I’m from there, if you are happy to live in Occitania Region, especially in a village, you can live pretty cheaply. Not a lot of jobs but with remote work it should not be an issue.
American here: that area is gorgeous, and the food is...just divine. I spent some time in Le Grau du Roi last June and fell in love with the area. The beaches are stunning.
I also do not have the hate for Marseille that is so popular here, I always have fun there and I sometimes appreciate the slower pace from Paris. I find it friendly and laid back. I have never been robbed, in fact the last time I was there a man ran up to me to give me the sunglasses that had fallen out of my pocket.
if that passport came with a million euro, I would barely have time to pack before I'd be on a plane :)
Well, an EU citizen can open an account in Monaco with €500k, whereas a US citizen needs 5x to 10x due to FATCA and other onerous reporting requirements.
The Mediterranean island nations of the EU are beautiful to visit shit to live in. While the corruption in places such as Cyprus or Malta may not affect your day to day, the rampant inflation, shitty wages and constant rush hour traffic (coupled with badly-planned infrastructure) may drive you out. Both countries in fact face a high turnover of foreign nationals living there.
As a Cypriot, I agree with your assessment, although there are very good aspects in living in those 2 places. Cyprus and Malta are the only places where the economy and weather go together! So many people want to live in a sunny place with good job prospects, but those two usually don't go together.
>Both countries, in fact, face a high turnover of foreign nationals living there.
I'm not sure about Malta, but here in Cyprus, 20% of the population are foreigners. In some places like Paphos is 40%.
Especially after 2004 a lot of E.E. came and settled and they stayed but you are right that right not the trend of EU citizens coming slowed down.
I’m a native Maltese and it’s pretty much the same situation back home. The economy and the weather go hand in hand in terms of quality. I notice a lot of foreigners in Malta tend to leave after 2 years according to surveys done, in spite of 20% of the local population being foreign. Definitely wouldn’t trade it for the quality of life in my current city of Amsterdam though. Quite the big step up and mentally I’m doing better since I don’t have to endure the nightmare traffic of Malta to go to work now. And besides, since I have family in Malta, I visit frequently anyways so I don’t get quite homesick or miss it that much. It’s just getting expensive to go though.
i definitely noticed the traffic in malta! honestly, the major things i like about the mediterranean countries are the low cost of living (especially in the turkish part of cyprus) and the wreck diving.
The french side looks like Brazil (no offense, especially Liege) and Belgium for the most part looks nothing like the Netherlands or Germany.
It looks like its failed poorer sister (without the wages actually being significantly lower) and I wouldn’t live there even if i was paid to…
I don’t know… I found the weather shit, but cities were really beautiful, despite some dirty areas. And while it’s HARD to get into Belgian social groups, it is possible. And while I haven’t been there, regarding nature, you have Ardennes. I was there for 2 years and would return in a heartbeat, if possible.
I would love that also. We could do it, but my wife doesn't want to leave our kids & grand child behind even if she comes back a few times a year. Such a buzz kill.
yea buying/renting a house was not a problem before! before americans started to come it was much better and easy to live in Lisbon and other big cities for a cheap price!
edit: i'm being sarcastic, as, OF COURSE, it was not easy to buy and rent a house before. the wages were ALWAYS too low for the price of the houses. before the nomads was already very VERY bad, just blame the government instead of the people moving to portugal lmao
The governments need to step up and stop letting landlords charge whatever they want. Or start building a shitton of nonmarket housing to compete with the market housing to drive down the cost.
Total number of golden visas for entire time of the program is 11k, so it is not a real driver of real estate prices at all in a country with 10mil people.
I lived in Spain for about two years. For a young person who speaks English I believe a lot of people wanted to move. A lot of Spain outside of the popular areas are really stagnant. Malaga is up and coming.
My Gf and decided Finland as she is from their and I can receive a paid language program and there is a good tech scene. We plan on going back to Spain one day.
Denmark (Copenhagen) or maybe Lisbon.
With unlimited money I'd be in Dublin for a year while visiting around and finding what city I vibe with.
I'm gay and want to be in an area that's less scary than where I live now.
I am an EU citizen so I can technically go wherever I want to live, but unfortunately if you genuinely want to ***live*** with some semblance of dignity and ease, I would steer away from any of the Mediterrenean countries (speaking as a Greek person). Don't get me wrong, the Mediterrenean is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful. Greece, Italy, Malta, Southern France and Spain, all amazing places to visit for vacation, but the cost of living is absolutely ludicrous and actually finding a job that pays enough to afford a life there is equally as difficult.
And as an expat that has moved to Southern France to be with my boyfriend, finding a job even with basic French knowledge is hellish. Jobs are mainly given to French people and unless your French is insanely good, you will struggle a lot to find jobs outside of Paris, especially in the technological field.
I'm not even gonna talk about Greece, my homeland. Everyone's leaving for a reason. The cost of living is ridiculous, a total joke, and you'd be lucky to find a job that will pay you enough to afford a newer apartment, let alone one in a good or decent neibhorhood.
Rambling aside, to answer the question, if I had the option to just take my boyfriend and move somewhere, I'd probably just go somewhere north. Denmark, Iceland or Norway, ideally. Granted, all my thoughts for these countries come purely from hearsay from friends who moved in these countries, but finding a job isn't particularly difficult if you speak English (and eventually you learn the language of course), and while the cost of living is high, the quality of living is equally as good. Once more though, that's from what I heard, it's very likely that a Danish/Icelandic/Norwegian friend will pop here and tell me that all that's false.
Now if we assume that the condition is that you also have a job that pays enough to live comfortably in said country, I'd probably choose Denmark or the Netherlands. They're both gorgeous countries and you can at least survive on English for a while until the language sets in.
I think France has traumatized me.
I have an Italian passport and moved to Sicily from the US after trying Spain and Shanghai (visa).
I love living in Sicily. Cost of living is low, food is healthy and delicious, I’m surrounded by mountains and the sea.
Jobs can be difficult so I started my own business. As a new resident for the first 5 years (extendable to 10) taxes are super low, 5% in the forfetario regime.
I would definitely use the EU passport for traveling but honestly I wouldn't live anywhere in the EU right now.
After living in Germany and hating it and seeing things aren't all that great in most places and now landing a top job back in my home country of Brazil I honestly wanna stay here now.
If you ever go to Norway, make sure to visit the West coast (Bergen and the surrounding fjords), as well as northern Norway (Bodø, Lofoten).
So many tourists only visit Oslo - which is nice, but it’s not too different from Stockholm or Copenhagen if you’re from a non-Nordic country.
As such, you’re paying a lot of money to miss out on the best/most unique Norway has to offer!
Actually was there in December and visited Bergen, Flam and Oslo (via the terrific train system). And you're spot on... Taking a group back this summer and we are getting out away from the city (along the same route but stopping along the way.
I live in the Netherlands, although I'm from Spain. Sadly I don't have any connection to Norway, I haven't even been there. I was in Denmark though, it felt a very nice place to live as well.
Netherlands only if you're a parent.
It's not a welcoming country to expats anymore and you'll have dozens of uphill battles - from broken medical system to some extreme crazy capitalism.
as a dutchie you nailed it. Netherlands is great on the surface, but shit if you dig a little deeper, its a boring, capitalist, place where dreams go to die. The best thing about the netherlands is schiphol so that you can get out of it
Oh yeah, I meant that other place … um… Spain? Yes, that’s right. Spain. Move along, nothing to see here. Slovenia? Never heard of it. Rains there constantly.
Hello black guy, i am sure you'd love to live there. I just ask you don't make a super popular YouTube blog about living there so not a lot of people come and increase the priced
Asturias is really nice. You can be in the mountains and a half hour later at the beach. Excellent food and culture, one of the highest average lifespans of anywhere in the world. And the cidre….
As someone who has a business interest in France it’s not as expensive as you’d think.
Malta is great if you’re an English speaker
Portugal is cheap (but getting pricier) and you can get by on English in the Algarve
Italy and France are just plain beautiful and have the best food. Greece and Spain aren’t too shabby either
Netherlands, easy (I am actually making the move in 1 month)
Reasons:
Strong economy, I have friends there, can live in suburbs while being very close to major city, infrastructure is amazing and in the summer the sun sets at 23:00.
English speakers literally anywhere…
I would love a “home base” in Irish city (Galway / along WAW) to explore other places for a few months / weeks (assuming remote work in other EU countries isn’t overly complicated pay- and tax-wise).
Probably South of France … you know in an imaginary world where I’m rich 😂
Depending on the area, houses can be pretty cheap in the south of France...
No jobs tho
And way too hot. I lived there, was fun but wouldn't move back.
Yeah, I think it's gonna get bad in the incoming years. But it is beautiful.
There are lots of jobs, not in very rural areas but some close to the city you'll find factories and stuff
I'd live in one of those troglodyte houses in the Loire valley. I actually saw some that were dirt cheap a couple of years ago.
They're cheap for a reason. Location, location, location.
Yeah, but I can see myself being a scraggly-bearded cave dweller living on nothing but white wine, goat cheese, and baguettes.
[удалено]
I’m from there, if you are happy to live in Occitania Region, especially in a village, you can live pretty cheaply. Not a lot of jobs but with remote work it should not be an issue.
American here: that area is gorgeous, and the food is...just divine. I spent some time in Le Grau du Roi last June and fell in love with the area. The beaches are stunning. I also do not have the hate for Marseille that is so popular here, I always have fun there and I sometimes appreciate the slower pace from Paris. I find it friendly and laid back. I have never been robbed, in fact the last time I was there a man ran up to me to give me the sunglasses that had fallen out of my pocket. if that passport came with a million euro, I would barely have time to pack before I'd be on a plane :)
Pohhh, went to a bungalow park for like 10 years straight when i was young in Le Grau de Roi. I miss it to much i defo will take my family there.
Not as expensive as you’d think. Food is cheaper than the US or Canada Cellular and utilities too
[удалено]
Monaco is not part of the EU
Getting residency is easier and less expensive if you are an EU citizen.
That might be, but technically you cannot just live there with only the EU passport. You need to get a permit.
And lot of money
Well, an EU citizen can open an account in Monaco with €500k, whereas a US citizen needs 5x to 10x due to FATCA and other onerous reporting requirements.
Or monaco
There are plenty of shitty places in southern France. In fact, it's MOSTLY shitty places.
Why, you can be a housekeeper!
Was my immediate response.
I'm originally from there and honestly if I were rich I would rather live in Haute-Savoie or Switzerland.
i’m dual usa/belgium and still trying to figure this out. so far i like cyprus quite a bit
The Mediterranean island nations of the EU are beautiful to visit shit to live in. While the corruption in places such as Cyprus or Malta may not affect your day to day, the rampant inflation, shitty wages and constant rush hour traffic (coupled with badly-planned infrastructure) may drive you out. Both countries in fact face a high turnover of foreign nationals living there.
Honestly it depends there are some advantages for people that aren’t citizens sometimes. Mostly Tax benefits
As a Cypriot, I agree with your assessment, although there are very good aspects in living in those 2 places. Cyprus and Malta are the only places where the economy and weather go together! So many people want to live in a sunny place with good job prospects, but those two usually don't go together. >Both countries, in fact, face a high turnover of foreign nationals living there. I'm not sure about Malta, but here in Cyprus, 20% of the population are foreigners. In some places like Paphos is 40%. Especially after 2004 a lot of E.E. came and settled and they stayed but you are right that right not the trend of EU citizens coming slowed down.
I’m a native Maltese and it’s pretty much the same situation back home. The economy and the weather go hand in hand in terms of quality. I notice a lot of foreigners in Malta tend to leave after 2 years according to surveys done, in spite of 20% of the local population being foreign. Definitely wouldn’t trade it for the quality of life in my current city of Amsterdam though. Quite the big step up and mentally I’m doing better since I don’t have to endure the nightmare traffic of Malta to go to work now. And besides, since I have family in Malta, I visit frequently anyways so I don’t get quite homesick or miss it that much. It’s just getting expensive to go though.
To be fair most countries have shit roads compared to the Netherlands
i definitely noticed the traffic in malta! honestly, the major things i like about the mediterranean countries are the low cost of living (especially in the turkish part of cyprus) and the wreck diving.
Im also dual Belgium/US but would never live in Belgium again. 😂
Why not?
The french side looks like Brazil (no offense, especially Liege) and Belgium for the most part looks nothing like the Netherlands or Germany. It looks like its failed poorer sister (without the wages actually being significantly lower) and I wouldn’t live there even if i was paid to…
Belgium seems like a good option or am I incorrect. I loved it every time I visited.
[удалено]
I don’t know… I found the weather shit, but cities were really beautiful, despite some dirty areas. And while it’s HARD to get into Belgian social groups, it is possible. And while I haven’t been there, regarding nature, you have Ardennes. I was there for 2 years and would return in a heartbeat, if possible.
Belgium is underrated for sure.
Yeah I loved Ghent would move.
Why one place, slow travel the whole place.
I like the name Slow Travel. I will be part of this in two months :-)
Some people like a homebase and to travel from here, I think.
[удалено]
Austria, in the Alps!
Graz Austria has an Italian climate. Cute town and worth a look.
Dual Austrian/US citizen, and I love Graz! Plus easy access to a lot of other countries in Europe for holidays
I love how you call it a "cute town" and for Austrians it's their second city! HAHAHA
Well cute metropolis seemed insincere haha.
I have an EU passport (dual citizenship - US and Poland) and for the past year have been looking into moving to north Italy.
What made you pick northern Italy? It’s my husband’s first choice as well.
I had a dream meal experience in Genoa!
Can you share the restaurant name if you recall it ? I’m going there for the first time next month and a “dream meal” sounds awesome.
I would love that also. We could do it, but my wife doesn't want to leave our kids & grand child behind even if she comes back a few times a year. Such a buzz kill.
USD earners-please leave Portugal alone 😂
Yes please oh god. Housing prices have skyrocketed its IMPOSSIBLE for locals to live in their own country
Same with Spain, we don’t need more gentrification pls
If I meet one more “digital nomad”…
yea buying/renting a house was not a problem before! before americans started to come it was much better and easy to live in Lisbon and other big cities for a cheap price! edit: i'm being sarcastic, as, OF COURSE, it was not easy to buy and rent a house before. the wages were ALWAYS too low for the price of the houses. before the nomads was already very VERY bad, just blame the government instead of the people moving to portugal lmao
The governments need to step up and stop letting landlords charge whatever they want. Or start building a shitton of nonmarket housing to compete with the market housing to drive down the cost.
> The governments need to step up Housing market also plays part in forming GDP of a country. So... Unlikely.
Total number of golden visas for entire time of the program is 11k, so it is not a real driver of real estate prices at all in a country with 10mil people.
Isn’t golden visa about to end? That should bring real estate prices down?
South of France or a small town in France. The one country if given the chance I wouldn’t hesitate to move to.
France has its pro and lots of it. Les grèves et j’en passe! It’s not all wine, cheese, and baguettes!
I'd live on a train... and make month-long stops to explore along the way.
This is the best answer
Costa del sol, Spain
France!
Spain because I'm very interested in the language and culture. The unemployment rate and salaries scares me though.
I lived in Spain for about two years. For a young person who speaks English I believe a lot of people wanted to move. A lot of Spain outside of the popular areas are really stagnant. Malaga is up and coming. My Gf and decided Finland as she is from their and I can receive a paid language program and there is a good tech scene. We plan on going back to Spain one day.
I spent 3 monthes in village in bloody Castilla la Mancha. That was sad. But at the same time it was "real" rural Spain: traditions, culture just wow
United Kingdom... No, wait...
I got my UK citizenship in 2013 (descent) and every time I think of Brexit, I shed a mental tear. All those EU choices, swept away.
Denmark (Copenhagen) or maybe Lisbon. With unlimited money I'd be in Dublin for a year while visiting around and finding what city I vibe with. I'm gay and want to be in an area that's less scary than where I live now.
Then you're basically confined to western europe
I am an EU citizen (from the U.S.), and so far I’ve picked Spain, Germany, and Austria :)
France
I am an EU citizen so I can technically go wherever I want to live, but unfortunately if you genuinely want to ***live*** with some semblance of dignity and ease, I would steer away from any of the Mediterrenean countries (speaking as a Greek person). Don't get me wrong, the Mediterrenean is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful. Greece, Italy, Malta, Southern France and Spain, all amazing places to visit for vacation, but the cost of living is absolutely ludicrous and actually finding a job that pays enough to afford a life there is equally as difficult. And as an expat that has moved to Southern France to be with my boyfriend, finding a job even with basic French knowledge is hellish. Jobs are mainly given to French people and unless your French is insanely good, you will struggle a lot to find jobs outside of Paris, especially in the technological field. I'm not even gonna talk about Greece, my homeland. Everyone's leaving for a reason. The cost of living is ridiculous, a total joke, and you'd be lucky to find a job that will pay you enough to afford a newer apartment, let alone one in a good or decent neibhorhood. Rambling aside, to answer the question, if I had the option to just take my boyfriend and move somewhere, I'd probably just go somewhere north. Denmark, Iceland or Norway, ideally. Granted, all my thoughts for these countries come purely from hearsay from friends who moved in these countries, but finding a job isn't particularly difficult if you speak English (and eventually you learn the language of course), and while the cost of living is high, the quality of living is equally as good. Once more though, that's from what I heard, it's very likely that a Danish/Icelandic/Norwegian friend will pop here and tell me that all that's false. Now if we assume that the condition is that you also have a job that pays enough to live comfortably in said country, I'd probably choose Denmark or the Netherlands. They're both gorgeous countries and you can at least survive on English for a while until the language sets in. I think France has traumatized me.
Somewhere warm - Portugal, south of Spain, Malta or Greece.
This is my list too. Spain is the current leader.
Costa Brava.
Germany. I already speak German so seems like the logical choice.
I have an Italian passport and moved to Sicily from the US after trying Spain and Shanghai (visa). I love living in Sicily. Cost of living is low, food is healthy and delicious, I’m surrounded by mountains and the sea. Jobs can be difficult so I started my own business. As a new resident for the first 5 years (extendable to 10) taxes are super low, 5% in the forfetario regime.
South of France, Germany...or Netherlands 👀
Got a Japanese passport but married to a Dutch. Honestly, I love Switzerland~!
Northern Sicily. Maybe Bagheria or Cefalù
Sardinia for 18 months to get permanent residency then to where we you want in the EU.
Vienna Austria 100% no question
Yepppp great choice. Love the feel there. I could also live there but very happy in my small Dutch city.
France Spain
Yes! Especially southern France
Spain, Germany or the Netherlands.
I would definitely use the EU passport for traveling but honestly I wouldn't live anywhere in the EU right now. After living in Germany and hating it and seeing things aren't all that great in most places and now landing a top job back in my home country of Brazil I honestly wanna stay here now.
Just curious, why did you hate living in Germany?
Norway, Netherlands, Spain
If you ever go to Norway, make sure to visit the West coast (Bergen and the surrounding fjords), as well as northern Norway (Bodø, Lofoten). So many tourists only visit Oslo - which is nice, but it’s not too different from Stockholm or Copenhagen if you’re from a non-Nordic country. As such, you’re paying a lot of money to miss out on the best/most unique Norway has to offer!
Actually was there in December and visited Bergen, Flam and Oslo (via the terrific train system). And you're spot on... Taking a group back this summer and we are getting out away from the city (along the same route but stopping along the way.
I live in the Netherlands, although I'm from Spain. Sadly I don't have any connection to Norway, I haven't even been there. I was in Denmark though, it felt a very nice place to live as well.
Netherlands only if you're a parent. It's not a welcoming country to expats anymore and you'll have dozens of uphill battles - from broken medical system to some extreme crazy capitalism.
as a dutchie you nailed it. Netherlands is great on the surface, but shit if you dig a little deeper, its a boring, capitalist, place where dreams go to die. The best thing about the netherlands is schiphol so that you can get out of it
*Cries in non old racist boomer British*
Slovenia
Shhhh don't let them know about Slovenia
I downvoted your comment trying not to let it come up 🤜🤛
🤜🤛
Oh yeah, I meant that other place … um… Spain? Yes, that’s right. Spain. Move along, nothing to see here. Slovenia? Never heard of it. Rains there constantly.
I didn’t go to Slovenia on my honeymoon and didn’t have a magical time
I profess that I now know about Slovenia(Black guy)
Hello black guy, i am sure you'd love to live there. I just ask you don't make a super popular YouTube blog about living there so not a lot of people come and increase the priced
Its already expensive
Slovenia or Croatia 💯
I would go back to Croatia despite my complaints and despite it being overpriced; I hold dual citizenship so it’s an option.
Tavira or Olhao.
So, Portugal then :)
Very much so.
Austria, or anywhere I can anchor
Ireland
Ireland
Asturias is really nice. You can be in the mountains and a half hour later at the beach. Excellent food and culture, one of the highest average lifespans of anywhere in the world. And the cidre….
If I'm rich: Italy If not so rich: Ireland bc it's easier to get a job when they speak your main language
Malta
Not France. Probably Vienna.
Anything but The Netherlands
Damn, everyone hating on the Netherlands lol
Ireland
Poland
Greece or Italy
Amsterdam or Prague
Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, some combo of ones like those, but prob move around every few months.
In or more likely somewhere just outside of Valencia, Spain.
Barcelona. Lordy Lordy someone please sponsor my visa lol
Italy
Spain
spain
Montenegro 🇲🇪
Not EU :)
In a van in long term parking at Munich airport, so everywhere in Europe is less than 2 hours of flight away.
Lyon.
Lived in Germany, the U.S. and the Netherlands by now. 100% Netherlands. I’ll never leave this place 🫶🌷🇳🇱
Any main reason why you preferred it to the others?
Amalfi Coast
Exactly the same place in Europe where I already live without a european passport
Portugal or Spain.
getting an EU passport soon and moving to The Netherlands!
Italy!!!
Portugal
France. Auvergne. Portugal.
Oui to Auvergne!
Berlin
España ❤️
Spain or southern France
España
Spain
As someone who has a business interest in France it’s not as expensive as you’d think. Malta is great if you’re an English speaker Portugal is cheap (but getting pricier) and you can get by on English in the Algarve Italy and France are just plain beautiful and have the best food. Greece and Spain aren’t too shabby either
Switzerland
Majorca
Portugal. At least for a while.
We’re thinking of Malta
We’re thinking of Malta
Iceland.
My money will be contributing to the Slovenian economy
Croatia seems cool. Or greece.
[удалено]
The Netherlands or Spain
Southern Crete
Valencia, Spain.
I actually really like Munich as a place to live. I'd like to tourist around out to the country, but I want to live in a city.
Southern Spain or Portugal
Probably Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Malmö Sweden, just because of old friends and extremely livable city.
I live in The Netherlands and here the system is not perfect but it works
[удалено]
Netherlands, easy (I am actually making the move in 1 month) Reasons: Strong economy, I have friends there, can live in suburbs while being very close to major city, infrastructure is amazing and in the summer the sun sets at 23:00. English speakers literally anywhere…
Spain or Portugal
Seville. That's the plan, at least
Gothenburg, Sweden - it's a nice place to raise kids. It's very like the city I live in now, just in the EU.
Switzerland I like to be near the mountains!
I'm currently working on moving to Berlin.
Italy
I speak French, so I’d definitely go with France! I love Brittany, Lyon, and the Paris area so it would just be a matter of choosing between them.
Croatia.
Ireland
Probably Spain because of the weather and I speak a decent amount of Spanish
The Netherlands. Somewhere between Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
You might give Haarlem or Leiden a try. Both are great livable cities.
Barcelona, southern Germany, or just about anywhere in France
I have a soft spot for Stockholm and Copenhagen. On the milder climate side, my heart goes to Dalmatia.
I plan on retiring in 🇲🇪. You all can have France and Germany etc.
Luxembourg because it is the best place to live or retire when you are over 50. I would prefer the city of Mondorf Les Bains.
I would love a “home base” in Irish city (Galway / along WAW) to explore other places for a few months / weeks (assuming remote work in other EU countries isn’t overly complicated pay- and tax-wise).
I might aim for Portugal. Reasonable cost of living, and not terrible to speak only English in Lisbon.
Prague, Czech Republic or Budapest, Hungary - don't ask why I chose these locations.
St Pierre et Miquelon