18 Best Countries in the World to Live and Work

Surely more than once you have asked yourself where is the best country to live if you did not have a job, family, friends and an apartment bought in the country where you currently reside. That is, where would you take root if you did not already have created ones? The factors that decide the suitability of a country to be chosen as a permanent residence are many, varied and, above all, subjective.

Days of sunshine per year, gastronomy, infrastructures, educational system, sanitary quality, cost of living, language, type of culture, security, hospitality of the inhabitants, labor market, technological development, cleaning and much more. Each person will give a different importance to each of these factors. In fact, you will come to consider many others.

Being in the middle class is the trickiest place to be. You seem to have your life well figured out but even so, you may not have enough money to do the things you dream about. Factors such as unfavorable economic conditions and inflation make life even harder for this class. But not everyone in the middle class is uncomfortable with life.

The key to surviving in this class without any stresses is to live in a city and by the standards your paycheck can guarantee. If you live in a city where buying a house is almost impossible, why not move to a smaller city with lower property costs? And by the way, you will be surprised to know that there are tons of major cities out there that are very affordable for the middle class.

However, trying to make a list of the best countries in the world to live, these are the names that usually occupy positions of honor (the order is totally random).

1. Spain

Spain is best for those who may be financially independent, but want to enjoy an exceptionally mild climate, inspiring architecture, a great healthcare system, and an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Despite the imperfections that Spain has, the truth is that people are lucky to have been born in it and is one of the top countries to work in. Proof of this is that Spain is the destination dreamed by a large part of the people who live in central and northern Europe. They hope to be able to retire in our country. The reasons that support the presence of Spain among the best countries to work in the world are several.

It has one of the best health systems in the world (and, in addition, it is public), with pleasant climate, good infrastructures, high security. You can enjoy the beaches, varied gastronomy and healthy, high life expectancy, quality of life, and hospitality of the people. Like all the nations of the world, it has its bad things, but the truth is that the good ones win by a landslide.

Madrid. The food, the history, the meaning of this city. Lifestyle is great, and so is life quality.

Good Read: Best Places to Visit in Spain

2. Canada

Canada is the largest country in North America and the second largest country in the whole world. The second largest country in the world is a peaceful and beautiful wonderland, ideal for living. Paradoxically, one of the main reasons why Canada is among the best countries to work in the world is the fact that it is very little inhabited.

Canada is a nation in which Mother Nature possesses almost unlimited powers with forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, and valleys. The air is pure, where animals run freely. Its main cities like Toronto and Montreal are modern, clean and safe cities, in which people live happily.

Canada is home to diverse geographical locations, people, and culture. The country offers landscapes that are untouched and breathtaking. It ranges from mountainous terrain, ski resorts to lush forests and pristine beaches.

Canadian summers are hot, particularly in southern Ontario around Toronto and in Montreal, Quebec. The humidity levels in July and August can push temperatures up to between 35°C and 40°C. Way, way up north in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, summers aren’t blazing hot but you can walk around with t-shirts and shorts. Temperatures hover around 20°C and the sun doesn’t set until the winter.

August is perfect timing to start. It’s end of Summer and start of Fall. Fall is hard. Why? When temperature start to drop to 10 degrees, that feels horrible, plus the wind and the rain. Cold is okay, chilling wind is not. So be ready to have coat or Jacket that help you stay warm against wind. Vancouver is wet, mostly rainy. Not cool to have wet toes especially during winter.

Nothing is worst than soaking your feet in a damp wet socks and shoes. Always look at weather forecast on what to wear. Cold legs OK, warm upper body is key. It’s fine to wear lighter bottom but always make sure you keep your upper body warm enough especially when you are outside. When its sunny, temperature is colder. When it’s rain, temperature is warmer.

Guelph is a very fine bedroom community to Kitchener-Waterloo. It also has a strong industrial base and is home to a superb university. Great shopping, fun night-life; Toronto just an hour away.

British Columbia, on the Pacific coast, always appears in the rankings of the best places to live on the planet. And for something it will be. Known as one of the best cities to live in the world, Vancouver in the province of British Columbia has a cosmopolitan population.

Quebec and the Maritimes tend to have lower housing costs (Quebec routinely has the lowest rents due to a large supply of rental housing) and other costs, such as food and fuel, are comparable. The smaller you go, the better. Smaller centers tend to have lower housing costs (although this is not universal - some places like Kingston are fairly pricey). However, medium sized centers like Chatham and North Bay tend to be affordable.

The further away you are from Vancouver and Toronto, the better. Montreal is affordable, but everything around the first and third largest cities in the country tends to be expensive if it’s anywhere near commuting distance to the big cities. You might think that Newmarket, a small city north of Toronto would be cheap to live in, but you would be wrong because many people who live there work in Toronto. You can go as far away as Niagara Falls, Waterloo, Peterborough and Barrie and still find expensive housing.

Tofino/Ucluelet are hands down out of reach, cost wise. If you’re looking to outright buy property anywhere in the Greater Victoria area, it is definitely costly and competitive to say the least. However, if you want to rent, there are definitely options. Even better if you’re thinking of going up the peninsula towards Sidney or way west towards Port Renfrew. Obviously if you’re looking for a city vibe, there is nowhere else on the island.

Chemainus is kind of artsy, has a beach, a grocery store and great views. Maple Bay is absolutely breathtaking. Its off a bay, surrounded by cliffs and hills. No picture would do it justice. Another good option is Port Hardy if you don’t mind being at the very north end of the island. They got a grocery store, few pubs, and a community hall. Not much going on there, and you feel like you’re at the end of the world. But for retirement, could be ideal.

If you are looking for isolation, a water view, and affordable housing you can also look at Tahsis, Zeballos or Port Alice. They are on the northwest side of the island. Tahsis is a 2 hour drive from Campbell River. Zeballos is an additional 4 hours away, and Port Alice is 2 hours northwest of there. All 3 are small towns with a local convenience store. However, the natural beauty and tranquility in the area, are wordless to describe.

Studying abroad is the best way to understand different cultures and experience state of the art learning. There is this competitive vibe if you're an international student. It feels good to get a degree in a different country, bringing it home is like a remarkable badge. And for international students, Canada is one of the best picks. Here's why.

Canada is known to have top educational institutions and a wide selection of programs. Not every country offers the same course, Places like the United States and Canada, offers different courses for everyone. Plus, the work experience you can get after you graduate is a bonus.

International students in Canada increased by 40% between the years 2015 and 2017. Which means, the country is open to all international students. These student immigrants are also great in Canada's economy. They contributed approximately $19 billion through their accommodation and tuitions. Education in Canada is booming. According to experts, it is the largest export sector in the Canadian economy.

Canada is safe, open, and has a welcoming environment for everyone. You will feel no discrimination because most of the folks there are living with immigrants. Together with the open-door policy, Canada also offers a postgraduate work permit. On top of this, they also provide permanent residency. That answers your question on how to get Canadian citizenship.

Canada's study visas are easier to get compared to other competing countries. If you're in a budget, you don't have to worry because the cost of living there is lower.

How to study in Canada? 5 Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: It is necessary to know and understand the requirements.

Do your research on the following requirements for schools in Canada and the different courses they offer.

Step 2: Choose the best course and institution for you.

Once, you already know the different schools and courses available in Canada, pick the best curriculum for you. Thanks to their educational setup, you can change subjects anytime. However, it is crucial to choose a major that will suit you. Access yourself. After that, identify the passions that you want to pursue.

Step 3: Review and take the Language Proficiency Test.

If you want to be a qualified international student, you must prove that you are skilled in the English or French language. You can take the IELTS because this exam is acceptable in most institutions. If you need help, review this exam in Practice Test Geeks. They offer updated practice questionnaires that will help you pass the exam. Ask yourself, how to get Canadian citizenship if you fail this important step? So study and practice now.

Step 4: Apply to different universities in Canada.

In this step, you need to contact the shortlist of educational institutions. Ask about their enrollment process, application packs, and be ready to submit in advance. Be mindful of the application fee of $100 to $250.

Step 5: Apply for a study permit.

For your convenience, you can do this online. If you want to visit your local visa application center, it's much better. Remember to bring your passport, documentary proof that you have enough finances to study in Canada. Also, the acceptance letter from the university is essential.

3. New Zealand

And if in Canada nature is a great protagonist, in New Zealand it seems that the Maori gods that created the country remembered the human being just on the bell. New Zealand is an extremely beautiful country and is one of the top countries in the world to live in. Its two islands, despite being separated only by a narrow channel, offer great contrasts.

New Zealand is a lot about the scenery. If you are into exploring nature, head to New Zealand. Glenorchy Drive in Queenstown is a must do! Weather could be extreme in the winters and the flights would often get cancelled. Moreover, despite being a developed country, at times, New Zealand may appear 10 years behind the western civilization. For example, they are still using Windows XP. Buying a house in New Zealand is very difficult even if you have the cash.

The North Island is quite flat, has volcanic landscapes and large lakes, and is more populated. The South is more virgin, with infinite forests, powerful mountains and fjords, and glaciers. Among all this, they inhabit something less than 5 million inhabitants. And more than 12 million sheep, who do not even have to worry about the existence of predators.

4. Italy

Italy is best enjoyed as an entrepreneur. If you can run your own hotel or some such thing, bypassing the jungles of bureaucracy and politics as much as possible, Italy will be great. But don’t ever bank on the system.

There is pizza, pasta, wine, monuments, Vespa motorcycles, that sing-song accent, islands, Rome, Venice, passion, beaches, sun, a language similar to Spanish (and, therefore, easy to learn). Although Italy, like any nation has its imperfections, it is one of the best countries to live in the world.

Of course, if you are thinking of moving to the trans-alpine country, you better practice the difficult art of speaking with your hands. Otherwise, you will never be considered an adapted Italian.

5. Holland

A country in which everyone seems to move by bicycle deserves to be on the list of the best countries in the world to live in. There is no discussion. You can add to that the good Dutch cheese, the economic and labor strength of the country, its pacifism, the small size (which, added to the good infrastructures, makes it very easy to move from one city to another), good health system and Amsterdam Ajax and its beautiful football style. Prostitution is legal in Holland. Let's go live in Holland!

6. UAE

A place that grows by giant steps, but without losing its roots and respecting its Arab culture. An identity seal that characterizes it and is reflected in its architecture, its flavors and customs. In turn, Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and open to the future, and it welcomes thousands of cultures thanks to its inhabitants.

Citizens from all over the world have moved to live in the Emirate city for its quality of life and its powerful expansion. Also, Dubai is a destination for everyone with endless proposals for leisure and entertainment. Its glamour and luxury have been charming the people from across the world to cross their borders and marvel at the audacious architectural gems, entertaining water and theme parks, historic wonders, and buzzing markets.

If you want a citizenship of UAE, you have to legally reside in the country for 30 years. Arab citizens from Oman, Qatar and Bahrain can apply for citizenship after three years of residency. Arabs from other countries are eligible for citizenship after seven years of residency.

The UAE grants citizenship to foreign women married to locals for at least 7 years (if they have children) and for 10 years (if they have no children) and the marriage must be active on the date of application. Widowed foreign wives of Emirate nationals can obtain citizenship after staying 10 years in the UAE.

7. USA

New York. Multicultural, fashion, powerful, and its architecture is a magnificent mixture of modern and old. What you experience in New York and hard to find anywhere in the world. If you ever think you could live like in the movies, that’d be New York, not Paris. This city teaches you that humans can achieve anything they want.

Some might think Chicago would be the least livable city in the US nowadays, because its current issues, but it is indeed a great city. Seattle in Washington is one of the loveliest cities ever seen with a cool laid back vibe. Hometown of Amazon, Starbucks and Bill Gates. However, the cost of living in Seattle is very high.

The housing market in the USA has been rising by a steady 3-4 percent every month. But even with this trend, experts say that the house prices in America aren't too high for the middle class. The average price of an averagely-sized modern house is standing at around 300,000 USD.

America's west coast has the hardest living standards for the middle class, particularly in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose. On the east coast, however, buying a house isn't too big a mountain to climb.

The average income of a middle-class household in Houston is about 63000 USD. That is to say that you can make at least 5000 USD per month. Now, this is where things get interesting: The average cost of buying a house here is about 700 USD per month. That added to the cost of life totals to about 1500 USD. That is to say that you will have enough money to buy a home, live comfortably, and still have a good retirement saving.

San Jose is in general the cheapest part of the South Bay. It isn’t cheap, but it’s cheaper than anyplace else that isn’t a many-hour-one-way commute. That said, it’s still a pretty major commute to get to most work areas. Downtown San Jose has a mini-city feeling; everywhere else is like the anonymous suburbs of LA. North San Jose has a bunch of tech companies, and Adobe is in downtown. Google is building a huge new campus in San Jose.

If you work at Netflix and a few other companies, Los Gatos is good. And the town is kinda fun. Otherwise, its commute is horrible. Mountain View is more expensive than either, and has a combination of hugely expensive new luxury apartments and only highly expensive old crappy apartments.

But it has a nearly-ideal commute to most of the tech companies in the South Bay, and if you live near Castro Street, it has about as much city vibe as you’ll get in the South Bay. Also, the Caltrain station at Castro Street is about an hour train-ride into SF (near the Giants stadium), or transfer in Millbrae to get to BART.

It’s about 1.5 hours one way (which is less bad on a train than a car, but it does get old). Google, LinkedIn, Quicken, and several hundred smaller tech companies are in Mountain View. Milpitas is basically San Jose lite but with slightly better commutes to some tech companies, particularly Cisco.

Santa Clara is a pleasant suburb, and if you work at Apple’s new HQ, it’s a good place to live. Otherwise, it has a somewhat better commute than San Jose, but not much. The north part of Santa Clara is quite new - if expensive - and has a great commute to Cisco and Intel, and related companies nearby.

Cupertino has its legendary best schools, and the insane prices that go with them. Don’t bother unless you have kids; and unless you work at one of the eighty bazillion Apple offices still in Cupertino, its commute is not awesome. But it does have a whole lot of great Asian restaurants.

Sunnyvale has similar housing stock as Mountain View. It’s slightly cheaper than Mountain View, and has a marginally worse commute, particularly if you have to cross the dreaded 85/237/101 interchange area heading into Mountain View or Palo Alto. Palo Alto itself is hugely expensive, with very old housing stock. Not recommended unless you work in Palo Alto and are paid enough to easily afford living there.

Campbell is actually less-than-awful for housing - slightly more expensive than San Jose - but its commute sucks unless you work at Netflix. Los Altos/Los Altos Hills: cute, leafy, horse-ey in Los Altos Hills, and don’t even ask about living in either until you’ve had one awesome exit or two very good ones.

If you can cope with the severe winter of Madison and Wisconsin as a whole, then you will be impressed by this city. The University of Wisconsin has made this city prime for new graduate and seasoned job seekers, so this city can even be great for business. Having a young population also means that you will never lack good, cheap entertainment options as well as good food and music.

What’s more, you will have the best outdoor experience of your life living in this city.

Middle-income earners in Minneapolis make at least $75000. That is more than $6000 a month, which is probably the highest in this bracket for the entire USA. House prices average at about $30000, which is also higher than most cities in the country. But if you are to average the cost of houses in this region, you will be paying a little less than $1000 per month. That leaves you enough money to plan for your medical, retirement, and education plans.

8. China

Make no mistake about it, China is expensive to live in. To rent a place will run you between RMB 5.000 and 10.000 a month, and if you eat in restaurants twice a day, even if you are cautious, will add another 3.000 to 6.000 a month. Driving is out of the question, for many reasons. Prepare for a taxi lifestyle, and have a taxi budget.

Shanghai is the most comfortable global city to earn 150K USD per year. Living in Suzhou is generally very safe. The apartments are comfortable, usually with air conditioning and great bathrooms. It feels fine to live in a typically Chinese highriser. What can be a bit odd is that you need to buy water for cooking and drinking, because drinking the tap water is not advisable. But you get used to that.

You do need someone who helps with errands and bills, because unless you read and speak Chinese, every bill that comes in is simply a mystery with an amount quoted at the end. The food is fantastic. Especially if you have the money to eat in restaurants. Eating out is very much affordable. Medical care is first rate. Everything is top notch. Just beware, there is a price tag. All this applies also to dental care.

The people are nice. Calm, private, cautious. You will make acquaintances if you are also like that. Friends though, probably not. It’s not because of you. The Chinese don’t really go in for making friends easily later in life. They have family instead. But you can meet plenty of other foreigners who may enjoy your company.

Despite image of Chinese cities being huge concrete jungles, they are actually really nice, and you will see parks and vegetation that are absolutely grandiose. So, no need to worry about a lack of greenery and green space, or water. If you know where to go, you can refuel there.

Suzhou is about 25 minutes away from Shanghai by High-speed trains. Most importantly, Suzhou has four distinct seasons. Suzhou is famous for its classic gardens, such as the Humble Administrator Garden.

One big issue about living in China is you need to learn the Chinese language to live anywhere in China for a long term. Learning Chinese is very difficult. Moreover, getting a long term visa of China could be an issue as well. If you don’t have Chinese relatives in the country, your chances of becoming a Chinese citizen are less.

9. Australia

And without leaving the antipodes, we find Australia. This immense country, which almost serves as a continent, is another clear example that shows that in nations dominated by nature, people usually live well. Australia is a country with very low population density, in which frictions typical of countries where human beings have had to dispute land and limited possessions do not occur.

It has safe, clean air, wild, modern nature, with well-structured cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth where unemployment is virtually non-existent. With the healthy lifestyle of people, Australia brings together many reasons to be on the list of best countries of the world in which to live. Statistics do show the increasing trend of family travelers exploring more offbeat destinations in Australia among other places.

Sydney in Australia is an amazing cosmopolitan city that is very safe with friendly people. The cost of living is very expensive where a 300 ml water bottle would cost you A $3.5. Eating out is too expensive and is quite isolated from the rest of the world if you like international travelling.

10. Sweden

Sweden is pretty much perfect for any endeavor - provided you love winter. Sweden is a bit like New Zealand or Australia in that way. Like a hot bath. The longer you stay, the more comfy you get, and more importantly, the rest of the world begins to look pretty dire. So you curl up, and slide more and more deeply into the morast of cosiness.

And you go nowhere else, ever again. It’s like the song Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Sweden, by contrast, offers living like in North America. Houses sit on generous plots of land, driveways fit several cars with ease, roads are wide, and public spaces are airy, with few people out and about.

Homes and gardens in Sweden really are exceptionally cosy, and give very good reason not to venture out long, or often. Sweden is where you can sit on a couch all day long, or in your hammock, with your laptop, or a book, and an interesting beverage or five, and just enjoy the silence and glimpses of vegetation, and swat the odd mosquito.

A clever place to establish your home, if you have the funding sorted, and like the idea of maintaining a commuter’s apartment in the big city. You can get a lot of house for the money there, and are still in weekend commuter reach of your chosen town - be it Karlstad, Mariestad, or others. This would be a very clever way to live the Swedish dream of country idylls and big city, international companies.

Sweden is a multi-ethnic country. It has absorbed considerable immigration for the last 50 years and is safe, hospitable, beautiful, modern, peaceful, healthy, with non-existent unemployment. And if in winter you get tired of not seeing the light and having to leave home lined with three or four layers of clothes, you can always make a trip to Southern Europe to see family and friends.

For a country with a population of less than 10 million, Sweden has punched above its weight in terms of its impact on the world at large. From Vikings to IKEA, the Nobel Prize to ABBA, Sweden certainly has certainly made an impression on the global stage.

11. Norway

There is social awareness, protection of nature, low population density, good and modern infrastructure, a solitary state, great natural riches such as oil. Except for the harsh winter which becomes more bearable in the south, Norway is a beautiful country in which many people, after visiting it as a traveler, decides that they could live without problems.

Despite having to endure so much darkness the inhabitants of this country are regularly cited as being the happiest in the world. Would you like to have a small wooden cabin in a Norwegian forest? Well, do not think it will be hard for you to make your dream come true. Grab your things and head for Norway as it is the best country to live in.

12. France

France is actually a great allrounder. You can find very interesting work in France, and the environment is lovely. But the school system is tough as nails. The city, Paris and most of the other cities in France are very well connected with public transportation. There’s just one pass for all public transportation. You can buy your daily, weekly, monthly or yearly pass.

The working hours are regulated by the French labor laws. The working day should not exceed 10 hours. French labor law has made it illegal to contact employees outside working hours or during the weekend. Most of the companies don’t have a cafeteria inside the office. That’s because French people like taking time out of their work day to have lunch, they said.

There’s job security. There’s something called a trial period that you can have to decide on hiring a person. Post that, it’s a bit difficult to fire the person. The compensation is very good, especially if you’ve been working in the company for at least 2 years.

Rural life in France tends to mean there are villages there. And they tend to be well-appointed and have what people need. If your house is outside one, you may even reach it by bicycle. There are plenty of villages, and never far from each other. With a car, it becomes easier, but keep in mind that parking may be an issue. These villages were built at a time when people used horses.

13. Austria

Austria can be one of the greatest places to live - if you fit in. Austria is an amazing place to live, and it offers something for all tastes, except seaside living.

To enjoy life in Austria, and be successful in Austria, you need to fulfill a few conditions. Austria is a cosy and better fit for some cultures than it is for others. The ideal non-Austrians are Latin and Eastern European. If you are from Spain, South America, the Czech Republic, or Hungary, you will fit into life in Austria like a charm.

Austria is somehow Latin. Have you ever listened to Mariachi music? It sounds surprisingly Austrian. Austria is one of the more closed societies of Europe. Austria is very attuned and nostalgic about aristocratic titles, and reverence to academic titles is a facet of its society. Austria is a very traditional place.

14. Iceland

You can enjoy some of the best fish and lamb available in the world and some surprisingly good hothouse fruit and vegetables. There are plenty of restaurants — even some world class ones — but eating out is still more of an occasional treat than a daily or weekly habit. If you thrive on street food, ready meals, and take out, this is going to take some adjustment.

Icelanders are rather close-knit and can seem quite clannish. The flip side to this is that once you’ve built some relationships and fostered some trust, you’re offered warmth and friendliness in a way that’s hard to find in huge cities. It’s fairly easy to get a job in the service sector and make just enough to get by.

It’s also quite easy to get into the creative industries on the side. However, if you’re content with what you can get there it’s perfect. It’s hard to do much without a car. Although it’s also pretty easy to have a friend with a car. The landscape is very empty and eerie. It’s beautiful. Reykjavík is bright and beautiful.

The hardest months are actually March and April, when the snow had thawed, the birds arrive, but there are no leaves on the trees. Spring is definitely a late starter.

15. Germany

Germany is one of the easier countries to live. Basic necessities like food, rent, are surprisingly affordable, for the most part, for people on average incomes. The homes and apartment buildings are well-constructed with thick walls, beautifully constructed and solid doors and locks, windows that can either open wide or tilt vertically. They use modern versions of the classic old steam radiators.

Having residents and students from all over the world, Germany is extremely cosmopolitan. Considering that Frankfurt is a large financial city, people from all over the world live and work in Frankfurt. The same goes for the other large cities like Berlin and Munich as well. While the older population might not speak English well, the younger generation speaks English comfortably well.

Germany has a really amazing food culture, and you can find all varieties of food to your liking. In the larger cities, you would find cuisine from multiple countries. There are food markets selling spices and other ingredients. Since Germany has a large vegetarian population, there are also enough vegetarian options present in every restaurant.

Germany has an excellent public transportation that is generally punctual, safe, and comfortable. With a bit of planning and willingness to walk some, one can live here beautifully without a car. The people are not always blonde and fair, who are capable and self-determined, with beautiful manners and surprisingly soft voices. Most people are fairly honest and reliable.

Germany has an superb health insurance and health care delivery system. Art, culture, music, literature, architecture are everywhere. Laws and government which, despite some unfortunate trends, still aim to make life better for the average person with generous vacation time, sick leave, job security. Taxes are really no more burdensome, on the whole.

Germany has a very low tolerance of violence and violent behavior. It is illegal to strike children at school or at home. There is no death penalty and nobody wants it. War is regarded as the scourge it is, not as a jolly adventure. Calling someone aggressive is considered to be an insult and is not regarded as a positive quality. Generally, crime isn’t a problem, and the rate is very low.

While Germany is not as cheap as Spain or Croatia, it is also not as expensive as Switzerland or UK. The cost of living varies highly depending on where you live in Germany, but it is still decent as compared to many other countries in the world. Germans are very friendly people. They are polite, cheerful and helping. And they love partying.

Germany has really beautiful cities, lakes and castle. The weather is just perfect - not as hot as Spain, and not as cold as Norway. Spend hours just walking along a lake, gazing at the tranquility of the lake, or hiking on the countless hiking trails in the country.

16. Turkey

Weather will always be warm, you will be able to spend lots of time in the nature and it will be extremely cheap in cities with rather secular people like Izmir or Antalya. You can rent a really nice 1–2 bedroom apartment for 300 USD per month if not less. Groceries will be like 100 USD per month per person. Water/Electricity/Heating will be 50–100 USD per month.

It will be on the lower side most of the year because you will not be using heating. Turkey has pretty solid infrastructure so you won't really have power outages or any issues. Transportation will cost around 30 USD per month per person if you use public transport. Otherwise, if you want to buy a car, it will be costly due to heavy taxes. You would have to pay 15000 to 20000 USD for an average 1–3 years old used sedan car in good condition.

You will be able to travel, eat, drink, do whatever you like.

17. Malaysia

It’s awesome to live in a modern city like Kuala Lumpur, a place where you can get everything you need at a cheaper price, renting a unit in a condominium for a fraction of what you pay in Singapore and enjoy the best condominium development in Asia. Although you may think Malaysia is an Islamic country you may feel out of place like walking down in the Middle East countries.

It's a city where you see MORE people in Songkok or Kopiah and the ladies wear Baju Kurung or Kabaya and Tudung or Hijab.

18. Singapore

There is no better place to work than in Singapore. The country has retained its place as second best in the rankings, for the ease of doing business There is no red tape or stack of papers to fill. All you need is the IC (National identity card) or work pass number, one can do almost anything. Singapore is a class above any country in Southeast Asia and ranks second best in the world in doing business.

Although Singapore is expensive, with a motto in mind, pay peanuts, you get monkeys, you have to live with that. With a bigger paycheck to take home, you can make it like everyone else. If you are a good guy from the first world, who can speak English, Singapore is for you. Even you are not from the first world Singapore is an eye-opener for you.

One of the four Asian Tigers, the bustling Asian city-state offers a great mix of Asian and western values. Everything is located nearby. Singapore is a gateway to South East Asia with great nightclubs and tropical islands. Here it is 365 days summer. Moreover, due to its small size, it gets a bit boring after you have spent 6 months or so.

Singapore has one of the lowest income tax rates in the world. Sure, it's not 0% like Dubai, but it is nowhere close to what people pay in other developed nations. According to that Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Singapore's personal income tax rates for resident taxpayers are progressive.

This means higher income earners pay a proportionately higher tax, with the current highest personal income tax rate at 22%. The avergage expat pays between 10–15% as income tax though. Property, buying cars, and international schools are the three things that are extremely expensive here. But day to day cost of living is actually quite cheap when you consider the quality of services.

Public transport is fast, reliable, comfortable, and safe. Average cost is $1.50–1.80 per ride. Fresh produce from wet markets and supermarkets don't cost more than $50 a week if you don't buy exotic ingredients. Phone bills are on average $30–40 and offer good plans for that price. Utilities depends on your use, but it averages $50-100 a month for a 3 member household.

Food is extremely cheap and varied at food courts, with dishes not costing more than $5 for a set meal. Speaking of food, Singapore has an amazing food scene. The food here is varied, cheap, and so delicious. You can find cheap eats at food courts starting from $1 all the way to $300 at Michelin starred restaurants. You can find the best of international cuisine here. Singaporeans are massive foodies and take their food very seriously.

Singapore is one of the cleanest cities in the world. There is a large deployment of cleaning personnel who sweep the streets daily. Garbage collection is done every day and there are dustbins everywhere. The air is very clean, and the water is safe to drink straight from the tap. You can find trees everywhere you turn, and environment cleanliness is taken very seriously by the National Environment Agency.

Singapore is second on World Bank's Ease of Business scale. The country is technologically advanced, efficient, and has a booming startup scene. It is also a financial hub. So doing business is very pleasant here. Also majority of the population speaks fluent English and is well educated. Public transport, recreational facilities, hospitals, day care centres are high quality and found chock a block.

The airport is fantastic and offers connections to literally everywhere.

Singaporeans are very well educated and hard working people. They're as good as, or even better than talent from overseas. So getting a job is difficult. You'll have to be exceptional to find a good job here. But the pay is pretty good once you land a job.

Singaporean culture is very unique. Singaporeans in general are very warm people, but truly assimilating into the culture is difficult if you don't know local slang or local traditions. Also getting a permanent residency and citizenship is extremely tough. So truly becoming Singaporean is not an easy task.

Due to limited land, the Singapore government has strict rules on property ownership. Foreigners are not eligible to buy government owned properties (called HDB housing). The average 2 bedroom HDB house costs around $300,000+. Only permanent residents and citizens can buy these properties. If foreigners want to buy property, their only option is private housing which is exorbitantly expensive (costing upward 1 million dollars).

Singapore is a great place to live provided you have a good job and know how to make money. It's got a fantastic administration, amenities, and standard of living.

Hope you like this list of the best countries to live in.