Introduction
All of the settlements listed are also in the European Union, which means that you won’t have too much trouble with laws and rules, as they are the same in all EU countries.
In case you’re reading this post and have not read our previous one ‘Cheapest cities in Europe to move to’ we would strongly advise you to do so, as our sources are listed and explained there. After all, information is power.
It’s summertime and living is easy
Where to move?
If you’re fond of the sun and the beach, and a relaxed pace of life, you will greatly enjoy our next couple of suggestions. In all of the cities listed below, except Thessaloniki, the Latin letters are used, which will make deciphering the language that much easier. Among these cheap cities in Europe there are a large number of ports, and we’d like to start off with the busiest container port on the Mediterranean Sea:
Valencia – γ
Location: city in Spain, Southwestern Europe
Size: 134.65 km2
Population: 809,267
Language: Spanish and Valencian
Religion: Christian catholic
Employment rate: 95% employed
Public transportation: good
Time zone: UTC-1
Climate: Mediterranean hot climate
Currency: Euro
Monthly cost of living estimate: 547.30€ ~ 594.18$
The Spanish are on the 37th position on the world’s happiest nations index, and Valencia has been the capital city of the area numerous times. Besides Spanish, Valencian is also spoken in the town and surrounding land. Soccer fans and moto sport lovers surely know the name of this city already. If you’re interested in nightlife as well, let us inform you here that Ibiza is a mere 30 minutes away by plane. While we’re on the topic of fun, let us suggest:
Lisbon – β+
Location: Capital of Portugal, Southwestern Europe
Size: 100.05 km2
Population: 545,245
Language: Portuguese
Religion: Christian catholic
Employment rate: 87% employed
Public transportation: good
Time zone: UTC
Climate: Mediterranean climate
Currency: Euro
Monthly cost of living estimate: 500.23€ ~ 543.07$
A litter cheaper than Valencia, this city is placed 38th on the quality of life world index. Portugal is also included in the world’s top 20 countries to raise a family list. As the legend says, Lisbon was founded by the clever hero of the Trojan War, Odysseus. While we’re talking about the Greeks, here is our next port:
Thessaloniki – uncategorized
Location: city in Greece, Balkans, Southeastern Europe
Size: 19.307 km2
Population: 325,182
Language: Greek
Religion: Christian orthodox
Employment rate: 75% employed
Public transportation: fair
Time zone: UTC+2
Climate: Mediterranean climate
Currency: Euro
Monthly cost of living estimate: 571.39€ ~ 620.33$
This city was named after the sister of the greatest warrior and leader in Ancient History, Alexander the Great of Macedon. Regarding quality of life, Thessaloniki is placed 56th in the world. Greece is also one of the top 20 countries for raising a family. The Greek alphabet and language are unique, as there is none like it in the world, so you might need to inform yourself about it beforehand. After all, you want to be able to read your new address, no? For our last suggestion, here is another port:
Naples – S
Location: city in Italy, South Europe
Size: 117.27 km2
Population: 975,260
Language: Italian
Religion: Cristian catholic
Employment rate: 90% employed
Public transportation: good
Time zone: UTC+1
Climate: Mediterranean climate
Currency: Euro
Monthly cost of living estimate: 692.09€ ~ 751.37$
This city was founded by the Ancient Greeks and given the name Neapolis, which means new city. That they had chosen the perfect place justifies the fact that this is one of the most traveled-through ports in Europe, even today. Italians are placed 50th on the world’s happiest people list. You won’t have too much trouble speaking with the natives of this cheap city. Being familiar with Romance languages is useful, as well as some clever use of hand gestures.
So, you want to live like royalty?
Vienna – α
Location: Capital of Austria, Central Europe
Size: 414.65 km2
Population: 1,852,997
Language: German
Religion: more than 1/2 Christian catholic and less than 1/2 no religion or others
Employment rate: 95% employed
Public transportation: excellent
Time zone: UTC+1
Climate: humid continental climate
Currency: Euro
Monthly cost of living estimate: 720.51€ ~ 782.22$
We’re talking about the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and the city which takes the 8th place on the quality of life index today. Austria is placed at the top of the best countries to raise a family in list and it’s also topping the countries in Europe to get a job in index. The University of Vienna is one of the best 100 in Europe, and takes the 161st place in the world. Austria is also one of the top countries when we’re talking about animal welfare, as well. Now that you’ve read all this, it’s not really surprising that Austrians are placed 12th in the world’s happiest nations index, just below our next suggestion:
Malmö – γ-
Location: city in Sweden, North Europe
Size: 158.4 km2
Population: 318,107
Language: Swedish
Religion: Christian Lutheran and others
Employment rate: 93% employed
Public transportation: good
Time zone: UTC+1
Climate: oceanic influenced by the Gulf Stream
Currency: Swedish krona
Monthly cost of living estimate: 6,588.17kr ~ 724.56$
Malmö was mentioned for the first time in 1275. Again, we’re talking about a two in one deal, as this cheap city is connected to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, by bridge. Sweden has taken the 1st place on the world’s lists concerning the best countries to raise a family in for years. Regarding animal welfare, it’s one of the second best countries and it’s also listed in the top 10 countries to start a career in the world, just like Great Britain, in which we suggest:
Sheffield – S
Location: city in England, United Kingdom, West Europe
Size: 367.94 km2
Population: 563,749
Language: English
Religion: more than half Christian
Employment rate: 95% employed
Public transportation: average
Time zone: UTC+0
Climate: temperate
Currency: Pound sterling
Monthly cost of living estimate: 553.39£ ~ 697.38$
The British are listed as the 23rd on the world’s happiest nation index, so it’s not really a mystery that we’re suggesting one of the English settlements. Britain is listed as one of the best countries for getting a job in Europe and starting a career in the world. The British also take a spot in the best countries regarding animal welfare and they are ranked in the top 20 countries to raise a family in. The Sheffield University is placed 97th on The world University rankings 2015-2016. Another academically significant city on our still cheap cities list is our next suggestion:
Lyon – β-
Location: city in France, West Europe
Size: 47.87 km2
Population: 500,715
Language: French
Religion: Christian catholic
Employment rate: 90% employed
Public transportation: good
Time zone: UTC+1
Climate: humid continental
Currency: Euro
Monthly cost of living estimate: 777.76€ ~ 844.38$
L’ école normale superiéure de Lyon is one of the top 100 in Europe, and the physical sciences department is ranked 84th in the world in 2016. Let’s also mention the fact that Lyon is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The French are well-known for enjoying life, so we weren’t really surprised to find them on the 32nd spot on the world’s happiest nations index. The home city of the Lumière brothers is also quite infamus for its French cuisine.
Bon appétit!