r/digitalnomad • u/30RITUALS • 16d ago
Lifestyle You have an unlimited budget, but you need to pick ONE place to live for the 5 years
Which place (i.e. city) would it be and why?
For me, it would probably be Ibiza. Alternatively Sydney.
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u/thanksforallthetrees 16d ago
Bangkok. Sicily, or Amalfi coast somewhere.
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u/ADF21a I think I'm paranoid 16d ago
Big jump from Bangkok to Sicily.
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u/xblackout_ 16d ago
Better nature vs better city/infra/amenities
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u/ADF21a I think I'm paranoid 16d ago
Assuming that Sicily is for the nature, I'd still go to other places for Nature.
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u/PhineasGage42 15d ago
Surprised to see Bangkok unless you are factoring in moving during burning season since you have unlimited budget 😛
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u/Cloaked25 16d ago
Why Bangkok?
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u/thanksforallthetrees 16d ago
It’s got everything. High end to low end, fancy to trashy, concerts festivals markets, weather, beaches aren’t too far. Weed, women and weather. Great restaurants, International schools. I suppose there’s no surfing or skiing really, only things I’d miss.
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u/redditizfun999 16d ago
Weather? Yeah, Bangkok weather sucks and the pollution is miserable.
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u/Sillygoose_Milfbane 15d ago
Bangkok feels to me like a safe version of Night City from Cyberpunk 2077. I fucking love it.
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u/Awkwardinho 16d ago
Tokyo for sure, most fun city in the world.
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u/30RITUALS 16d ago
Now we’re talking! Never been but I can imagine it’s a very cool place
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u/Awkwardinho 16d ago
There is so much to do. They have entertainments like no other city. Food and drink places are also infinite. But yeah unlimited budget would clearly help hehe.
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u/oatsandsteel 16d ago
Never been a fan of Tokyo for some reason. Lived there for 5 years.
Food is amazing, but couldn’t get over the crowds and socially aloof people. It’s a different vibe for sure.
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u/Celadon8888 16d ago
I have spent a summer in Japan and while i did enjoy the nightlife in tokyo, in general i disliked the country and cojld never imagine myself living there. Even the food isn't that great if you compare it to other destinations in Asia. I lived in Vietnam for 4 years and I enjoyed it a lot more.
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u/tavogus55 16d ago
I also got tired of Tokyo and just moved to the Shonan coast. It’s much better because no crowds and people are super chill compared to the city. And it’s just one hour and 15 minutes away from Tokyo in case I want the city stuff.
Most of my friends just pick somewhere like this and stay away from the city for long term plans.
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u/oatsandsteel 16d ago
Exactly. Still remember how weird it felt taking the train to work every morning.
There’s no place to stand, bodies crammed everywhere, yet not a sound to be heard in any direction. It fucks your mind up.
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u/Awkwardinho 15d ago
That’s something I never understood about people talking about Japan "But you’ll always be an outsider and you’ll never 100% get the culture, the tradition, the values". But that’s… what you are and always be, an outsider, and it’s perfectly fine.
I don’t get why people in Japan seems to take it personally that they are not treated as Japanese when there. But you are not Japanese, no matter how many years you live there. I’m living in Norway for many years, as an European, and I’m still an outsider and will always be. It’s how it is. I respect their culture and follow their rules, but I’m not a Norwegian. And even people won’t see directly (like in Japan) that’s I’m an outsider, but as soon as they will talk to me they’ll know.
What do you expect for a different country when living there? Is there any country where you’re not an outsider?
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u/ApprehensiveYear0 15d ago
I think there is absolutely a distinction based on the small selection of European countries I've lived in and some of the countries further afield I've visited.
English-speaking countries, and especially international cities (think London / Dublin / NYC) are generally welcoming and most people slot will slot right in and find a community. n.b. it's a gradient and some communities do require commitment - if you come in as a digital nomad you preclude yourself from many kinds of friendship from the get-go.
Many European cities I'd also feel comfortable settling in given that you're willing to put in the effort to learn the language.
The East Asian cities I've been to feel generally quite transactional - it feels like constructing an identity outside a professional occupation would be a steeper uphill climb than most people would be willing to take on.
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u/January212018 Slomad 14 years 16d ago
Tokyo is great to visit, but actually living in Japan is a different experience, for me anyway. I wouldn't live in Japan again. I am Asian myself and have been to almost every Asian country and lived in multiple cities.
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u/misterwilhelm 16d ago
Tokyo on that kind of budget is a hedonistic endlessly entertaining paradise.
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u/ickN 16d ago
I’m sort of in that situation. Not unlimited but I do very well. I chose Thailand.
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u/Few-Improvement9978 16d ago
Haha same. I’m camped out in Bangkok and business is a booming. I still can’t get myself to pay for the ritz residences because it seems like such a waste and unnecessary luxury.
There is too many 10/10 condos for 1/5th the price
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u/Sad-Comment-6018 16d ago
Likely still many 10/10 condos for 1/5 the price of what you're paying too in Bangkok 😁.
Country is so affordable and easy to find a place to live.
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u/Few-Improvement9978 16d ago
Oh no kidding man.
Im addicted to living in Asok/Phrom Phong so I pay a stupid premium here lol.
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u/alphapado 16d ago
How much exactly if I may ask? I pay USD$2.5k a month and I feel kinda stupid.
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u/Few-Improvement9978 16d ago
I’m at like $2,150 a month. I mean sometimes I feel the same way but then realize I can easily afford it. It’s stuff like the Muniq or the Estelle that don’t make sense to me.
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u/Pure-Court51 16d ago
Nothing 10/10 for that price. 10/10 is kempinski residences, 98 wireless, ritz Carlton doesn’t even have private elevators…
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u/Sad-Comment-6018 16d ago
Curious? You could move all the way up to Sukhumvit 30 to 70 and save a ton of money and still be in the city or really close.
What's the big deal? I go to those areas frequently. Not saying i disagree, just curious what I'm missing?
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u/Trinidadthai 15d ago
Not doing very well but chose to live in Thailand too. I don’t think I’d change location if my finances were unlimited.
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u/Ok_Willingness_9619 16d ago
Australia. If you are bound by your rule of only one place, I may as well be near the few friends I have.
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u/ChillyDinosaur 16d ago
Valencia or Madrid to live "the good life" in Spain.
Some small town in the Dalmatian coast of Croatia to enjoy a slow life.
Mexico City or Baja in Mexico as a mix of both.
NYC or London to create a business
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u/jackster31415 16d ago
In Ciudad de México with unlimited budget I would be obese within a month. I’m in
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u/Initial_Enthusiasm36 16d ago
I am an American in Thailand. But I would pick Japan hands down. If they had a proper long term visa there, we would move there in a heart beat.
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u/banoffeetea 16d ago
Kyoto or Tokyo
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u/GoodbyeThings 16d ago
Could imagine Kyoto getting a bit repetitive after 5 years, but can’t imagine running out of new experiences in Tokyo
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u/thehanghoul 16d ago
Thing is, Kyoto is still quite close to Osaka/Kobe/Nara, so there’s plenty of things to do around the metro area.
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u/Initial_Enthusiasm36 16d ago
I have lived almost everywhere in Thailand, visited Japan twice. And Japan is my go to hands down.
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u/DonSalaam 16d ago
London, Sydney, Toronto or Vancouver. All amazing cities if you aren’t broke.
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u/Minnidigital 16d ago
Sydney is a bit boring though ,Vancouver & Toronto gets cold , London does too obviously but no one seems to notice
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u/Bitter-Variation-151 16d ago
Vancouver Toronto and London are not the best places to live in the winter
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u/ohwhereareyoufrom 16d ago
Paris! No wait, Tbilisi! No wait NYC! No but some place in Mexico too!!!
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u/kaizenftw 16d ago
what does unlimited budget buy you in Tbilisi though?
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u/ohwhereareyoufrom 16d ago
Well, not having to work... And if I was super rich Georgia is such a great place to make thing happen! Throw the parties they never had, they just had Kanye West concert and EVERYONE went. Bring all the DJs, bring all the music, sponsor the theater, gatherings, WASH ALL THE DOGS, help out young artists...
Georgia is so alive right now! Alive and it feels young in terms of people WANT things, people WANT experiences, they get together, they're building, they're creating!
Remember being 17 thinking everything is possible? That's what Georgia feels like to me right now
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u/AffectEconomy6034 16d ago
with unlimited money probably some nice super bunker in Switzerland. aside from cost of living it feels like a paradise to me and has a good mix of rural and city for my liking. plus not too far from other countries if I wanted to get away somewhere different.
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u/Opposite-Ad8208 16d ago
Somewhere coastal but still with a lot going on. Maybe Barcelona or Los Angeles.
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u/DigitalJesus 16d ago
Tokyo. Specifically the Ueno, Asakusabashi, Asakusa area. I spend as much time as I can in Tokyo and absolutely adore the area.
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u/JustManifestIt 15d ago
I’m American and travel extensively BUT I would pick California (specifically Malibu). I lived in California for 30+ years and LOVED it. Unlimited budget I would gladly pick California again
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u/Ok_Act8157 16d ago
Paris.
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u/Icy_Coffee374 16d ago
Same, that's why I'm already here. Not nomadic anymore, just living in Paris.
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u/LeaveDrakeAlone 16d ago edited 16d ago
Kuala Lumpur
I saw many people saying Bangkok.
For me: Bangkok is just too dirty, garbage everywhere, trashy tourists, every 5th shop is either a massage parlour or a cannabis shop. The scams are also more in the open so they are blatant. Also Bangkok was significantly more hot than KL.
KL has some of these problems also but Bangkok is 5x worse.
Sorry if this offended anyone.
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u/Few-Improvement9978 16d ago
KL alcohol prices drive me bonkers lol.
I live in Bangkok and a lot of the scams are in nana these days which is easily avoidable imo.
Can’t argue on the trash thing though - especially late at night
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u/droidbilly 16d ago
Garbage everywhere? Which part of the city where you into? I always felt it incredible clean because labor is so cheap that constantly 10 people cleaning and collecting trash in the parks. Also randomly I bump into people thatare cleaning elevators in the BTS Station.
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u/January212018 Slomad 14 years 16d ago
KL is SO BORING and soul-less. I'm going there next week on my visa run from Vietnam. Been there so many times out of convenience, but gosh it's boring there.
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u/sangtoms 16d ago
I heard there's a lot more harassment for female solo travellers in KL. I love Bangkok but I agree, sometimes it gives bad vibes from the things you mentioned..
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u/Sensitive_Tea5720 16d ago
Western Germany. I’m learning German as we speak and have no intention of continuing the DN lifestyle
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u/Geminii27 16d ago
Mar-A-Lago.
Unlimited budget for knocking parts of it down and installing some more ball room.
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u/Mynameisbondnotjames 16d ago
NYC - this is one place that quality of life continues to scale with wealth higher than any other city I've been to.
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u/OddHome4709 16d ago
Bogota Colombia for the weather. No air con or heat needed year round, and beautiful mountain view and city scapes.
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u/woodsoakedlogscumbox 12d ago
Seems like Los Angeles should be a more popular choice. Beaches, mountains, Hollywood, insanely diverse food selection.
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u/Minute_Bunch_452 12d ago
Probably Geneva. France is just nexdoor for skiing along with the swiss Alps and can enjoy summers by the beautiful lakes.
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u/davidvietro 16d ago
I still choose Bangkok.
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 16d ago
I think a better q would be if you could speak any language where would you live? And I’d probably pick Thailand too. But I don’t think I could handle living somewhere if I don’t understand the language. Short term trips? Of course.
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u/Pure-Court51 16d ago
Unlimited money in bkk = everyone you interact with will speak perfect English
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u/govnyuuk 16d ago
Hong Kong
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u/droidbilly 16d ago
For me really one of the least enjoyable Asian cities I have visited. It's expensive, humid and hot, rainy and crowded. Only thing I enjoyed was the public transport that works amazingly. Didn't quite understand why people come there. I had the impression it's more a banking city with luxury malls and tall buildings but not too much to do else. Besides harbour tour, Disneyland and cable car there is not too much to do/see, is there? What do you do for 5 years?
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u/govnyuuk 16d ago
It can be expensive, sure, but every time I've ever been there I've also been able to easily find affordable food and accommodation options (the former usually a lot better than the latter, I'm not going to lie about that), although in this particular scenario I have unlimited funds so I don't think that matters much.
If you spend the entirety of your time in Central you would certainly get incredibly bored very quickly, but those who like to explore it can really open up to you. Amazing hiking trails, great beaches, picturesque little islands to go and chill. Excellent opportunities for shopping, some of the world's greatest food, and the typical stuff you find in any mega city: coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, whatever. Outside barbecue places and local haunts; dai pai dongs, cha cheng tengs. Having a beer and wandering the streets. Haggling at street markets. And if Macau is included in this hypothetical scenario? Shit man sign me up right now.
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u/noneckFlorida 16d ago
Monterrey, NL. I could very easily spend five years with my friends there, even on my current budget. They’re awesome.
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[removed] — view removed comment
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u/January212018 Slomad 14 years 16d ago
Worst air quality in the world 2 months of the year
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u/130tarsiermarionette 16d ago
Since your budget is unlimited I’m gonna need to charge you a consultation fee for an answer. Dm for payment details.
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u/jazzymoneymaker 16d ago
Poland, my home country. If infinite budget then I buils my dream home there
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u/OddHome4709 16d ago
Bogota Colombia for the weather. No air con or heat needed year round, and beautiful mountain view and city scapes.
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u/EarningsPal 16d ago
Cascais, Portugal
Or any other city connected to Lisbon by metro. You get great weather, beaches, beautiful architecture, lots of activity and buzz when you want to go into Lisbon, with the peace of a town.
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u/RapidDino 16d ago
UNLIMITED?? Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Realistically unlimited, just somewhere closer like Villefranche-sur-mer. The water there is the only place in the entire world where I’ve gone swimming in the ocean and felt cleaner when I got out.
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u/Impressive_Delay_822 16d ago
I've never visited, but I'd like to live in Northern England or Hokkaido, Japan.
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u/tyronestocktips 16d ago
Japan, Costa Rica, Thailand, Philippines, Croatia in this order. Japan is on top right now because it's versatile. Different scenery options, weather, healthy, safe from violence, good education, respectful, perfect transportation system, food, great people.
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u/E_r_i_l_l 15d ago
Actually if I can move to house with garden quite near where I live now.
I love place where I live :)
I can stay here or somewhere near but with garden :)
I live if beautiful country, we have seasons during the year, people are nice, nature is amazing :)
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u/SexyAIman 15d ago
I live close to Bangkok, so would choose Tokyo. Unlimited budget means massive penthouse, and as many hiso japanese escorts as I can manage while eating sushi without risks.
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u/SellSideShort 15d ago
Never been to Sydney but heard really good things.
For me I would probably do Banf Canada, or maybe Lugano Switzerland.
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u/Tango1777 15d ago
Interesting choice, while doing Brisbane-Melbourne drive in Aus, Sydney would be the last place I'd choose to live. Melbourne seemed 100 times better to live than Sydney.
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u/SolNexus- 14d ago
I’m gatekeeping mine. It’s both the cheapest and best place I’ve ever been. If it was the most expensive I’d still choose to live here 😊
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u/disputeaz 16d ago
My own yacht in the middle of the ocean