If You Love NYC, Try These 4 Cities Next!
- Brittany
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 24 hours ago
It's easy to ponder "Should I...MOVE here?" whenever you're poolside sipping endless margaritas with your responsibilities far in the back of your mind.
But there is something special about a place where you feel so connected that you truly start envisioning YOUR life there! Home may be where the heart is, but it’s also where the culture, food, community, and overall atmosphere align with who you are, or who you aspire to become!
I've lived in New York City for 14 years, and through my travels, learned that the city girl in me will never die!
It's the high energy, dynamic flow of life, cultural and intellectual diversity, iconic architecture, conveniences, opportunities, infrastructure, overall connectivity, and much more that I love about being and living in the city that you just cannot get on a remote beach island or small lakeside town (although I am happy to escape to those every once in a while!)
Over my adulthood, I'm fortunate enough to have traveled to 46 territories and counting. Most recently, I've finished up a 9-month solo backpacking tour around Asia covering 15 territories (12 recognized countries, plus Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) and 55 cities! One thing I've learned is that changing up environments as often as I did made the places that felt like "home" stand out more quickly and clearly.
So if you, too, have an affinity for big city life, here are four cities around the world that will live up to your expectations! I'll get into the pros and cons of each, and don't worry, all are English-speaker friendly. However, a translator app and more importantly, willingness to learn phrases in the local language, will always get you further, plus it shows respect and courtesy for the locals.
Mexico City
La Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX) was the first city outside of NYC that had me literally searching for an apartment (online) in contemplation of starting a new life! For Americans, it's easy to see why CDMX is so attractive, the first being that it's a close, low-cost destination. Also Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX) is one of the most significant hubs in Latin America.
For me, CDMX is the best of most worlds: a bustling city enclosed by lush vegetation, temperate weather year-round, and the ability to explore tons of different parks, restaurants, cafes, shopping, nightlife, and over 150 museums, rivaling numbers in London and Paris!
The city also balances gorgeous Spanish architecture and vibrant indigenous influences, evident in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Plaza de la Constitución (El Zócalo), Chapultepec Castle, the trendy neighborhoods of La Condesa and Roma Norte, and the charming historic center of Coyoacán (where you'll find the blue Frida Kahlo House).
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Sprinkled throughout are striking modern landmarks like Museo Soumaya and Biblioteca Vasconcelos, adding an extra layer of architectural delight!
Biblioteca Vasconcelos is incredible!
Then, of course, not only is Mexican food is top tier, but there are many other well-done cuisines to dabble in. Imagine my surprise finding so many excellent sushi restaurants! I'm sorry, but I do have an extreme bias towards NYC being the best city to try any cuisine outside of it's origin country.
Finally, I found the locals to be warm, welcoming, and patient, so this is a place where you can confidently practice your Spanish. Since 2022, I've visited Mexico City three times and am likely to return every now and then for a quick getaway from the States!
The only cons at this point is that CDMX isn't easily accessible any of the amazing Mexican beaches, the traffic is horrendous, and unfortunately, a wave of digitally-nomadic Americans have uncovered this gem, and Mexicans are understandably pissed about the resulting gentrification.
Anyway, if you'd like to plan a trip to Mexico City, get some tips on what to do in my blog post: 3 Days in Mexico City
Berlin
The second city to have me questioning whether it was where I truly belonged was Berlin. I'd only ever heard positive things about Berlin from anyone that's been, and upon visiting for myself in May 2023, I was quickly impressed. It's easy to get around on the clean, affordable, and adorably yellow transit system, which is connected by buses, trains, and trams.
If you love gazing at beautiful and unique structures, Berlin has a wide and impressive range of architectural styles from Classical to Brutalist and more, not to mention its iconic centerpiece, the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower) with its rotating restaurant with fabulous 360-degree views!
Then, of course, if you're a history buff, Berlin has all the sites to satisfy your appetite, from the historic boulevard of Unter den Linden and Museum Island to the Berlin Wall and Holocaust Memorial. Speaking of appetite, the Turkish doner kebab and, unexpectedly, Asian cuisine are delicious staples in Berlin!
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But aside from what the city itself offers, I felt a special connection to its residents; not with the Germans (I didn't interact with many TBH), but with foreigners who had made Berlin their new or temporary home: all artists (a painter, a photographer, and a DJ). I sensed that many people come to Berlin seeking a genuine sense of freedom, and the nightlife seems to play a big role in this.
Berlin is famous for its Technoculture - in fact, Berlin Technoculture was recognized by UNESCO and added Germany's national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in March 2024. Nightclubs like Kit Kat, Sisyphos, and the most exclusive, Berghain, aim to protect Technoculture and serve as a judgement-free space to unwind to techno music. Many of them ban filming inside (covering phone cameras with stickers) or are super selective based on vibes you give off (like Berghain). If you want tips on getting into Berghain like I did, check out my blog post: The Berghain Experience.
Now for the cons to Berlin: I'd be remiss not to acknowledge Berlin's reputation of hard drugs, which may be off-putting to some people. Also, the food was relatively pricey compared to other big cities I've visited in Europe. Also if you are seeking to escape frigid winters, Berlin is not the place for you!
Bangkok
Third, let's move over to Asia. Now, Thailand is THAT GIRL for most people who travel to Southeast Asia, and I whole-heartedly agree! Thailand boasts stunning temples, meals averaging $3-5, one-hour quality Thai massages for $5-10, and a diverse range of cities to suit any travel style. For a laid-back, tropical escape, Phuket and the nearby islands offer gorgeous beaches, lush scenery, and a warm, humid climate. In the north, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provide peaceful atmospheres with stunning mountain views, night markets, spiritual richness, and a strong sense of tradition.
And then, there's Bangkok buzzing with energy and blending ancient temples and royal palaces with modern city life, making it perfect for those who enjoy fast-paced urban experiences! With two international airports, Bangkok functions as a major airport hub in Southeast Asia (I'd passed through Bangkok several times along my backpacking journey). It also has a reliable transportation network, diverse food options, lively nightlife, and incredible malls, especially the must-see ICONSIAM!
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The spectacular ICONSIAM! Check out the movie theater. The kid's theater has a ball pit, and my ticket was only $6!
It's also a welcoming destination for those seeking social acceptance, with recent progress in rights and recognition for the LGBT+ community. Also, I just stumbled upon this helpful website ranking destinations around the world based on LGBT-friendliness!
The cons to Bangkok might be that it's so far from home for Americans, and perhaps the reality of feeling like an outsider more than in the previous two cities. While Thai people are among the friendliest I've met, around Asia in general, if you're not Asian, you'll always stand out as a foreigner no matter how hard you try to assimilate. For example, IF I spoke the languages fluently, I could likely pass as German, French, Afro-Latina, etc in the respective regions, but around any country in Asia, not a chance!
Melbourne
Melbourne is the fourth city that blew me away, especially after feeling a little underwhelmed by Sydney. First of all, I was pleasantly surprised: the cleanliness of Australian cities is something that needs to be discussed more!
Another thing: the impressive accessibility to basic human rights ie. water fountains and free public restrooms scattered about the city. On top of that, every restroom, even if it appeared a little rough, was always stocked with toilet paper and soap! Because of this, I could actively drink more water while out and about and not worry about where to find the next restroom or have to pay to use one. This promotes overall health and well-being, don't you think?
Speaking of health, people in Australia are FIT. Melbourne had so many gyms, parks, free outdoor fitness classes, all which just makes it easy to stay in shape. Not to mention smoothies, banana bread, and sushi rolls galore! Yum, health!
And of course, like any great city, there's reliable public transit: direct trains and buses from the airport, free tram rides in the popular central business district (CBD), and connectivity to the beaches in the outskirts. In fact, every city in Australia I visited (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) was along the coast AKA accessible to one or more beautiful beaches - what a dream!
Outside of Melbourne, you can even find buses and trains for as little as 50 cents* that take you on a four-hour journey along the southern Queensland coast! *I learned this was put in place temporarily, but may remain in effect permanently to encourage reduction in traffic and emissions.
Additionally, Melbourne will draw you into a constant state of inspiration with its fun, eclectic architectural styles and interior design choices. So many places I entered gave me a rush of dopamine! Check out State Library Victoria, Melbourne Central Mall, or QV Mall to see what I mean.
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Melbourne feels like a trendy melting pot, somewhere I could fit in seamlessly until my American accent gave me away. As a Black woman, it was a great relief finding Black haircare and makeup for my skintone after running low while in Asia.
Of course, Melbourne is no utopia either so I must mention the cons. For one, it's pricey - rent comparable to that of major U.S. cities, and many electronics cost almost double than what I’d pay in the U.S. Also, Australia is noticeably isolated from the rest of the world, with flights to Southeast Asia starting at 8 hours from Sydney or Melbourne. Finally, I didn't come across any scary or deadly Australian critters, but I've see Tik Toks....
And NO I DO NOT CARE THAT THE HUNTSMAN SPIDER IS "HARMLESS"!!!
One More Thing....
To end this, for people who know how much I love Japan, I must talk about why I'm not Including Tokyo on my list. I've been three times to Japan, and it's still my favorite country to date. Tokyo has everything to love about a big city with the added bonus of cleanliness, delicious fresh Japanese food, top-tier convenience stores, insane internet cafes and arcades, safety, and a culture of integrity, politeness, punctuality, and respect. It's also a social introvert's haven!
However, Tokyo is expensive, it's incredibly busy, the apartments are tiny, the trains are confusing, it's ridden with tourists, and again, Japan is not a place where foreigners will ever truly assimilate. Heck, even the "hafus" or half-Japanese people account feeling ostracized. Just look up "half Japanese in Japan" on YouTube.
Tokyo is also notorious for having awful work-life balance AKA work IS life. It's common to see salarymen passed out on the trains and streets because they're expected to party HARD with their boss after work. I, unfortunately, have seen it with my own eyes.
And finally, it’s often said that Japanese people may avoid being direct, instead expressing themselves with subtlety and politeness, even if they find you extremely annoying.
I already had some questionable interactions with the Japanese in Tokyo, and I don't want to second-guess my social interactions any more than I already do! So, Tokyo is not somewhere I can see myself living long-term. But, Tokyo is 100% worth visiting and just may be the city for you if you're about that life!
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Now tell me, have you ever felt drawn to move to a place you've traveled? If you're a big city lover, how would you rate these, and which other cities would you add to this list? Leave a comment and subscribe to my blog below to be notified when I share posts, travel tips, travel guides, and more!