Travel writer who has traveled to 68 countries – 4 places I most want to live | Real Time Headlines

I wonder what it would be like to live in most of the places I’ve visited, but I know I can’t make anywhere home.

As much as I would love to wake up in Sydney every morning, Australia is a little too far away from anywhere else. Although Istanbul is vibrant, it’s a bit too big and busy.

Reykjavik is very comfortablebut the city might be too small for me to put down roots – I wonder if I can get the hang of Icelandic.

As a Chicago travel writer, I continue to discover amazing new places around the world. Of the nearly 70 countries I’ve visited so far, here are the four places I’d most like to move to.

Helsinki is a vibrant, walkable capital city It has good public transport, well-connected airports and plenty of activities. I love its long summer days and midnight sunsets, its love of electronic music, and its vibrant arts and food scenes.

There’s a sense of contentment here that you can feel. People don’t have to struggle to meet their basic needs.

Singaporeans have a long life expectancyand low crime rate.

One night, as I was walking alone from the Marina Bay Sands back to my own hotel a few blocks away, it dawned on me: I was safe. There were no mass shootings in schools, churches, malls, offices, parades, or anywhere else. Singapore has One of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country in the world.

Cars will even stop for pedestrians.

Just like in Finland, I have a few friends in Singapore – enough to start building a new local community. The Texas summers I grew up with prepared me well for the heat and humidity in Singapore.

i fell in love lisbon This was my first visit to Portugal in 2011 and every time I return to the Portuguese capital it feels more like home. I love strolling the city’s pedestrian streets, shopping at affordable boutiques, and admiring the stunning views.

Friendly strangers always make me feel at home, and the abundant sunshine here fuels my soul.

Unlike Chicago, where I currently live, winters in Portugal are mild, making Lisbon pleasant year-round. Life in Lisbon isn’t as affordable as it was when I first started thinking about moving, but it’s still far away Life in Portugal is more affordable Than Chicago, New York, and many other places in the U.S.

The country has an affordable public healthcare system It’s one of the best countries in the world, with a vibrant expat community, and a thriving cultural scene – things that make me think about moving every time I visit.

Italians have a better work-life balance than Americans (especially New Yorkers). The weather is fine, it’s fine The country’s healthcare system. this The job market can be toughbut as a creative working remotely with clients around the world, this isn’t an issue for me.

There are several Italian cities I would consider moving to – Milan and Sorrento among them – and I’m sure there are many more yet to be discovered.

Wherever I land, I know there will be great olive oil, fresh pasta, rich arts and culture, and friendly people.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a travel writer and editorial consultant currently living in Chicago. She is the founder of a travel website TravelwithMeena.com He is also a contributor to publications such as Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, The Wall Street Journal, and Lonely Planet. Mina previously served as editor at Yahoo Finance and director of audience development at Bloomberg and Business Insider. find her Tik Tok and Instagram.

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