{"generated_at":"2026-06-20T03:17:15.258Z","cities":[{"slug":"london","name":"London","country":"United Kingdom","region":"Europe","relocation_score":6.3,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":3800,"visa_route":"Skilled Worker Visa","visa_timeline":"45–90 days","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/london","summary":"London is a Europe relocation hub rated 6.3/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $3,800/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,900. The common visa route is Skilled Worker Visa (45–90 days). Best suited for Career acceleration and Finance & tech. Key friction: NHS waiting times average 18 weeks for non-emergency. Estate agent referencing causes 3–6 week housing delays. Post-B… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"toronto","name":"Toronto","country":"Canada","region":"Americas","relocation_score":6.9,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":3500,"visa_route":"Express Entry / PNP","visa_timeline":"6–18 months (PR)","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/toronto","summary":"Toronto is a Americas relocation hub rated 6.9/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $3,500/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,800. The common visa route is Express Entry / PNP (6–18 months (PR)). Best suited for Immigrants and Tech workers. Key friction: PR processing times have ballooned to 12–24 months. Study permit delays widespread. Foreign-trained credential recogn… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"berlin","name":"Berlin","country":"Germany","region":"Europe","relocation_score":7.1,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":2600,"visa_route":"Opportunity Card / Skilled Immigration","visa_timeline":"2–6 months","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/berlin","summary":"Berlin is a Europe relocation hub rated 7.1/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: up). Expect $2,600/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,200. The common visa route is Opportunity Card / Skilled Immigration (2–6 months). Best suited for Tech workers and Startup founders. Key friction: Ausländerbehörde appointments take 6–12 months. Missing one document = full restart. Health insurance mandatory from … Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"amsterdam","name":"Amsterdam","country":"Netherlands","region":"Europe","relocation_score":6.9,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":3200,"visa_route":"Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM)","visa_timeline":"2–4 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/amsterdam","summary":"Amsterdam is a Europe relocation hub rated 6.9/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: down). Expect $3,200/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,600. The common visa route is Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) (2–4 weeks). Best suited for Tech workers and EU citizens. Key friction: 30% ruling capped at Balkenende norm (~€233K). Social housing queue: 15+ years. Many landlords require 3–6 months dep… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"dubai","name":"Dubai","country":"United Arab Emirates","region":"Middle East","relocation_score":7,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":3800,"visa_route":"Employment Visa / Freelance Permit","visa_timeline":"1–4 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/dubai","summary":"Dubai is a Middle East relocation hub rated 7/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: up). Expect $3,800/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,800. The common visa route is Employment Visa / Freelance Permit (1–4 weeks). Best suited for Finance professionals and Remote high-earners. Key friction: Employment visa tied to employer — termination means 30-day exit. Rent increases 15–20% annually in prime areas. Zero… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"singapore","name":"Singapore","country":"Singapore","region":"Asia","relocation_score":7.6,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":4500,"visa_route":"Employment Pass (EP)","visa_timeline":"3–8 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/singapore","summary":"Singapore is a Asia relocation hub rated 7.6/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $4,500/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$2,400. The common visa route is Employment Pass (EP) (3–8 weeks). Best suited for Finance professionals and Tech executives. Key friction: PR approval is discretionary and opaque — many long-term EP holders rejected. Car ownership S$100K+ due to COE system… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"melbourne","name":"Melbourne","country":"Australia","region":"Oceania","relocation_score":7.2,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":3800,"visa_route":"Subclass 482 → 186 (TSS)","visa_timeline":"2–12 months","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/melbourne","summary":"Melbourne is a Oceania relocation hub rated 7.2/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $3,800/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,700. The common visa route is Subclass 482 → 186 (TSS) (2–12 months). Best suited for Skilled workers and International students. Key friction: 2024 migration cap cut to 185,000 tightened skilled visa competition. Points test heavily weighted toward Australian … Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"lisbon","name":"Lisbon","country":"Portugal","region":"Europe","relocation_score":6.8,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":2600,"visa_route":"D8 Digital Nomad / D7 Passive Income","visa_timeline":"2–3 months","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/lisbon","summary":"Lisbon is a Europe relocation hub rated 6.8/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $2,600/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,100. The common visa route is D8 Digital Nomad / D7 Passive Income (2–3 months). Best suited for Digital nomads and Retirees. Key friction: AIMA appointment waits of 8–14 months are the biggest friction. NHR 2.0 (IFICI) is more restrictive. Central Lisbon h… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"barcelona","name":"Barcelona","country":"Spain","region":"Europe","relocation_score":6.6,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":2800,"visa_route":"Spain Digital Nomad Visa (2023)","visa_timeline":"1–2 months","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/barcelona","summary":"Barcelona is a Europe relocation hub rated 6.6/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $2,800/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,300. The common visa route is Spain Digital Nomad Visa (2023) (1–2 months). Best suited for Lifestyle seekers and EU citizens. Key friction: NIE appointments via Spanish consulate: 3–6 months before arrival. Autónomos social security: min €230/month regardle… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"dublin","name":"Dublin","country":"Ireland","region":"Europe","relocation_score":6.6,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":4000,"visa_route":"Critical Skills Employment Permit","visa_timeline":"6–8 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/dublin","summary":"Dublin is a Europe relocation hub rated 6.6/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: down). Expect $4,000/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$2,200. The common visa route is Critical Skills Employment Permit (6–8 weeks). Best suited for Tech workers and EU citizens. Key friction: Rental vacancy < 0.5% — many new arrivals in hotels for months at €150–200/night. IRP card queues start at 5am. HSE s… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"montreal","name":"Montréal","country":"Canada","region":"Americas","relocation_score":7.5,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":2600,"visa_route":"QSWP / PEQ (Quebec)","visa_timeline":"12–24 months (PR)","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/montreal","summary":"Montréal is a Americas relocation hub rated 7.5/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: up). Expect $2,600/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,100. The common visa route is QSWP / PEQ (Quebec) (12–24 months (PR)). Best suited for Students and Tech workers. Key friction: Bill 96 mandates French for most government services and employers. Quebec immigration is separate from federal — add… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"tokyo","name":"Tokyo","country":"Japan","region":"Asia","relocation_score":7,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":3200,"visa_route":"Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)","visa_timeline":"1–4 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/tokyo","summary":"Tokyo is a Asia relocation hub rated 7/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: up). Expect $3,200/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,000. The common visa route is Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) (1–4 weeks). Best suited for Language learners and Tech workers (FAANG Japan). Key friction: Hanko (personal seal) still required for many documents. Foreigners need Japanese guarantor for housing or paid agenc… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"kuala-lumpur","name":"Kuala Lumpur","country":"Malaysia","region":"Asia","relocation_score":7.5,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":1900,"visa_route":"DE Rantau Digital Nomad","visa_timeline":"2–4 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/kuala-lumpur","summary":"Kuala Lumpur is a Asia relocation hub rated 7.5/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: up). Expect $1,900/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$600. The common visa route is DE Rantau Digital Nomad (2–4 weeks). Best suited for Budget expats and Retirees (MM2H). Key friction: MM2H 2021 revision eliminated middle-class applicants (RM1M bank deposit). Air quality hits unhealthy during haze sea… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"vienna","name":"Vienna","country":"Austria","region":"Europe","relocation_score":7.1,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":2900,"visa_route":"Red-White-Red Card (Points)","visa_timeline":"4–8 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/vienna","summary":"Vienna is a Europe relocation hub rated 7.1/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: stable). Expect $2,900/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,200. The common visa route is Red-White-Red Card (Points) (4–8 weeks). Best suited for Quality-of-life seekers and EU citizens. Key friction: Non-EU immigration pathways are Europe's most restrictive. German B1 required for integration milestones. Housing in … Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"},{"slug":"seoul","name":"Seoul","country":"South Korea","region":"Asia","relocation_score":7.4,"monthly_budget_avg_usd":2700,"visa_route":"D-8 Startup / E-7 Skilled Worker","visa_timeline":"2–8 weeks","url":"https://www.settern.io/cities/seoul","summary":"Seoul is a Asia relocation hub rated 7.4/10 relocation score on SetTern (trend: up). Expect $2,700/month average budget with 1BR rent from ~$1,000. The common visa route is D-8 Startup / E-7 Skilled Worker (2–8 weeks). Best suited for Tech workers and English teachers. Key friction: Jeonse (lump-sum deposit) housing system is confusing — deposits of 40–80% property value at risk if landlord default… Always confirm visa and tax rules with official government sources before moving.","updated":"2026-06-20"}]}