10 Excellent Places to Live in Europe: Find the Right One for You

Let us start with an undeniable fact — everyone has a different opinion if you ask them about the top cities to live in Europe. It would depend on your preferences, expectations, and the reason you decided to move in the first place. 

Some choose to explore European cities thanks to the exchange programs at the uni. Others are drawn to the south of Europe, looking for a perfect place to retire. And finally, thanks to the shift toward remote work, many people simply can choose to move to an entirely new country for some time.

Here, we look at European cities from different perspectives and offer our take on the best places to live in Europe for families, young professionals, retirees, and more.

Best City for a Laid-Back Lifestyle: Barcelona, Spain

Looking for a fun and easy-going place where you can enjoy life every day? There is no better place than Barcelona! This city is full of places to go and things to do. You can spend every weekend chilling on the Barceloneta beach or hit some festival, exhibition, or cultural event. 

The capital of Catalonia offers its residents perfect weather all year-round, with warm summers and mild winters, excellent cuisine, and plenty of opportunities to party in the international community. In fact, 17.6% of Barcelona’s residents are non-nationals, and the city goes out of its way to cater to their needs.

Of course, nothing is perfect. So, what are the issues you might encounter?

First of all, it might be challenging to find a good rental in Barcelona due to the very high demand and turnover. Prepare for diligent searching and paying a little extra if you want to live in a nice apartment in a central location!

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Also, if you’re annoyed by the European habit of closing businesses on Sunday, you will be even more disappointed living in Barcelona. For example, banks and post offices are open only till 1 PM or 2 PM, and many shops have a long break in the middle of the day. So, as you can see, locals here also cherish their right to slow living.

Great Place for Those on a Budget: Warsaw, Poland

Poland has that je ne sais quoi that wins over the hearts of many expats. It is relatively cheap compared to other European countries, has a vibrant nightlife, and very welcoming people. You could head to Krakow, Wroclaw, or Gdansk, and it would be a good call, but here we’ll tell you more about the capital and the largest city in Poland, Warsaw.

Life in Warsaw (especially in the warm time of the year) can be very delightful. It is a safe and very green city with many parks, green spaces, and urban forests. In the past years, people here have been trying to become more eco-conscious, and you can see the increasing amount of bikes and electric scooters on the streets, vegan shops and restaurants, and lots of attention focused on recycling and reducing waste. 

Among other benefits are excellent public transport and a relatively low cost of living, especially for a European capital. As you have guessed, renting an apartment in Warsaw is also cheaper, and you can score a nice 1-bedroom apartment in a good area for about $700.

A lot of people (particularly those younger) can understand and speak some decent English. And, by learning some basic Polish, you’ll be able to get by in shops and cafes and earn the boundless respect of the locals.

The drawbacks of life in Warsaw are mostly the same as in Poland overall. It’s tedious bureaucracy, high air pollution level, and controversial decisions of the ruling political party.

Top City for Families: Toulouse, France

Toulouse could be a perfect choice for various groups of expats. It is a beautiful city filled with history and offers its residents a pleasant Mediterranean climate. And, of course, the quality and variety of cuisine will win over the heart of even the most demanding foodie.

Being the fourth largest city in France, Toulouse has everything you might need for a comfortable life. It’s also very diverse and multicultural, which could be a perfect environment to raise your kids in. Add to this some of the best schools in France and many universities to choose from, and you can see why we believe it’s an excellent place to settle with your family. Living and renting a place in Toulouse is cheaper than in Paris, but the average cost of living in France is still slightly higher than in the US. 

One thing to remember: Toulouse has a big student population all year round. This imposes a certain lifestyle on a city, which you would have to accept moving to Toulouse.

An Excellent Place to Retire: Madeira, Portugal

According to International Living, Portugal is the best place in Europe to retire. This country regularly tops the chart as one of the top places to live in Europe due to a combination of a few factors. It is affordable compared to many other countries on this list, has exceptionally good healthcare, and is very safe. Add to the equation a mild climate, beautiful sand beaches, and stunning nature, and you’ll see why so many people are drawn to Portugal.

There are many great places to retire in this country, including the Azores, Porto, and the Algarve region. But, we would recommend considering moving to Madeira. This island has warm weather all year round, and you can swim and enjoy spending time on the beach even in winter. The overall population of the island is around 250,000 people, which doesn’t make it too crowded. What’s more, thanks to the relatively small size of the island, everyone here lives in a close-knit community. 

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The accommodation in Madeira is reasonably priced, being cheaper than in larger cities whether you decide to rent or buy real estate. You could also purchase a property here to receive the Golden Visa and legalize your stay for an unlimited time.

Top Pick for Young Professionals: Dublin, Ireland

Capital and the largest city in Ireland, Dublin is undoubtedly one of the best places to live and work in Europe. It’s a melting pot of different nationalities and cultures, where anyone can find a place for themselves. Dublin is brimming with a rich history that stretches for centuries and offers easy access to the renowned stunning nature of Ireland. 

This city is a great place to search for a job for working professionals. Ireland’s economy is growing at the fastest rate among all European countries, and the situation doesn’t seem to change any time soon. Being the technological and financial heart of the country, Dublin offers plenty of opportunities for job seekers. Some of the biggest international employers include Pfizer, Jonson&Johnson, Intel, Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. 

And, extra bonus: you don’t have to worry about learning a foreign language to assimilate in a new country!

The biggest drawback of Dublin would be the cost of living, as Ireland is the fourth most expensive country in Europe when it comes to the price levels of consumer goods and services. Similarly, renting in Dublin could hit your wallet harder than you think! 

Amazing City for Quality of Life: Vienna, Austria

Everyday life in Vienna looks exactly like you would imagine it to be in a textbook European city. Vienna is one of the greenest and safest cities in Europe; it’s immaculately clean and has an incredibly high quality of life. For a few years, this city ranked number one on the Global Liveability Index, making it the most liveable city in the world. Additionally, Vienna boasts great international schools and universities, a healthy job market, and an excellent healthcare system. Indeed, everything you might need for a contended life.

Life here can be wonderful, but you should be aware of both pros and cons before moving to the capital of Austria. Many locals and expats tend to have a love-hate relationship with Vienna. However, many prefer to stay here and complain from time to time but never make up their mind to leave.

Rental apartments in Vienna can be expensive and hard to find, as the real estate market is extremely competitive. What’s more, it could be difficult at first to feel at home — Austria was named the 56th out of 59 countries in the “Getting Settled” section, with people having problems finding friends and, well, feeling at home.

Top City for the International Crowd: Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is an influential and cosmopolitan city that would be perfect for all esthetes and those coming to build a career. Being the de facto capital of the European Union, it is home to many international companies and organizations and welcomes people from all over the world with open arms. This truly is the heart of Europe, filled with beautiful architecture and brimming with history and culture. 

Here, you can easily get by without having to learn a new language, as the three main languages spoken in Brussels are French, Dutch, and English. And, if you’re moving with your children, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the amount and quality of international schools in this city. Your kids will be able to develop their full potential, being surrounded by so many people with different backgrounds, various cultures, and languages.

One of the very noticeable drawbacks is high taxes. It might be easy to find a good-paying job in Brussels, but a large chunk of your salary will go toward taxes. But, as you know, those will be later used to provide locals with first-class healthcare and education. As for renting in Brussels, there are plenty of housing options, but the accommodation is rather expensive.

Best for Job Opportunities: Stuttgart, Germany

Germany attracts many expats from around the world, and it’s no surprise! Similar to Nordic countries, it boasts a high quality of life, being very clean and organized. Additionally, people all around the country speak good English, so it would be easy to find common ground with locals no matter where you find yourself. Overall, Germany is a great place for any newcomer, whether you go to Berlin, Hamburg, or Dusseldorf. 

So, why specifically Stuttgart? 

This city offers great work opportunities for Americans. Stuttgart is home to a few US military bases, the United States Europe Command (EUCOM), and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). And, you can be sure that not only military personnel but also civilians can find suitable jobs here. Also, the headquarters and factory of Mercedes-Benz are located in Stuttgart as well, providing jobs for 18,500 people.

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What’s more, Stuttgart is a very comfortable place to live for anyone. An average-sized city, it offers a perfect balance of urban convenience and moderately-paced living. You can also expect prices for groceries and rent in Stuttgart to be lower than in Berlin or Frankfurt am Main.

And, if you’re an expat, you don’t have to worry about finding someone to talk to — 45% of the city’s population has a migrant background, coming from 170 countries.

The Capital for History Buffs: Athens, Greece

Athens is another all-time favorite place for expats to live in Europe. People are attracted to the capital of Greece for many reasons, including the perfect climate, relaxed lifestyle, and relatively low cost of living. Of course, being in the capital of the country, you can expect to have access to everything you might need for a comfortable living. Athens has plenty of museums, shops, historical sites, and restaurants with amazing food. 

This city could be a perfect starting point to begin your long-term adventure with Greece. Thanks to an expansive community of immigrants and nomads, you can always find someone to spend time with. What’s more, many locals in Athens speak good English, while it might be more difficult to communicate only in English in other Greek cities or regions.

Some of the cons include hot summers, crowds of tourists, and chaos during the warm season. Generally, there is a huge difference between living like a local and a tourist. Eating out, renting a place in Athens, and shopping might cost you twice as much if you stick to touristy spots. 

Best for Social Benefits: Copenhagen, Denmark

In 2020, Denmark became the second-best country when it comes to the quality of life, according to the USNews ranking. It is extremely clean, safe, has a low crime rate, and developed a great work-life balance. What’s more, you will definitely enjoy social benefits if you’re tired of the imperfect US healthcare system.

However, you should remember that it might be one of the most expensive cities on our list. Before the move, research prices for rentals in Copenhagen as well as food, transportation, and other essential costs.

Our advice? Make sure to get a bike, learn at least some Danish, and be prepared to try to assimilate as much as you can. And remember: Denmark and its capital are not for everyone. But, if the pros of moving to Denmark seem substantial and the cons are insignificant in your opinion, you should definitely give it a try!

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Hopefully, this article will help you choose the greatest place to live in Europe that would check off all the boxes. And, if you need any help with looking for rentals in the new city, remember that Rentberry is always here for you!

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