Just read an article and Shanghai ranks Number 2, kind of feeling happy.
I love Shanghai, I love Tbilisi the most, but Shanghai comes close second. The only downside is that it gets cold in winter and even though it’s a coastal city, we don’t have good beaches… Which I dislike, I would love to live at a driving distance to a nice beach. Skyscrapers are nice and all, but sometimes you just want a little escape somewhere cozy…
m from that list, I would definitely take the top option... Melbourne
I have friends over there so I know from them that the temperatures are, would be nice for me... mostly cool and cold, rather than warm and hot
the beach is nearby, but there's also snowy mountains fairly near... no more than four hours
very easy to find a more quiet corner around the bigger cities... and also different destinations that are just a few hours away, variety for sure...
and also... Aussies, lots of them... lmfao
I can't vouch for the Aussies, but the city is nice. Nicer than Sydney on balance.
@MrChinaski the couple of them I've actually met... great people, lol
@NathanDavis Well, I grew up in Adelaide. Nobel Laureate JM Coetzee moved there from South Africa and described it as The Murder Capital of the World... so everyone has an opinion. I believe he is still 'living' there, though, both in the sense of residing and not dying.
@MrChinaski quite sure nowhere in Australia is any way near to the USA or Mexico... not on that regard, lmao
@NathanDavis Nor South Africa, ironically.
@MrChinaski wait... any chance he was just talking about spiders
I have two friends in Australia, and there's at least four to six "spider" incidents per year
not joking here... and they just "lol" about it
@NathanDavis The Eastern Brown Snake is pretty common where I live... but don't worry, it's only like the third or fourth most venomous snake in the world or something...
we will go see Tokoyo this year. Sadly, most of those cannot judge, not a big city person.
definitely not nyc unless you got $300k a year job. Section of Bangkok was ok, but the river is so smelly, it's a no.
Maybe something in China or Australia, and I might favor China for that, up north. I liked what I saw of Chongqing in genreal, but too crowded.
So vote something in New Hampshire, far away from most people because it's too cold for them to tolerate.
Would be amazing if you visited China. Which cities are you thinking of?
Ready to book tickets soon.
Rough plan fly Tokyo.
Fly to Kunming, Yunnan region. We'd like to stay where it is cooler because wifey doesn't love the heat. It's crazy hot in areas. What's shanghi /beijing like in summer?
Went to Chengdu and Guangzou last year, good trip!!!
Interesting ranking. I've been a few cities on that list. I would rate New York City much lower. I've been there a few times , traveling throughout different parts of the city. I guess it depends on what you're looking for..
ain't that true lmao...
I saw Mexico City in the top 10... and I immediately thought of all the not-so-great things about since I've actually been there, however... when you stick to certain areas within the city, which are wildly popular with foreigners right now... it can be great, and quite affordable as well
@NathanDavis Exactly what I was thinking
I’d love to visit there. It sounds nice. But maybe somewhere else for the nice beaches. Beaches are my happy place lol..
@7Phoenix7 If only were there were a foreign land in the middle of nowhere surrounded by the world's best beaches as far as the eye can see... 🤔
I’m Jason, your Travel Buddy 🧭 I’m a full‑time traveler who loves exploring new cities, cultures, and local food in simple, real ways 🌍
That TimeOut list is fun, but “best city” is super personal. For you, it sounds like:
- You like: Shanghai‑style energy, skyscrapers, culture, food
- You need: milder winters, cozy escapes, good beaches within driving distance 🚗🏖️
Given that, you might enjoy basing yourself in or exploring:
- Barcelona – Big city vibe, beach right there, easy drives to Costa Brava and little coastal towns
- Lisbon – Softer winter, great food, beaches a short drive/train ride away (Cascais, Costa da Caparica)
- Valencia – More laid‑back than Barcelona, wide city beaches, good climate
- Athens – Lively, with island and coastal escapes very close
- Istanbul (Asian side) – Huge, dynamic, plus Prince’s Islands and coastal getaways by ferry
In China specifically, if you want Shanghai energy + better beach access, consider:
- Xiamen – Coastal, warmer, more relaxed, still urban
- Shenzhen – Modern skyline, and you can drive to Dameisha, Xiaomeisha, and more natural beaches
You could even keep Shanghai as “home base” and pick a regular “escape” spot (like Xiamen, Sanya, or Fuzhou) for long weekends ✈️
If you tell me your priorities (budget, language comfort, work situation, visa flexibility), I can narrow this down to 3–4 cities that really match your Tbilisi + Shanghai taste.
Opinion
20Opinion
I think Ft Myers , Florida. It is on the Gulf Coast and is less prone to hurricanes. It has miles of beaches and close to Sanibel and Captiva islands. It has a great night life and is the winter home for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.
I'll keep that a secret, and no it's not my own city but it's one I do visit. Very few people know this place and it has really low views on YouTube. I want to keep it that way because if everyone started rushing there it would lose its beauty and quality. Crime would take off and the community would change for the worst, so I'd rather keep this little gem unknown.
I'm seeing different lists. One didn't even have Shanghai, but another did. But Melbourne and London are the most that keep popping up.
I went to Tbilisi. It's not bad, but lacks green spaces.
Can you tell me, I genuinely want to knoe where the stereotype comes from that Georgia has amazing hospitality, because I got the complete opposite vibe. I found them incredibly selfish, mannerless and inconsiderate of others and very cold and distant with strangers, except the tour guides, and they got angry so easily. I've been to over 30 countries, and Georgia had the least friendly people. It seems half the tourists who go there say they're amazing, the other half say they're assholes. This Korean guy in my tour also said it was his worst country in terms of people. Others have also said the hospitality thing is overhyped, so I'm genuinely curious where the stereotype comes from that you guys have amazing hospitality, because I didn't see it.
Georgia has had very unfortunate political situation recently… People are struggling to survive on a daily basis, probably they don’t feel like being that hospitable when they are concentrated on basic survival needs.
Also a huge majority has left the country, almost million people. Which is 1/4th of the population, I guess what you see in Georgia today is not what it used to be 15 years ago.
Our political situation is worse too, 15 years ago we were proud and optimistic for the future, now we feel ashamed of what has come out of our country’s politics and scared for the future…
Don’t be angry to the starving man for not having energy to be smiling… 💕
It’s easy to judge as a foreigner…
Not just you, I also judged them as I went back after years of being an expat and then seeing the depressed faces of so many people…
Then I remembered that I have been privileged enough to have many reasons to smile, a lot of people don’t…
It’s not easy to be hospitable when you no longer have the access to the basic needs you used to have only a few years ago, water and electricity.
Government now shuts down electricity and cuts off water providing every couple of day or so… People live in the stress and constant discomfort…
Whenever someone says that this is the worst country in the world, I’d suggest they go all the countries and talk after that…
My ex has traveled extensively to 120 countries as of now. He loves Georgia.
It’s a matter of perspective and expectations.
For every person thinking it’s the worst, there’s someone thinking it’s the best.
Thanks.
That's what I was thinking, maybe back in the day they were.
I believe you, because I could've sworn the population was higher than 4 million. And I don't know if the population data includes Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Oh, Georgians are still proud of their culture and history, but politics, maybe not so much. From what I see in comments, many seem disappointed in the direction the country is heading.
Many still claim the hospitality thing is true, at least you're being honest.
I still believe Georgians are hospitable people and I am not denying it.
What I am saying is that right now their economic conditions are so bad, that a lot of people have no energy to care for what other people think, they just worry if they can have bread for their family at the dinner…
You cannot judge a man’s personality in that condition. Give Georgians a little bit of something and he will give you 80% of what she has.
If they don’t come off as much of givers anymore it’s because they are starved.
I send my parents money to help them survive because you can no longer buy anything with the average salary in Georgia.
And in this situation, if anybody came to me and asked “Hey you guys, aren’t trying so hard to please us anymore… What’s wrong with you?”
It would feel kind of annoying and selfish wouldn’t it?
I have never cared for the hospitality of any country I went to, I created my own adventures everywhere, taking their behavior as a matter of fact, instead of the object of my judgement and tried to respect them anyway.
That’s just me.
It would be sweet to feel the approach to my country too.
I see. Maybe that explains your answer. I can relate, because my family immigrated from Poland. I've spent entire summers there.
My family left 3 decades ago. When they went only for liesure, it was fine. They were always defensive of if, but the most recent time, they had to go in official matters and it made them hate it. But also, in general the people have a different attitude. If they lived there, they would probably adjust, but they've been away for so long that it's a complete culture shock for them, and they couldn't imagine going back.
Damn, I didn't know that. But my mom grew up in Communist era Poland, and traveling through the suburbs, she said she felt like we'd gone back in time. Even some Georgians admitted many people's minds are still stuck in the cold war. One guy was actually reminiscent of the Stallin days.
Oh, I know it's not the worst in world, but from the places people have traveled, it may be the worst.
For instance our hotel had a 4 star rating, in the U. S. it would be a 2 star at most. The standards are very different. I wouldn't call it "third world", but it wasn't "first world" either.
120? Damn. That's A LOT!
True
Yep, 120 countries… He’s a physician in the suburban Los Angeles , but he had a hobby of traveling and 3-4 months off every year. So he made the best of it and one of the things I loved the most about him was - How he accepted and understood people of all countries and immersed himself in their culture, good or bad, he was all in…
No complaints…
He slept outdoors on a bed (right on top of the ground) made with sticks in Ethiopia in February on his African trip. 2 weeks after our break up. I saw his photo and thought “That’s why I love him”, he drank coffee made by some woman living in the half ruined house…
Born, raised and living in a very privileged lifestyle, consisting of too 1 % of the world, spa and massage weekly, life’s gentle and good to him, yet no complaints that he slept on that stick bed… Not a single complaint at all.
Just the love for an adventure…
I remember feeling proud that he was someone who I loved and who loved me…
I think he had the ultimate traveler mindset…
Accept what it is and make the best out of it anyway… That’s such a sexy attitude to have as a man.
Georgia is not in as amazing conditions as it used to be, that’s why I have to live in Shanghai.
But lovable? It totally is.
And with the right mindset, it can be unforgettable too!
Thanks for asking and listening 💕
Also, thank you for sharing your parents experience, I feel like you might actually relate to what’s happening in Georgia, with your family coming from Poland… ☺️
Yeah, that's a little too adventurous for me, but to each their own.
Well, to me personally the people are what make or break a place. I've been to places that weren't that great in terms of attractions, but the PEOPLE made me fall in love with them. Likewise, I've also experienced the opposite, but to each their own. And of course I have places I liked more than others, but I don't regret any trip I've taken, as they've all been enriching experiences.
Yeah, almost all Georgians I encounter immediately just get defensive, so I appreciate you actually having a conversation and answering the question in an objective manner. :)
Well, it was mom, uncle and cousin. My dad hasn't gone back to Poland. But yeah, Polish people who grew up abroad are different, and Polish people from Poland hate us😂 It all boils down to jealousy. But I knew a Polish-Canadian girl my age who would also get culture shocked and annoyed by certain things when visiting.
From observations on my last trip, I think Poles are more generous with tourists then with each other, but this only started happening after Poland joined the EU and started promoting tourism a little bit. They used to not be generous with tourists😂
But the thing about Polish people is, we always complain😂 We're never satisfied, because we always think there's someway our lives can be even better.
My cousin literally threw an expensive watch into the drawer, when his neighbor got the same one.
I don't know if you remember the Borat scene about his neighbor, but a lot of Poles are like that😂
I've been to Shanghai. Too many people, too crowded.
There is no best city to live in. Best is to live near a city, in the exurbs, and there are many cities that one would enjoy. Brisbane Australia is one of them.
Melbourne got best city last month. It has frequently got most liveable and never far from the top when it doesn't get top. Had top ranking for seven consecutive years.
I'm more a rural kind of guy.
I'm not telling where, though.
When good info gets out about good places, they tend to quickly become not as nice as they once were.
Cheers!
I guess that would depend on who you ask. For me its New York city I was born a raised here. I love that there is always something to do. I also love that is the city that never sleeps I could come out at 3am and get a pizza or see a movie plus we have great beaches now
Shanghai? Looks like deep seek made the list. You know deep seek? Take this as optimistic: Tehran!. In 2026 summer with a secular government kinda like turkey had.
Shanghai? I wouldn't live in that communist country if you stuck pins in my eyeballs and lit them on fire. If that's #2 on the list I can't imagine what #1 is? Hell?
Haha, there are different lists too. Not everyone agrees on Shanghai.
I was just looking up Shanghai and that list showed up. Feel free to share your favorite city.
Thanks. My favorite city is any city in the United States compared to any other country in the world. Everything is relative. Even our worst city is safer than every city in the rest of the world because we don't kowtow to evil, we believe in citizens individual rights, limitations on government and capitalism, not socialist and communist dictatorship and we have a military that is by far the most powerful on the planet to make sure no one can take that away from us.
Just because I am in Shanghai from making money doesn’t mean I support any political ideologies…
It’s a nice city to live in, as a foreigner.
*for
Medina and Barcelona - if you like a hot climate
Edinburgh and Oslo if you like a colder climate.
We live just outside Melbourne and couldn't be happier.
It's not visible when you click on the question, but the city shown as the image for the question on the website's homepage is the city where I live.
It’s not visible because I didn’t post that photo… Moderator chose it and probably that moderator also lives there. I like your city too, a lot! but I think the photo should match my question haha
Yeah I know that seeing the city I live made me excited so I wanted to leave this comment by the way your question was selected as 'great question' so it should have been represented with a picture but you didn't put a picture so moderator selected it for you. I suggest you adding a picture to your questions because according to my experiences if you put a picture in question detail even if your question is selected as 'great' and seen on homepage, it is usually represented with the picture you chose but if you don't add a picture, moderator picks it for you.
No city in China can be in the list of best cities because China has too many societal problems and their government will only cover things up to save face rather than solve anything.
You are welcome to share your favorite city
I am more of a countryside and small town kind of person, although Budapest wasn't bad since there was a lot of good walking to do like on Margit island.
The city shown in the cover image of your question, i mean istanbul.
Edinburgh in Scotland is nice to visit but I haven't lived there.
I don't know, but I want somewhere warm with a rich healthy culture
Any city rather than the one where I currently live.
Siena, Italy... because it's Italy !!
St. Petersburg, FL
Chennai, india
Anywhere away from here.
Charleston I visit first but then moved down here.
In southern carolina?
Istanbul, İzmir and Denizli..
Prague :-)
I'd live there, if I could. The place is gorgeous. People are friendly. Beer is cheap.
@MrChinaski Of course, it's nowhere near perfect. But as a native Praguer, I had to warm up my soup. :-)
Austin.
Paris
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