Europe is a large continent, with a very diverse population. Its more than 747 million inhabitants are spread across 50 countries and speak dozens of languages. With such a rich culture and large area (it is more than 10 million km²!), it can be hard to decide where to live in Europe. Here is what you need to know to make a decision!
How to choose where to live in Europe?
Cost of living
One of the most important things to consider is the cost of living. As European countries have different standards of living, your expenses will vary greatly depending on where you choose to live.
Northern Europe tends to be the most expensive, with Norway and Iceland being second and third only to Switzerland, which is the most expensive country. On the other hand, Eastern and Southern Europe tend to be cheaper, with Moldova, Belarus and North Macedonia being the cheapest countries. Western Europe tends to be halfway between these two regions.
Also keep in mind that within a single country, the cost of living varies greatly from city to city. Don’t just base your choice on the overall cost, check several cities. In France, for example, Paris tends to be very expensive, while a large city like Lyon is more affordable, with the same services and a dynamic economy.
Quality of life
While the cost of living is important, you also have to make sure that the quality of life is high as well.
Again, Northern Europe, with Norway, Denmark and Finland, tends to have the highest quality of life, although these countries are also very expensive. Other expensive countries, such as Switzerland and Luxembourg, also tend to be good places to live. Western Europe also offers a good quality of life and is more affordable than northern countries. Eastern Europe, on the other hand, has a lower quality of life.
The overall quality of life in a country is one thing, but remember that the city in which you live will also be a determining factor. Within a single country you will find cities with many very accessible services and a vibrant cultural life, as well as polluted places where nothing ever happens.
Job opportunities
This is another factor where you will need to check city by city to determine where exactly the sector you want to work in is located.
But overall, some countries are often known for specialised sectors. For example, France is known for luxury goods, wine and aerospace, while Finland is famous for its electronics industry and metal mining. If you want to work in a specific field, check where in Europe your sector is located.
However, if you work in the tertiary sector and have no particular industry in mind, the whole of Europe may be attractive. In fact, all countries on the continent have a large percentage of their GDP coming from services.
To make sure you can find a job and work in Europe, you should also pay attention to the unemployment rate, as it varies from country to country. Southern Europe tends to have higher unemployment rates (in late 2022, Spain was at 13.4%), while Central, Northern and Western Europe tend to have the lowest rates (for example, Germany was at only 3.2% in late 2022).
Find out more: How to work in Europe?
Education
If you have children (or are planning to), finding the country with the best schools and universities must be a priority. International schools can be found in major cities (Lyon has 6, for example), but the regular education system is available to all children.
All countries have famous universities and studying in Europe is a promising prospect. There will be plenty of opportunities for your child to follow the curriculum that suits their interests, thanks to the many institutions in all sectors. Europe is even home to the oldest university in continuous operation: the University of Bologna.
Studying in Europe is made easier by the fact that your child can move freely within the European Union to study wherever they want. And if they want to study in different countries, they can benefit from the Erasmus programme, an exchange programme between European universities.
Engineering, law, foreign languages, health, science and technology, fine arts… whatever your child wants to study in the future, there will be a university to meet their needs!
Climate
Climate will also be a deciding factor when choosing where to live in Europe. Most of the continent has a temperate climate, but there are strong contrasts between the cold north and the hot and dry south. The further east you go, the more continental the climate becomes, with large temperature amplitudes between winter and summer. What is your favourite weather? Do you want easy access to sunny beaches without having to endure the heat of a Mediterranean summer?
Answering such questions will help you make your choice! Some cities are very well-located. For instance, the city of Lyon, in France, is at the crossroads of Europe, in a temperate climate, but close to the Mediterranean south of France and even closer to the mountains with their Alpine climate.
What is the best country to live in Europe?
France is definitely one of the best countries to live in Europe. It has all the advantages you are looking for.
It is the seventh largest economy in the world, has many strong sectors and offers a good work-life balance. It is also one of the countries with the highest levels of social protection. It also has a quality education system for your children, with several world-renowned universities and private schools.
There is also a natural joie de vivre, in French cities. You will discover the cafés where you can enjoy a good coffee before going to work and the incredible French gastronomy. With its cheeses, popular dishes or even 5-star restaurants, you will find that the French value food and enjoy long meals.
It is also home to some of the best cities to visit in Europe, thanks to its incredible heritage! Spend your holidays and weekends discovering this rich country, its small towns and natural landscapes.
Interested? Find out where to live in France!