10 Best Places to Live in the World in 2026

Living abroad is amazing and we share the best places to live in the world, depending on what lifestyle you are looking for. 

We have lived in China, Bangkok, Chicago and back to Bangkok (we love Thailand too much! We are happy to say that living abroad is awesome! We love Thailand, it has everything we want right now. We spoke to other expats around the world and have made a list of the best places to live in the world.

Every traveller has had the dream – the idea of upping sticks and living somewhere else. Those itchy feet always have us wanting to explore new cultures, discover amazing landscapes and perhaps even learn a new language.

Why live abroad?

For some, living abroad may seem like a dream whilst others may think it is a crazy, reckless decision. After living abroad for 5 years and counting, we can promise you that there are many advantages to living abroad:

• New Culture – No matter where you move to, you will find a different culture to that of where you live. This makes life exciting and interesting whilst teaching you a new way of looking at things. 
• Different people – By moving to a different country, you can build relationships with different people from around the world. This will give you a new perspective whilst helping you grow and become more accepting of others. 
• Job opportunities – One reason many people move is for job opportunities. As a teacher in the UK, I wasn’t enjoying my job and the workload that comes with teaching in England. By moving to international schools abroad, I have a much better work/life balance and love my job and school. 
• Cost of living – Many people decide to move because of the cost of living. If you can work remotely, moving to a cheaper country will help you save a lot of money. For example, Eastern Europe is a lot more affordable than the UK, so making here will help you have a better lifestyle whilst saving money. 

Types of jobs abroad

There are plenty of jobs that can help you move abroad, in fact, we have a whole working abroad interview series with expats from around the world. 

Here are just a few examples:

• Teaching – Whether it is teaching English or working at international schools, every country in the world needs teachers. This is the route I have taken as a primary school teacher and there are a lot of options out there for teachers. English teachers need to take a TEFL course and can then apply for jobs abroad.
• Cruise workers – Apply for a job on a cruise to travel whilst you work. A popular starting position is in customer service or children’s entertainment. 
• Digital Nomad – Running your own business or brand online is a great way to earn money and work anywhere in the world. This can take time, so build your business to be earning a decent income before packing up your bags. 
• Ski instructor – Particularly amazing at skiing? You can teach others to ski at certain times of the year. 
• An International Aid Worker – Look for humanitarian work options with international organisations such as United Nations, Amnesty International, the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. 

Find jobs abroad on Overseas jobs and choose what works best for you. 

Best Places to Live in the World

1. Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is a backpacker favourite and has long been known as an adventure sports haven, making it one of the best places to live in the world for those that love nature. It is quickly becoming a favourite for those seeking a little more peace and natural beauty.

With just 16,000 people living on the town, overpopulation and crowding are rarely an issue. Yes, you can expect visitors as this is a must on many a New Zealand bucket list but local areas aren’t overcrowded.

Unofficially the area is known as the ‘Southern Lakes’, and the proximity of Lake Wanaka, Lake Wakatipu and Lake Hawea mean that you’ll never run out of fishing, sailing, boating, swimming and diving activities.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and some of the most impressive natural scenery in the world, Queenstown is an ideal destination for nature lovers.

2. Melbourne, Australia

Not everyone seeks quiet and nature, and if you’re looking to move to Australia for a busier social life, then Melbourne is the city for you. It’s known for its energetic nightlife and great work prospects making it one of the best places to live in the world.

Living in Melbourne is made easier with 24-hour public transport, as well as incredibly friendly local people always ready to welcome a newcomer. The Central Business District is one of the best food, drink and party locations; if you’re seeking craft beer, trendy wine bars or fruity cocktails, the CBD is the place to head be. 

There is plenty of things to see and do in Melbourne too, making it a popular choice on your Australia bucket list too.

3. Toronto, Canada

As well as being a city much loved for its welcoming people and multicultural vibes, Toronto is famous for its thriving entertainment scene too and the endless things to do in Toronto. You’ll find the epicentre of the Canadian theatre and film industry here, with the Toronto International Film Festival and the third largest theatre district in the world.

The Church & Wellesley area hosts a lot of the theatres and music venues in the city. You can also find places like the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District, within the Soulpepper creative space.

4. Vienna, Austria 

Vienna is often rated as one of the best places to live in the world on many surveys and for good reason.

Quality of life is so good here because of the mix of spectacular European architecture, friendly people, job opportunities and all of this with a strong community feel where people look after each other. The 3rd and 4th Districts are known for being calm but with some soul, and are good candidates for the best places to live in Vienna.

Your Vienna bucket list is also packed with things to see and do, from museums and parks to the opera and some of the best European Christmas markets on offer.

5. Singapore

The business environment in Singapore is fast-moving and never stops. This is a great city to move to for work, with relaxed visa opportunities as well as a 90 per cent satisfaction rate for foreign workers in the city. Moving to Singapore opens up a host of employment options, as well as some of the best services.

Business is booming in the city, with the second fastest growing economy in the world and some of the highest salaries around. The highly regarded educational and medical system means family life doesn’t get left behind either. With that in mind, Singapore may well be the perfect family destination for an international move.

6. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand is famous for its fun party scene on the islands, as well as being a fantastic place to taste new food, meet new people and learn more about yourself.

The digital nomad scene in northern city Chiang Mai is one of the strongest in the world, with incredibly low costs and a multicultural and fast-moving social scene, making it one of the best places to live in the world. Plus, there are plenty of things to see and do in Chiang Mai to keep you busy in your downtime. 

High speed internet is easy to find, apartments are cheap and plenty of female nomads consider it a very safe place to live and work. It’s also a great hub from which to explore the rest of south-east Asia.

There are many cities and beach destinations in Thailand that make for a great home for digital nomads; we find a lot of expats love to live in Bangkok because of the cheap flights to South East Asia and the ongoing things to do in Bangkok. As expats living in Bangkok, we find Chiang Mai to be a great place for digital nomads whereas Bangkok has more job opportunities, especially for teachers like myself.

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

It might not be the cheapest city in the world, but when it comes to family life, Copenhagen is hard to beat, making it one of the best places to live in the world for families.

With a population of around 800,000, the city sits in the sweet spot of close to one million people, where you avoid feeling like a mindless ant in a colony, but still get all the big-city benefits.

Everyone cycles around the city; bikes outnumber cars, and the population is healthy and happy. Salaries are high, almost everyone speaks English and there are 24-hour bus and metro lines. Moving to Copenhagen might be the best decision your family can make.

If you are looking to just visit the country, make sure to plan the perfect Denmark itinerary, including time in Copenhagen and the gorgeous cities nearby.

8. Medellin, Colombia

Known as the City of Flowers, Medellin may have some fame as a narco-city thanks to its wayward son Pablo Escobar, but that is long in the past. In 2013 it was named the ‘Most Innovative City in the World’ by the Wall Street Journal, and life in Medellin is cheap, fun and energetic making it one of the more energetic best places to live in the world.

The El Poblado and Laureles areas are the most popular for expats moving abroad, with steep hills and charming terracotta buildings. You’ll see farmer’s markets, street food, dancing and colour wherever you go, and you’ll never have to spend much.

9. Bilbao, Spain

The Basque Country region is famed for its food, with a seemingly endless list of Michelin star venues to enjoy. The Uribarri district is one of the best places to live in Bilbao if you love good food. It’s packed with bars, restaurants and locals enjoying life, making it one of the best places to live in the world.

As with many Spanish cities, the quality of life is high, prices are relatively low and the culture is relaxed. Fish and seafood are famous in the city, and the Old Quarter of the city is historical, beautiful and full of incredible cuisine.

10. Eguisheim, France

Moving to a foreign city or country doesn’t necessarily mean finding a large city. Plenty of expats moving abroad do so to get away from relentless rat race that can sometimes come with city living. The village of Eguisheim in the Haut-Rhin region of France is the perfect place to escape it all and has been incorporated in France’s official list of the country’s most beautiful villages.

The fairytale town is full of cobbled streets, medieval architecture and great food, making it one of the lesser known best places to live in the world. A little time spent here and you’ll feel like your life is like a scene from The Beauty and the Beast.

The world is full of incredible, inspirational and unique destinations to move to. If you’re thinking about relocating, there’s a place for everyone. It all depends on what matters to you, whether that’s a safe environment and friendly locals or top tier education or low cost of living. 

Best Places to Live in the World FAQ