I need your suggestions on where to move based on my needs
Posted by BriefNeither5994@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Hey everyone,
I'm still in the early phase on planning to move and I'm still gathering ideas on where to move as a non-EU national. I would primarily like to move to European country and eventually get a permanent residence permit.
I would love to hear experiences and suggestions by the expat community, so here's a bit about me and my wishes:
I'm in marketing, working remotely and registered as an entrepreneur in Montenegro. I make anywhere from 3k to 5k euros a month. But let's say I'm earning the minimum of 3k.
I'm interested in hearing suggestions for countries or even better, cities where:
- I can live with that income (I will be soon hiring and scaling)
- The city doesn't have to be a megapolis-type place, but it needs to have at least 1M people.
- It should not be too complicated or expensive to register as an entrepreneur or a company as a way to get a temporary residence permit and then a permanent one after 5 years of living there.
- Public transport is well-developed, as well as medicine.
- The city is relatively safe with a degree of social trust (I'm female and will be moving alone) and has plenty of green spaces. Also, it should be possible to reach nature to go for a hike by public transport.
- It should be possible to rent an apartment for 1.200 euroes or less.
- I would prefer a city that isn't too conservative, as I'm not heterosexual.
- The locals are hopefully friendly enough, it's alright if it takes time to get to know them or solidify a friendship. As long as they're strictly in their own bubbles all the time (which is something I've heard about Norwegians).
That's it for now, hopefully you folks can pitch in with your suggestions based on places you've lived :)
lluluna@reddit
Think about what you can offer the place/country or why they'd take a foreigner like you in.
This is a better starting point than listing all your wants and needs like a shopping list.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
I'm interested hearing people's own personal experiences with countries where immigration pathways are tied to self-employment or company formation. That's the priority. My wants and needs are just that, ultimately. I'm trying to hear what people who have been in similar situation have to say.
Subterraniate2@reddit
In that case you'll just go round in circles; a practical enquiry gets far more useful responses.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
Alright, thank you.
Electronic-Call-4319@reddit
Do your own research, then come back with a list of 5 countries.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
I have done my own research already, but this post is because I'm mainly interested in experiences and suggestions of other people who have already moved. Maybe I incorrectly worded the post. Are you an expat yourself, and if so, where do you live currently and what do you do?
Electronic-Call-4319@reddit
Don't waste people’s time.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
Alright, Mr./Mrs. Unfriendly :)
expats-ModTeam@reddit
If you are currently not an expat, and are looking for information about emigrating, you are required to ask specific questions about a specific destination or set of destinations. This means you should have already put some thought and research into where you might want—and be able—to go.
You must provide context for your questions which may be relevant. No one is an expert in your eligibility to emigrate, so it’s expected that you will have already done some research to get an idea of what countries you might be able to get a visa for.
r/iwantout may be a better sub for you to post in. Make sure you abide by their rules as well.
dallyan@reddit
I can’t think of a place in Europe that has more than 1 million people and has rents less than 1200 euro. Maybe the far outskirts of metropolises like Paris? Maybe Berlin?
Arros_ticino@reddit
The Netherlands could be a good fit for you, except for the rent which is more than 1200€ per month!
Sea-Breath-007@reddit
How exactly? The current income is too low to live somewhat comfortably in any of the bigger cities and OP wouldn't be getting an entrepreneur visa based on the info.
BrilliantUnlucky4592@reddit
Too many constraints. Prioritize your list and feed it into a AI engine like ChatGPT or Deepseek and see what it spits out fir you.
You may have a hard time with wanting liberal, good healthcare, good public transportation, large size and within your budget that has a digital nomad program. I can think of places that have some but not all of your wish list.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
I'm open to suggestion that don't fit all constraints, they're guidelines but not all of them strictly necessary.
BrilliantUnlucky4592@reddit
As I said, use AI for the best answers but offhand I would say Lisbon, Madrid, Athens, Tallinn, Or Zagreb
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
Thank you for replying.
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
Rule 4
Do some basic research first. Know if you're eligible to move to country before asking questions.
See r/IWantOut
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
Alright, thanks.
North_Artichoke_6721@reddit
Your best bet is probably to work for a multinational corporation in your home country for a few years and then ask for a transfer.
The logistics are so much easier when you have a company sponsoring you. Everything from the visa to the practicalities of getting your furniture overseas, and some companies provide housing too.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
Hey, thanks for replying. I've read about that as an option, but for now, I'm more interested in opening my own company or registering as self-employed. I have about 20k saved, so hopefully that will be enough for starting expenses.
Philip3197@reddit
The real question is: where can you move with the constraints that you mention.
Looks like only the countries that have a Digital Nomad Visa.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
These aren't so much constraints as wishes, and the country/city doesn't have to fit the bill exactly. I worded the post incorrectly based on the answers so far. I'm interested in countries with immigration pathways tied to self-employment or company formation and alreayd have done my own research.
I'm more interested in hearing people share their personal experiences on what places might fit some of these wishes.
Cookie_Monstress@reddit
If you browse this sub long enough, you will notice that it is very common experience and not related just to certain countries. it is very common that locals often tend to form their nuclear friendships during young(ish) age. Also the possible language barrier has a big effect.
Marketing is notoriously one of those fields where existing experience from local market is highly valued and usually afaik one of the fields that does not fall under highly skilled worker visas.
It sounds bit like digital nomad would be most realistic path for you if your clients don’t mind you being fully remote.
Needs to have at least 1M people? Well Norway is out from your criteria's also just based on that. And in those 15 or so cities that might fit this criteria, be prepared to pay much more than 1200 euros for an apartment on a good area.
FR-DE-ES@reddit
You'll get more targeted input if you specify your age/ethnicity/language proficiency level.
BriefNeither5994@reddit (OP)
Thank you, edited the post.