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In a way, you can rate a travel destination by how much you thought about moving there. I call it the "Accommodation Refund to Zillow" scale. I admit, the title needs work, but you get the idea: if you keep wondering whether you'd be reimbursed some of your money for preemptively vacating your booking, the trip probably isn't going so well. And if you go online to check if you could afford a property in the area, then it's a completely different experience.
However, tourists and locals often see places from polar opposite perspectives. The former need restaurants, beaches, and a forgiving currency exchange rate, while the latter are more interested in hospitals, schools, and job opportunities. To explore the mismatch further, let's take a look at a Reddit thread where people have been listing cities, countries, and regions that are beautiful to visit but not to live in.
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#1
Los Angeles. It’s like if a traffic jam became complex enough to achieve consciousness.
RELATED:
#2
Dubai… horrible, horrible place, trying hard to improve their image.
Kevin-W:
It looks great with all of its attractions and shiny buildings., but it's so soulless and is basically a rich person's playground where you'll barely encounter a local emirati with most of the population being from third countries that are exploited for labor.
#3
Most of the West Indies and Jamaica fit that description. Lots of tourists with wealth going to the poorest places on earth. Locals on those islands are dirt poor.
I was invited to a village of one of the locals I met in St Lucia one time. He worked as a water taxi driver at one of the resorts and had managed to save enough money to build a house for him, his wife and their newborn. When we arrived at the village, it was like stepping into a National Geographic film. The village had one well in the center, and one public bathroom which was no more than a large outhouse. His new home was a small 2 room building with dirt floors and no doors or windows and no electricity. I had never seen that level of poverty before. I was stunned by the dramatic difference from the wealthy resorts full of amenities that these poor locals work for. The saddest thing was there was very little chance of him or his family to ever escape the impoverished hell they lived in.
urbeinghunted 25 1 week ago
It's called the poverty cycle - it's easy enough to be dragged into it, almost impossible to get out
#4
Every single cruise location on the planet. The living conditions for the locals are horrible and the only “good” areas are saved for the tourists.
I will never cruise. It is the height of consumerist privilege and human trafficking.
F**k that.
Donna Peluda 1 week ago
I've done subcontract work for cruises. Most of the staff are from developing countries and are paid peanuts tomwork inhuman hours. No labour regulations apply at sea, that's why cruises are so cheap.
#5
Brazil. From England and used to live there growing up for a time due to my parents’ job assignment. My British school peers were jealous of my move because Brazil is portrayed as a tropical paradise, but when I arrived there it was quite bad.
To be clear, Brazil does have some of the most beautiful and cool nature, wildlife and beaches you’ll ever see. So it is paradise in that respect. Its people are also extraordinarily warm, friendly and with such a chill attitude to life compared to the semi-Victorian vibes I sometimes get in England.
But I’m talking about regular daily urban life in Brazil - it’s just so humid and hot for so much of the year. I felt like I couldn’t breathe the air properly.
Also, there were far too many social and economic problems (d***s, trash everywhere, teenage pregnancy, violence and organised crime, inequality, power cuts, unemployment, low education, bad food quality, dirty water, low public sanitation, smelly waterways, dangerous roads, air pollution).
All of those above things create a very uncomfortable living situation, and even if you’re rich you won’t be able to escape some of these aspects.
Bat cat in a hat 1 week ago
It's a huge country yes, but almost everywhere has issues with crime, a lot due to inequality. It's been the same since Portuguese colonization time sadly.
#6
Maldives.
It's heaven on earth on the tourist islands.
But its a very poor and restrictive hardcore islamist country. It's the country with the highest ISIS suporter rate percentage-wise.
urbeinghunted 25 1 week ago
It's like this with most places - they make it look spectacular and glorify these places so much purely for the sake of tourism. Also big tourist companies are taking money away from locals by attracting tourists to turn to them for things like accomodation, food and activities instead of locals.
#7
Cuba. It is beautiful and have been little busts of eutopian success there in the past.
Then you realize you make 15 dollars a month, a kilo of chicken costs 6, and your rations dont come remotely close to bridging the gap.
Then the lights go out for days at a time, and you realize the infrastructure isnt there to assure they don’t go out permanently.
Then when you try to leave the country for somewhere else, you realize you would have to save money for 30 years to make a safe and sound move.
You stew over the fact that tourists are not just above the authoritarian law, but are totally safe from violent crime while you have to worry about both.
Then you turn on the news and you see your people from Miami advocating to further economically wreck Cuba in order for you to cause a revolution - while conveniently forgetting you have no guns.
Then you go to the hospital for a broken arm and whoops, no morphine - have a tylenol with codiene. . . I mean a regular tylenol that was produced in the USSR before the Berlin Wall came down with half the stated dosage - oh and they’ll have to make your cast out of paper mache because they’re out of plaster.
Oh, and when you complain too much about all this, the Cuban equivalent of a Homeowner’s Association president (who has the backing of the police) goes to your place, bangs on your door, and threatens to ruin your life if you don’t shut up.
#8
Greece. The economy is awful, houses are nearly impossible to buy and foreigners are saying it’s an awesome place to live and work but they’re usually influencers with remote or social media jobs, meaning they influence people to come and buy houses, making it impossible for greek people to buy a house themselves bc of pricing. There is quite an unemployment/ low salary problem as well.
Basically the only people that benefit are the influencers that live on an island with a remote job from another country that only live there to boast that they’re in santorini or mykonos and make no effort to learn the language and culture :/.
#9
Puerto Rico. I’m Puerto Rican and the people are amazing, the food is amazing, the overall island is beautiful. BUT the economy, the lifestyle issues (no secure electricity or water) and the horrible HORRIBLE job market makes living there not even worth it unless you’re filthy rich… and the filthy rich are ruining the island further.
#10
Rio de Janeiro
Sure, nice beaches, Carnaval, the Christ statue, and such... But it's also one of the most violent cities in the world and it has extreme social inequality.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 week ago
Ah yes. My beautiful city. For tourists, it's mostly good. Just stay in Copacabana and Ipanema. When you go downtown, be vigilant and don't go at night. I travel on public transit and it's also mostly safe if you know where you're going and don't travel through bad areas.
#11
Definitely Bali. It’s often marketed as a paradise with its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture, but living there long-term can be a different story. The traffic is a nightmare, the infrastructure is lacking, and the cost of living is much higher than expected for the local experience. Plus, the expat community can sometimes be cliquey and isolating. It’s a beautiful vacation spot, but not all that great for daily life.
Zelda McLink 1 week ago
Plus it's always full of drunk bogans. If I wanted to hang out with a bunch of drunk Australians I can go to a nightclub.
#12
Vancouver, if you don't have lots of money. Beautiful city, I'd never want to live anywhere else, but rent and real estate prices are ridiculous. I'm lucky, I bought my house almost 25 years ago, but I don't think my kids will ever be able to own a place here, at least until they inherit my house.
Nils Skirnir 1 week ago
Anglosphere disease. Private equity and policies that escalate housing costs are making them unlivable. Not unlike late Victorian England
#13
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Japan here yet. It usually tends to make these kinds of lists.
I've been there 4 times, speak the language, have worked there for almost 3 months, and have plenty of friends (both Japanese and foreigners) there- but even so, I'm not sure I'd want to settle there long term. Japan is definitely great in many ways, but it's also very much not for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person.
Critical_Ad1515:
Let me also add this. I have family who live in Japan and they do not recommend coming here to live as a woman. Obviously not all men, but a majority of them are horribly misogynistic. The sexism is insane. Many women also have many problems with sexual harassment.
No_Protection_7253:
I love Japan but definitely got annoyed by how fake some of it was and just crazy busy in high pop areas. Plus, the xenophobia can be jarring. Compared to some first world places I actually found it low cost, although I know locals don't tend to make much. Still, it's on my short list for possible retirement (I'm okay at the language and learning more every day).
#14
Miami full stop sucks a*s unless you're rich.
MessiLeagueSoccer:
It’s survivable but as a regular person you pretty much are required to live with roommates, a toxic ex or your parents. I wish it was easier to just leave but not having a real safety net or well off parents makes it so much harder. I want to move to Colorado but COL is almost the same as Miami if not more.
#15
Florida. Everyone thinks it’s this crazy beautiful beach paradise that’s perfect to retire at. Turns out it’s just an overpopulated, overdeveloped c**p hole that will continue to develop. The people here love to complain about it and then support the people figure heading all of the development so I can’t say we don’t deserve it at least a little bit. It’s not all bad, definitely has its pluses, but it’s not a paradise.
Economy_Jeweler_7176:
Florida was pretty great 20-30 years ago, but the constant influx of northerners moving from big cities for the “suburban, drivable lifestyle” has resulted in a sprawling mess of identical subdivisions and strip malls connected by 8-lane highways lined with half-dead palm trees and zero walkability.
A lot of the natural lands are either paved over or privatized— and the beaches are either privatized or constantly overcrowded. Living anywhere near the beach is only practical for millionaires, and everyone else is looking at 1-2 hours of traffic just to get to the overcrowded beaches.
The only real solace is the state parks— which DeSantis is actively trying to develop with condominiums and golf courses.
Rob D 1 week ago (edited)
Floridian basically all of my life. The most aggravating thing about Florida is the retirees brought their rancid politics with them. Retired from union jobs, with pensions, from blue states, where they were the political minority, they move here and turn it bright red. So aggravating watching people whose entire quality of life stem from living in democratic states move here so they can finally be the retired MAGAts they couldn't be up north. Disgusting. Cause believe it or not, Fl Man reputation or not, this would be a blue leaning swing state if these trumper boomers would just die the f**k off already. It's pretty much made me hate boomers. In FL they have nothing to do but watch Fox and stew in their endless bigotries, fear, and angst. You should see the bumper stickers. Peak conservative Christian boomer ignorance all day every day. While republican policies hurt everything and everyone they can, but primarily the working class keeping these old f***s alive. They vote against living wage cause it'll impact their retirement; from what career? ... Oh, a 30 year union career turning the same gd bolt on a line at $80K/yr? But they have the gall to retire here and keep it "right to work".
#16
They don’t necessarily say “beautiful” and “paradise,” but I think people grossly overestimate how “fun” it is to live in New Orleans.
velvet_blunderground:
If you love eating, drinking, and wearing costumes, that is 100% your town. It's absolutely stuffed with the best of all of that. But the wages are low, the rent is high, the streets flood all the time, it's usually either hurricane season, tourist season, or termite season, and the potholes will swallow you whole.
All that said, I moved away and have a vastly improved standard of living... but i still kinda want to move back. When it's great it's great.
Wanda Queen 1 week ago (edited)
I struggle to reconcile the fun of it with the fact that it's a city in the deep south and the state is terribly far right. Ten commandments posted in schools but let the kids go without lunch if they can't afford it. You know...just like Jesus would do.
#17
The "cheap" parts of Mexico. I've known two couples who moved down there had a supposedly great life. Lived in a nice, fully-serviced town surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by hired security, had money for the good hospital, had food sent in from somewhat far away, and had enough money to regularly travel elsewhere. They went three years without ever exploring the area around them, the only locals they talked to were ones hired to work in the town.
I wonder why they didn't dare go around the area.
KeepTrying 1 week ago
I’d hate to live anywhere where you need a barbed wire fence and security guards!
#18
Skye, Scotland.
Overrun with tourists.
Most locals have been priced out of housing so a lot of the island are rich folk from England .
The driving is scary with folk trying to over take camper vans at stupid times.
Camper vans doing about 20mph all round the island.
Boris Long-Johnson 1 week ago (edited)
I have friends and family on the island (I grew up in the outer Hebrides) and this is spot on. Personally I reckon Skye needs a toll back on the bridge - £40 for campers at least and £100 for motorhomes, ANPR and make it free for anyone registered in Highland council.
#19
Hawaii is a beautiful place and NOT horrible to live in, but if you don't like mountains or the beach, then it is extremely expensive and many non-rich people have two jobs (mostly a regular job and then Lyft/Uber) to survive there.
But aside from the cost of living, it is in fact pretty paradise like. It's like reverse Australia ... NOTHING is trying to k**l you there (Well, aside from lava on Hawaii itself) it's so safe that chickens roam free, and you see baby chicks just hanging around not being eaten.
will_write_for_tacos:
According to a friend of mine, it's Hawaii.
The native population absolutely hates white folk (with good reason) so most of them view you as the bad guy. Food is expensive, and the selection in grocery stores sucks. It's ultra-touristy and the areas that aren't are not really friendly and welcoming places. It's difficult to meet people and make friends. The weather is nice, the views are nice, but if you're not going there for a couple's vacation, it's pretty lonely and boring.
Objective_Analysis_3:
I'm from Kauai and recently went back for a visit. Did a quick grocery shop and for giggles put the exact same products from the same store (safeway) into my local online store (WA state) and it was 45% higher in hawaii - which is why even though I was born and raised there will sadly likely never be able to live there again.
JenniB 1 week ago
I feel like everyone that talks about the cost of living on an island is missing the fact that getting products to those islands is difficult and expensive. Transporting products over the road is the cheapest but when you start to involve boats (never mind planes) that the cost goes up exponentially. My point being, no one is "punishing" those living on islands it is just truly that much more expensive to get products there. Actually the same goes here in Canada and that's over the road, the more "remote" the area you live in (far north, the prairies and far east) the prices tend to be higher because it is difficult to move products there.
#20
Las Vegas. I won't say it's horrible, exactly, but people always told me I was lucky to grow up there and like... yeah, it's fun to visit, I suppose, but it's not really that fun to live in. It's hot, the healthcare is the worst in the country, you don't get holidays off because you have to cater to other people who visit on *their* holidays (I never got a family Christmas or Thanksgiving growing up thanks to them), there's nothing to do unless you're an adult for the most part, etc.
#21
Azerbaijan. Tourists are loving it.
-the food
-the hospitality
-tourism opportunities
-nature
One thing to bear in mind that people are actively trying to flee the corruption and nepotism infested country that does nothing but propogate nationalism and increase its own s*****e rates.
#22
Whenever the question of "if you could live anywhere..." pops up on Reddit, the number one answer is always New Zealand.
But then the top response to New Zealand is always something like "I live here and it's expensive and the job market sucks".
neinlights90210:
I live in NZ. The job market is usually ok (outside of these crazy times) unless you have an overly niche area of expertise and want to work in that area. Unemployment is generally pretty similar to other OECD countries.
It is hella expensive. Lots of premium things, like having a whole beach to yourself, are free. Necessities like houses and clothing are insanely priced.
Because NZ punches above its weight in many areas like sports and film, that is what people see, and forget it’s an island in the middle of nowhere.
#23
The Galápagos Islands. Visitors, tourists see the hotels and the tour guides. They also see fellow tourists. The locals working can make enough money to scrape by, but it’s not a ton.
But get five blocks off the main drag on Isabela or Santa Cruz or San Cristobal and the locals are living terribly. Shantys, terrible housing, no cars, expensive food that mostly has to be shipped in from Ecuador.
Rent a bike and just ride around and where there is tourist stuff, it’s ok. But wow, it can get poor in a hurry.
Sarah 1 week ago
The Galápagos Islands have ‘blocks’?? In 1999, I worked in a tourist site in Dublin Ireland . I was only 19. An American asked me how many blocks away was a particular museum. I didn’t even know what a block was . My colleague , older than me, in annoyed voice told her.. we don’t have them .. it’s a medieval city
#24
Big Sur.
Lived there for many years and it’s a beautiful area but brutal to live in. Between the highway constantly falling in the ocean and the fires and the tourists, it can be hell.
psychonaut1938:
Yes! I live near Big Sur and love to visit. But I would never live there. So isolated and prone to road problems. It takes a special kind of person to find happiness there on a permanent basis. I am not that kind of person.
#25
Cancún, paradise if you visit, hell if you live there, expensive cannot even begin to describe the insane prices of some of the services there.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 week ago
I lived in Mexico and everyone told me to avoid Cancun. I vacationed in Oaxaca instead. It's gorgeous there.
#26
Manhattan Beach, California. It's gorgeous. It's full of cute houses and shops. There's a pier with a charming aquarium at the end. You've probably seen the pier in commercials or movies. It's in Los Angeles so you get all of the sunny days and beautiful beaches.
The people that live there are gazillionaires and they do not want normal people living in their town. Visiting and spending money? Sure. Going to school with their children and living near them? No way. They're horrid. All of the beauty in the world cannot make up for their behavior.
urbeinghunted 25 1 week ago
I have a classmate that recently moved to where I live from Florida and they were constantly complaining about having to go to school with "regular kids". Mind you, we go to an international school so we definitely weren't poor at any rate. He's an a*****e.
#27
Fiji is one of the most impoverished places I’ve ever seen in person.
#28
Norway and Sweden. Not horrible to live in, but they're hardly the paradise they are portrayed as. Most people who say they want to live there know nothing about them.
Tangerine319:
Came here to comment this. The Nordic countries consistently rank high as the “happiest countries” but it makes no sense.
They have some of the highest cancer rates in the world, and big problems with alcoholism and s**cide. The cities, especially in Sweden suffer from crime and gang violence. They are so dark in the winter that it’s no wonder everyone is depressed.
urbeinghunted 25 1 week ago
When they rank liveability and happiness i think its based strongly around GDP and sustainability and less on overall happiness of citizens; of course that does play a role
#29
Kent in the UK - “garden of England” as it’s known with lots of castles, coastline, and fields. In reality, it’s dangerous, full of chavs ready to hand out d***s and/or stab you, crackheads and druggies roaming the dead high streets, and lots of places are so run down.
Auntriarch 1 week ago
Ah, I'm going there next month, looking forward to it very much. Probably won't get offered anything stronger than prosecco though, and about as likely to be stabbed as beheaded.
#30
Charleston, SC. Used to be a sleepier style coastal city but has become wildly popular for transplants. Unfortunately the infrastructure hasn’t (and in a lot of instances can’t) keep up. If you have to commute for work it is a wretched existence.
What do you think ?
Auntriarch 1 week ago
TLDR: everywhere has grotty bits; holidaying somewhere does not equal living there; cities gonna city.
Mimi M 6 days ago
And if you're going to move somewhere remote, have a remote job (or other source of income).
Load More Replies...
Lisa T 1 week ago
Surprised Australia wasn’t mentioned. You can manage to avoid the killer wildlife while on vacation. Those drop bears! But living here, you get complacent, and it will be that one time you walk under a gum tree without looking above you when…..BAM! Another victory for the humble drop bear.
Kitsune Nocturne 1 week ago
This made me chuckle after an incredibly long, sleepless, and painful night. Thank you.
Load More Replies...
Auntriarch 1 week ago
TLDR: everywhere has grotty bits; holidaying somewhere does not equal living there; cities gonna city.
Mimi M 6 days ago
And if you're going to move somewhere remote, have a remote job (or other source of income).
Load More Replies... Lisa T 1 week ago
Surprised Australia wasn’t mentioned. You can manage to avoid the killer wildlife while on vacation. Those drop bears! But living here, you get complacent, and it will be that one time you walk under a gum tree without looking above you when…..BAM! Another victory for the humble drop bear.
Kitsune Nocturne 1 week ago
This made me chuckle after an incredibly long, sleepless, and painful night. Thank you.
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