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Travel writer who’s visited 68 countries—4 places I most want to live

Travel writer who’s visited 68 countries—4 places I most want to live

I wonder what it would be like to live in most of the places I visit, but I know I can’t make everywhere home.

As much as I would love to wake up in Sydney every morning, Australia is just a little too far away from everywhere else. As vibrant as Istanbul is, it’s a bit too big and bustling.

Reykjavik is comfortable, but it might be too small a city for me to put down roots — and I wonder if I’ll ever get the hang of Icelandic.

As a Chicago-based travel writer, I constantly discover magical new places all over the world. Of the nearly 70 countries I’ve made it to so far, these are the four places I think about moving to the most.

Helsinki, Finland

In Helsinki, Finland in 2024.

Courtesy of Meena Thiruvengadam

Singapore

In Singapore in 2023.

Courtesy of Meena Thiruvengadam

Life expectancies in Singapore are long, and crime rates are low.

I was walking alone one night from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel back to my own hotel a few blocks away when it hit me: I was safe. There are no mass shootings at schools, churches, shopping malls, offices, parades, or anywhere else. Singapore has one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the world.

Cars even stop for pedestrians.

Like in Finland, I have a couple of friends in Singapore — enough to begin building a new local community. And the Texas summers I grew up with have prepared me well for Singapore’s heat and humidity.

Lisbon, Portugal

In Lisbon in 2023.

Courtesy of Meena Thiruvengadam

Unlike Chicago, where I live now, winters in Portugal are mild, making Lisbon pleasant year-round. Life in Lisbon isn’t as affordable as it was when I first began toying with the idea of a potential move, but it’s still far more affordable to live in Portugal than in Chicago, New York, and many other parts of the U.S.

The country has an affordable public healthcare system that’s among the best in the world, a vibrant expat community, and a robust cultural scene — things that make me consider a move every time I visit.

Italy

I was taking a cooking class in Sorrento when I first thought about moving to Italy. The villa I was standing in — one with a sea view, expansive gardens, and an outdoor kitchen — cost about the same to purchase as a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, where I was living at the time.

Italy seemed like a bargain in comparison, one that would come with a serious quality-of-life upgrade.

In Rome, Italy in 2023.

Courtesy of Meena Thiruvengadam

Whether it’s Rome, Milan, or Naples, landing in Italy feels like letting out a big sigh. Priorities are different. The pace of life is different. It is the sweet life.

Italians practice better work-life balance than Americans, particularly New Yorkers. The weather is good and so is the country’s healthcare system. The job market can be toughbut as a creative who works remotely with clients around the world, that’s less of an issue for me.

There are a few Italian cities I’d consider moving to — Milan and Sorrento among them — and I’m sure many more to discover.

Wherever I might land, I know there would be excellent olive oil, fresh pasta, plenty of arts and culture, and friendly people.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a travel writer and editorial consultant currently based in Chicago. She is the founder of the travel site TravelwithMeena.com and a contributor to publications including Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, The Wall Street Journal, and Lonely Planet. Meena previously worked as an editor for Yahoo Finance and as a head of audience development for Bloomberg and Business Insider. Find her on TikTok and Instagram.

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