[Traveler86]

(06-02-2013 08:52 PM)Pokerbaby Wrote:  

(06-02-2013 03:42 PM)Traveler86 Wrote:  

Second and third tier cities in poland.

I'm surprised no one said Amsterdam.

You got to love the Dutch, for a year they were talking about banning the sale of weed to tourists. So of course, some gullible travellers thought it might go through and rushed to visit Amsterdam in the fall - traditionally slow season for Europe. Then like magic (wink, wink) someone crunched the numbers on how many billions of dollars would be passed up if they went through with the new laws and it's open season in 2013 again.

Anyways, Amsterdam is underrated. I think it has the hottest girls in western Europe on average, even better than Stockholm, London, Paris Barcelona, Lisbon or Berlin (places I've been to). And they are friendlier than the women in these other cities too.

It's not cheap, but not as expensive as say, London or Paris. Everyone knows English and it's widely expected that they will converse with you in English.

For those into it, legalize prostitution, soft drugs, liberal drinking rules.

I agree with that for western europe, but Im talking about whole europe and I rather pick soemwhere like second/third tier cities in poland or czech rather than anywhere else in western europe.

Living in countries like poland/czech you are at gates of other countries like russia, ukraine, belarus, lithuania, latvia, moldova, hungary, slovakia, etc.. all with hot/attractive women and cheaper prices than west.

[Sp5]

I would pick Rome.

First, the city is physically beautiful, with wonderful old architecture and a nice terra-cotta stucco color to many buildings. Lots of trees and parks, too. This is something I appreciate more and more after being in the cast-concrete drabness or flashy-trashy cityscapes of SE Asia.

Second, there is history on every block and there is no end to learning about it by reading Cicero, Tacitus, Suetonius and the rest of the Romans.

Third, the food is good, even if it seems every restaurant has the same menu. Asides from that, there are excellent food markets and a respect for meat and produce.

Fourth, the nightlife is not bad, it's easy to find out what's going on in the magazine Roma C'e available at any newsstand. Rome is a capital and has a lot of immigrant communities - it's easy to meet North- and Latin- Americans, Africans and north Europeans.

A lot of other Italian cities could be substituted for Rome according to taste. The Naples area would be my second choice.

Beyond Italy, I would go with Madrid. The winter weather in northern Europe is just too grim to pick Amsterdam, London or Berlin.

[Orson]

(05-28-2013 07:56 AM)Kristian Wrote:  

(05-26-2013 06:57 AM)Celtic_Austrian Wrote:  

Vienna, of course.
The world´s most liveable city, great location in Europe, hot girls from all eastern european/slavic countries in one place (for example: recent heavy influx of hungarian students due to Viktor Orbán´s ridiculous higher education reform), amazing history, architecture, culture...

which is the cost of living in Vienna?

Viktor Obran? I think you are confusing Hungary with Austria - different countries. Obran is PM in Hungary - SEE
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/215...ktor-orban

In January 2013:

Quote:

Student demonstrators noisily blocked central Budapest last month in protest against a planned reduction in the number of university scholarships. The government swiftly backed down, promising more negotiations.

Vienna's cost of living? It is about as expensive as Denver, USA (where I live) - and Vienna is the fifth most visited city Europe - close to Colorado's fourth most visited state status in the US (after New York, Cali, and Florida).

A couple years ago, a neighbor friend was dating a 20-something female from Vienna - attending the University of denver for her PhD in psychology. (I have already had a GF who was doing the more popular PsyD in clinical psych at "DU" as it is known here).

I asked why she chose Denver to live? Because, she explained, it reminded her of Vienna! It was a comfortable and comforting neighborhood around this private university.

So i checked it out and an expat cost of living site (or two) explained that the cost-of living (overall) was very similar.

Vienna and Denver are also of similar sizes (2.5 million) and close to the mountains.

Like others, I love London as a base. I have studied there and lived in England in my youth, and then added Amsterdam because of a blonde GF there. But complaints by others, mostly older, of the "foreign invasion" (mostly by Muslims), their incapacity to integrate, and subsequent crime levels has reached me her in Colorado, via visitors to our ski resorts and transplants. It is deeply lamented.

Does this affect the quality of life there, diminishing it? I believe it does, but the young among us are less likely to be moved by it. (But I know at least one member on RvF from the UK disdains it! And therefore is in EE.)

SO where am I looking? And why?

I am a snow and mountain sports lover. Vienna might be ideal! But many think it is too old, too unchanging, and to expensive to attract them. I haven't been to Vienna since the Fall of COmmunism - so I hope to see this summer and decide for myself. (It does attracts a very large higher ed population, however - ergo, students during the academic year should be in abundance!)

Looking wider, Bratislava in Slovakia is less than one hour from Vienna. And about one-third cheaper. But it is small and in part because of the communist era undistinguished. Most say it is too dull (even if the Slovaks are great beauties - perhaps better than Czecks.)

Ljubljiana (sp?-in Slovenia) is also small but not such a bargain for living (although the banking crisis looming for that country could change that in two years time).

Therefore, I have set my sights on two other capitals. First, Zagreb in Croatia (about half the size of Vienna and a lovely post-Habsburg southern capital (about one-third cheaper than Vienna and Denver), and close to the Adriatic's beaches, party-scene, and islands in the summer.

And Budapest, not a lot smaller than Vienna but just as majestic and an even better bargain (because of their post-2008 mismanaged state finances).

Zagreb is great for English speaking and Americans, but Budapest requires learning some Hungarian to enjoy, according to our friendly sources here at RvF. And I believe it. So I'm planning accordingly.

Train travel from both to the Alps is not expensive for this mountain thrill seeker. But probably best from Zagreb.

This summer will tell me about where I ought to be this coming November/December going forward.

So what is "The BEST city in Europe" for you depends upon what you want out of your time in Europe. For me, these are mine.

[Slavophile]

IMO it mostly depends on where you are in your career, and your language skills.

Given that the two parameters of women & money are the most important, this is my list.

East:

Moscow
Kiev
St. Petersburg

West:

Munich
Vienna

Given that most lads on here don't speak Russian, and don't work location independent - Munich or Vienna is probably the most likely place to aquire a desired lifestyle. Start out there, learn Russian, then go east.


AND THESE COULD BE, BUT ARE NOT:

Berlin (reason: awesome city, but infused with a hipster scumbag invasion)
Zurich (reason: too small & boring, best place for making $ though)

[Slavophile]

If you work location independent, and are considering costs:

- Lviv
- Wroclaw
- Poznan
- Novi Sad

[chinadawg]

(05-27-2013 11:43 AM)Bad Hussar Wrote:  

For a start check out the borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Very nice area close to...the Thames. SW of central London. Easy to get into the centre via rail. True, almost all the really top nightlife is in the centre, but lot's of people travel from far out to these places. There isn't really as much "Bridge and Tunnel" stigma as there is in NYC.

Kingston is a solid borough. I lived there for a while, and most of my good friends live in the area. If I had trade skills and want to start a business its where I would locate myself, right in the middle of South West London/North Surrey, one of the richest parts of the country. My friends who have trade companies are doing very nicely.

South of the river is the best place to look for affordable places to live in my opinion. I generally prefer the vibe, and there is more green space. Lived in Camberwell/Brixton before coming to China, Brockwell Park is an awesome place to hangout on a nice day, there are good local pubs and its easy to get into central London (was 15 mins on my push bike to The City). The danger of areas like that is way over hyped, if your not a drug dealer or street gang member and walk confidently your unlikely to get any bother.

[Bad Hussar]

(06-18-2013 03:43 AM)chinadawg Wrote:  

(05-27-2013 11:43 AM)Bad Hussar Wrote:  

For a start check out the borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Very nice area close to...the Thames. SW of central London. Easy to get into the centre via rail. True, almost all the really top nightlife is in the centre, but lot's of people travel from far out to these places. There isn't really as much "Bridge and Tunnel" stigma as there is in NYC.

Kingston is a solid borough. I lived there for a while, and most of my good friends live in the area. If I had trade skills and want to start a business its where I would locate myself, right in the middle of South West London/North Surrey, one of the richest parts of the country. My friends who have trade companies are doing very nicely.

South of the river is the best place to look for affordable places to live in my opinion. I generally prefer the vibe, and there is more green space. Lived in Camberwell/Brixton before coming to China, Brockwell Park is an awesome place to hangout on a nice day, there are good local pubs and its easy to get into central London (was 15 mins on my push bike to The City). The danger of areas like that is way over hyped, if your not a drug dealer or street gang member and walk confidently your unlikely to get any bother.

Yes, I also lived in Kingston-Upon-Thames. You'll be hard-pressed to find better value. Further out in Surrey is also nice, but mainly for people with familys (single family houses) and who work in the city. As you know that area is known as the stockbroker belt.

Brixton is also a decent lace to live. And not only if you're Afro-Caribean. It's close to central London, has good transport links and has a pretty cool (and non-threatening) vibe. I agree with you. The "danger" is way overstated.

[Vacancier Permanent]

(06-03-2013 02:00 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

I would pick Rome.

I was about to say the same. I've always been attracted by Italy, the culture, the language, food, history, football and of course, the women. How is the cost of living in Roma? Can you post an example of costs there for a decent studio apart in a nice part of town?

Grazie mille!

[chinadawg]

(06-18-2013 11:56 AM)Bad Hussar Wrote:  

Yes, I also lived in Kingston-Upon-Thames. You'll be hard-pressed to find better value. Further out in Surrey is also nice, but mainly for people with familys (single family houses) and who work in the city. As you know that area is known as the stockbroker belt.

Brixton is also a decent lace to live. And not only if you're Afro-Caribean. It's close to central London, has good transport links and has a pretty cool (and non-threatening) vibe. I agree with you. The "danger" is way overstated.

Yep Kingston is great, you get the benefits of the countryside, easy access to central London and affordable housing all in one. Richmond Park is epic. When I was younger and living in the borough, coming back from warehouse/squat parties we would always get the designated driver to stop there in the morning. So much cool stuff there, a breed of deer that can only be found within the boundaries, King Henry's mount with its protected view of St Pauls Cathedral, and the Ian Dury memorial bench or some of my favorites.

[artur jedi]

For the weather and reasonable prices - Southern Spain.
Granada, with 2/3 of the population as the students, botellones being somewhere everyday, generally party place.
Malaga, less students, higher prices, nice beaches. Economy has been down for a while, but unsure how it affected prices (one thing for sure is that job market stretched enormously).
Local girls difficult to bang.
And its so close to Morocco. Fantastic place to go with rented 4x4 and make 1-2 weeks wild escape (up to the dessert).

[rudebwoy]

I see a lot of people list nice climate places as good places to live.

My big thing is food, how is the food in a lot of these places. I love Sushi, would I be able to find that in Spain at a reasonable price.

I love the Italian culture but pasta is one of my least favourite foods, again is there international foods available.

This is one of the great things about London, I can get most International foods and the city is a great hub.

[thegmanifesto]

(06-20-2013 09:18 AM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

I see a lot of people list nice climate places as good places to live.

My big thing is food, how is the food in a lot of these places. I love Sushi, would I be able to find that in Spain at a reasonable price.

I think it would depend where in Spain.

Barcelona does for sure and I am guessing Madrid have sushi.

I don't recall seeing any in smaller cities like Santander or Alicante, however I don't really keep my eyes peeled for sushi in Spain.

Surprisingly, BCN and Madrid have a lot of Chinese food.

In Spain, I almost always eat exclusively Spanish food from regular (not high end) restaurants.

The markets and seafood are impeccable though.

[Hencredible Casanova]

Though I haven't been everywhere in Europe, pound for pound it's hard to see a European city beating out Barcelona. The nightlife action is constant, tons of girls locally and from other places (students, tourists). The food, weather, pace, and atmosphere are all great. There's even beaches out there. Weather for me is a dealbreaker so the fact that most of the prominent European cities have awfully cold winters makes BCN the clear winner for me.

[chinadawg]

Southern Spain is all about the tapas for me. Drink, small dish, drink, small dish, repeat. I often fly in/out of Almeria, thats a cool city to spend a night, very few tourists, some great city squares, impeccable seafood tapas.

[Laner]

Quote:

My big thing is food, how is the food in a lot of these places. I love Sushi, would I be able to find that in Spain at a reasonable price.

I love the Italian culture but pasta is one of my least favourite foods, again is there international foods available.

I love sushi as well but in many places in Europe the sushi is mediocre. But the upside is that in places like Spain and Italy the local seafood is amazing and I dont find myself missing comfort foods from home.

I find that Italy is not heavy on the pasta. I was surprised the first time I went there and was served pasta as a tiny second plate after the prima and before the main. Lots of antipasto in olive oil tricks the body into thinking its getting nutrients so you feel full faster (so I was told).

In my opinion, any country that borders the Mediterranean has excellent food. Even more so (for me) the north of Spain in Galacia and southern Italy. Food heaven.

[Sp5]

(06-18-2013 02:46 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 02:00 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

I would pick Rome.

I was about to say the same. I've always been attracted by Italy, the culture, the language, food, history, football and of course, the women. How is the cost of living in Roma? Can you post an example of costs there for a decent studio apart in a nice part of town?

Grazie mille!

I think this place is the big real estate website in Italy, it has rentals as well as sales. These are presumably long-term rentals, though.

There are some attractive prices on sales, too. I saw a one bedroom in San Lorenzo, an interesting neighborhood near the Sapienza, for 39,000 euro. That might be worth it just for the rental income, especially if you could rent it out for more than 50 euro a night on airbnb.

http://www.immobiliare.it/Roma/affitti_a...-Roma.html

[Teutatis]

Thanks everyone for all the info, lots of good stuff in here.

[Kristian]

and what about Vilnius?

[thegmanifesto]

(06-21-2013 10:02 PM)chinadawg Wrote:  

Southern Spain is all about the tapas for me. Drink, small dish, drink, small dish, repeat. I often fly in/out of Almeria, thats a cool city to spend a night, very few tourists, some great city squares, impeccable seafood tapas.

Any more Data to share on Almeria and Southern Spain?

[edlefou]

(07-14-2013 08:19 AM)Kristian Wrote:  

and what about Vilnius?

I lived there for a few years and got bored after a while. It's a good place if you're "retired" or location-independent and your primary focus is girls/drinking/socializing, but starts to feel a bit second-tier for other priorities in your life. However, you could make it work by living there for part of the year.

[edlefou]

edit: dupe

[Kristian]

which are the most dynamic cities for Young people in Europe?

[pegador]

Someone mentioned Rome, which I love, but on my last trip, I was really impressed with Florence, Italy. The place is a museum and not as expensive as Rome or Milan, and the people are generally nice. Some think they're a bit snobbish but I think it's more that they are just very proud of their city. They're generally very open and welcoming to foreigners.

[Traveler86]

For a mix of Women + high standards of living , Any Scandinavian countries plus Finland and the Netherlands. Yes I love dem striking tall blonde germanic/nordic beauties.

If I was going to a place solely rided by women and nothing else, then I might hit Czech, Poland, Baltics, Ukraine, Hungary. High end quality of women and favorable ratios everywhere, nuff said.

[Greek kamaki]

(08-18-2013 05:32 AM)Kristian Wrote:  

which are the most dynamic cities for Young people in Europe?

Poznan.Generally polish cities are very young friendly.If I only were 10 years younger and had the same ability and experience there would be no contest.