Moving Abroad? Here are the Best Cities in the World to Live in (2019)!

Whether it’s for a gap year you are planning to spend in Australia or a job offer you just accepted in New York City, moving abroad and wholly relocating your entire life can be both exhilarating as well as nerve-wracking. You are leaving behind not only your family but also familiarity. So it is always handy to prepare yourself for all the changes that are about to come. Here are a moving abroad checklist and tips along with some of the best cities in the world to live in 2019.

In order to make your transition as smooth as possible and prepare yourself for any emergencies, you have got to have all your legal and financial documents in good order. Keep your passport, Visa, work permit, birth certificate, and other essential documents with you to avoid starting off on the wrong foot. Not to forget, keep all your medical records up to date and handy to use at all times.

Looking for the right place to live can get overwhelming, especially when done in the nick of time. One can consider renting a place or moving into a dormitory. Pack everything you may need, hire a shipping company for the things you cannot pack, and make arrangements to store the rest of your belongings you do not wish to take with you.

To avoid last minute running around like a broke job seeker, why not plan ahead and do some tentative hunting to have a source of income to lean on? Look for work, talk to as many people as possible, and get that job to support yourself in the new city. Ensure you are clear on all the legal formalities needed to work in your chosen city and have in possession all the essential documents to take up work legally.

Get familiar with the currency, research about the banking available for you in the new country and choose wisely depending on various factors such as the frequency of availability of ATMs and the branches near where you intend to stay or work, various charges and schemes of different banks, etc.

Vision, dental, physical, and all other medical appointments — it’s worth getting everything checked while you’re at it before you relocate overseas. Maintain a well-organized medical record of your allergies and diseases, immunization, and prescriptions. Also, research and inquire about the health care coverage and insurance policies in the country you are moving to.

Update your passport, obtain the necessary visa, and book your tickets timely. Don’t forget to also make the required arrangements for relocating your pets, if any. Consider how you are going to manage your transit in the city after you move. Will you be needing a car or will you be using public transport? Be sure to check on all these aspects.

From affordable housing and transportation to rich cultural heritage and clean, fresh and beautiful natural surroundings, Vienna surely holds the first rank in terms of quality of living. From Beethoven to Mozart, the city represents exceptional work in the field of music, fine arts, and theater. With a population of around 1.9 million, Vienna is one of the safest cities to live in! Taking into account healthcare, education, stability, housing, crime rate, personal freedom, access to nature, and several other factors, Vienna is the highest ranked city in the world by many surveys for the quality of living it has to offer.

Some Must-See Places:
The Imperial Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, National History Museum, Vienna Zoo, Vienna City Hall, the National Theater, and the Vienna State Opera House.

Ranked as the ‘Most Livable City’ for seven years in a row, Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia. If you are a sucker for art, music, and coffee, then this is your place to be! With friendly people, great lifestyle and endless career opportunities, the city gets top score when it comes to healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Vibrant street art and music scenes, exciting roller coasters, buzzing restaurants and bars, the seaside fun, highly Instagrammable places, and the cutest wildlife to watch - you name it, and Melbourne has it for you.

Some Must-See Places:
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Shrine of Remembrance, National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne Zoo.

If you are looking for opportunities to find your talent, make connections, expand your business, and even try new ventures, then New York is the place for you. It has an incredible pool of talented and driven people, ready to share their ideas and experiences over a cup of coffee. Referred to as the Big Apple, the city has got the food, the art, the culture and the people — in fact, 8.55 million of them! Despite the crowds and cost, there is a good reason why people still keep choosing NYC. If you aspire to be living the American dream, New York will offer you countless resources to make your wishes come true. Some of the tallest buildings, best museums, theaters, and parks are found here and no doubt, this highly drive city, known for its around-the-clock lifestyle, is rightly called “the city that never sleeps”.

Some Must-See Places:
Central Park, Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Hudson River Park, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge.

Often called the Manchester of Japan, the city is best known for its dynamic food culture and famously outgoing people. A famous local expression 'kuidaore' meaning 'to eat oneself to ruin' truly justifies the vibe of Osaka and its amicable and fun-loving people. The city is a mix of modern and ancient with delightful old-fashioned values, temples, and unique historical places to chic and happening nightlife. Osaka does not compromise on quality education, healthcare and business opportunities at any cost, and is often referred to as a ‘Knowledge Capital’ that manifests an ever growing and vibrant tech and startup scene with an eye to further dominate the world’s market with its innovative technologies and services.

Some Must-See Places:
Osaka Castle, Hozenji Temple, Universal Studios Japan, Legoland Discovery Center, Shitennoji, Sumiyoshi Taisha.

Calgary is home to more than a million people and bags top marks for cleanliness, affordability, and stability. With its unique cultural and culinary scene and beautiful, fresh environment, the city offers a lot to live for with its top-class healthcare, education and business opportunities along with good quality housing and a safe environment. Calgary’s natural setting in the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains, surrounded by an area of charming beauty, and as the most robust economy in the entire country - the city has the best of all worlds!

Some Must-See Places:
Rocky Mountains, Calgary Zoo, Calgary Tower, Prince’s Island Park, Studio Bell, Kensington Village.

The excellent infrastructure, reliable transportation, and high-quality healthcare, the Danish Capital holds the reputation for being one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities, marking it the most livable of them all. What also sets it apart is the fact that it is the most cycle-friendly city in the world, significantly contributing to a cleaner and fresher environment. Copenhagen's food, culture, and art scenes have been attracting expats all over the world for decades now. The city offers vibrant party and dining experiences, world-class museums, and other highly accessible infrastructure making it the top choice for people to relocate to.

Some Must-See Places:
Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn Canal and Harbour, Christiansborg Palace, the Little Mermaid, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Fine Art Museum.

With its clean natural surroundings and an excellent social environment, along with endless options for career and education, Auckland is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. Its affordable, diverse, and delicious food, strong cultural heritage, and picture-perfect views make it another popular expat destination attracting global talent. If you have an eye for nature but cannot settle without one foot into the corporate world, you are surely in for a treat! The business market is dynamic, and it is the best place to put your business expertise to best use as the city offers the best of job opportunities.

Some Must-See Places:
Waiheke Island, Auckland Zoo, Sky Tower, One Tree Hill, Piha Beach, Great Barrier Island, Botanical Gardens, Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Judged as one of the safest places in the world, Zurich becomes a sole attraction for many lovers of the outdoors all over the world with its beautiful and breathtaking natural sceneries. Set in the heart of Europe, it shares borders with some of the most desirable countries, such as Austria, Germany, and France, grabbing the attention of expats all over the world with its clean, fresh and stunning surroundings and vibrant cultural life. Excellent schools and work opportunities make this Swiss city desirable for all those looking for productivity.

Some Must-See Places:
Lake Zurich, Swiss National Museum, Rhine Falls, Mount Titlis, Art Museums, Chocolate Factory, Jungfraujoch.

With its ever-growing tech, business, and startup scenes and a ten on ten nightlife, the German capital no doubt is rightly considered as one of the coolest cities in the world. The diversity, openness, and stability along with the cheap cost of living and super convenient public transportation to get you around the city make Berlin your next favorite destination to be. The art, architecture, and culture of the place are things to live for along with the fascinating monuments, museums, and art galleries. Its large English-speaking population is highly welcoming to foreigners, friendly, and open to new, fun experiences. If you ever wish to escape the rush of the city, get yourself in Berlin and treat yourself with stunning mountains, lakes, and beaches.

Some Must-See Places:
Brandenburg Gate, East Side Gallery, Reichstag Building, Museum Island, Berliner Fernsehturm.

If the day-to-day, the noisy hustle and bustle of a city isn’t your cup of tea, and you are looking for a calming, relaxing city to call home, then this is your place to be! With its magnificent rural landscapes, wondrous hills and awe-inspiring landscapes, Adelaide does not compromise on opportunities for businesses and education, or fun for that matter. The city’s affordable lifestyle with fulfilling dining scenes, cultural activities, and vibrant party scenes make it mark its place in an expat’s bucket list. The transportation in the city is cheap yet reliable and can get you from some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia to world-class wineries in no time.

Some Must-See Places:
Adelaide Botanical Garden, Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide Himeji Gardens, Mount Lofty, Victoria Square, Adelaide Art Festival, Waterfall Gully.

Whether it’s about the different modes of commute used in your new city or the climate conditions there — read and research about anything and everything you may need to know. Get familiar with the culture of the place, the festivals, and other practices. It will not only help you to smoothen the transition, but also save you from those otherwise inevitable culture shocks coming your way.

In order to get an idea of what the new place holds for you and get familiar with its environment and energy, you can make a visit prior to your relocation. While you’re at it, get the information you may need to know beforehand to smoothen your transition to the city.

Read those Yelp reviews of the best coffee place in town or the car rental to go for. Know your nearby pharmacies, clinics, convenience stores, subway stations, and parks. Explore the new area, and don’t forget to take pictures!

Try learning at least important conversational words and phrases in the native language of the place in order to ease your way through the town. If required, keep a translator app and a dictionary handy the next time someone makes small talk — don’t let that language barrier get to you!

Moving overseas and leaving behind your friends and family can be overwhelming. You can try joining social groups, visiting places nearby to meet new people and make friends with them. Don’t hesitate to put yourself out there, make the first move!

While you move to a new city and open yourself to new people and possibilities, it’s essential to not forget the ones you left behind. Keep in touch with your friends and family, and most importantly, yourself. Don’t let the transition get to you such that it stains your old relationships. Keeping that in mind, also don’t let your old baggage keep you from the new experiences.