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Ask HN: Where should I live?

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21–30 of 78 posts

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#21

You don't mention if you speak any languages other than English? Whilst you'll get by OK in any large city with just English, some places are better than others. For example, in my experience, Lisbon (and Portugal in general) has a much higher level of English than Barcelona. Maybe language isn't a huge concern for you but you still have a level of bureaucracy and settling in moving to any new place.

Non English is a plus tbh

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#22
post #4

Sydney? ;-) I'm Adelaide based these days, and coming from London, the lack of day-to-day diversity is rather shocking! I'd suggest London and the South of England during the summer months!

We seem to have a similar experience of Australia then :) scores very highly in many things but diversity just doesn't compare to London, NY etc. (which is to be expected so not a dig or anything but yeah)

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#23
post #20

Why not Singapore? The tech scene there is amazing and inspiring, (too?) Warm, diverse, and very good public transportation. Heck, you can walk though neighborhoods if you fancy some sweating. Unfortunately it's a little bit too car-centric despite the expensive prices of cars, and I find the culture to be a little bit "unhinged".

It's a place I've considered for sure but I've already spent five years in Tokyo so looking more outside Asia. (I know, I know, painting with a very broad brush here but yeah)

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#25
post #11
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not just “some areas”, our car got robbed while driving on C/ de Mallorca just 2 blocks from Sagrada Familia, a normally quiet area near the centre. Guys with knives surrounded the car and stabbed out the tires, pulled out whatever stuff they could get from the backseat. A couple of days later two guys in hoodies ripped my watch from my wrist after I stepped out to smoke next to a posh Eixample restaurant. Admittedly…

@rosndo @malux85 not sure if you're just trying to scare away another expat or if it's legit :P but if legit that doesn't sound good at all :( any other places in Spain you would recommend? Valencia and some other cities are pretty non-car centric too, no?

Valencia and Málaga also meet your requirements, I think.

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#28

Ho Chi Minh? If it's not what you want on any given day super cheap to duck off somewhere else. Tech scene, still french influenced, last time I was there a couple could live very comfortably for 2k a month, or even 1.5k.

It's non car centric alright... I wouldn't want to drive one around all the motor scooters anyway.

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#29
post #11
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not just “some areas”, our car got robbed while driving on C/ de Mallorca just 2 blocks from Sagrada Familia, a normally quiet area near the centre. Guys with knives surrounded the car and stabbed out the tires, pulled out whatever stuff they could get from the backseat. A couple of days later two guys in hoodies ripped my watch from my wrist after I stepped out to smoke next to a posh Eixample restaurant. Admittedly…

@rosndo @malux85 not sure if you're just trying to scare away another expat or if it's legit :P but if legit that doesn't sound good at all :( any other places in Spain you would recommend? Valencia and some other cities are pretty non-car centric too, no?

Well, to do my part in scaring potential expats away, air pollution and noise pollution (it's LOUD) are pretty bad here and you might find lead pipes and asbestos in your building. If you live in a bajo (ground floor) in the old town, expect cockroaches the size of mice (they are quick). Depending on where you are, the tap water tastes like the water from a children's swimming pool. Depending on where you live, your barrio might smell like a sewer on certain days (even the expensive ones). Population density is very high, so expect to hear a part of your neighbors' lives, walls are often thin.

Never seen shirtless guys with machetes anywhere, day or night. Crime (apart from pickpocketing) never struck me as a huge problem (not above general big-city levels), neither pre- nor post-Covid, and I don't live in the best part of town for sure. But all the stuff above I personally experienced.

Re: Ask HN: Where should I live?

#30
post #4

Sydney? ;-) I'm Adelaide based these days, and coming from London, the lack of day-to-day diversity is rather shocking! I'd suggest London and the South of England during the summer months!

Ha ha, I was going to suggest Byron Bay :-)

From your list I'd go for Lisbon, I mean if you are interested in learning languages it has to be Europe really. Are you interested in any particular activities e.g. surfing and outdoor life is great in Lisbon and probably Bilbao too (although cooler).

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