What makes a country “the best”? Well, I’m so glad you asked. You should consider these questions below when deciding which are the best European cities to move to for YOU.

• Is there an expat community there? 
• Do they have jobs available for your industry? 
• Do they hire expat workers? Is it easy to get a visa there? 
• Will enough people speak enough english/the language you know to have a deep connection with you? In order to fully immerse yourself in a country and feel a sense of belonging there, you will need to learn the language
• Other considerations: cost of living, healthcare, weather, close to international airport, transportation options 

When I wanted to move abroad, I wanted every blog to say that London was the best place to move to in Europe, but sometimes it wouldn’t even make the list (they were obviously wrong). Just because it’s a good fit for somebody, it doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for YOU. For example… I am a city girl. I thrive in London. I love the buzz and the mix of people – every type of person and background. But some people don’t love London as much. It’s too busy, crowded and hectic. Maybe there are other countries and cities that would be a better fit for you. 

The best country and city for you to move to really depends on what type of job you’re looking for, if you want to get a job in certain industries in France or Italy, for example, you really need to be proficient in French and Italian respectively. But in other European countries you can get by with only knowing English. And it depends on your industry job a lot… Do your own extensive research in each country. Ex: Does Berlin, Germany have an expat community. Do Americans live in Berlin? How many Americans live in Berlin? Does Berlin have a lot of research jobs in [insert]? Does Berlin speak a lot of English? 

This is not an exhaustive list, but this is what I think of as the best European cities to move to:

Top 10 cities to move to in Europe: 

1. London, England
2. Lisbon, Portugal
3. Amsterdam, The Netherlands 
4. Berlin, Germany
5. Madrid, Spain
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
7. Stockholm, Sweden
8. Brussels, Belgium
9. Zurich, Switzerland
10. Vienna, Austria

Our honorable mentions: 

• Porto, Portugal
• Barcelona, Spain
• Budapest, Hungary
• Munich, Germany
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Cork, Ireland
• Dublin, Ireland
• Paris, France 
• Rome, Italy
• Florence, Italy
• Oslo, Norway
• Basel, Switzerland

If you are considering a move abroad, download my FREE guide, 5 Exact Steps to Move Abroad. It would be a great start!