Guides to the world's capitals

Start with the visa route and taxes rather than the city: a beautiful place without legal status and with a heavy tax burden gets old fast. Then weigh cost of living, healthcare, schools and flight connections.

From a few hundred dollars a month in parts of Asia and Latin America to several thousand in Western Europe and the UAE. Rent and healthcare drive the budget, not food and transport.

Differences inside a country are usually bigger than between countries: look at the specific neighbourhood, not the national ranking. Compare statistics with what expats living there say.

Not for long. Visa-free windows are limited, and day trips for a fresh stamp no longer work in many countries and can trigger entry bans. Living somewhere needs status: residence, a nomad visa or a work visa.

Go off-season and stay at least a month: weather, transport and daily logistics look different from a holiday. It also lets you test internet, banks and access to doctors.