The Best Places To Settle Down Around The World
If you’ve reached a time in your life where you’re looking for somewhere to settle down with your family, you’re likely to hear a lot of competing for advice about the best place to live. Which cities offer beauty, sophistication, efficient travel connections, good accommodation, a comfortable standard of living and great facilities for both adults and children? The best way to find out is to ask people who live there – and when you do, you will find these are some of the cities that score best.
Marbella
Marbella is a little town in Costa Del Sol, Spain and that is where I recently moved. I can’t describe how much delighted I am by my new home: the weather is fantastic all year round, with Marbella specifically having it’s own very mild microclimate. There are historical places to see here, amazing shopping and fantastic food – four of restaurants in Marbella have been awarded with Michelin star which is very impressive for such a small town.
Helsinki
The ancient Finnish capital with its mixture of handsome neoclassical buildings and gleaming modern edifices sprawls across a network of islands and is intersected by forests, bringing the natural world right into its heart. A former World Design Capital and Olympic city, it has a booming local economy but is surprisingly affordable. It has good schools and no fewer than eight universities, and its public sports facilities are superb.
Singapore
A thriving modern city with a friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere, Singapore offers a surprising diversity of accommodation, and though rents can be high, so are wages. It’s a family friendly country which is perfect for expats; parents can enroll children in a Singapore international school, and local facilities include amazing hands-on museums and even theme parks. There is also a great arts scene; the public transport system is excellent and there are restaurants with every variety of world cuisine.
Budapest
At the heart of old Europe lies the splendid river-spanning city of Budapest, with its ancient Roman bathhouses and handsome neo-Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It’s threaded through with parks and public play areas for children, including ice rinks in winter. The cost of living is surprisingly low and there is plenty of employment available, especially in the science and engineering sectors. Ex-pats tend to fall in love with its friendly café culture, impressive food and beer.
Melbourne
One of the oldest settlements in Australasia, Melbourne is known for its elegant colonial architecture, its friendly, laid-back atmosphere and its diverse population, which gives it more cultural complexity than most southern cities and has contributed to thriving arts and culinary scene. Sport is also enormously popular in the city, which has a healthy job market, moderately priced accommodation, good public schools and beautiful, sunny beaches.
Istanbul
The ancient bridge between East and West is increasingly popular as a place for families to settle. Extensive new building projects are increasing housing options and the city’s longstanding status as a trading hub keeps its economy as vibrant today as it has always been. A wide variety of schooling options are available, transport infrastructure is rapidly improving, and strong ex-pat communities extend a friendly welcome to newcomers.
Starting afresh in a new city is always a challenge, however, finding the right one can finally enable you to live the life you’ve always dreamed of. It can provide your children with fantastic opportunities and give them a much broader perspective on life, making them into educated and cultured citizens of the world.
