Where's nicer to live than Sydney? I'm looking for more cultural and intellectual sophistication, and peace.

Question

I have never met an expat who is happy living in Sydney (AU), and I mean *never* over many years, despite its physical beauty. I am thinking of finally giving up myself, so need to figure out where else to live...

Where on this planet can I go on a European passport, that:
- Is warm and bright. Say, 22-30C for most of the year.
- Has a sense of community, connection and at least a little cultural depth.
- Is run intelligently and civilly, without a heavy load of bureaucratic incompetence, wastefulness or intimidation. (Sydney's awful that way.)
- Has a good intellectual heritage - universities, research, education in general. Or at least just a sense of quality and concern - not a cowboy approach.
- Is quiet. At least in places, so it's easy to find a peaceful home.
- Has nice, affordable homes (rent and buy) relative to wages. (I guess anywhere will be better seeing as Sydney has the world's #1 most expensive property relative to salaries.)

Or should I just move planet? :(

Answer 1

+ You might try Stockholm Sweden, Slightly higher cost of living but superior services. Lots of culture.

Answer 2

Berlin