Europe often tops the list for expats seeking vibrant cultures, rich history, and scenic landscapes. But not every European city or country lives up to the idyllic image found in travel brochures. While many places offer incredible quality of life, others fall short due to high living costs, limited job opportunities, safety concerns, or overcrowding. Sometimes, what seems like a dream destination turns out to be a logistical or financial nightmare once you settle in.
For anyone considering a move abroad, knowing where not to live can be just as important as finding your ideal spot. Factors like healthcare access, cost of living, language barriers, and local attitudes toward foreigners can drastically impact your experience. Cities that attract hordes of tourists might be fun for a visit but frustrating or expensive for long-term living.
In this post, we’ll highlight seventeen European places that consistently rank poorly for expat living — and, more importantly, suggest better alternatives nearby. Whether you’re planning a move or just curious about the realities of European life, this list can help you make smarter, better-informed decisions.
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Quick & Easy Tips for Choosing the Right Place to Live in Europe
Look Beyond Tourist Popularity — Just because a city is famous with tourists doesn’t mean it’s livable long-term.
Research Local Job Markets and Residency Requirements — Especially important if you’re not retiring or studying abroad.
Consider Cost of Living Beyond Housing — Healthcare, transportation, and taxes vary widely across Europe.
Check Expat Communities and Local Forums — First-hand accounts often give a more honest perspective than official guides.
Visit Before You Move — Spend time in potential cities to get a feel for the lifestyle and daily reality before committing.
One common misconception is that Europe is universally welcoming and affordable for all expats. In truth, some countries have strict residency laws, high taxes, or inflated living costs that make them challenging places for foreigners to settle comfortably.
Another debated belief is that famous cities like Paris, London, or Barcelona are ideal places to live because of their cultural prestige. While these cities offer incredible sights and history, they often come with downsides like overcrowding, expensive housing, and competitive job markets that frustrate expats.
Perhaps most surprising is the idea that a city’s charm as a tourist destination automatically makes it livable. Many postcard-perfect spots are seasonal towns with limited infrastructure, few job opportunities, or tourist-driven economies that don’t support long-term living needs.
Worst Places For Living In Europe
1. Worst: Naples, Italy
Why It’s Not Ideal:
High Crime Rates: Naples has a reputation for high crime rates, including pickpocketing and petty theft. Some areas are known for organized crime.
Pollution and Cleanliness Issues: The city has struggled with waste management, leading to cleanliness issues and a lack of aesthetic appeal in some neighborhoods.
Traffic and Infrastructure Problems: Naples’ chaotic traffic, poor infrastructure, and frequent strikes can make daily life stressful.
Where to Live Instead:
Bologna, Italy
Why: Bologna offers a much safer and cleaner environment, with a rich cultural life and one of the best food scenes in Italy. It’s also a lively university town, which gives it a youthful energy.
Cost: Similar to Naples, but with a higher quality of life and better public services.
Best For: Food enthusiasts, young professionals, and digital nomads.
2. Worst: Sofia, Bulgaria
Why It’s Not Ideal:
Pollution and Poor Air Quality: Sofia struggles with air pollution, especially in winter due to the use of wood and coal for heating.
Low Salaries and Employment Opportunities: While the cost of living is low, the local salaries are also significantly lower, making it hard to find good job opportunities unless you work remotely.
Safety Concerns: Pickpocketing and petty crime are relatively common in certain areas.
Where to Live Instead:
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Why: Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s cultural capital, offering a better quality of life, cleaner air, and a beautiful old town. It has a thriving arts scene and excellent restaurants.
Cost: Similar to Sofia, but with a more laid-back atmosphere.
Best For: Expats looking for a low-cost city with a vibrant cultural scene.
3. Worst: Bucharest, Romania
Why It’s Not Ideal:
Traffic Congestion and Poor Public Transport: Bucharest is notorious for its traffic jams, and the public transport system is not very efficient.
Infrastructure Issues: Aging infrastructure and poorly maintained buildings can be problematic.
Air Pollution: The city’s industrial past has left it with lingering air pollution, which can impact quality of life.
Where to Live Instead:
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Why: Cluj-Napoca offers a much cleaner environment, a thriving tech and startup scene, and a better quality of life overall. It’s a youthful and dynamic city, thanks to its large student population.
Cost: Slightly higher than Bucharest but worth it for the quality of life.
Best For: Young professionals, tech workers, and digital nomads.
4. Worst: Athens, Greece
Why It’s Not Ideal:
Pollution and Traffic: Athens suffers from severe air pollution, particularly in summer. The city’s heavy traffic and lack of green spaces can make it feel congested.
Safety Concerns in Certain Areas: Some neighborhoods in central Athens, such as Exarchia, have higher crime rates and frequent protests.
Poor Infrastructure: Public services and infrastructure can be unreliable, especially during economic downturns.
Where to Live Instead:
Thessaloniki, Greece
Why: Thessaloniki is more relaxed and cleaner, with a beautiful waterfront and a lively cultural scene. It has less traffic, more green spaces, and a lower crime rate compared to Athens.
Cost: Cheaper than Athens, with a lower cost of living and excellent quality of life.
Best For: Expats looking for a more laid-back lifestyle with access to the sea and excellent food.
5. Worst: Tirana, Albania
Why It’s Not Ideal:
Poor Infrastructure: Tirana struggles with basic infrastructure issues, including unreliable public transport and sporadic electricity and water supplies.
High Unemployment: Finding work locally can be difficult, making it a tough place to live unless you work remotely.
Air Quality: The city has significant pollution issues due to high levels of traffic and limited green spaces.
Where to Live Instead:
Pristina, Kosovo
Why: Pristina has a more vibrant cultural scene, a large expat community, and is working hard to modernize its infrastructure. It’s also one of the friendliest and safest capitals in the Balkans.
Cost: Very low, making it ideal for budget-conscious expats.
Best For: Digital nomads and expats looking for an up-and-coming city with a low cost of living.
6. Worst: Marseille, France
Why It’s Not Ideal:
High Crime Rate: Marseille has one of the highest crime rates in France, especially in certain neighborhoods. Petty theft, drug-related crimes, and muggings can be an issue.
Unemployment and Social Unrest: High unemployment rates have led to increased social unrest in some areas.
Urban Decay: Some parts of the city are poorly maintained and can feel run-down.
Where to Live Instead:
Montpellier, France
Why: Montpellier offers a similar Mediterranean vibe but with a safer environment, a vibrant arts scene, and beautiful historic architecture. It’s also a university city, which gives it a youthful energy.
Cost: Cheaper than Paris and slightly more expensive than Marseille, but with a much higher quality of life.
Best For: Expats seeking Mediterranean living without the safety concerns.
7. Worst: Minsk, Belarus
Why It’s Not Ideal:
Political Instability: Belarus has been under increasing political turmoil and instability, making it a risky place to live for foreigners.
Lack of Freedom and Transparency: Limited personal freedoms and censorship are major concerns for many expats.
Difficult Bureaucracy: The bureaucratic process can be cumbersome, and getting visas and permits can be a challenge.
Where to Live Instead:
Riga, Latvia
Why: Riga offers a more open and democratic environment, with beautiful architecture, a thriving arts scene, and strong internet infrastructure. It’s one of the most expat-friendly cities in the Baltics.
Cost: Affordable by European standards, with a reasonable cost of living.
Best For: Digital nomads and expats looking for a blend of affordability and modernity.
8. Worst: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Why It’s Not Ideal:
Weather and Gray Skies: Belfast has cold, wet, and windy weather for much of the year, which can be depressing.
Sectarian Tensions: While much improved, historical tensions still linger, and certain areas can feel unsafe depending on the political climate.
High Cost of Living: Despite its challenges, Belfast can be surprisingly expensive, especially for housing.
Where to Live Instead:
Cork, Ireland
Why: Cork offers a similar Irish charm with a warmer and friendlier atmosphere, less sectarian tension, and a vibrant arts and food scene. It’s known as the “food capital of Ireland.”
Cost: Cheaper than Dublin but with a higher quality of life than Belfast.
Best For: Expats and retirees looking for a welcoming community with a rich cultural life.
9. London, United Kingdom
Extremely high cost of living
Expensive rent and transportation
Overcrowded and stressful city life
Where to Live Instead: Manchester
Lower rent and cost of living
Thriving cultural scene and job market
Well-connected public transport
10. Paris, France
Sky-high rent and daily expenses
Heavy bureaucracy for expats
Overcrowding and rising crime in some areas
Where to Live Instead: Lyon
More affordable housing and living costs
Beautiful old town and excellent food scene
Great public transport and work opportunities
11. Zurich, Switzerland
Extremely high cost of living
Expensive healthcare and daily expenses
Can feel sterile and less lively for young expats
Where to Live Instead: Basel
More affordable than Zurich
Excellent public services and quality of life
Strong job market and international vibe
12. Oslo, Norway
One of the most expensive cities in the world
Long, dark winters with limited daylight
High taxes on goods and services
Where to Live Instead: Bergen
Lower living costs and stunning scenery
More relaxed pace of life with great outdoor activities
Strong economy and cultural scene
13. Stockholm, Sweden
Why It’s Challenging
High taxes and expensive rent
Difficult job market for non-Swedish speakers
Long, cold winters with little sunlight
Where to Live Instead: Malmö
More affordable housing and lower taxes
Close to Copenhagen for travel and work opportunities
Growing expat community and cultural scene
14. Brussels, Belgium
High taxes and cost of living
Bureaucratic hurdles for expats
Traffic congestion and pollution
Where to Live Instead: Antwerp
More affordable housing and lifestyle
Rich history and great cultural scene
Less traffic and better quality of life
15. Vienna, Austria
Rigid bureaucracy and slow paperwork
Can feel too formal and structured for some expats
High cost of housing
Where to Live Instead: Graz
More affordable and relaxed than Vienna
Great mix of old-world charm and modern amenities
Strong job market and university presence
16. Berlin, Germany
Rising rents and housing shortages
Complex bureaucracy for expats
Overcrowded and losing its former affordability
Where to Live Instead: Leipzig
Much cheaper rent and cost of living
Thriving arts and music scene
Growing job market and start-up culture
17. Barcelona, Spain
Over-tourism and rising rent prices
Crowded streets and pickpocketing issues
Difficult job market for non-Spanish speakers
Where to Live Instead: Valencia
More affordable and relaxed than Barcelona
Beautiful coastline and vibrant local culture
Great weather and expat-friendly community
Final Thoughts
Moving to Europe is a life-changing experience — but choosing the right place is key to making it a positive one. Falling in love with a city on vacation is easy; living there day-to-day is a whole different story. Understanding both the perks and pitfalls of a location ensures you aren’t making decisions based on idealized versions of reality.
That’s why researching beyond the surface, talking to locals and expats, and considering lifestyle factors can save you from making costly or disappointing mistakes. Europe has no shortage of fantastic places to live — they just might not be the ones everyone talks about.
So before you pack your bags, take a hard look at the real living conditions in your dream destination. Sometimes, skipping the obvious choices opens the door to unexpected, affordable, and truly livable spots you’ll be glad you discovered.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.