Where within the EU should I relocate to?

Question

I hold an EU passport so can live anywhere in the EU without need for a permit. I can no longer afford New York. I am an author with a take home income of about $2500 USD per month. I enjoy things like yoga and acupuncture and "alternative" stuff and I'd like to live somewhere that perhaps has some beautiful nature or architecture, is not crazy expensive and is accepting of arty-farty people. Any ideas as to which would be more suitable out of Berlin, Barcelona, Paris, Helsinki, Greece, Amsterday or Belgium? Any input would be really really appreciated. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

I feel your pain and have some points you may want to consider...

$2500 a month, whether in NEW York or Dallas, or Atlanta can be lived on, but in some places better than others. New York is one of the most expensive cities in the USA, I am sure you are aware.
In Europe, coming here and expecting to make the euro equivalent may be more difficult than you realize. I live in Greece where the average monthly salary for the great majority of the residents is less than 1000 euro (about 1250 US dollars). It is not the most expensive city in Europe, but it does fetch the highest salaries in Greece. Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, etc are all very expensive places to live and making the kind of money you would need to live there comfortably, right out of the gate will be very difficult, I am predicting.
Also, which languages do you speak fluently? In most larger cities in Europe, you can get by for the time being speaking English, but if you plan to make a life there, you will have to learn the language.

There are many many places in Europe with a historical significance, lending itself to beautiful architecture, a liberal lifestyle and a laid back culture, compared to NYC for sure, just consider the trade off of salary versus peace if you don't want to live in one of the expensive cities you listed.

Good luck!!

Jas

Answer 2

Barcelona, Helsinki and especially Paris are also expensive / very expensive and also a flat in central Amsterdam is not cheap. The cheapest cities are Berlin (where all the exil-artists of New York and other exp. cities are living because its so cheap - renting a nice flat is about 300 to 500$ and one room in a shared flat is about 250 to 350 - I don't know how the person above came to the conclusion that Berlin is expensive - we live in a 90 square metres flat and pay all in all less than 800 $) and in Greece. Belgium (great cities: Antwerp and Gent, also Brussels) is mid-priced.
In Greece and Paris it may be a problem not speaking the language, because english is not that widely spoken there (Greece) or the people simply don't want to speak english (Paris).
In my opinion Berlin would be your best choice - there are loads of this stuff you like (acupuncture as well as yoga and alternative stuff of every direction, also much readings from authors, etc.etc.) and it's one of the most liberal and cheapest of the big cities in europe. And of course there are really many people like you who chose Berlin as their new/interim home. My second choices: Antwerp (and Amsterdam if one finds a cheap flat), then Gent and Brussels.

Answer 3

That's quite a selection of places!

I think all of them have everything you are looking for in terms of architecture, things to do, etc. The question I have in my mind is whether you would be able to live in any of those location with an income of only $2,500 per month. I guess it depends on what you expect in terms of accommodation and food costs. At that level of earning, you should be able to afford most of the cities (probably not Helsinki) but you would be looking very much at lower-end accommodation and precious little discretionary income. If this does not concern you, I would go for Paris, as I think it is the most beautiful city in Europe. If affordability is an issue, you should go for Greece (but not central Athens!). Once you get outside the main cities in Greece, you could live quite comfortably on $2,500 per month.

Answer 4

Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris are extremely expensive to live in. They are very artsy places with open minds about most things.

If you're willing to not live in a metropolis then I would suggest Austria. Salzburg is a beautiful city, and Vienna is gorgeous. Vienna is very artsy-fartsy as you put it. They have two functioning opera houses, two palaces, gardens, and a huge amusement park. It's a very fun place to be.

If you want something a bit smaller and just as artsy, try Gratz Austria. It's the third largest city in Austria right in the middle of a few mountains. Very nice people in the city.

Hope that helps a bit

Answer 5

Move to the Netherlands.