InterNations list Top 20 Cities for Expats to Live in for 2023
16th December 2023
Surveying over 12,000 expats from 177 different nationalities residing in 181 countries or territories, InterNations assessed 49 cities based on expats' sentiments about their living and working experiences over the past year. The comprehensive report factored in considerations such as quality of life, ease of settling in, personal finance, and more.
Malaga, Spain Emerges as the Best
Securing the top spot this year is Malaga, Spain, making it the premier city worldwide for expats to live and work. Situated in Andalucia on the Costa del Sol, Malaga, one of the world's oldest cities, boasts a rich history, a vibrant arts and culture scene (birthplace of Picasso), delightful Mediterranean climate, and exceptional cuisine.
Malaga not only clinched the overall first position but also excelled in specific categories such as local friendliness and climate and weather. It dominated in work and leisure, as well as work-life balance subcategories. Expats praised Malaga for its safety, affordable public transportation, abundant recreational sports, and lively social scene.
Spain Triumphs with Five Cities
Spain celebrated a significant victory this year, with a total of five cities securing spots in the top 20. Alicante and Valencia claimed second and third places, respectively. InterNations highlighted commonalities among Malaga, Alicante, and Valencia, citing their ease of settling in, high quality of life, and favorable personal finance rankings, contributing to welcoming cultures that foster an enjoyable and affordable life.
Madrid secured the sixth position, lauded for its robust digital infrastructure, sound personal finances, and high quality of life. Barcelona also earned a spot in the top 20, ranking at number 13.
Mixed Fortunes for the United States
In contrast, expatriates in the United States reported a decline in satisfaction this year. While Miami and New York City featured in the top 20 list last year, no U.S. cities made the cut this time. New York City plummeted from 16th place to 39th, with expats highlighting challenges such as the high cost of living, work-life imbalance, and subpar overall quality of life. Nevertheless, New York City earned recognition for its leisure options (sixth place) and culinary variety and dining choices (second place).
Lowest Rankings Worldwide
The bottom of the overall list was occupied by Milan, Italy, at number 49, followed by Rome, Italy, at 48, and Vancouver, Canada, at 47. InterNations noted shared challenges among expats in the Italian cities, including low quality of life and unfavorable work conditions. Vancouver stood out as the city where expats reported the lowest satisfaction (49th) and struggled the most with personal finances (49th).
The World’s 2o Best Cities to Live
1. Malaga, Spain
2. Alicante, Spain
3. Valencia, Spain
4. Ras Al Khaimah
5. Abu Dhabi, UAE
6. Madrid, Spain
7. Mexico City, Mexico
8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
9. Bangkok, Thailand
10. Muscat, Oman
11. Dubai, UAE
12. Lisbon, Portugal
13. Barcelona, Spain
14. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
15. Nairobi, Kenya
16. Zurich, Switzerland
17. Athens, Greece
18. Stockholm, Sweden
19. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20. The Hague, the Netherlands
The World’s 10 Lowest Ranked Cities To Live In 2023
1. Milan, Italy (ranked 49 out of 49 countries overall)
2. Rome, Italy (ranked 48 overall)
3. Vancouver, Canada (ranked 47 overall)
4. Hamburg, Germany (ranked 46 overall)
5. Berlin, Germany (ranked 45 overall)
6. Dublin, Ireland (ranked 44 overall)
7. Istanbul, Turkey (ranked 43 overall)
8. London, U.K. (ranked 42 overall)
9. Paris, France (ranked 41 overall)
10. Seoul, South Korea (ranked 40 overall)
Published by David
