11 Of The Greatest Cities For Living Abroad In 2016

As summer fun cools down and fall routines heat up, it’s about the time of year when true wanderlust sets in. No longer are we looking for the next quick island escape: We want to live, work and thrive in cities that can support our careers as well as our insatiable travel bug.

In short, we want to move abroad. And we’re in luck, because plenty of recent reports on the topic herald many fabulous cities to choose from. 

The lineup below includes some of our favorite cities primed to be cheap for expats this year coupled with information from three major recent studies: HSBC’s annual Expat Explorer survey, for which nearly 27,000 respondents rate countries largely on the ease of balancing career with family life; Eurostat’s Urban Europe report, which meshes statistics with polls about quality of life; and the InterNations Expat Insider survey, which focuses on ease of settling in and making friends. 

Taken together, these resources make one eye-catching wish list for our next global hometown. Take a look, take your pick, and pack your bags!

According to the Urban Europe report, this coastal city is currently experiencing a bump in tourism that tips its hand as a charming place to be. You’ll find cheap rent, great food and glorious beaches here, too.

Toronto earned high marks for its quality of life in not just one but two global surveys this month. Come here if you’re looking to escape crowds and live among friendly neighbors from diverse backgrounds. 

You’ll fall fast and hard for this quaint city that, according to the Urban Europe report, is gaining traction as an “alternative destination.” If fashion, art and a bustling university scene are considered “alternative,” then we’re quite alright to call this home.

Taiwan dominated the InterNations rankings because of its friendly residents and a lucrative economy for finding jobs and saving money. Street markets, cosmopolitan vibes and great food make Taipei the place to be.

Who wouldn’t want to live this close to some of the most iconic surf spots on Earth? In fact, 59 percent of expats in Sydney report they’re more active than they were in their old hometowns, according the Expat Explorer survey.

It isn’t often that a South American city graces a conversation about the best places to move abroad. But we’ll give Santiago kudos any day for its low cost of living and treasure trove of artsy neighborhoods to explore.

High scores for transportation, health and wellbeing brought Austria to the top of InterNations’ rankings as a country. More specifically, the capital city of Vienna is known for being extremely livable. 

To what should be nobody’s surprise, Singapore topped the Expat Explorer ranking for the second year in a row. High incomes and a downright incredible food scene make this place a consistent winner.

InterNations ranked Mexico top for “ease of settling in” for the third year running, as 79 percent of expats say it’s easy to make friends here. We’d choose Mexico City as our hometown for its museums, parks and cutesy coffeeshops. 

When we heard Sofia was one of the cheapest cities for rents in Europe, we couldn’t help but be enthused: If you choose to make this historic city your home, you’ll also be within striking distance of one of Europe’s all-time cheapest beach getaways.

You know Barcelona’s festive beach clubs, but did you know it was also named Europe’s first Capital of Innovation? Urban Europe recommends this city for its seamless integration of technology and public services.