Top and Bottom Expat Destinations for 2023.

Following a tumultuous year marked by contentious politics, conflict, and uncertainty about the future, could this be the moment to pursue that dream you’ve always envisioned? If you’re ready to take the leap, the question now is: where should you go next?

This year, your optimal choice might lie in Western Europe, as highlighted by the latest Quality of Living Report from the global consulting firm Mercer, which evaluates cities based on their appeal to expatriates. Zurich, the Swiss capital, secures the top position, followed closely by Vienna and Geneva, in a top 10 list that features many charming European locales.

Zurich earned praise for its “exceptional public services, low crime rates, vibrant cultural scene, and commitment to sustainability.” Nonetheless, keep in mind that the cost of living is notably high.

If you’re considering a more secluded option, Auckland, which ranks fifth, could be a place to explore, while the only North American city in the top 10, Vancouver, occupies the seventh spot.

Additional insights include:

• Singapore was the highest-ranked city in Asia, dropping one position to number 30. Hong Kong was placed 76th.
• Los Angeles showed the most significant improvement, climbing 26 ranks to number 44, due to enhanced crime, air quality, and internet access ratings.
• Boston was the highest-ranking US city at number 32, with New York following at 45.
• London ascended five ranks to position 40, while Edinburgh and Glasgow took the 50th and 53rd spots, respectively.
• Sydney dropped three places to 12th, ahead of Melbourne in 20th and Canberra in 29th.
• At the bottom of the ranking were Khartoum in Sudan and Baghdad, Iraq.

“In an era characterized by digital nomads and flexible working arrangements, Mercer’s findings indicate that the most attractive destinations are those that offer a balance of high quality of life and reasonable living costs,” stated Mercer’s Global Mobility Leader Yvonne Traber. “This presents a dilemma for organizations and international assignees as they navigate decisions about relocation, investment, and talent management.”

Mercer assessed living conditions in over 450 cities across the globe, analyzing 39 different factors including the political and social climate, healthcare, education, recreation, and housing.

Here are the top 10 cities for the best quality of living (cities sharing the same rank achieved identical overall scores):

1 — Zurich, Switzerland

2 — Vienna, Austria

3 — Geneva, Switzerland

4 — Copenhagen, Denmark

5 — Auckland, New Zealand

6 — Amsterdam, Netherlands

7 — Frankfurt, Germany

7 — Vancouver, Canada

9 — Bern, Switzerland

10 — Basel, Switzerland

Conversely, here are the bottom 10 cities on the list:

241 — Khartoum, Sudan

240 — Baghdad, Iraq

239 — Bangui, Central African Republic

238 — Sanaa, Yemen

237 — Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

236 — N’djamena, Chad

235 — Damascus, Syria

234 — Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

233 — Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

232 — Tripoli, Libya

© 2024 Bloomberg

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