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Retiring in the Dominican Republic – What You Need

Pros, Cons and How Much of Retiring in the Dominican Republic

Imagine that you are a pensioner or a remote worker and want to live in a nice place with lower living costs. You want to get the most benefit for each dollar. So you ponder: Why not retire to the Caribbean? What about retiring in the Dominican Republic? This article is for you.

Part of the second-largest Caribbean island, Hispaniola, and arguably the most varied, the Dominican Republic has its attractions. Things like stunning beaches, the plethora of resorts and hotels on offer, and its array of sports and recreational activities such as golfing, water sports, and many more.

Life in the Caribbean is all about slowing right down. Get used to island time and enjoy the wonderful delights of island life. Relax on pristine beaches, eat some delicious Caribbean dishes, and spend your days snoozing in hammocks. What a way to enjoy your retirement days.

Our consultancy’s team wrote this article after similar pieces about other hot retirement destinations (including a list of the best countries to retire in the world), such as:

Pros and Cons of Retiring in the Dominican Republic

Pros of Retiring in the Dominican Republic

There are some reasons many expats choose the Dominican Republic as a place to live. In the case of pensioners, this includes cost of living, climate, cost of healthcare and private hospitals, and access to international airports.

Let’s have a look at some of the reasons to retire to the Dominican Republic in depth.

Climate

The Dominican Republic is a tropical country with a hot and humid climate. It is warm year-round here, with average water temperatures of around 28 degrees. Thetropical weather is the big draw for beach lovers, with plenty of sunshine days throughout the year.

There is lots of rainfall, particularly from May to November. However, with warm seas and tropical Caribbean sunshine, what’s a little rain now and then?

Moving Out, Working Abroad and Keeping Your Sanity Cover — Recommended book: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

Cost of Living

The cost of living in the Dominican Republic is, on average, 40% lower than in the United States. This helps Americans who want to leave the U.S. to stretch their monthly pension.

The Dominican Republic is also one of the cheapest Caribbean islands to live on – making it a great retirement choice, particularly for citizens of the United States. More about the cost of living you will find below (look for our comparison table).

Affordable Healthcare

The Dominican Republic has incredibly affordable private hospitals – at least when you compare with America. There are free public hospitals on the island (although their quality is debatable), and private healthcare is far cheaper than in the US, Canada, and Europe. This may be important when you are retiring as you may be in more need of medical treatment.

Variety of Landscape

The Dominican Republic is considered a “micro-continent” because of its varying landscapes and scenery. There are gorgeous tropical beaches, stunning mountains, lush green forests, and even desert areas with dune formations.

Due to its diverse geographical landscape, there’s a huge manner of things to suit all tastes. Get up close with nature hiking in the mountains, try some kayaking or paddle boarding on the river, or relax on soft, white-sand beaches.

One of the many beaches in the Dominican Republic

The Local Culture and Food

The people of the Dominican Republic are friendly and extremely welcoming, and there’s a vibrant culture on the island. With a unique mix of elements from Latin America and Europe, there’s a fascinating history to learn and plenty of cultural delights to experience. There are festivals throughout the year with music, dancing, and Caribbean flair.

Food on the island is predominantly seafood based, with delicious fresh fish such as tuna and marlin which are readily available in the waters. Fresh, juicy fruit is also plentiful in the Dominican Republic. Spend your mornings checking out the local markets for the best catch and enjoy cooking up a storm – the perfect retirement hobby.

If you crave for food from your home country, Santo Domingo has a decent offer of international supermarkets.

Disadvantages of Living in the Dominican Republic

No matter where you go in the world there will be some disadvantages to living in a certain place over another, and the Dominican Republic is no different.

Remember that it is a developing country, after all.

Here are some of the main disadvantages of retiring in the Dominican Republic.

Safety

One of the biggest factors to consider when looking at retiring in the Dominican Republic is the safety of the island. The island has a bit of a reputation for being unsafe in comparison to its other Caribbean counterparts. However, although there are high levels of crime such as robbery, pick-pocketing, and some instances of violent crime such as assault, rape, and homicide.

Foreigners should take precautions when out and about, particularly in large cities such as Santo Domingo where these crimes are more likely to take place. Keep valuables, expensive watches, and jewellery out of sight when exploring. Don’t walk around at night time in residential and remote areas, and always use authorised taxis.

The island is a warm and welcoming place, but always make sure to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

Hurricane Season

The Caribbean islands are prone to hurricanes from June to October, with peak hurricane season around August. Hurricanes can do severe damage to infrastructure, homes, and sadly many people lose their lives every year due to hurricanes in the Caribbean.

If you are planning to retire in the Dominican Republic then this is something you should be prepared for. Ensure you have adequate supplies of bottled water, non-perishable food items, prescription medicines, a battery-powered radio, and batteries for flashlights, and that personal and important documents are kept secured safely.

Bureaucracy and Infrastructure

You may be in for some surprises when retiring in the Dominican Republic, especially if moving from the United States or Europe.

The island’s infrastructure is severely lacking, with some local roads being impossible to drive down, low-hanging electricity cables, and the absence of traffic lights in certain areas. Electricity isn’t always guaranteed on the island, so consider purchasing a backup generator in case of emergencies.

There is a lot of corruption on the island too, which is common in many Latin American countries. The Bureaucracy here is also a big issue, which may become frustrating when compared to other more developed countries.

Quality of Healthcare

Although healthcare in the Dominican Republic is extremely affordable, it is generally quite poor, particularly from the free public hospitals. The level of care here is lower than in the United States, Canada, and Europe, which may be a deciding factor if you have particular health concerns.

Private healthcare is very affordable compared to the U.S. Consider taking out health insurance to cover the cost of any emergency needs and for peace of mind.

Book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights — Recommended book: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

Acquiring a Permanent Residency Status in Dominican Republic by Buying Property

First of all, it is not really necessary to buy property in the Dominican Republic to obtain a permanent residency status or a retirement visa. Anyone who has lived in the country on a temporary residence permit for five years can apply for a permanent residency, and for the retirement visa, there are different requirements.

However, there is another way: buying real estate.

To do that, you need to follow the following procedure:
1 – Establish a business in the Dominican Republic.
2 – Make a minimum investment of $200,000 in the company.
3 – Purchase a home through the company
Then you can live in the house owned by your company (paying rent to your company, which is actually like paying rent to yourself).

Two hundred thousand dollars, in a relatively inexpensive country like the Dominican Republic, could afford a really good apartment or even a nice beach house.

Remember that because the United States and the Dominican Republic do not have a tax treaty to avoid double-taxation, income from American expats on the island is taxable. However, the IRS excludes certain expenses from housing. Therefore, you could have a certain tax benefit. Since this does not apply to every case, we strongly advise you to check your particular situation with a tax or financial advisor.

To look for a property, a common practice is to first visit the country using a standard tourist visa.

Pitfalls of Buying Property in the Dominican Republic

If you are considering buying a property in the Dominican Republic, make sure you do thorough research, and be aware of any potential problems that may occur.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid when buying property on the island:

• The effects of the weather – the sea salt air and the humid temperatures can play havoc with certain elements of your property. Look for properties using materials more suited to the tropical climate that you won’t have to replace as often.

• The lack of electricity at all times – constant electricity isn’t guaranteed on the island, so look for properties with generators or solar panels to provide energy when there is a power outage.

• The local laws – the laws regarding property sale in the Dominican Republic vary from those in the United States, and may not be as stringent. Make sure you enlist the help of a good lawyer and brush up on your knowledge before jumping head first. Many people have been stung by not fully understanding the buying/building market.

How Much Do I Need To Retire in the Dominican Republic?

Illustration with beach and money symbol for article about retiring in the dominican republic — Let’s dive deeper in the cost of living of the Dominican Republic

If you are looking to retire to the Dominican Republic and qualify for a temporary residency (which later may be changed to a permanent residence visa), each retiree must receive a monthly pension, a minimum of $1,500, or a rental/investment income of $2,000 a month.

Once you can prove you have this amount of money then you can apply for the Residency Visa and then the Residency Card which entitles you to several benefits.

Rental prices range from around $400-$800 a month depending on the size of the apartment and whether it is situated in the city centre or outside of the city. Basic utilities which include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and rubbish collection are around $80-$100 per month.

Transport is also affordable, with a one-way local transport ticket costing around $1, and a monthly pass costing around $40.

Food is one of the most affordable elements of living in the Dominican Republic. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost you around $40, a coffee around $2, a local beer at $3, and water at 80 cents.

Buying local food from the market will be an inevitable part of retiring in the Dominican Republic. Although eating out is so affordable, you will of course want to enjoy cooking at home. A loaf of bread costs around $2, milk is $1.30, and depending on the type of fruit or vegetable, 1kg of each is usually less than $2.

Basic healthcare in the Dominican Republic is free. However, for higher quality medical care, it is better to have international health insurance with good healthcare coverage. There are several medical plans you can choose as an ex-pat. The average annual plan for a couple usually costs between $700-$1,500. You should consider taking out private health insurance for the best level of care.

Everything Americans Living in the Dominican Republic Must Know

Retiring to the Dominican Republic is a popular choice for Americans. With low costs of living, its proximity to the United States, and a simple retirement process, you can see why so many Americans choose this sun-drenched as their retirement destination.

The requirement for American Citizens to retire here is fairly simple, but here are a few things you should know as an American retiring in the Dominican Republic:

It would be a good idea to hire a lawyer if buying or building a property in the Dominican Republic. Having an expert in this area will stop any nasty shocks from occurring if the property build falls through, or if any other legal roadblocks stand in the way.

Consider learning Spanish to enable you to communicate with the locals. In certain areas of the island, many of the local islanders do not speak English, so if you are considering living in a non-expat area, then brush up on your Spanish skills to make life a lot easier and to be considerate to the locals.

Ensure you prepare for electricity outages by investing in a generator. Take careful consideration of this if you are reliant on a constant source of electricity, since storms, hurricanes, or excessive demand can interrupt the electric grid.

Life in the Dominican Republic will be a little different than in the United States. People don’t always turn up on time, things aren’t done exactly by the book, and be prepared for the infrastructure to look very different compared to the States. Having an open-minded attitude and the ability to stay calm as you adapt to your new life will make all the difference.

Best Places to Retire in the Dominican Republic

Resort close to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo

The island’s capital has over 1 million habitants, so that has its pros and cons. It is deemed quite insecure, but at the same time it has safe districts where ex-pats and wealthy locals live. While the city has some traffic and noise in the city center, it has also good infrastructure, private hospitals and plenty of of shopping and entertainment options.

A good one bedroom apartment in an affluent district will cost less than $1000 (sometimes even less than $800) for rent or less than $2200 per square meter if you decide to purchase (and here we are talking about the expensive properties).

Puerto Plata

This city is not as large as Santo Domingo but still has a considerable population of almost 330,000. During the peak season, the city hosts an additional 100,000 tourists at any moment, so it may feel a bit crowded in the touristy areas (like the colonial-era historical parts). In Puerto Plata, you can have a 1-bedroom apartment close to the beach for $350 per month.

Las Terrenas

With less than 40,000 residents, Las Terrenas is home to a proportionally sizable expat community and some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. This little community has all the essentials without the overwhelming size of a major metropolis. This tiny slice of paradise is one of the favorite choices among retirees from other countries and has an abundance of opportunities for physical activity.

Cost of Living in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) vs Valência (Spain) and Tampa (the USA)

It’s time for a comparison of the cost of living in the Dominican Republic. I will not compare the living costs of the Island with those of New York or London, because nearly anywhere in the world is cheaper than those two cities.

Let’s compare the cost of living in Santo Domingo (the capital of the Dominican Republic) with the best city for retirement in Europe (Valencia, Spain) and one of the favorite cities for pensioners in the USA (Tampa, Florida).

Remember that there are multiple cities in the Dominican Republic that are cheaper than Santo Domingo, since it is the capital.

All prices are from Numbeo and Expatistan, two websites that crowdsource prices and living costs from thousands of users and contributors.

Values in USD	Santo Domingo	Valencia	Tampa
Meal for 1 Person, Inexpensive Restaurant	9.11	11.59	21
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) in a Supermarket	2.49	2.9	1.57
Eggs (regular) (12)	2.21	1.98	3.29
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	5.59	6.4	11.24
Gasoline (1 liter)	1.26	1.56	1.2
Utilities (Electricity, Water, etc.) for a 85m2 apartment, monthly	86.55	128.6	156.61
Internet (60 Mbps or More)	46.66	31.88	63.85
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	5.92	7	14
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes)	35	73	98
Standard men’s haircut in expat area of the city	23	20	28
Rent of an apartment (1 bedroom)	443	720.77	2,035.75
Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment	1,261.16	2,999.91	4,635.63

Cost of different items in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Valencia (Spain), and Tampa (Florida, the USA).

If you enjoyed this article about how to retire in Finland, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

Where Can I Live? Our Complete Guide of Best Places to Expatriate

The Best Cities for Remote Workers This Year

The Easiest Countries to Adopt From – A Guide.

Subscribe (for free) to receive my articles directly in your inbox and receive a special gift. If you enjoy this article, please consider becoming a Medium member by using this link and have access to premium, unbiased content from authors not tied to big media.

Levi Borba is the founder of The Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. Some of the links of this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.

City and Safety Guides

Where Can I Live? Our Expat Living City Guides

Living as an Expat: It Is Easier When You Know Which Places You Should Avoid!

If you want to move to another country but don’t know where to start and have doubts about expat living and lifestyle, you’re in luck today because I am going to tell you (almost) everything I know from my own experiences.

Living as an Expat in the XXI Century

People are moving abroad more frequently and more easily in the present globalized world for a variety of reasons, including work, education, or just exploring different environments and meeting new people. A new culture usually comes along with it.

When you emigrate, you must adopt new customs and social standards.

In order to avoid experiencing the so-called culture shock, which is a state of anxiety brought on by contact with a new culture and is accompanied by emotions of loss and bewilderment, you must assume as soon as possible that you will require an adaptation and learning process.

Deciding Where to Live

There are 4 important things to think about when deciding where to live:

Living costs
The language barrier
Quality of life and safety
The climate

Living Costs: Finding a Place to Live That Will Not Empty Your Pockets

If you are planning to move abroad, it is important to analyze the living costs as soon as you get there. You might end up spending more money than expected on food, accommodation, and other services every month. So figure out how much money you need when moving abroad in order to not be another expat living plunged in debt..

To help you with that, I wrote a few other articles on this subject on different countries:

This article will put into perspective how London is so much more expensive than any other major European capital.
On the other hand, here you will discover 3 cities with VERY low living costs for both digital nomads and travelers.
If you are thinking about studying medicine abroad, the cost of living is an important component and here you have the countries with the best cost-benefit for medical school.
Brazil: Here you will learn how the exchange rate made life cheaper for expats, while here you will discover 4 things that are extremely cheap in Brazil.
Since I live in Poland, would be unfair to not write anything about them. This article enters into detail about the cost of living in Warsaw, while this one lists 5 insanely expensive things in Poland.

The language barrier

Individuals fluent in multiple languages comprise less than 3% of the current world population.

There is a reason there are so many Latin-Americans in Spain or so many Brazilians in Portugal: the language barrier for an expat living in a country with a distinct idiom is a REAL DEAL.

If you are moving to a country with the same idiom as yours, or a place where almost everyone speaks English (eg: the Netherlands), you don’t need to worry so much about this issue.

On the other hand, I saw expats that gave up excellent standards of live in countries like South Korea or Brazil because they could not withstand the problems and solitude imposed by the language barrier.

A whole new world will be revealed to you once you become familiar with the local language (and there are methods to learn it faster than you think). When grocery shopping or ordering at a café, you won’t just be able to say things like “Thank you” or “Please,” but you’ll also be able to pick up on the subtleties that affect people’s moods. Knowing the local slang will help you get a better sense of what is outrageous and what is funny in your new neighborhood.

Language has an impact on how we think, according to research by cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky. Your chances of succeeding (or at least surviving) in your new environment will therefore increase if you learn the local language because you will be able to think like a local. Which incentive is more advantageous than this? According to Ludwig Wittgenstein, an Austrian philosopher:

The limits of my language mean the limits of my world

Quality of Life and Safety: Even the Best Cities for Expats Have Bad Neighbourhoods

Safety should be the top priority of anyone thinking about moving to a new city. That is true whether you’re moving to a new country or simply across your country, to another city.

However, it can be difficult to find the information that is needed when vetting where you want to live. There are certain cities that are perceived as unsafe and rightfully so based on what is going on within and around that city. But here is a thing that many people forget:

Many times, the good areas in the bad cities are better than the bad areas in the best cities.

For this reason, there are plenty of guides that my team and I prepared for you. In these guides, each for an individual city, you will discover:

If the city is safe when compared to other major destinations and to the rest of the country.
What are the crime rates and more prevalent types of violence.
What are the places to avoid and what are the unsafe neighborhoods.
What are the good places, family-friendly and welcoming to expatriates.

Here is a list of them:

Europe

Athens, Greece
Belgrade, Serbia
Berlin, Germany
Munich, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark
Dublin, Ireland
Edinburgh, Scotland
Glasgow, Scotland
Lisbon, Portugal
Madrid, Spain (We also wrote a guide with tips on immigrating to Spain)
Manchester, England
Milan, Italy
Rome, Italy

The United States

Canada

Latin America

Asia

Qatar

Safety and Violence Rankings

Besides all the cities mentioned previously, we also prepared some special rankings on the subject of how safe (or dangerous) are certain places.

Places to Retire

Our team also researches the best and most affordable places for those willing to retire abroad. Below you can access some of these guides:

Other Tips for Staying Safe in a New Place

Let’s assume you just arrived in a new place, either to spend just a few weeks or as an expat living there permanently. You are still looking for a place to stay until settle down. Here are some additional tips.

1st — If you are visiting the city, there are plenty of options in terms of luggage storage, so you don’t need to walk around with your carry-on bags. Reliable, convenient, and inexpensive luggage storage services you can find at Radical Storage.

2nd — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from the airport (or from any station) to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.

3rd — If you want to walk around and see some historical spots without the risk of getting lost or wasting your time, hire a guide. You can find some amazing and reliable guides and tours at Viator. They will give you insider information about historical facts and curiosities, and also warn you of risky areas and keep you safe.

4th—Stay in a good hostel. Hostels are usually in the safest parts of cities (at least in Europe and South America), unlike hotels. Most hostels have private rooms that are as comfortable as a hotel, plus a friendly staff to give information. When looking for hostels, I visit Hostelworld and filter for those above grade 7.

The climate: finding a place to live during all 4 seasons.

Author, an expat, in a cold climate. I knew what kind of climate I would face when I made my choice of living as an expat in Europe. — I knew what kind of climate I would face when I made my choice of living as an expat in Europe.

Instead of just telling you how bad is the winter in some places or how hot is the summer in others, I will give you a fact. A fact that I experienced myself and that shows how important is to analyze the climate of the place where you are moving to.

Latin Americans, for example, tend to have darker skin tones on average than most Europeans, especially those from the northern and eastern parts of the continent.

Anyone who lives in sunny regions like Brazil’s northeast or the Andean altiplano will find darker skin to be an advantageous adaptation. More ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun are filtered out by darker tones. Since they have more melanin, they are better able to avoid sunburn and other issues brought on by excessive sun exposure, like skin cancer.

The problem is that the same UVB rays that cause cancer also break down the cholesterol in skin cells, supplying the human body with energy for the production of vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D can result in fatigue, muscle cramps, depression, and issues with the immune system. Vitamin D is necessary for good health.

Days are significantly shorter and the sun rarely appears in northern parts of Europe during the winter.

For instance, in December, here in Poland, the sky can be cloudy for weeks, and the sun sets in Warsaw at about 15:30. Less than 30 hours of sunlight are available each month in the winter. To put it in perspective, neither Buenos Aires nor Mexico City has a single month with less than 130 hours of daylight.

People in nations like Estonia and Poland have extremely white skin, which blocks fewer UVB rays. So, even in small amounts of sunlight, they receive enough UVB to produce the necessary amounts of vitamin D.

That did not apply to me. I have olive skin, and during my first year in Poland, I frequently fell ill. I visited the doctor, and exams found that I was severely vitamin D deficient. I started taking Vitamin D3 supplements during the fall and winter, which only costs me less than 8 euros per month, and this solved my problem of fatigue and ongoing sickness.

So don’t forget to check about the climate of your destination and how it affects you body!

Recommended books for expats, digital nomads, or anyone living abroad

Budget Travelers Digital Nomad and Expats Book — Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

Starting Your Own Business Far From Home: What (Not) to Do When Opening a Company in Another State, Country, or Galaxy

If you enjoyed this article about expat living, subscribe (for free) to receive my articles directly in your inbox and receive a special gift. If you enjoy this article, please consider becoming a Medium member by using this link and have access to premium, unbiased content from authors not tied to big media.

Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author. Some of the links of this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.

City and Safety Guides

Is Huntington Beach Safe?

Discover how safe Huntington Beach is, as well as the bad (or good) neighborhoods.

About an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles in Orange County, CA, Huntington Beach boasts an intriguing history, gorgeous scenery, and a pleasant climate. Surfers enjoy huge swells any time of year, giving the city its nickname “Surf City, USA”. The best surfing waves are said to be near the iconic Huntington Pier, and the city even displays the world’s largest surfboard at the Huntington Surfing Museum. But is Huntington Beach safe?

Laid-back, casual vibes define the city’s culture. Every day is Hawaiian shirt day in this surfer city. Municipal events and festivals are plentiful. For the outdoorsy soul, several parks and reserves are available to roam. For a different type of adventurer, the city has no shortage of restaurants, bars, clubs, spas, and shopping areas.

This ocean-side city’s name has changed a few times, from Shell Beach to Pacific City to its current name, which was inspired by the railroad entrepreneur Henry E. Huntington. The discovery and production of oil in the 1920s and 1930s fostered economic growth in the region, which increased its residencies and development.

Since then, the city has continued to flourish thanks to other industries including technology, service industries, and tourism. When it comes to safety in Huntington Beach, though, should travelers or potential residents be wary? Read on to find out.

If you are still in doubt about a move to Huntington Beach or another city, check out our Expat Living City Guides, with information about cities for expatriates and digital nomads all over the world!

Huntington Beach Crime Rate

Infographic for article Is Huntington Beach Safe — Our infographic with the answer to the question, “Is Huntington Beach Safe?” (Feel free to share, but please give proper credit by linking back to this article 🙂 )

Crime in Huntington Beach is relatively low compared to other large cities in California and the US, although is not as safe as the 8 safest big cities in the US, or affluent Californian cities like Chula Vista.

The California Department of Justice reported crime trends in their latest publication using data from 2021. Property crime, motor vehicle theft, homicides, rape, and violent crime rates all increased slightly from 2020 to 2021. In contrast, the burglary and arson rates have decreased by 5.3 percent and 4.4 percent respectively during the same period.

Overall, Huntington Beach’s crime index places it safer than 24% of all US cities. Data released by the FBI from 2020 reflects that out of every 1,000 residents, 2.48 were affected by violent crime and 19.81 were affected by property crime. These rates are lower than the statewide average. In California, out of every 1,000 residents, 4.4 were affected by violent crime, and 21.3 were affected by property crime.

Huntington Beach’s crime rates are also quite a bit lower than the US national crime averages. Specifically, out of every 1,000 residents, assault in Huntington Beach averages 1.58, while the US averages 2.78. Robbery in Huntington Beach averages 0.54, while the US averages 0.73.

Photo of Huntington Beach. Among other crime statistics, property crime and vehicle theft increased. — Among other crime statistics of Huntington Beach, property crime and vehicle theft increased.

Tourists, in particular, should exercise additional caution on the matter of pickpocketing. Most small theft incidents are crimes of opportunity, such as a wallet being left out in the open. With a medium risk of pickpocket activity, it’s worth taking extra steps to be aware of your surroundings and secure your belongings or valuables.

How Huntington Beach’s Crime Rate Compares to Other Cities

Below you can see two tables.

The first table shows the crime rate (as well as the homicide rate and other information) of Huntington Beach and compares it with other cities we analyzed. The source of the data is the FBI reports.

Crime Rate of Huntington Beach (Proportional to the Population) Compared to Other Cities

Here the crime numbers are divided by the population and demonstrated as cases per 100,000 habitants, meaning that they are proportional to the number of residents. By clicking on the name of each city, you will find a complete article with their best neighborhoods, areas to avoid, crime rates, etc.

City	State	Population	Total Criminal Offenses per 100K Resid.	Assaults per 100K Resid.	Homicides per 100K Resid.	Rapes per 100K Resid.	Robberies per 100K Resid.
Escondido	CA	150,507	4,857	931	3	15	93
Chula Vista	CA	275,978	3,265	718	2	11	91
Palmdale	CA	169,450	1,731	315	6	30	91
Santa Ana	CA	310,227	2,698	280	5	47	129
Santa Rosa	CA	178,127	2,154	374	2	62	76
Anaheim	CA	346,824	2,918	196	5	38	119
Huntington Beach	CA	198,711	2,229	158	2	35	54
Tallahassee	FL	196,169	3,879	545	12	103	122
Honolulu	HI	985,138	4,764	958	1	17	73
Oklahoma City	OK	670,872	7,705	1,430	15	61	97
Pittsburgh	PA	302,971	4,168
Salt Lake City	UT	205,929	15,723	3,009	9	132	215

Crime rate numbers. Total criminal cases, assaults, homicides, rapes, and robberies in multiple American cities we analyzed, in cases per 100K residents. Data from 2021 and 2020.

Crime Rate of Huntington Beach in Absolute Numbers Compared to Other Cities

City	State	Population	Total Criminal Offenses	Assaults	Homicides	Rapes	Robberies
Escondido	CA	150,507	7,310	1,401	5	22	140
Chula Vista	CA	275,978	9,010	1,982	6	31	251
Palmdale	CA	169,450	2,934	533	10	51	155
Santa Ana	CA	310,227	8,370	869	15	145	401
Santa Rosa	CA	178,127	3,836	667	4	110	135
Anaheim	CA	346,824	10,122	681	16	133	412
Huntington Beach	CA	198,711	4,430	313	3	70	107
Tallahassee	FL	196,169	7,609	1,069	24	202	239
Honolulu	HI	985,138	46,933	9,438	8	166	719
Oklahoma City	OK	670,872	51,689	9,595	100	406	653
Pittsburgh	PA	302,971	12,629
Salt Lake City	UT	205,929	32,378	6,196	19	271	443

The numbers of total criminal cases, assaults, homicides, rapes, and robberies in multiple American cities we analyzed, in absolute numbers. Data from 2021 and 2020.

Worst Neighborhood In Huntington Beach

Just like every city, Huntington Beach has a mix of respectable and questionable areas. But where exactly are its least desirable neighborhoods? Referencing a crime map of the city (see photo below) is a good way to spot the areas that experience a higher volume of crime.

The second shows the absolute crime numbers.

Keep in mind that while these areas are relatively worse off than others in Huntington Beach, they are still generally safe and relaxed locations to reside (with the exception, perhaps, of Oak View). None of these are extremely dangerous; they simply have a slightly higher crime rate than surrounding areas.

Washington East

A residential community made up primarily of renters, this neighborhood is highly walkable. This means there is more foot traffic, which makes it a bit noisier than some prefer.

Newland

This area is primarily comprised of single-family homes, and the residents here are a fairly even mix of homeowners and renters. Interestingly, there are more Armenian and Lebanese residents living here than in almost any other neighborhood in the US.

Huntington Crest

The average age of this neighborhood’s residents is 53 years old, and its primary characteristic is its densely populated, urban impression. Its denser population contributes to a relatively higher crime rate.

Oak View

Nicknamed “Slater Slums”, this neighborhood has no reason to be on any tourist’s travel plans. Homeless are more prominent in this area, although Orange County is working on programs to assist them. The median annual income is $49,576, and 48% of adult residents here did not complete high school.

Huntington Beach Crime Map

Crime map of Huntington Beach, California. Source: Neighborhood Scout

Best Neighborhoods In Huntington Beach

The low crime rates aren’t the only factor that makes living in Huntington Beach an attractive option. Many areas around this city not only have beautiful the Pacific Ocean and beach views, but also flaunt high home values, beautiful parks and trails, high median incomes, and excellent schools. Here are some of the most popular neighborhoods in Huntington Beach:

Bolsa Chica-Heil

Looking for ocean-side living with all the perks of big-city conveniences? Consider living in Bolsa Chica-Heil. Enjoy beautiful nature spots such as the Bolsa Chica State Beach and the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Once you’ve had your fill of nature, walk downtown and experience an exciting restaurant or bar. There is something for everyone in this exceptional neighborhood. If you’re looking to buy a home in this neighborhood, expect to pay $900,000 on average.

Bolsa Chica: one of the best neighborhoods In Huntington Beach. Source: Google Maps.

Sunset Beach

This quaint beachside neighborhood proudly displays the relaxed atmosphere that Huntington Beach is known for. Tourists enjoy the sprawling beach and have plentiful opportunities to shop and dine here. The famous Water Tower House, which overlooks the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of the region’s oldest landmarks. The median home listing price in this exclusive neighborhood is $2.6 million. Rentals are more affordable than 40.2% of Californian neighborhoods, at an average of approximately $3,000.

Gilbert Island

If you’re thinking of moving somewhere with your boat, Gilbert Island may be the right choice for you. Many of the homes on this island feature a boat slip, with the median home listing price being $1.7 million. This is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Huntington Beach, situated in the Huntington Harbor area within the Sunset Beach region.

Pacific City

Newly developed and bustling, Pacific City is situated right on the Pacific Coast Highway. After admiring the beach, tourists like to spend time shopping and dining in style in this neighborhood. With everything from an outdoor mall to modern bungalows to live music events, this neighborhood will not disappoint. With all these activities in mind, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular stop for tourists and residents alike.

There are some excellent and (surprisingly!) inexpensive hotels in the best areas of Huntington Beach. You can find them below.

With such low crime rates in Huntington Beach, the ocean itself may be more of a safety hazard than the streets of the aforementioned neighborhoods. However, the city has regular beach patrols and promotes safety in and around the water to prevent accidents.

The city’s Marine Safety Division is in control of safety measures around and on the beach. The Safety Division also runs the lifeguard program. When water-related accidents occur, their rescue team is skilled enough to respond efficiently. Their force includes 14 emergency response vehicles, 30 lifeguard towers, 6 ATVs, and 17 defibrillators, among many other emergency resources. The specialized water and beach rescue training possessed by their expert staff add to the safe environment of Huntington Beach.

Is Huntington Beach A Good Place To Live

Seemingly every aspect of this city is alluring. Its Mediterranean climate is enviable, allowing residents to enjoy both mild summers and mild winters. If, for some weird reason, you are not fond of the sea and prefer to live closer to the Limestone Canyon Regional Park, check out our guide about the nearby city of Santa Ana.

The coldest month in Huntington Beach is December, with an average low temperature of 48 degrees Fahrenheit.

Safety, however, is another discussion. While not really dangerous, Huntington Beach has levels of criminality comparable to San Diego or Honolulu, both among the safest big cities in the US and it is safer than Anaheim (we also wrote a complete guide about it).

Favorable climate makes Huntington Beach a good place to live. Picture by I, Toksave, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. — The favorable climate makes Huntington Beach a good place to live. Picture by I, Toksave, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Plenty of coastal cities in California may have a similar climate (our team also examined the crime rates and the best and worst neighbourhoods in other Californian cities, like Santa Rosa and Garden Grove), but several fun facts make Huntington Beach truly unique (besides its safety rating, of course).

Any “Real Housewives” fans should know that Real Housewives of OC is filmed in Huntington Beach. Heard of Hell’s Kitchen? Huntington Beach was also a filming location for this popular show. Any space fans out there should know that the Douglas Aircraft Space Systems Center notably helped create a rocket that flew astronauts to the moon in the 60s and 70s.

In “Surf City”, people aren’t the only ones surfing those massive swells. A dog broke the world record for the longest canine surf ride of an impressive 65 yards. Hollywood has the Walk of Fame, while Huntington Beach has its Surfing Walk of Fame. On the topic of walking, there is a comprehensive Historic Walking Tour in downtown Huntington Beach that’s an excellent choice for tourists, or even residents eager to learn more about their city’s history.

All things considered, Huntington Beach is a comfortable and safe location to live. With a myriad of exciting activities year-round, low crime rates, and a beautiful location nestled up against the Pacific Ocean, it’s hard to turn down a visit or a long-term stay.

Other Tips for Visiting Huntington Beach

2nd — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from the LAX Airport (or from any station) to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.

4th—Stay in a good hostel. Hostels are usually in the safest parts of cities, unlike hotels. Most hostels have private rooms that are as comfortable as a hotel, plus a friendly staff to give information. When looking for hostels, I visit Hostelworld and filter for those above grade 7.

If you enjoyed this article answering the question Is Huntington Beach Safe?, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

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Some of the links of this article may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction.

City and Safety Guides

Is Berlin Safe?

There is no more East-West, and the city now represents reunification and joy. But Is Berlin safe?

“Ich bin ein Berliner” were the words uddered by the late president John F. Kennedy. “I am a Berliner.” And who wouldn’t want to be? Berlin is not only the capital of Germany; it’s also the center of all things alternative to the “norm.”

Berlin is a cultural hub that is known for one of the most incredible nightlife scenes in Europe, unique architecture, and for its overall trendiness. It rivals Munich as one of the most attractive cities in Germany for tourists.

Among the large European capitals, Berlin also has some of the most affordable costs of living. Nowadays, it is as inexpensive as Warsaw and it is 41% cheaper than London.

This hot spot in central Europe has a vast atmosphere of art and free-spirited liberalism in the streets. You’ll find one of the country’s most famous landmarks, the Berliner Philharmonie – a golden-plated, uniquely-roofed concert hall that’s a must-see.

After researching all the spectacular things there are to do in Berlin, one question still lingers:

Is Berlin a safe place?

Infographic for article Is Berlin Safe — Our infographic with the answer to the question, “Is Berlin Safe?” (Feel free to share, but please give proper credit by linking back to this article 🙂 )

Well, the short answer is yes. While you’re never guaranteed to be 100% safe anywhere you go, Berlin comes pretty close. Berlin is a major capital city in Europe that is safe for tourists or digital nomads to visit for a few days or stay for a while.

Even Germany as a nation is relatively safe. According to the Global Peace Index, Germany ranked 16th out of 163 countries. That GPI included many quantitative indicators, including the level of Societal Safety and Security. There’s a very positive mindset with Germany as a whole.

Overall GPI Score

The GPI (Global Peace Index) is a general measure of violence. Germany has a decent position. Source: Vision of Humanity

That’s not to say that Berlin is without its problems. Crime still plagues some neighborhoods and districts, much like any major metropolitan urban center. The city is moving forward to ensure tourists and fellow travelers that Berlin is open and is still one of the safest cities in Europe.

So sit tight and check out this valuable research we’ve put together for you. You’ll discover the crime rate in Berlin, some areas you might want to avoid, and where the best places to stay are. We’ll also share some insider tips everyone should know before heading to Berlin.

So let’s get started!

Berlin Crime Rate

For being such a large city, Berlin enjoys a relatively crime-free environment. According to a recent ranking on crime in Europe, Berlin was much safer than other European cities such as Florence, Budapest, and Madrid. Another exciting report found that according to US standards, Berlin is extremely safe. However, no city is without its bad apples. There is still some crime that Berlin faces.

Crime Index of European Cities

Crime index map of Europe, with numbers of Berlin. — While the crime index of Berlim is not that bad, it is not as good as other safer cities in Germany. Source: Numbeo

So what’s the crime rate in Berlin?

Most of the crime in Berlin is non-violent petty crime such as stolen bicycles, pickpocketing, bag-snatching, some drug offenses, and scams. Very little violent crime is reported in the city, but as with any urban center, you should be on guard. Tourist sites, public transportation, metros, train stations, and airports attract many people, pickpocketers, and other scammers.

Despite its low overall crime rate, Berlin still benefits from decreasing rate of criminal offenses. Reports of crime are dropping by the thousands. That trend looks like it’s going to continue for the foreseeable future.

Areas To Avoid In Berlin

As mentioned above, the crime rate in Berlin is at an all-time low. Unlike many places worldwide, there aren’t many areas in Berlin to avoid outright. This means that where population density increases, so will your chance of being affected by petty crime.

However, even though Berlin has the reputation of being “super safe,” you still want the facts at hand when choosing a place to stay. This helpful information we’re about to cover will help you avoid selecting areas that might be more susceptible to crime.

Fortunately for you, the Berlin police department has organized its official website to help you identify the areas you might want to avoid. So, what are the neighborhoods to avoid in Berlin? Three of the top areas with the reputation of being the least safe include:

Alexanderplatz
- This is a top-rated tourist destination with a lot of history, as its namesake, Tsar Alexander can testify. However, this neighborhood experiences common breakouts of massive brawls, drunken outbursts, drugs, and violent crime.

Leopoldplatz
- The Leopoldplatz is a square located in one of the poorest districts in Berlin. Here you’ll find high unemployment and a large migrant community. There is a lot of subsidized housing in this area.

Görlitzer Park
- This area is infamous for being the most extensive drug transfer hub in Berlin. This park is not somewhere you want to explore after sunset, as it’s been the site of multiple reports of violent crimes.

Map of the Areas to Avoid in Berlin

Where To Stay When Visiting Berlin

Are you thinking of spending some time in Berlin but not sure where to stay? Well then, we’ve got great news for you – we’ve put together the top 3 places to stay when visiting Berlin.

The beauty of Berlin is that, on the one hand, it’s a city filled with an influential history that almost catapulted us to the brink of an all-out nuclear war during the Cold War. On the other hand, it’s a hustling and bustling electric city with a buzzing night scene. And it’s got everything in between.

Ps: If you are still in doubt about a move to Berlin or another city, check out our Expat Living City Guides, with information about cities for expatriates and digital nomads all over the world!

What’s good to know is that the city offers a great time, and Berlin’s neighborhoods also model that inviting atmosphere. So, are you wondering:

Where should I stay in Berlin?

Berlin welcomes any tourist or a digital nomad looking to connect with the city. It has a range of places to stay that offer significant landmarks like the historic center of Mitte, the young and fresh Neukölln, and the little-bit-of-everything Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. So get ready to find out why these top 3 destinations are the places to be.

Top 3 Places to Stay in Berlin

1. Mitte – History and Art Haven

Mitte is a mix of Berlin’s East and the West district. This neighborhood is the historic center of Berlin and offers noteworthy sites like the Jewish Memorial Potsdamer Platz, the Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and many museums and art galleries. If you love history and the arts, this area is your spot!

2. Neukölln – Young and Trendy

Neukölln is renowned for being unconventional, quirky, and welcoming to any type of alternate lifestyle. This area appeals to younger generations looking for a hip place to hang out, eat healthy at various vegan restaurants, or shop at one of the many vintage shops and markets. If you always like to keep it fresh and try new things, then this is where you gotta be!

3. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg – Work Hard, Party Harder

This district has the general “something for everybody” vibe. It has many great coworking spaces for digital nomads and remote workers to meet and connect. It reminds me of the Navigli in Milan, but less elegant. There’s a university atmosphere where you’ll find a large student population and excellent libraries. It also is home to one of the best party scenes in the capital. So if you’re the kind of person who likes to work hard but party harder, this is the spot for you!

There are some excellent and (surprisingly!) inexpensive hotels in the best areas of Berlin. You can find them below.

What More Should I Avoid In Berlin?

Berlin is a very welcoming and open metropolis with diverse cultures that attract tourists worldwide. Having said that, there are also unspoken rules in the culture that you should avoid breaking.

With this essential list of don’ts, we’ll have you blending in and shouting “Prost!” with all the locals.

Don’t put recycling materials in the ordinary trash can.
- Berliners are very forward-thinking and respect the planet and healthy practices more than many other major cities. This goes especially for glass bottles – don’t put them in the trash. Instead, leave them next to the bin as many bottles can be taken back to supermarkets and get a refund.

Don’t break any crosswalk and traffic laws.
- So you’re on foot and waiting to cross an intersection, but there isn’t a car anywhere in sight. Whatever you do, don’t cross! Crossing the road before the indicator flashes green for pedestrians will likely get you fined and embarrass you. Berliners can be very verbal when it comes to the laws. Be respectful of traffic laws.

Don’t walk in designated bicycle lanes.
- The German capital accounts for more than 500,000 daily cyclists, making up about 20% of the total traffic. Berlin has one of the highest rates of commuters on bicycles, with 710 bicycles per 1000 residents. Walking in a bicycle lane is a sure way to stand out like a tourist, get verbally harassed, or, even worse, get seriously injured. As mentioned before, be very respectful of traffic laws while visiting Berlin.

So by now, you’ll be ready to fit right in when visiting Berlin. This city will be an unforgettable experience for any who stops by – and hey, what’s the hurry? Why don’t you stick around for a while and get the real Berlin experience? We’ll be seeing you there!

Berlin city center and the Berliner Dom. While far from being the safest city in Germany, visitors should not be worried when visiting Berlin. Follow our tips and enjoy your trip! — While far from being the safest city in Germany, visitors should not be worried when visiting Berlin. Follow our tips and enjoy your trip!

Other Tips for Visiting Berlin

2nd — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (or from any station) to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.

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City and Safety Guides

Is Milan Safe?

Easily one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is Milan, Italy, still a safe place this year?

Milan, one of the most famous Italian destinations, is a metropolis in Italy’s northern Lombardy region. This cosmopolitan hub is known as the mecca for fashion and design. It is also home to the national stock exchange – a very high-end, luxurious city filled with decadent restaurants and shops. In my personal opinion, they also serve some of the most delicious espressos I ever tried.

With all those pluses, one would wonder if Milan is safe for unaware tourists carrying around their Fendi bags.

Often, many tourists jump straight to Rome, Venice, or even Florence. Still, those tourists miss out on this gem of a destination that offers many iconic sights and landmarks, such as the Duomo di Milano, the world’s largest and most beautiful gothic cathedral. Milan is a testament to art and culture, as the Santa Maria Delle Grazie convent can attest. You’ll find Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,” one of the most significant art pieces.

With all the trendy restaurants, classic cafes, fantastic shopping, and opera performances, you’ll have nothing but options to choose from while you’re visiting Milan. But all that unbelievable touristic greatness aside, you may still be wondering:

Is Milan a Safe Place?

Infographic for article Is Milan Safe — Our infographic with the answer to the question, “Is Milan Safe?” (Feel free to share, but please give proper credit by linking back to this article 🙂 )

The quick overall answer is yes. Milan is a relatively safe place where security guards and officials patrol the streets often. You’ll have no problem approaching them anytime if you feel unsafe. With a significant police presence, you can rest easy knowing they’ve got your back. That’s especially important if you’re a digital nomad walking around with your laptop in your bag everywhere you go.

However, that’s not to say that Milan is without its problems. Just like any major metropolitan center, there will be things you need to be aware of and some precautions to take.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll cover some must-know facts and information about Milan, such as the crime rate, areas you might want to avoid, and some of the best places to stay. We’ll also explore how safe Milan truly is, especially for solo female travelers.

So get ready to start packing your bags and prepare your luggage because we’re about to give you all the research you’ll need to have a great stay in Milan!

Milan Crime Rate

As mentioned above, Milan is a relatively safe destination for tourists worldwide. There aren’t any major threats in the area, and travelers of all kinds should feel at ease while visiting the eclectic city. Actually, compared to many other parts of the world, you could say Milan is pretty much crime free – however…

Some areas are hot spots for a lot of pickpockets. There are areas around the city where petty theft is pretty standard. Even in some parts of the city center, you might run into some scams where people offer help or advice but may harass you for payment. Besides the sufficient police presence, bag-snatchers and pickpockets are still able to make a living – that’s what makes up most of the crime in Milan.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation in Milan

Statistics of different types of crime in Milan. Source: OSAC

Last year, Milan placed at the top in terms of crime rate in Italy. The largest city in the Lombardy province recorded about 1 out of every 20 inhabitants. In Milan, petty crimes such as pickpocketing made up most of the crime rate. Still, Milan also ranked high in burglaries in shops and thefts. This may sound problematic, but it’s not time to sound the alarms just yet. Compared to North America, Milan has about the same crime rate as any average city in the United States.

There is good news in all of this. Milan is starting to see a decline in the crime rate. Petty theft, pickpocketing, muggings, and almost every other crime except for cybercrime networks and drug trafficking, where sectors of the Mafia are still operating. There definitely are some areas you’ll want to avoid.

Areas To Avoid In Milan

Milan is a beautiful city with lots to explore and see, and if you live in America, it also has some of the cheapest flights into Europe.

It’s also a large city, and with any large city, there will be places you might want to avoid if you’re trying to stick around. Whether you’re a tourist looking to check off a bucket list or a remote worker on an extended stay in Milan, you’ll need to recognize and identify the neighborhoods and areas to avoid.

So, what are the areas to avoid in Milan?

Most neighborhoods outside the center don’t offer many attractive destinations or sights to see, so it might not even be worth venturing out too far. Places you’ll want to avoid might include Quarto Oggiaro, Lambrate, and Giambellino-Lorenteggio. That said, there really isn’t anywhere you should be afraid for your life. Just places to be extra on guard. Regarding the rest of Milan, it’s one of the safest cities in Italy.

What Are the Top 3 Areas to Avoid in Milan?

● Quarto Oggiaro

This area is located to the North West of Milan in Zone 8. Situated at the fringe of Milan, its location isolates it from the rest of the city, attributing to higher crime. Quarto Oggiaro is notorious for its corruption.

● Lambrate

This area is located to the North East of Milan, situated relatively far from the city center. This area is also considered somewhat dangerous but is on its way to becoming cleaner and safer.

● Giambellino-Lorenteggio

This area is a two-for-one. Giambellino-Lorenteggio is a two-in-one neighborhood located pretty close to the city center. This area is mainly known for its drug trafficking and ties to the Mafia. Giambellino-Lorenteggio gets its name from the two ample avenues constructed in the 1920s. Here you’ll find a lot of poverty and immigrants from Italy and other countries. Here you’ll find most of the subsidized housing.

Places to Avoid in Milan

Map of areas to avoid in Milan, inside the red circles. Source: Google Maps — Areas to avoid in Milan inside the red circles. Source: Google Maps

Again, Milan is overall safe and has lots of fun things to do. It also has fantastic places to visit and stay, so try to avoid these places, and instead choose one of the suggestions below.

Ps: If you are still in doubt about a move to Milan or another city, check out our Expat Living City Guides, with information about cities for expatriates and digital nomads all over the world!

Best Neighborhoods In Milan To Stay

As we’ve said, Milan is a spectacular destination for any tourists or digital nomads looking to stick around anywhere from a few days to a few months. Also, on the outskirts of Milan, there are some smaller towns that are perfect for people willing to retire from the urban noise.

Here we’ve put together a mix of Milan’s safest, cleanest, most beautiful, and most exciting neighborhoods. Most of them are central and well-connected by public transport (something important, because Milan has one of the most expensive Uber prices in the world). So let’s get right to it!

What are the best places to stay in Milan?

Milan is a very diverse and eclectic major city in Italy. It offers fashion districts, historical centers, and beautiful places to stay and visit. Some of these places include Brera, San Lorenzo, Navigli District, and Porta Nuovo. Making your way around these areas and neighborhoods is easy as most of Milan is flat and not too big.

Brera – great for sightseeing
- A modern area where the city’s most important museum is located (the Pinacoteca de Brera).
San Lorenzo – the spot for a romantic getaway
- This area has unique street art, lovely restaurants, and fantastic shops to take your date.
Navigli District – where the night comes to life
- This is the most energetic and vibrant area in all of Milan. If the party scene is your jam, then be sure not to miss out on this district. It reminds some areas of Berlin, but it is much more elegant.

There are some excellent and (surprisingly!) inexpensive hotels in the best areas of Milan. You can find them below.

Is Milan Safe For Solo Female Travelers?

By now, you’ll know that Italy is a safe country, and Milan is no exception. A common concern for travelers is safety for solo female travelers. We assure you that women will feel safe and secure in Milan, with standard precautions you would take anywhere else. In my view, it is, for example much safer than Athens.

In this stunning city, violent crimes are highly negligent – only you should be on the alert for petty theft. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your purse or bags and lock up luggage like in any big city. Traveling in groups is always recommended anywhere you go.

You may hear cat calls like “ciao bella” or “che bella.” If you hear any of this while you’re out and about, the best move is to keep on with your business and not give them the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of you.

That “open appreciation” for women isn’t regulated or policed. Still, if it gets to the point where someone won’t stop bothering you, the police are always around and ready to help.

Another essential piece of advice is to ensure you have an Italian SIM card or even an international one. Hence, you always have your phone ready to use. Hopefully, you never find yourself in an emergency, but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Emergency numbers:

112 – Carabinieri (Italian force)
113 – Emergency Police Help Number (also ambulance and fire)
115 – Fire Department
118 – Medical Emergencies

Is Milan Safe? Conclusion

Image of one of the most visited attractions in Italy: The Duomo of Milan. — One of the most visited attractions in Italy: The Duomo of Milan.

The streets of Milan are always bustling day and night, and there are always people and police roaming around. Milan is relatively safe for visitors, and solo female travelers shouldn’t be more worried about traveling here than most places worldwide.

So start packing your bags and planning your trip! This hub of history and culture is waiting to be explored!

Other Tips for Visiting Milan

Personal opinion: The best time to visit Milan is around November, since it is a low season and prices are very low.

2nd — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from the Malpensa Airport, Bergamo Airport, or from any station to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.

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City and Safety Guides

Is Vancouver Safe?

Is Vancouver, a densely populated urban center, a safe choice for tourists?

Canada is known for its friendly people and hospitality, but did you know that it’s also home to the fifth most livable city in the world? Vancouver is surrounded by magnificent misty mountains, blessed with shimmering sea sunsets and striking foliage all year round! Still, beauty can come in tandem with danger (Rio is proof of that), so, is Vancouver safe?

Vancouver can cater to just about any interest. Are you looking to shop until you drop? What about wine and dining? Are you ready to experience live electric entertainment? Or how about adventuring in the wide open outdoors? Don’t worry. Vancouver has got what you need.

It is one of the best places in the world for international students (although, differently than Saskatchewan in Canada, they will not pay you to study there), and also one of the top destinations to study medicine. We also wrote a guide about Canada as a retirement destination for pensioners and remote workers.

Alright, so I know what you might be wondering – what’s the catch? Although Canada is one of the cleanest and safest countries in the world (even some of the safest cities in Mexico, like Guadalajara, are more dangerous than Canada), some curious tourists may also be asking:

How safe is Vancouver?

Infographic for article Is Vancouver Safe — Our infographic with the answer to the question, “*Is Vancouver Safe?”* (Feel free to share, but please give proper credit by linking back to this article 🙂 )

Vancouver overall is a generally safe place for any tourist to visit. For being such a large and densely populated urban center, Vancouver is mostly without major crime. But like any major city, you should always take the appropriate precautions. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into how safe the city is, areas you have to see, places you should avoid, and what downtown Vancouver offers.

So if you want to find out if Vancouver is the right destination to visit, you’ve come to the right place!

What Is The Crime Rate In Vancouver, Canada?

When you want to look at the crime rate in Vancouver, you almost have to break it up into two categories: Vancouver and Metro Vancouver.

Overall, in Vancouver, although some minor crimes are reported, major violent crimes and assaults are rare. Personal safety when walking alone down the streets is very good, especially when speaking about tourists.

That being said, Vancouver isn’t without its problems (just like Montreal, which we covered in this article, or Toronto, that we covered here). Although crime is moderately low, it is on the rise. The crime that is common in Vancouver is petty theft and property crime. Leaving items unattended invites them to be taken. That means, even if you’re going to step away for one second, you should always have your belongings on or right next to you with a vigilant eye.

Another crime wave that is trending is car break-ins.

Just because you locked away your items inside your car doesn’t mean they are safe. It’s advised by the Vancouver Police Department not to leave any valuables unattended in your vehicle. Actually, it is best not to leave anything that may be visible, even if you think it has no value. Something to note is that a car break-in is not likely to happen where there are many people around.

I know that all sounds a little scary, but good news exists. The trend of car thefts has recently dropped over the last couple of years, and it’s looking like 2022 will follow that same direction.

Number of Incidents

Number of car break-ins in Vancouver per year. — Is Vancouver safe? Yes, but crime does exist. The numbers above are related to car break-ins. Source: Vancouver P.D.

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, Canada. And with every major city, there will be some bad apples. But relax. You shouldn’t worry too much if you’re heading to Vancouver.

Canada has a reputation for being welcoming and friendly. By taking these few precautions, you can rest assured that you won’t likely have anything broken into or have any valuables stolen.

So what is the crime rate in Canada?

Vancouver’s crime rates are higher than the national average.
However, violent crimes are 6% lower than the average.
Compared to British Columbia, Vancouver’s crime rates are 12% lower.
Vancouver is safer than more than half of the cities in Canada.
Crime rates in Vancouver are dipping year over year by 5%

In the next paragraphs, there are some important key takeaways if you are visiting or moving to the city. Take note of them, especially the districts mentioned.

Bad Areas of Vancouver

Okay, so you’re headed over to visit Vancouver for a few days, and you might be wondering, what are the bad areas of Vancouver?

As mentioned before, Vancouver is relatively safe and very livable. It also ranked the #6 city in the world for health and safety! That being said, some bad neighborhoods have higher crime rates, such as Downtown Eastside, Mole Hill, and Historic Japantown. While these aren’t places tourists should avoid at all costs, you’ll have to be more careful when traveling with valuables or walking alone at night.

Top 3 Bad Areas of Vancouver

1. What is Downtown Eastside Like?

Depending on who you ask, Downtown Eastside is an area that covers anywhere from 10-50 blocks in size and sits a few blocks east of Downtown Vancouver’s central business district. Hence, “Downtown Eastside.” This is one of the oldest areas in Vancouver, along the intersection of Main Street and Hastings.

The Downtown Eastside area has had a rather bad reputation for some time now. Compared to the other areas, the Downtown Eastside has an almost 50% higher crime rate than the overall average in Vancouver. This place isn’t dangerous to pass through during the day. Still, drug addicts and an increasing homeless problem make things a bit erratic after sunset.

2. What is Mole Hill Like?

Mole Hill is a small Vancouver area with deep history and heritage. Unfortunately, this area is one of the most crime-ridden areas. Mole Hill scored almost twice as high compared to the rest of the national average. Here in this small community with a population of about 500, you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Once again, if proper precautions are taken, you will be fine. The risk of encountering danger while traveling through this area is low, just try not to travel alone and always keep an eye on your possessions.

Daily Crime in Mole Hill, Vancouver per 100,000 People

Crime statistics of Mole Hill, Vancouver, Canada. — Mole Hill is not among the safest places in Vancouver. Source: areavibes

3. What is Historic Japan Like?

The area has a population of about 6,000 citizens. Still, it makes up a large percentage of the crime rate in Vancouver. A lot more tension was added to the area once the pandemic hit. This area was one of the hardest-hit regions in Canada. Not only that, but a lot of fear and uncertainty about the origin of Covid-19 contributed to a lot of Asian discrimination.

Bad Areas of Vancouver

Things are starting to shape up in these bad areas. Renovations and a lot of funding are coming in to try and preserve these historic regions as national landmarks. These areas shouldn’t sway you from visiting Vancouver’s fantastic cultural hub. Just mind essential safety tips, and you’ll be fine!

Where To Stay In Vancouver?

Vancouver is a top destination for outdoor adventures such as hiking, boat rides, and even a “skip” in a seaplane! Vancouver is swimming with all types of ethnic foods, top-notch shopping, and great sightseeing. But while you’re there, check out Downtown Center, Gastown & Chinatown, and the famous West End!

There are some excellent and (surprisingly!) inexpensive hotels in the best areas of Vancouver. You can find them below.

Downtown Center

If you’re checking out Vancouver, you’ll most likely spend some time in the Downtown area. The City Center is where you’ll find several suitable hotels down the Financial District. Many travelers are in this part of town for business. Still, even tourists should consider staying close to the fun, where you’ll find excellent public transportation to get you around!

Gastown & Chinatown

While visiting the largest city in British Columbia, you’ll have to check out some of its oldest architecture in Vancouver. This area is beaming with life and has a history all over its cobblestone streets and Victorian buildings. There’s a great photo op at the Gastown Steam Clock that bursts with hissing steam every 15 minutes on the dot. You’ll also find tons of souvenir shopping and fabulous authentic ethnic restaurants and bars!

The West End

Located just a stone skip away from the beautiful Central Business District Downtown, the West End of Vancouver is one of the most famous destinations for tourists. It’s straightforward to get to using public transportation and houses the most famous tourist attraction in the entire city, Stanley Park.

Vancouver skyline during the day. — Some of the safest neighborhoods in Vancouver also have amazing views!

Is Downtown Vancouver Safe?

Downtown Vancouver is where it’s at if you’re looking for a booming, trendy, and top-rated urban center. In Downtown Vancouver, you can rest easy knowing that it’s ranked one of the safest places to visit in the world! As of late, it’s been a hub for young business professionals of all types to meet up and connect.

Just remember, as mentioned previously, to avoid Downtown eastside.

In the other parts of Downtown Vancouver is where you can shop at the epic Pacific Centre Shopping Mall, check out the latest art and fashion at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and also explore the Vancouver Public Library. Some curious good news: Uber rates in Vancouver are far cheaper than in large American cities like NY.

You’ll be able to enjoy all of what Downtown Vancouver offers and feel safe and secure while doing it. This place is fantastic and a must-visit if you’re thinking of having a stay in British Columbia, Canada. So join the over 8 million people visiting this city every year

Ps: If you are still in doubt about a move to Vancouver or another city, check out our Expat Living City Guides, with information about cities for expatriates and digital nomads all over the world!

Other Tips for Visiting Vancouver

2nd — Areas surrounding airports and train stations can be dangerous. Book a transfer in advance from the Vancouver International Airport (or from any station) to your destination and vice versa, so you can avoid scammers and criminals. I often used Get Transfer for that and it always worked fine.

If you enjoyed this article answering the question Is Vancouver Safe? here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

Is Buenos Aires safe? (Nearly everyone gets it very WRONG)

The Most Violent Cities in Europe BY COUNTRY

THESE Are the Cheapest Cities to Fly to In Europe

Digital Nomads

The Best Place to Live in Poland

Using 12 Different Criteria, This Is the Top 10 Best Places to Live in Poland

There are only 107 cities in Poland.

The low number is due to Poland’s distinction between towns and cities. While a town mayor is called the burmistrz, a city mayor is the prezydent miasta. Other differences are some public services, like specific courts, and so on.

There isn’t any city in Poland with less than 35,000 residents, though some towns might have a larger population.

However, 107 is not a small number, and when considering a move, many expatriates wonder where in Poland they should settle (at least this is a question I asked myself six years ago when I was planning to move here).

Fortunately, an interesting study conducted by the consulting firm ThinkCo and the Polish portal Otodom helped us find the answer to this question about Poland. Yes, Poland, a place where the economy is expanding so rapidly that it is causing a reverse-immigration, and bringing back the citizens who long ago left the nation.

In this guide, we will share with you the criteria and the highlights of the best cities in this guide, as well as my personal opinion about those that I know personally.

Criteria used to define the best place to live in Poland

How happy do you feel in the city where you live?

Almost 36 thousand people living in Poland responded to this question in the survey that Otodom conducted between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. The respondents gave their opinions on a scale from 1 (completely unhappy) to 5 (extremely happy).

The study’s objective was to determine what factors affect people’s subjective feelings of happiness in the city and its nearby areas. Therefore, in addition to providing a general assessment of their level of happiness, the respondents also provided information on the factors that had a positive and negative influence on it.

These components (in the report, some smaller cities lacked a breakdown of results by each factor) included:

Availability of shops
Public transportation
Natural environment
Security
Availability of entertainment and cultural attractions
Cost of living
Availability of sports and recreation venues
Relations with neighborhood and community
Cleaning and maintenance of the city
Availability of health services
Infrastructure for kids
Infrastructure for animals

Without further ado, let’s dive into the best places to live in Poland according to the research.

10: Kraków

Score: 3.69 (where 1 means completely unhappy, while 5 means extremely happy)

Best evaluated factors: The things that Kraków residents liked best were public transportation (39% said it has a positive impact on their lives), commerce (36%), and entertainment and cultural attractions (34%).

A curious result is that Kraków scored better than any other large Polish city in the availability of health services (20%).

Worst evaluated factors: Living costs (54% of the respondents considered that it has a negative impact on their life) and the natural environment (48% of negative evaluations — the worst among all large cities).

Picture of the center of Krakow, the city that opens our top 10 of the best places to live in Poland — Krakow opens our top 10 of the best places to live in Poland

My personal opinion about Kraków

Although I live in Warsaw, I consider Kraków a more pleasant place in almost all aspects (an exception would be the job market), and it is probably the best place to visit in Poland if you have only a few days.

They do have a great (and cheaper than Warsaw) public transport system, and the city has plenty of cultural attractions that are often not present even in Warsaw (e.g., the Cirque du Soleil during the 2022 tour will make presentations both in Gdańsk and Kraków, but not Warsaw).

The critics are also in line with my own experiences, which may be shocking if you read a previous article where I put Kraków as one of the best cities in the world for digital nomads, in part because of its low cost of living.

The thing is: compared to other similar cities in the European Union, Kraków is inexpensive, but compared to other Polish cities, except for Warsaw, it is expensive. That explains why locals complain about the cost of living: they are not comparing it with Valencia or Lyon, but with smaller cities in Poland.

Inflation is also hitting hard: 2 years ago, I wrote an article about cities in Europe that you could visit for less than 25 euros per day, nowadays, I doubt this is still possible.

The locals’ complaints about the environment are also understandable since during the winter Kraków has some of the worst air quality of any city in the world.

9: Poznań

Score: 3.73

Best evaluated factors: Public transport (34% of the respondents affirmed it has a positive impact on their life), and availability of entertainment and cultural attractions (31%).

Worst evaluated factors: Living costs (49% of the respondents considered that it has a negative impact on their life) and the natural environment (31%).

My personal opinion about Poznań

While the best-evaluated factors are no surprise for me and I completely agree with them, it is a surprise to see that people in Poznań have so bad remarks about the natural environment. The city is not even close to having air as polluted as Kraków or Warsaw during the winter.

I also expected more criticism about security, since it is one of the most violent cities in Poland (however, since Poland is a very safe country, it is still much safer than other similar-sized European cities).

8: Katowice

Score: 3.75

Best evaluated factors: Availability of shops (32% considered it a positive impact). Katowice also had the best results among all large cities in Poland in 2 factors: availability of sports and recreation venues (24%), and Infrastructure for kids (18%).

Worst evaluated factor: Katowice had the worst score among all large cities in Security, with 25% of the respondents affirming it negatively impacts their life.

My personal opinion about Katowice

Katowice has indeed a remarkable infrastructure, both for commercial activities but also for sports and recreation. Lately, the city and its metropolitan area became the host of multiple fairs and large events in Poland that before would be in Warsaw or Krakow.

The bad result in security isn’t because of the city itself, but I guess it is because of the areas around it. For example, poor towns like Bytom and Sosnowiec never got back on their feet after the coal mining industry collapsed.

7: Rzeszów

Score: 3.76

6: Szczecin

Score: 3.82

Best evaluated factor: Natural environment, where 36% of the respondents considered it a factor with a positive impact on their lives.

Worst evaluated factors: Living costs (43% considered it a factor with a negative impact) and public transportation (26%).

5: Bielsko-Biała

Score: 3.85

My personal opinion about Bielsko-Biała

It is a lovely city close to the Beskid mountains (one of the most beautiful places in Europe during autumn). It is medium-sized, with close to 170,000 residents. This city has the advantage of being located 1 hour or less from major urban centers like Katowice or Ostrava (Czech Republic) but without the cons of these larger cities.

It is a bit colder than the other cities on this list, so you may spend a bit more on heating bills (although there are some extreme ways to reduce heating expenses).

If in the future I move out from Warsaw, Bielsko-Biała is on the list of the cities that definitely I would live in.

4: Tychy

Score: 3.91

The 3rd Best Place to Live in Poland: Zielona Góra

Score: 3.95

I have never been to Zielona Góra, but from what I know, the city (which has around 140 thousand inhabitants) offers great opportunities for anyone that likes nature or students seeking higher education. The University of Zielona Góra provides a diverse range of programs, including foreign languages and computer science.

Zielona Góra is also known for its beautiful nature. There are many lakes, forests, and mountains near the city, which makes it a perfect place for hiking and other outdoor activities. Attributes enough to put Zielona Góra as the 3rd best place to live in Poland.

The 2nd Best Place to Live in Poland: Gdańsk

Score: 3.96

Best evaluated factors: Natural environment, with 37% considering it a positive factor, the same percentage that also evaluated positively the availability of entertainment and cultural attractions

Worst evaluated factors: Cost of living, with 56% considering it a negative impact, and availability of health services (23%).

Picture of Gdańsk downtown, one of the 3 best places to live in Poland. — Gdańsk, one of the 3 best places to live in Poland.

My personal opinion about Gdańsk

Gdańsk is one of the most popular summer cities in Poland, although its beaches may be overshadowed by those of neighboring Sopot. The city has plenty of nice parks and one of the best air quality indicators in the entire country despite its size. It is relatively expensive if compared to other cities that are off the beaten tourist path, but still much cheaper than Warsaw.

The Best Place to Live in Poland: Gdynia

Score: 4,03

Best evaluated factors: Public transportation (39% consider it a positive factor) and natural environment (36%).

Worst evaluated factor: 57% evaluate the cost of living negatively, and this is the worst result on this factor in the entire country.

My personal opinion about Gdynia

Just like Gdańsk (which is a few minutes farther east), Gdynia has wonderful clean air, beautiful parks, and great public transport. The cost of living is pumped during the summer by large touristic inflows, and I guess that this, together with the proximity to Sopot, the most expensive city in Poland, inflates the prices inside the city and causes some dissatisfaction among locals.

Why Warsaw is Not Among the Best Places to Live in Poland?

Warsaw downtown at night. One of the reasons why Warsaw is not one of the best cities in Poland is that it feels a bit too crowded sometimes. — One of the reasons why Warsaw is not one of the best cities in Poland is that it feels a bit too crowded sometimes, as you can see. Picture by Levi Borba.

One could ask why Warsaw is completely absent from the list of the best cities to live in Poland, even when we consider only the largest cities.

But I would rather ask: why would Warsaw be among the best places to live in Poland?

Yes, the Polish capital does have plenty of cultural and entertainment attractions, the availability of numerous health services, very decent infrastructure for sports, and a good public transport system.

BUT….

Everything goes down when we talk about pollution (although not as bad as Kraków), traffic jams, and the worst of all: the price. Warsaw is much more expensive than nearly all Polish cities, except for resort municipalities like Sopot (during the summer) or Zakopane (during the winter).

For example, housing prices in Warsaw are 56% higher than in Szczecin.

Yes, Warsaw is still one of the most inexpensive capitals in the European Union (it also has one of the cheapest Uber rates in the world), but it is pricey when compared to the rest of the country.

If you enjoyed this article about the best place to live in Poland, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Europe This Year

The Best Cities to Retire in the European Continent

The Miracle on the Vistula 1920: How Poland Saved Europe from the Soviet Union

Subscribe (for free) to receive my articles directly in your inbox and receive a special gift. If you enjoy this article, please consider becoming a Medium member by using this link and have access to premium, unbiased content from authors not tied to big media.

Business in Europe

Inequality in Russia

How Russia Is One of the Most Unequal Countries on the Entire Planet

Since my childhood in Brazil, I always heard about how our country is unequal in terms of income and wealth, so since high school, we have been taught about something called the Gini Coefficient because we know that Brazil performs very badly on it.

The problem is that the Gini coefficient is not a very good measure of certain countries.

Why?

While the Gini coefficient measures the distribution of income in a society, it does not count for two things:

1st: The income that is earned by people from that certain country but are not brought to its economy (eg: Russian oligarchs with large bank accounts in Dubai).

2nd: It does not measure the regional disparities.

I am not here trying to invalidate the Gini coefficient. Brazil is an unequal country, and that is visible in our society.

BUT…

As someone who has traveled to every continent since I left Brazil almost a decade ago, I dare to say that Brazil is not even close to being among the worst cases. And here I bring up the matter of Russia.

Because Russia, despite having one of the most affordable educational systems in the world, is an extremely unequal country when you observe its regional disparities. Something that has deep roots in the very genesis of the Russian state (more about it later).

So I decided to compare the income per capita of the richest and poorest regions of different countries in the world (at least those that have public information easily available, so sorry North Korea, you are not part of my little study).

Criteria for a Regional Approach to Income Inequality in Different Countries, including Russia.

I made it simple.

Basically, I compared the most recent data from multiple sources like Statista (for the United Kingdom and a few other countries), Eurostat (for EU countries like Poland), and UNDP (for Russia).

On these websites, I searched for the sub-unit (meaning state, province, region, voivodeship, oblast, etc) GDP per capita. Not PPP, since there are different methodologies for PPP calculation, but nominal GDP per capita.

Then, using an excel sheet, I calculated the income difference between the richest and poorest sub-unit of each country.

The results are shown in the table below.

Country	Year	Richest State/Unit	GDP Per Capita (US$)	Richest State/Unit	GDP Per Capita (US$)	Difference
Russia	2018	Moscow	$22,060	Ingushetia	$1,790	1132%
India	2020	Goa	$6,227	Bihar	$661	842%
Mexico	2018	Campeche	$67,233	Chiapas	$7,255	827%
Brazil	2019	Distrito Federal	$22,677	Maranhão	$3,515	545%
Colombia	2016	Casanare	$26,546	Vaupés	$4,293	518%
France	2018	Île de France	$70,500	Mayotte	$11,800	497%
The United States	2021	Washington	$226,861	Mississippi	$42,411	435%
Poland	2019	Warsaw	$30,612	Lubelskie	$9,535	221%
Italy	2018	South Tyrol	$55,600	Calabria	$19,100	191%
Japan	2014	Tokyo	$68,776	Nara	$24,970	175%
The United Kingdom	2020	London	$55,974	North East	$23,109	142%
Germany	2019	Hamburg	$78,904	Saxony-Anhalt	$33,978	132%
Canada	2019	Northwest Territories	$100,871	Nova Scotia	$47,837	111%

Income inequality between the richest and poorest administrative units of each country. Multiple sources (to check, see first paragraphs).

A Regional Approach to Income Inequality in Russia

As expected, developed countries like Canada, Germany, and the UK all had relatively low inequality between their richest and poorest regions.

Inside the US, a country with 50 states, the richest unit (Washington DC) has a GDP per capita 435% higher than the poorest (Mississippi).

France is a bit of an outlier when compared to other European countries because their overseas possessions are relatively poor, and that is the case of Mayotte, an island close to Mozambique. Île de France, the department where Paris is located, has an income six times larger than Mayotte.

As one could expect, all the analyzed Latin American countries have very high regional inequality. In Brazil and Colombia, the richest regions have more than six times the income of the poorest ones. In Mexico, it is almost 10 times more.

In India, a country with over 1 billion people and where a caste system still exists in some regions, the richest region (the former Portuguese colony of Goa) has a GDP per capita 842% higher than the poorest region, Bihar.

But none (I repeat: none) of these countries have regional inequality close to that of Russia.

Check also: Debunking the Myth “Sanctions Against Russia Aren’t Working”

Why does Russia have so much Inequality?

Image of Moscow. Regional income inequality in Russia has some very expressive numbers.

Moscow has a GDP per capita that is 1132% higher than the poorest region.

There are some other regions in Russia that also have high incomes, but due to their very small populations (e.g., the Nenets Autonomous Okrug has a GDP per capita larger than Moscow, but since it has only 42 thousand residents, it is likely that a single entity or person is skewing this number). If we considered these regions, the regional inequality in Russia would be even higher.

There are many explanations for why Russia has so much inequality, but many fail to consider that this inequality is not a recent phenomenon. It is historical, and has existed for centuries across many regimes: from Czarist Russia to the Soviets and now to Putin’s government.

There is one single expression that may explain why there is so much variation between regions.An expression proudly repeated by Russian ideologues like Alexander Duguin, but which bears a much more sinister meaning:

Russia as the “The Third Rome”

I will not enter into all the complex explanations behind the idea that for centuries, Russian intellectuals considered their country the successor of Rome, but rather on the economical implications of it.

Rome prospered and thrived by exploring the outskirts of the empire. Yes, they also brought law and protected the borders, this is true, but the heavy taxes and enslaved rebels from the provinces were some of the most important foundations of the Roman economy.

When the Roman empire ceased to expand, it was the beginning of its downfall.

And the very idea of “Third Rome”, which forms the expansionist Russian ideology, explains a little of why Russia needs to expand. Why do the Czars, Trotsky, Khrushchev, and now Putin all need to expand? Because Moscow requires resources, just like Rome needed them.

If you enjoyed this article about inequality in Russia, check these below:

The Most Dangerous Cities in Europe

The Cost of Living in London vs The Cost of Living in Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Rome, and Warsaw

These 5 Countries Are Getting Stronger with the Turmoils of 2022

The Chinese Banking Bankruptcy Could Trigger the Mother of All Crises

Levi Borba is the founder of expatriateconsultancy.com, creator of the channel The Expat, and best-selling author.

Brazil

5 Amazing Locations To Take A Family Photo While…

The Most Beautiful Locations in Brazil for a Photo

Traveling opens you up to the world. It expands your knowledge and sometimes your outlook on life. However, at times, it also ignites a wanderlust that can be difficult to quench even years later.

Brazil is a country of great variety, with something for everyone. As a Brazilian myself I must admit that crossing it to take photos can be a challenge. Transportation can be time-consuming and remote locations can be difficult to find.

But more than photos, you are invited to a good time!

(Besides, after the World Cup 2014 and the Summer Olympics 2016, the infrastructure of the country improved. It is not ideal, but it is much better and the largest airports can even be considered up to international standards).

In the next paragraphs, I will invite you to some of the most splendid places in this enormous, gigantic country. Not only to take pictures but to create some of the best memories of your life.

Ready?

Book recommended: Budget Travelers, Digital Nomads & Expats: The Ultimate Guide: 50 Tips, Tricks, Hacks and Ways to Free Stuff & Cheaper Flights

Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro: A Stunning Historical Location in Brazil

A picture I took during an evening walk in Paraty. One of the most stunning historic locations in Brazil for a photo.

One of the most well-known attractions in the State of Rio de Janeiro is the city of Paraty! But why this old colonial city is so captivating to people? Why does everyone who visits it want to return?

The Historic Center, a group of harmonious colonial buildings, is without a doubt the most responsible for the enchantment that the city awakens.

Portuguese-style architecture is present. The houses were constructed close to the streets, with their white and joined facades. The doors and windows, which are stunning and so distinctive and come in an infinite variety of colors, make the entire area joyful.

Another example of the Portuguese influence are the various churches that are still located in the Historic Center. Hiring a city tour is a great way to discover more about the area’s history and find spots worthy of holiday cards.

There is nothing more enjoyable than hearing a resident of the city describe the city. These two-hour tours visit the most interesting locations, including some that you might not have found on your own like the charming Rua do Fogo.

While in the past Rio (both the state and the capital) were considered very dangerous, things are improving.

MASP and Avenida Paulista, São Paulo

São Paulo city’s most well-known street, Avenida Paulista, has amassed a lot of history over the course of its nearly 130-year existence. Today, the street hosts over 1.5 million visitors each day and serves as the city’s commercial and cultural hub. The three kilometers of avenue are never the same twice.

The MASP, the most significant museum in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as cafes, bars, restaurants, other cultural centers, movie theaters, parks, shopping areas, and book stores are all located there. Check out this itinerary for the locations you should be aware of.

While São Paulo may not be an example of a safe city, it is the safest capital in Brazil.

Parque da Independência and Museu do Ipiranga, São Paulo.

The Parque da Independencia, or “Independence Park,” opened in 1989. It is called “Independence Park” because it has important historical pieces for the history of Brazil’s independence, which have been listed by agencies at the municipal, state, and federal levels in charge of preserving history.

There, you can see the famous Ipiranga Museum, the beautiful gardens that were inspired by Versailles, the Independence Monument, and the Casa do Grito, which is close to where D. Pedro shouted “independence or death!” to declare the country’s independence.

Cataratas do Iguaçu (Iguazú Waterfalls), Foz do Iguaçu, State of Paraná.

Located in the state of Paraná, one of the most stunning natural sights in the world may be found in the city of Foz de Iguaçu and the surrounding Iguaçu Falls.

The length of the wooded trails and the size of the waterfalls are famous all over the world. The falls thrill visitors and offer experiences that no other location can. It’s understandable why the place was recently named one of the world’s new seven wonders.

There, you’ll discover a setting with clean air, gentle scents, delectable food, and even information about the Natural Heritage of Humanity.

**Jardim Botânico de Curitiba (Curitiba’s Botanical Garden), Curitiba, State of Paraná**

The Jardim Botânico de Curitiba, opened since 1991, is a glass-enclosed greenhouse surrounded by diverse varieties of plants.

A picture I took in 2019 in front of the botanical gardens of Curitiba,, one of the most beautiful locations in Brazil for a photo.

French gardens served as inspiration for their design, and the first thing you notice is a carpet of flowers. Additionally, the greenhouse we previously discussed contains botanical species that are important in Brazil.

The Botanical Garden is known as the “garden of senses” because visitors can experience various plant scents and textures.

This is a wonderful area to go to if you want to take a peaceful and lovely walk. Besides, since December is summer in Brazil, it is a perfect place to produce (custom-made) one of the best Christmas cards for 2022, or at least a very exotic one 🙂

Amazing Locations To Take A Family Photo While In Brazil: Conclusion

Maybe by now, you are thinking why I didn’t include places that are always in these rankings about Brazil like Lençóis do Maranhão or the Blue Lake in Bonito. Here is the answer: because I have never been there, and I don’t want to advertise places that I never visited yet 🙂

So here is my tip of 5 incredible places to visit and take memorable pictures in Brazil (not in order):

Centro Histórico de Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro
MASP and Avenida Paulista, São Paulo
Parque da Independência and Museu do Ipiranga, São Paulo
Cataratas do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu, State of Paraná
Jardim Botânico de Curitiba, Curitiba, State of Paraná

If you enjoyed this article about the most beautiful locations in Brazil for a photo, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

Things That Brazilians Buy for Much Less Than You

3 Reasons You Should NOT Move to Brazil (and 4 Reasons to Go)

The best place for Digital Nomads in Brazil and entire South America

A Little Sample of Bizarre Brazilian Laws

Digital Nomads

The 5 Best Digital Nomad Jobs In 2022

And by “Best Digital Nomad Jobs”, we also mean well-paid.

Are you tired of the traditional workforce? Are you stuck in the same job for years on end? Feeling like you’re not getting anywhere? Well, have no fear. The remote work life is here, and this article on the best digital nomad jobs in 2022 will help you immensely! And with it comes a whole new range of jobs you can do from anywhere in the world.

So, grab your laptop, because it’s time to look at the best jobs for digital nomads.

According to Statista, the number of digital nomads in the United States is growing yearly. In fact, the number of digital nomads reached 15.5 million in 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused this surge. In addition, several jobs can be done remotely, meaning you can travel the world and still earn an income. In this article, you can discover the five best digital nomad jobs.

What Is a Digital Nomad?

Here you have the complete answer of what means to be a digital nomad.

But shortly:

A digital nomad is a person who has the world as their office as long as they have a laptop and access to the Internet. This work allows people to travel and explore new places while earning an income.

According to Forbes, Canada, the UK, and Romania have the highest rates of digital nomads, with the highest job searches and Internet speeds.

Book recommended: Moving Out, Working Abroad, and Keeping Your Sanity

Is Becoming a Digital Nomad Right for you?

The life of a digital nomad comes with several pros and cons, and while it may be perfect for some people, it can lead to a great deal of stress for others. You will need to consider what you need to succeed in a work environment before deciding the right course of action.

If you thrive on the excitement of being able to pack up your life and travel to a new city, or even country, on a moment’s notice, you might greatly enjoy being a digital nomad. This way of living can help you experience new cultures, meet new people, and allows for greater freedom than a traditional in-person career.

On the other hand, many people find that a reliable schedule and predictability are important for their mental health. Some digital nomads have full-time jobs that can be done completely remotely, while others use contract work or freelancing to pay the bills.

This can lead to periods of time where it is difficult to find employment.

Check also: The Car Dilemna for Expatriates and Digital Nomads

The Best 5 Digital Nomads Jobs in 2022: An Overview

Several jobs can be done remotely, and the best ones for digital nomads can be done independently with minimal supervision.

Find below an overview of the best digital nomad jobs in 2022, a brief job description, and the average annual salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Check also: The best place for digital nomads in Latin America (and maybe in the entire world).

1. Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $133,380

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers create and oversee advertising and marketing campaigns. In addition, they develop strategies to increase product or service sales and work with the media to ensure that advertisements are placed and conducted effectively. Finally, they may research consumer trends and analyze data to determine the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

You may need a bachelor’s degree or a few years of experience in the field of marketing to land a job as a marketing manager. But once you have the credentials, this is a career that can be very lucrative.

2. Computer Programmers | $93,000

Image of a software code. If you are tech-savvy enough, computer programmer is one of the best jobs for digital nomads — If you are tech-savvy enough, *computer programmer* is one of the best jobs for digital nomads

Computer programmers are in charge of the development and maintenance of software. They write code, test programs, and troubleshoot bugs. Computer programmers who enroll in a coding bootcamp can develop their careers and become software engineers.

This is a particularly popular career for those interested in the digital nomad lifestyle because coding skills are in high demand in various industries and the majority of a computer programer’s job responsibilities can be completed independently.

3. Technical Writers | Average Salary: $78,060

Technical writers are responsible for handling complex information and making it easy for a lay audience to understand. In addition, technical writers create educational manuals, how-to guides, and other content for B2B and B2C technology products and services.

4. Editors | $63,350

Red pen editing. Editor is one of the best nomad jobs for people who are fluent in English and enjoy reading (and correcting whatever they read). — *Editor* is one of the best nomad jobs for people who are fluent in English and enjoy reading (and correcting whatever they read).

Editors help writers produce their best possible work. They review content for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style and suggest an improvement. They may also suggest changes to the content to make it more effective.

5. Graphic Designers | $50,710

Graphic designers use their creativity and technical skills to create visual communications for various purposes. For example, they might design logos and branding, marketing materials, website graphics, or even entire websites. They might also create illustrations, infographics, and other types of visual content.

Check also: 3 Long-Term & Digital Nomad Traveler Hacks I Wish I Knew Earlier

How to Get a Job as a Digital Nomad

Digital nomad jobs are typically remote positions that can be done online or from a laptop. They may require specific skills or be in particular industries, but the common denominator is that they can all be done remotely.

The easiest way to find digital nomad jobs is to browse job boards and search for keywords like “remote,” “telecommute,” or “digital nomad.”

Finally, you can use social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to find job postings or reach out to companies directly. Find below the best job boards offering remote work for digital nomads.

Job Boards for Digital Nomads

Upwork
Fiverr
99designs
Freelancer (here you have a $40 bonus if you decide to use it).

Fiverr is by far my favorite marketplace to find (and offer) jobs for digital nomads. Image by Riyadul99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Conclusion about the best digital nomad jobs in 2022.

Many jobs are great for digital nomads. Some of them are freelance writers, web developers, and social media managers.

These are just a few positions that can be done remotely. While some of the best digital nomad jobs in 2022 require certain technical skills, remote work can be found in a wide range of industries.

There are many great places to find work as a digital nomad. Some of the best places are Upwork, Freelancer (with this link you have a 40 dollar bonus on Freelancer), and Fiverr. These are great platforms with a large selection of jobs that can be done remotely.

You can also use online training resources to master technical skills to help you qualify for some of the most popular digital nomad jobs, such as computer programmer, web developer, or graphic designer.

If you enjoyed this article about the best digital nomad jobs in 2022, here are a few other reading suggestions for you:

The Best Cities for Remote Workers This Year

Levi Borba is the founder of the Expatriate Consultancy, creator of the channel The Expat, and a best-selling author