The 2018 guide to the friendliest cities in the world
Whether you’re moving abroad or simply travelling to get a taste of your potential new home, the welcome you receive upon arrival can matter just as much as the location itself. Rude locals can truly make or break any trip, almost as much as a bad flight or poor accommodation and for this reason, choosing some of the friendliest locations is a must. Here at Santa Fe Relocation, we’ve put together our guide to the friendliest cities in the world for 2018 so you can receive a warm welcome when you arrive.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Set amongst a storybook-like location, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico won out in lifestyle travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler’s rankings for the Friendliest Cities in the World for the second time this year. Home to a collection of great restaurants, picturesque sights and most importantly, welcoming locals, the quaint colonial town is a joy to travel to. The magazine accredited the city’s friendliness to the fact that it has a large expat community which means anyone can feel at home walking down San Miguel’s cobbled streets.
Helsinki, Finland
The happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report published by the United Nations, Finland’s capital Helsinki has plenty of friendly residents that are content in their home country. Holding extremely high environmental standards and a very low threat crime rate, both travelling and living here can be done in comfort. Helsinki also has a number of great attractions you can explore after you’ve been welcomed into the locals’ hearts, not least the famous Market Square, where natives gather to sell their produce including fresh fish and handmade jewellery.
Dublin, Ireland
A little closer to home than the other cities that have featured on our guide so far, Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is the perfect example of how a city’s locals can define its appeal and character. In fact, Dublin’s streets are filled with plenty of friendly Irish natives more than happy to join you for a pint of Guinness in one of the many busy pubs found along St Stephen’s Green. Dublin also plays host to plenty of great restaurants and is just one of the many friendly locations that can be found in Ireland with other unique cities including Galway and Cork.
Auckland, New Zealand
The most popular location for travellers from overseas to visit in New Zealand, Auckland is one of the best waterfront cities in the world and has a population of 1.5 million people, each of whom is incredibly friendly. Complete with an abundance of attractions including great beaches, beautiful regional parks and amazing restaurants, the Telegraph stated that the city has many ‘lively cultural and hospitality hubs downtown,’ with plenty of Auckland natives ready to show you around the city.
If you’re considering relocating abroad to one of these great cities, and you want to discuss how we can help you on moving day, get in touch with a member of our expert team, today.
