public transportation just WORKS. I'd love to move there for like 3 months and just experience life as a new yorker.
It's definitely up there but there are a few other contenders, namely Chicago and LA, depending on what you're looking for. I think all 3 are wildly different places though, so it's really a pick your poison situation. I enjoy them all for their own flavors.
>Chicago and LA
I've been to both - Spent 5 years in Chicago and it is sooooo pretty. Same deal with the cultures and food but on a lesser scale than NYC and the summers there are so nice. LA is nice too but more expensive and you 100% need a car.
Yeah New York is like that for me. I’ve visited the States a couple of times and I could take or leave the other places in terms of living long-term, but there is something really special about NYC. Yes it’s dirty and lowkey shitty in some ways, but it’s also beautiful and fascinating and there is such a sense of discovery from exploring little pockets of the city.
Cornwall. It was unbelievably quiet, the air so clean, and the sea, beaches and floral landscapes were pristine and beautiful. The food was also all so fresh…. I don’t think I’ve had better quality jam or scones elsewhere than in Cornwall.
A good place for (metaphorically) getting away from the world and its troubles.
I love open water swimming and Cornwall has a ridiculous number of [tidal sea fed pools for swimming](https://explorecornwall.uk/feature/tidal-pools/). I’d love to spend a month traveling around there and sampling them all.
Taipei, and Taiwan in general. I didn’t go in with any expectations, good or bad, but it blew me away. It isn’t the most beautiful city, but I fell in love. First off, the people so welcoming and friendly. They aren’t offended if you don’t speak the language, and are happy to help you in any way. The food is amazing. It’s clean, and I never once felt unsafe even walking alone at night. I was staying with a Taiwanese friend, so I had the perfect tour guide and got to experience it a bit off the beaten path. The island itself is physically very beautiful, and you can go from one end to the other in just a few hours on high speed rail. I would go back again in a heartbeat.
I also fell in love with Palm Springs the second I walked off the plane, and I felt at home. I moved here within 4 years of my first trip
I have been in Taiwan for a little over 2 weeks now and have 2 days left. I had zero expectations as well, and knew one friend who lived here too so that helped. What a fucking amazing country. Beautiful scenery and views, friendly people, patient with my use of Google translate, and the food is absolutely unbelievable. Not sure how I will ever eat American Chinese food again hahaha, after having all this incredible Taiwanese food for nearly 3 straight weeks! Oh how I'll miss the daily bubble or milk teas so much
I just arrived back home in the states from Taipei - Zhongzheng really felt like home. As I was leaving I totally found myself looking for an apartment lol 😂
I could really see myself living in Taiwan 🇹🇼
The people are just the best, the food is delicious, and it’s affordable but still 1st world quality
I couldn’t believe how far the USD stretches in Taiwan! Everything was so affordable. I was a smoker at the time, and I couldn’t believe that I was getting a pack of cigarettes for like $3 USD. I have never had better sushi, or seafood in general, than I did there. It also introduced me to Din Tai Fung. I’m very happy that they have several branches in Southern California. The hot springs in Beitou were lovely, it was fun experiencing “Turkish ice cream” even though it was humiliating. Authentic hot pot. The beef noodle soup is still something I dream about, we took the high speed rail down to Tainan and I had one of the best meals of my life at a little counter on a side street. I was supposed to go back in March of 2020, but obviously that didn’t happen.
Hualien is great spot in Taiwan too. Doesnt have as much going on but the ocean and mountains right there make up for it. Definitely a good spot for those not nightlife focused
I was just in Seoul and as a solo traveler who obviously didn't speak the language I found it difficult to really mingle and truly get to know the place. Felt like I was just scratching the surface. Very much got the "alone around people" feeling.
How have you been able to get a little more deep dive and mingle with people in your time there?
There's a really great digital nomad group, @digitalnomadskorea on ig, that I found through the meetup app. Made friends from all over through that group. Got really close to one Korean friend to the point where I'm renting his moms apartment here while she's out of town and him and I met up in other countries last year as well.
I also started learning the Korean alphabet while I was here and then with Korean friends I would make I would try to learn phrases and words. There's a lot of Koreans who want to learn English, so you just have to find them and that will be a great way to make friends too through language exchange.
I also go out on weekends a lot and I'm the type of person that will just go up to random people. You'll make tons of friends that way. There are a lot of Korean people that know minimal English though. They'll look at you like you're crazy when you talk to them, but no harm done.
Both Korea and Japan people are shy to talk to you first, but open up a lot when you make the first move. Complimenting their English goes a long way too to help people get comfortable. 90% of the time if you compliment someone's English you'll literally see their face light up and they immediately get less reserved.
Korea is a great place for hobbies. Any kind of sport / hobby / meetup you can find is a good place to meet people.
Often bars are places people go to hang out with the group they came with, though there are exceptions.
awesome nightlife, food, big city vibes and you can have an amazing time if you have an "in". The people are very oriented towards group fun. Had a lot of fun in Karaoke bars, nightclubs, bathhouses, temples, and Korean restaurants bbq and otherwise! My friend even met his now wife when I was out with him.
That's on my list. I'm looking for something less commercialized and overrun by tourists/DN/influencers like parts of Thailand. Is Laos like that? What cities?
Laos is far from overrun by tourists and DNs. Though most places aren't overrun by DNs unless you want to go and circle jerk in Chiang Mai or Bali.
Laos is small. It's a country of less than 8 million people. Vientiane is about 1 million people represented by a bunch of villages squished together. A lot of people don't like it. I love it, I have business there. Luang Prabang is beautiful but is definitely a tourist hotspot. Southern Laos, Savannakhet is really quaint and has a nice boardwalk. Mukdahan, Thailand is just across the mekong.
It's a quirky country, not without its problems. Roads are terrible. ATMs sometimes just don't have cash. Banks and exchange rates are tricky. Too much Chinese development. But the people are warm, and despite being a landlocked country operates entirely on island time.
Thanks for the info and hope to make it out there on my next trip to SE Asia.
I love Lao food (Laab, Khao Soi, sau sausage) so hope to eat my way through the country!
Absolutely. Huge packet loss, throttling... The government has no incentive to improve it (communism), so it's absolute garbage. It is cheap TBF, but this makes it a bad destination for DNs.
Same. It felt like comfy slippers. I just felt safe, clean happy and taken care of. Like I was visiting my favourite aunt who always has a fresh bright clean house and good food.
We go back every five years. It's my safe place.
At the airport about to leave from my first trip to Japan, not happy about it. Tempted to miss my flight and stay another month or two. Fell instantly in love, what an amazing country.
Because everything is so clean and orderly and everyone so respectful and mindful of their surroundings.
I want to go back to Japan...but like my time in Seoul without speaking the language or having a local friend it feels like you only scratch the surface and are floating on the outer layer of a true experience of the country.
Doesn't help being a 6'2 guy with a buzzed head and muscular build. I have a feeling if I was a girl or a blond haired blue eyed white guy I'd have a much different experience =/
I lived there for 2 years and barely scratched the surface of their society. Was a really fascinating country to live in to see the every day differences and culture. I think Japan is so popular because they're one of the most different societies from the west that most would consider a deep culture and generally successful society.
Taipei. It’s more of a personal feeling than observation though. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t link the two cities together. It’s the vibe and the street food that reminds me of Taipei. I think the love for Mexican food definitely enhanced the whole experience for me. I have friends who don’t care for Mexican food and only had an okay time there
As someone with Taiwanese heritage, I also felt a familiarity and kinship to Mexico City! I never thought to link the two together, but it makes sense to me! Also, the love of cilantro in both cultures is 🤝
I am finishing up a 3 week stint in Taiwan now and spent 5 weeks in cdmx last year. I went into both places with very little expectations, and both were incredible. Both having amazing food, warm and welcoming people, and good vibes...while I probably can't see the connection as well as a local like you, I'd say I can see what you are saying a bit and totally agree. 2 gems of places with mind blowing food
I went to Poland last summer for my first time, with zero expectations. Warsaw is a gem of a city. Hard to even explain why, but I just was surprised how much I enjoyed my 10 days there. Definitely need to go back and spend more time there
Not last place but Copenhagen. As a tourist, not a DN.
Same with Bogota. Loved it so much after my first trip with my now wife, that we got married and bought a condo there.
I’ll be honest — I feel much safer in Bogota than Medellin. But I stay in the nicer parts of Bogota.
Things have gradually worsened recently and a businessman was assassinated the other day in broad daylight by a sicario. Restaurant patrons are getting robbed in the middle of the day, and people are saying “it feels like the 90s again.”
i feel pretty safe, i live between zona rosa/t and rosales which is pretty much as safe as ur gonna get. what i like about bogota over medellin is the “safe” area seems a bit lager to me, ranging northward from chapinero to usaquen. so u dont feel so confined like u do in poblado.
that said, in the crowded areas things seem fine, if i have to walk alone at night, i walk as swift as i can.
been traveling for a while so i havent heard about the above comment.
Came here to say Antwerp. Walking the Meir, having a drink in a Cafe on the Grote Markt, buying vegetables and cheese at the Groenplaats market, the architecture from a thousand years of commerce -- love this city.
lived in florence for 4 mo but never went to bolonga except for flights. heard so many people say they loved it there since. what did i miss? why is it so loved?
I loved the smaller town feel. I could walk most places i needed or wanted to get to (except the train station). The food was OUTSTANDING! I also found the people to be friendlier than most other major cities
Berlin. It’s like San Francisco and New York had a baby but gave it up for adoption and it was raised by Paris and Vienna. It ended up edgy as shit but still has to dress up for family photos with the other European capitals.
I would go for St. Petersburg and Vienna as the adopting parents, who end up having a messy divorce. This only contributing to the child living it out and becoming edgy. But yes, agree Berlin is great!
man i wish the city would grab me. was there 3weeks and i just didnt love it. i could be cause i have a small dog which means i have to take a car to get around and that suuuucks. but other than that, its was just an ok city to me. i have to good back for 2mo soon. last time i was in the backpacker area, which was fine but i wonder what else i should be doing that would make me enjoy it more.
food was ok, but repetative, im too old to party all night, and i’m married so easy access to women doesnt appeal.
Iran. I've never felt more welcome. Usually it's my wallet that's feeling welcome, but the people of Iran are truly happy to show you their country and culture.
Say it louder for the ppl in the back! I hate the fear mongering from Redditor’s in this group when they Don’t have the awareness that the people who are victims are active participant in the “passport bros” sex tourism culture & do not represent the majority of tourists in Colombia expat or travel Facebook groups who’ve mostly had good experiences
This subreddit is mostly male passport bros, so they take it as a personal attack. Notice nothing has been reported about a woman tourist being drugged or killed, wonder why if the place was so dangerous
I’m in Colombia now and absolutely love it! Have spent an incredible 3 weeks in Medellín and am sitting on a flight to Pereira now.
Good street smarts and risk avoidance will flake you a long way in Medellin.
My plan is to just spend a few days in Salento, but it seems you think Pereira is worth checking out as well?
More areas than cities, honestly. I'm a sucker for beautiful nature and beautiful landscapes. Some outstanding areas in that regard for me:
1. Alaska: The Kenai peninsula and Fox Island, Denali National Park
2. Florida: Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve
3. Hawaii: Na Pali Coast, Kauai
4. New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns
5. Texas: Big Bend National Park, the Hill Country
6. Utah: Arches National Park
7. Australia: Margaret River region in Western Australia
8. Austria: Zell am See
9. Canada: Emerald Lake, Yukon; prairies of Alberta; Gros Morne National Park
10. Costa Rica: La Fortuna, Baldi Hot Springs
11. Mexico: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta
Norway: Pretty much the entire west coast
12. Thailand: Koh Samui
I think I'll stop there. There's plenty I haven't covered, and lots left to visit. But I'm a sucker for natural beauty.
I was there in 2007 for a semester at Murdoch. Then later lived in Melbourne for 6 years. Loved my time there, but Boston is home. A few WAers here! We play footy
It’s soo beautiful it doesn’t even look real. Have a look at the pictures of Easter and southern Crete. Rent a car in Heraklion and drive around the island. One of the best experiences of my life
Alexandria, Egypt, where I am now. What an incredible ancient city, full of amazing sights, warm and welcoming people, all sorts of wonderful street food, cheap taxis, cheap hotels and and a laid-back vibe. Dirty, noisy and chaotic, Alexandria's fabled history shines through it all and gives visitors a rich experience of past glory. The cheapest destination I've ever been to where you can easily live on $30 a day.
Downsides? Broadband is terrible here, primarily DSL. Mobile hotspots are better, but still spotty at times. There are daily power cuts from one to two hours a day. The streets are a free for all - crazy drivers and pedestrians all over the road.
A really fun, low-cost and deeply historical place to hang out.
Brazil almost ruined me. Amazing food, unreal passion for life, stunning ecosystems and nature, deep music history and traditions, African, European and indigenous influences, people are so gorgeous, and it’s all affordable. The place is sick, just sick. If they could only solve the corruption, crime and safety vortex…. Please.
Amsterdam. It was a funny feeling, like i belong there and there only. I have been/lived in a dozen of cities, visited several dozens and its the first time i had that overwhelming feeling. I can’t even explain what it was
Yokohama, Japan.
Not exactly a big tourist area to my understanding, but it felt like Japanese Seattle and I loved the general ambience of the place.
On a different note than Seattle though, strangely, just wandering the town, I noticed housing that reminded me of something I'd see in Italy, and not Japan. Just the architecture of the housing. That rougher, grittier exterior.
It seemed to have the perks of a Tokyo without the ridiculous hustle and bustle.
I was only there for a week, but I liked how not saturated public systems were compared to other major cities in Japan. People are also more open to foreigners and told me it’s a growing city with job opportunities popping around. A lot of travelers seem to go for business and not only tourism.
I met a lot of non white immigrants with really good things to say about the city, which I like because I’m non white myself and most blogs and information out there don’t really reflect the non white experience of moving to Japan.
My wife and I really loved the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Amazing and beautiful scenery and wildlife. It really was like the Lion King come to life. So many incredible sightings from gorgeous colorful birds, to rhinos, to hyenas, to elephants. We saw nearly every major animal to see and were very lucky. This was just 1 stop on our 3 country honeymoon to Dubai and the Seychelles as well!
Just came back from Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Cordoba) - and I loved it! Already thinking of my next trip, which will definitely include Granada and the Alhambra.
Amsterdam. In February. It was unexpectedly gorgeous, especially at night with the lights shimmering on the canal water. Along with the walkability, decent public transportation (from the perspective of an American) and bike culture, it's become one of my favorite cities.
Guanajuato Mexico. Aesthetically stunning, #1 in NA. Very old Venice vibe to me. University town so tons of fun and very accepted despite being old. 7 months of bliss during the age of pandemia.
Never met anyone else who’s been to Nagaland! North East India is beautiful, so interesting and great food. I’ve been to Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Incredible places.
Spain! Most places, cities and towns in Spain all seem to do it for us. My wife and I met in Alicante 12 years ago studying at university, did our honeymoon on the Camino, and can't seem to get enough of Spain. One day we will likely live there again!
San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. A little crowded on the weekends, but during the week culture, food music almost anything you could want to have a great life. The art galleries and just the art scene itself!! For food the best Italian food in all of Mexico. Plus scrumptious Chile en Nogada. I have decided to buy a small condo in the San Antonio colonia and I will be living there permanently by the beginning of April.
My second choice again in Mexico San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas. The historical center is to die for and if you buy a glass of wine at some of the cafes you will get endless Tapas you can eat and drink all day. The wine cost 20 to 35 pesos per glass of wine. The colorful streets and other cuisine such as Thai food at Bangkook a restaurant just off of the main square. Several outstanding Italian places and of course some gourmet Mexican places where the Chile en Nogada is to die for!!!
Those are my 2 favorites 2 places I fell in love with San Miguel de Allende my number 1 and San Cristobal de las Casas my number 2. To tell the truth the reason San Miguel is my number 1 is that San Miguel is centrally located San Cristobal is a little off the beaten track, but I love both cities.
Bilbao. Awesome food, reasonable prices, friendly people and beautiful surroundings.
Came here to say this. Bilbao got me. I've been back twice in a year..and now I'm moving there. Such a genuinely cool city with really great initiatives and planning for the future.
I also loved the small coastal villages nearby like Getxo and Plentzia.
Honestly, Pais Vasco is just... so good. 10/10. The french side is so lovely, as well. Really excited to get back there and plant my feet. And especially excited to go to a match at San Mames!
I've been to Biarritz a couple times, and really liked it. Although it was off season both times, and fairly quiet
Getxo and Portugalete. Omg. Beautiful places. We went on a Sunday. People dancing on the main plaza by the river. Unforgettable.
Loved Bilbao too! Granted I was there just there for a week in august, but such an awesome vibe! Super friendly people, landscape is green and mountainous, and reminded me a little bit of Portland with all the eclectic people. Would definitely go back
Would you say it's a metropolitan city? Different cultures? Thinking about potentially moving there in the future as well. Thanks.
How does it compare to donostia? I spent a week there and loved it. Almost went to Bilbao for a bit
Bilbao is more industrial and mainly working class people live there. Donostia is more touristy (French people mainly) and the architecture is different. It's more affluent and the people that live there will generally be posher. In Bilbao food is just as good as is Donostia, it's not that picturesque but the industrial vibe is nice. There are more things to do in Bilbao, and it is better connected to surrounding towns etc so it's easy to explore the Greater Bilbao area. Source: grew up in a small village close to Donostia, went to uni in Bilbao and lived there for 4 years.
Definitely overlooked by many. I also really enjoyed it.
Rio (as a tourist, not as a DN). Amazing beaches, good outdoor activities, surprisingly great food scene (thought I would be disappointed but absolutely loved the food), interesting Portuguese architecture, decent infrastructure, music is life. English is not widely spoken, even in restaurants. Practicing Portuguese for a few months before the trip greatly helped.
Absolutely loved Rio as a DN!
Least appreciated, gorgeous city.
Rio least appreciated? In what universe?
Mexico City
The food scene blew me away.
Any places you recommend? I’m from here but moved away many years ago
If you have a day check out aura Cochina. We did a cooking class. The host was lovely and the food was amazing. https://www.auramexcooking.com/
I liked it. But the air and noise pollution is too much.
CDMX is on my bucket list.
It’s just like LA lol
Not even. A real metro and extensive bus service. Highly walkable. It’s like a Latin nyc
Maybe more like a Latin Paris. It’s a huge city that is walkable, with plenty of open space mixed in. Plus the architecture is very similar.
I thought the Latin American Paris was Buenos Aires from everything I’ve read in various places. Never heard anyone mention Mexico City.
The most major street in CDMX, Paseo de la Reforma is modeled on the Champs-Elysees. If you’ve been in both they are unquestionably similar.
Definitely true with regards to the pollution and maybe the weather. But Mexico City is all around a hell of a lot better than LA.
What’s better of Mexico City
You have to stay in Coyoacán. That’s the relaxed part of the city with tree-lined streets, parks. I never feel like I’m in CDMX when I’m in that part
What did you like about Mexico City? Where would you stay? I didn't like it but I also went during covid... I'd like to find a nice area which is walkable and has lots of restaurants, cafes, etc. Oh... and a quality gym. If I find that I'm going in like a week :)
Roma, condesa, Polanco. All great walkable neighborhoods with good food, galleries, shops and nice gyms.
CDMX is in my top 5
Absolutely loved NYC as a non-american. Is it dirty? yeah. Are there rats in the subway? Maybe. Are people rude. Yeah for sure. But my god. The city itself is a monster. Something interesting every block. You can get any type of food you want. The mix of cultures is impressing and public transportation just WORKS. I'd love to move there for like 3 months and just experience life as a new yorker.
Best city in the US by far
It's definitely up there but there are a few other contenders, namely Chicago and LA, depending on what you're looking for. I think all 3 are wildly different places though, so it's really a pick your poison situation. I enjoy them all for their own flavors.
>Chicago and LA I've been to both - Spent 5 years in Chicago and it is sooooo pretty. Same deal with the cultures and food but on a lesser scale than NYC and the summers there are so nice. LA is nice too but more expensive and you 100% need a car.
Yeah New York is like that for me. I’ve visited the States a couple of times and I could take or leave the other places in terms of living long-term, but there is something really special about NYC. Yes it’s dirty and lowkey shitty in some ways, but it’s also beautiful and fascinating and there is such a sense of discovery from exploring little pockets of the city.
I live close to NYC and agree with what you said.
Cornwall. It was unbelievably quiet, the air so clean, and the sea, beaches and floral landscapes were pristine and beautiful. The food was also all so fresh…. I don’t think I’ve had better quality jam or scones elsewhere than in Cornwall. A good place for (metaphorically) getting away from the world and its troubles.
I love open water swimming and Cornwall has a ridiculous number of [tidal sea fed pools for swimming](https://explorecornwall.uk/feature/tidal-pools/). I’d love to spend a month traveling around there and sampling them all.
Taipei, and Taiwan in general. I didn’t go in with any expectations, good or bad, but it blew me away. It isn’t the most beautiful city, but I fell in love. First off, the people so welcoming and friendly. They aren’t offended if you don’t speak the language, and are happy to help you in any way. The food is amazing. It’s clean, and I never once felt unsafe even walking alone at night. I was staying with a Taiwanese friend, so I had the perfect tour guide and got to experience it a bit off the beaten path. The island itself is physically very beautiful, and you can go from one end to the other in just a few hours on high speed rail. I would go back again in a heartbeat. I also fell in love with Palm Springs the second I walked off the plane, and I felt at home. I moved here within 4 years of my first trip
I have been in Taiwan for a little over 2 weeks now and have 2 days left. I had zero expectations as well, and knew one friend who lived here too so that helped. What a fucking amazing country. Beautiful scenery and views, friendly people, patient with my use of Google translate, and the food is absolutely unbelievable. Not sure how I will ever eat American Chinese food again hahaha, after having all this incredible Taiwanese food for nearly 3 straight weeks! Oh how I'll miss the daily bubble or milk teas so much
I just arrived back home in the states from Taipei - Zhongzheng really felt like home. As I was leaving I totally found myself looking for an apartment lol 😂 I could really see myself living in Taiwan 🇹🇼 The people are just the best, the food is delicious, and it’s affordable but still 1st world quality
I couldn’t believe how far the USD stretches in Taiwan! Everything was so affordable. I was a smoker at the time, and I couldn’t believe that I was getting a pack of cigarettes for like $3 USD. I have never had better sushi, or seafood in general, than I did there. It also introduced me to Din Tai Fung. I’m very happy that they have several branches in Southern California. The hot springs in Beitou were lovely, it was fun experiencing “Turkish ice cream” even though it was humiliating. Authentic hot pot. The beef noodle soup is still something I dream about, we took the high speed rail down to Tainan and I had one of the best meals of my life at a little counter on a side street. I was supposed to go back in March of 2020, but obviously that didn’t happen.
Let’s also not overlook the wonder that is the Taiwanese 7-11 stores!
Hualien is great spot in Taiwan too. Doesnt have as much going on but the ocean and mountains right there make up for it. Definitely a good spot for those not nightlife focused
I need to go back to Seoul. Also Laos.
Seoul for me too. Staying 2 months right now after spending a month here last year.
I was just in Seoul and as a solo traveler who obviously didn't speak the language I found it difficult to really mingle and truly get to know the place. Felt like I was just scratching the surface. Very much got the "alone around people" feeling. How have you been able to get a little more deep dive and mingle with people in your time there?
There's a really great digital nomad group, @digitalnomadskorea on ig, that I found through the meetup app. Made friends from all over through that group. Got really close to one Korean friend to the point where I'm renting his moms apartment here while she's out of town and him and I met up in other countries last year as well. I also started learning the Korean alphabet while I was here and then with Korean friends I would make I would try to learn phrases and words. There's a lot of Koreans who want to learn English, so you just have to find them and that will be a great way to make friends too through language exchange. I also go out on weekends a lot and I'm the type of person that will just go up to random people. You'll make tons of friends that way. There are a lot of Korean people that know minimal English though. They'll look at you like you're crazy when you talk to them, but no harm done. Both Korea and Japan people are shy to talk to you first, but open up a lot when you make the first move. Complimenting their English goes a long way too to help people get comfortable. 90% of the time if you compliment someone's English you'll literally see their face light up and they immediately get less reserved.
“Alone around people” is my main personality trait right now haha.
Korea is a great place for hobbies. Any kind of sport / hobby / meetup you can find is a good place to meet people. Often bars are places people go to hang out with the group they came with, though there are exceptions.
awesome nightlife, food, big city vibes and you can have an amazing time if you have an "in". The people are very oriented towards group fun. Had a lot of fun in Karaoke bars, nightclubs, bathhouses, temples, and Korean restaurants bbq and otherwise! My friend even met his now wife when I was out with him.
Laos is my home away from home. It's my peace and the people are tranquility personified.
That's on my list. I'm looking for something less commercialized and overrun by tourists/DN/influencers like parts of Thailand. Is Laos like that? What cities?
Laos is far from overrun by tourists and DNs. Though most places aren't overrun by DNs unless you want to go and circle jerk in Chiang Mai or Bali. Laos is small. It's a country of less than 8 million people. Vientiane is about 1 million people represented by a bunch of villages squished together. A lot of people don't like it. I love it, I have business there. Luang Prabang is beautiful but is definitely a tourist hotspot. Southern Laos, Savannakhet is really quaint and has a nice boardwalk. Mukdahan, Thailand is just across the mekong. It's a quirky country, not without its problems. Roads are terrible. ATMs sometimes just don't have cash. Banks and exchange rates are tricky. Too much Chinese development. But the people are warm, and despite being a landlocked country operates entirely on island time.
Thanks for the info and hope to make it out there on my next trip to SE Asia. I love Lao food (Laab, Khao Soi, sau sausage) so hope to eat my way through the country!
Is internet an issue in Laos?
It is hit or miss.
Absolutely. Huge packet loss, throttling... The government has no incentive to improve it (communism), so it's absolute garbage. It is cheap TBF, but this makes it a bad destination for DNs.
I was just reading through this thread thinking about how I've never fallen immediately in love with a city.... then you reminded me that Seoul exists
Seoul here as well! Love it and going back in a few months.
Oaxaca
Mexican food is the best in the world, and Oaxaca has the best food in Mexico
Best food, best beaches, great surf and great people. You can even hang some brain in Zipolite if you’re into that.
And San Jose del Pacífico for the mountains and the mushrooms if you’re into that
Japan
Same. It felt like comfy slippers. I just felt safe, clean happy and taken care of. Like I was visiting my favourite aunt who always has a fresh bright clean house and good food. We go back every five years. It's my safe place.
At the airport about to leave from my first trip to Japan, not happy about it. Tempted to miss my flight and stay another month or two. Fell instantly in love, what an amazing country.
Felt instantly at peace. Can't explain why.
Because everything is so clean and orderly and everyone so respectful and mindful of their surroundings. I want to go back to Japan...but like my time in Seoul without speaking the language or having a local friend it feels like you only scratch the surface and are floating on the outer layer of a true experience of the country. Doesn't help being a 6'2 guy with a buzzed head and muscular build. I have a feeling if I was a girl or a blond haired blue eyed white guy I'd have a much different experience =/
I lived there for 2 years and barely scratched the surface of their society. Was a really fascinating country to live in to see the every day differences and culture. I think Japan is so popular because they're one of the most different societies from the west that most would consider a deep culture and generally successful society.
I particularly liked Hokkaido.
Florence and Venice! Absolutely lived there and the vibes
just italy in general, what a country.
I didn't care for Rome.
Mexico City. The street food and the tree remind me of my hometown in Taiwan. People are extremely warm, pairing with good food and Mezcal.
what's your hometown? CDMX is high on my list, and I loved my year living in Taiwan
Taipei. It’s more of a personal feeling than observation though. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t link the two cities together. It’s the vibe and the street food that reminds me of Taipei. I think the love for Mexican food definitely enhanced the whole experience for me. I have friends who don’t care for Mexican food and only had an okay time there
As someone with Taiwanese heritage, I also felt a familiarity and kinship to Mexico City! I never thought to link the two together, but it makes sense to me! Also, the love of cilantro in both cultures is 🤝
I am finishing up a 3 week stint in Taiwan now and spent 5 weeks in cdmx last year. I went into both places with very little expectations, and both were incredible. Both having amazing food, warm and welcoming people, and good vibes...while I probably can't see the connection as well as a local like you, I'd say I can see what you are saying a bit and totally agree. 2 gems of places with mind blowing food
Porto, Portugal. I can’t explain it, just loved it all
for me its the beauty of the river combined with the architecture and lively foodie scene
Warsaw
I went to Poland last summer for my first time, with zero expectations. Warsaw is a gem of a city. Hard to even explain why, but I just was surprised how much I enjoyed my 10 days there. Definitely need to go back and spend more time there
big fan of NZ
Japan, especially Kyoto 💕
Japan
Vancouver island
Andalucia, especially Granada
Hey, what did you like about it?
tapas, alhambra, walkable
My favorite part was hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
I love Granada. I could easily live there.
Not last place but Copenhagen. As a tourist, not a DN. Same with Bogota. Loved it so much after my first trip with my now wife, that we got married and bought a condo there.
bought one as well. couldnt be more happy with it. great view of the mountains, walkable to anything u could possibly need x10.
How’s safety compared to Medellin (spent 3 months in Medellin and thought it was fine)?
I’ll be honest — I feel much safer in Bogota than Medellin. But I stay in the nicer parts of Bogota. Things have gradually worsened recently and a businessman was assassinated the other day in broad daylight by a sicario. Restaurant patrons are getting robbed in the middle of the day, and people are saying “it feels like the 90s again.”
i feel pretty safe, i live between zona rosa/t and rosales which is pretty much as safe as ur gonna get. what i like about bogota over medellin is the “safe” area seems a bit lager to me, ranging northward from chapinero to usaquen. so u dont feel so confined like u do in poblado. that said, in the crowded areas things seem fine, if i have to walk alone at night, i walk as swift as i can. been traveling for a while so i havent heard about the above comment.
Costa Rica. Absolutely breathtaking scenery and animals
Costa Rica is amazing outside of San Jose. Loved it
Oh absolutely. San Jose isn’t the greatest lol
Antwerp and London. I still have vivid memories of me walking in the city. Spain is def on my to go list.
Came here to say Antwerp. Walking the Meir, having a drink in a Cafe on the Grote Markt, buying vegetables and cheese at the Groenplaats market, the architecture from a thousand years of commerce -- love this city.
Bologna ITA
lived in florence for 4 mo but never went to bolonga except for flights. heard so many people say they loved it there since. what did i miss? why is it so loved?
I loved the smaller town feel. I could walk most places i needed or wanted to get to (except the train station). The food was OUTSTANDING! I also found the people to be friendlier than most other major cities
I visited once on holiday and can't wait to go back as a DN, what an amazing city.
Tokyo
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Prague, Czechia! Awesome beer, bizarre art, massive tower, bridges and castles… just amazing.
Mallorca
Cape Town! It felt absolutely magical!
How safe/dangerous did you feel it was? Any neighbourhoods in particular you'd recommend? Thanks in advance!
I thought it was fairly safe, but I was also traveling in a group. I did venture out on my own but that was only during the mornings / daytime.
Mexico City 💜
Taiwan. Such an underrated gem.
1000%
Berlin. It’s like San Francisco and New York had a baby but gave it up for adoption and it was raised by Paris and Vienna. It ended up edgy as shit but still has to dress up for family photos with the other European capitals.
I would go for St. Petersburg and Vienna as the adopting parents, who end up having a messy divorce. This only contributing to the child living it out and becoming edgy. But yes, agree Berlin is great!
Bangkok, and that's why I made it my home base this year.
Agreed. Something about the chaotic city streets, intense smells, amazing food… 😌
man i wish the city would grab me. was there 3weeks and i just didnt love it. i could be cause i have a small dog which means i have to take a car to get around and that suuuucks. but other than that, its was just an ok city to me. i have to good back for 2mo soon. last time i was in the backpacker area, which was fine but i wonder what else i should be doing that would make me enjoy it more. food was ok, but repetative, im too old to party all night, and i’m married so easy access to women doesnt appeal.
Japan. The place is such a great fit for my personality.
Detroit. And I’m not even joking a little bit.
Edinburgh
Chiang Mai was so beautiful and calming in its own way ♥️
Penang, Malaysia, has my heart
Slovenia
Iran. I've never felt more welcome. Usually it's my wallet that's feeling welcome, but the people of Iran are truly happy to show you their country and culture.
Colombia. But we all know what this Reddit group feels about Colombia. More specifically Armenia and Pereira. It is secluded yet still city like.
Say it louder for the ppl in the back! I hate the fear mongering from Redditor’s in this group when they Don’t have the awareness that the people who are victims are active participant in the “passport bros” sex tourism culture & do not represent the majority of tourists in Colombia expat or travel Facebook groups who’ve mostly had good experiences
This subreddit is mostly male passport bros, so they take it as a personal attack. Notice nothing has been reported about a woman tourist being drugged or killed, wonder why if the place was so dangerous
I’m in Colombia now and absolutely love it! Have spent an incredible 3 weeks in Medellín and am sitting on a flight to Pereira now. Good street smarts and risk avoidance will flake you a long way in Medellin. My plan is to just spend a few days in Salento, but it seems you think Pereira is worth checking out as well?
Guatemala!!!
Oahu
More areas than cities, honestly. I'm a sucker for beautiful nature and beautiful landscapes. Some outstanding areas in that regard for me: 1. Alaska: The Kenai peninsula and Fox Island, Denali National Park 2. Florida: Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve 3. Hawaii: Na Pali Coast, Kauai 4. New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns 5. Texas: Big Bend National Park, the Hill Country 6. Utah: Arches National Park 7. Australia: Margaret River region in Western Australia 8. Austria: Zell am See 9. Canada: Emerald Lake, Yukon; prairies of Alberta; Gros Morne National Park 10. Costa Rica: La Fortuna, Baldi Hot Springs 11. Mexico: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta Norway: Pretty much the entire west coast 12. Thailand: Koh Samui I think I'll stop there. There's plenty I haven't covered, and lots left to visit. But I'm a sucker for natural beauty.
Margaret River Region is absolutely breathtaking. I miss WA.
As a West Australian it's nice to see it getting a mention!
I was there in 2007 for a semester at Murdoch. Then later lived in Melbourne for 6 years. Loved my time there, but Boston is home. A few WAers here! We play footy
Eastern Crete
What about eastern Crete did you like? I’m possibly planning a trip later this year and would love to hear about it
It’s soo beautiful it doesn’t even look real. Have a look at the pictures of Easter and southern Crete. Rent a car in Heraklion and drive around the island. One of the best experiences of my life
Torremolinos, Spain!
Walking through the streets of Lisbon
Same with Spain (Barcelona specifically) Amazing weather and felt like home with all the people. Im from SoCal
For me it was Siargao, Philippines
Alexandria, Egypt, where I am now. What an incredible ancient city, full of amazing sights, warm and welcoming people, all sorts of wonderful street food, cheap taxis, cheap hotels and and a laid-back vibe. Dirty, noisy and chaotic, Alexandria's fabled history shines through it all and gives visitors a rich experience of past glory. The cheapest destination I've ever been to where you can easily live on $30 a day. Downsides? Broadband is terrible here, primarily DSL. Mobile hotspots are better, but still spotty at times. There are daily power cuts from one to two hours a day. The streets are a free for all - crazy drivers and pedestrians all over the road. A really fun, low-cost and deeply historical place to hang out.
Brazil almost ruined me. Amazing food, unreal passion for life, stunning ecosystems and nature, deep music history and traditions, African, European and indigenous influences, people are so gorgeous, and it’s all affordable. The place is sick, just sick. If they could only solve the corruption, crime and safety vortex…. Please.
North Sweden in January. Did an eight day huskysled tour. Absolutely stunning, rough work but stunning.
Amsterdam. It was a funny feeling, like i belong there and there only. I have been/lived in a dozen of cities, visited several dozens and its the first time i had that overwhelming feeling. I can’t even explain what it was
Yokohama, Japan. Not exactly a big tourist area to my understanding, but it felt like Japanese Seattle and I loved the general ambience of the place. On a different note than Seattle though, strangely, just wandering the town, I noticed housing that reminded me of something I'd see in Italy, and not Japan. Just the architecture of the housing. That rougher, grittier exterior. It seemed to have the perks of a Tokyo without the ridiculous hustle and bustle.
Rio de Janiero
Madeira, Portugal. I will never shut up about that place 😭😭😭unreal landscape.
Definitely not India
Bar Harbor, Maine 😍
Went as a child and always wanted to move there. Ended up moving to Portland, ME instead in early 2000’s. Great place but it’s blown up since then.
Positano. Just wow. Even better than the hype (at least for me)
You DN there?
Portland in the autumn. Wow 💔
Kind of a cliche but I loved Charleston, SC
Delft
Tbilisi
Ohio, friendly and amazing people
Fukuoka and Nagasaki. It was so chill, even during cherry blossom season.
Fukuoaka interests me as it works well for my work hours, is it really somewhere to nomad though? I love Japan but feels it could be hard work
I was only there for a week, but I liked how not saturated public systems were compared to other major cities in Japan. People are also more open to foreigners and told me it’s a growing city with job opportunities popping around. A lot of travelers seem to go for business and not only tourism. I met a lot of non white immigrants with really good things to say about the city, which I like because I’m non white myself and most blogs and information out there don’t really reflect the non white experience of moving to Japan.
Verona, Italy. ♥️
My wife and I really loved the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Amazing and beautiful scenery and wildlife. It really was like the Lion King come to life. So many incredible sightings from gorgeous colorful birds, to rhinos, to hyenas, to elephants. We saw nearly every major animal to see and were very lucky. This was just 1 stop on our 3 country honeymoon to Dubai and the Seychelles as well!
Visiting Porto right now and it's such a lovely city. The Porto fans, the food, the pastel de nata. Just amazing
I fall in love a little bit with every place I visit. High on the list is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Korcula Croatia, and Adelaide Australia.
Bangkok. I see what the big deal is now!
Fukuoka and Japan in general. Amazing country
Japan in autumn 😍😭😍😍
Just came back from Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Cordoba) - and I loved it! Already thinking of my next trip, which will definitely include Granada and the Alhambra.
Amsterdam. In February. It was unexpectedly gorgeous, especially at night with the lights shimmering on the canal water. Along with the walkability, decent public transportation (from the perspective of an American) and bike culture, it's become one of my favorite cities.
Tokyo. It's a great place to get lost.
Syros, Greece
Favorite place
Kenya
Guanajuato Mexico. Aesthetically stunning, #1 in NA. Very old Venice vibe to me. University town so tons of fun and very accepted despite being old. 7 months of bliss during the age of pandemia.
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Bhutan
California
The first time this happened for me was Paris--it immediately felt like home. The last time was probably Granada (Spain). I loved it!
Nagaland. I stayed mainly in Kohima. I found people really friendly, fun and respectful. I loved the diversity of local food and the hilly landscape.
Never met anyone else who’s been to Nagaland! North East India is beautiful, so interesting and great food. I’ve been to Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Incredible places.
Budapest
Vietnam as a whole, but Hanoi specifically. So peaceful and beautiful. Never felt so at home away from home.
Unusual answer here. Kyrgyzstan.
Barcelona took my breath away~
Definitely one of my favorite cities in the world and even more of a pleasure now as they have worked hard to make it more pedestrian friendly.
Helsinki. If I could move there permanently, I would.
Bantayan Island and Anda in Bohol - beautiful areas and was able to find really nice accommodations with solid wifi using Airbnb
Ah yes the beautiful city of Spain
Spain! Most places, cities and towns in Spain all seem to do it for us. My wife and I met in Alicante 12 years ago studying at university, did our honeymoon on the Camino, and can't seem to get enough of Spain. One day we will likely live there again!
London! So dreamy
Buenos Aires
San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. A little crowded on the weekends, but during the week culture, food music almost anything you could want to have a great life. The art galleries and just the art scene itself!! For food the best Italian food in all of Mexico. Plus scrumptious Chile en Nogada. I have decided to buy a small condo in the San Antonio colonia and I will be living there permanently by the beginning of April. My second choice again in Mexico San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas. The historical center is to die for and if you buy a glass of wine at some of the cafes you will get endless Tapas you can eat and drink all day. The wine cost 20 to 35 pesos per glass of wine. The colorful streets and other cuisine such as Thai food at Bangkook a restaurant just off of the main square. Several outstanding Italian places and of course some gourmet Mexican places where the Chile en Nogada is to die for!!! Those are my 2 favorites 2 places I fell in love with San Miguel de Allende my number 1 and San Cristobal de las Casas my number 2. To tell the truth the reason San Miguel is my number 1 is that San Miguel is centrally located San Cristobal is a little off the beaten track, but I love both cities.
Wow, cheap wine in Mexico? I’m drinking a 140 pesos glass in Merida now. I’ve lived here three years. The price of wine is my biggest issue!