If you are a seasoned urbanite, most likely your eyes and personality are trained to find the beauty and unique characteristics in every city you live in. Of course, each place has its positive and negative aspects, but some destinations are closer to our heart. Here, we present five charming and contemporary cities around the world, which are not the capital cities.
Barcelona
The rivalry between Madrid and the Catalans has its roots deep in history and mainly extends to football and politics. Each city has its loyal crowd, and each side can give you many convincing arguments about why they believe their city is the best. For us, it's not a competition; it's a matter of what you are looking for in city life. If you are attracted by the proximity to the Mediterranean and the beach, and if you are longing for sophisticated and cosmopolitan vibes, then Barcelona is probably the right place for you in Spain. A casual walk in the city becomes a polished cultural experience between Gaudi's prevailing architecture. Take into consideration though that Barcelona is one of the most desirable places for tourists, which brings prices up and makes every business or service tourist-oriented, often ignoring the needs of the permanent citizens. Also, the city's location isn't as central as Madrid's, which can make it harder to access other places in the country. Finally, keep in mind that Barcelona's official language is Catalan, not Castilian, which may have a negative impact on your job offers.
Istanbul
If your life is better defined by cultural activities and culinary experiences than shopping and order, then go nowhere else in Turkey but Istanbul. Istanbul may be chaotic regarding public transportation and heavy traffic (commute can take hours, and parking can be impossible to find); the city may luck the organisation that Ankara boasts about, but you will find life in Istanbul more interesting and exciting — especially if you are a solo or a student expat. In almost every corner of the city, you will come across a tale from the past that awaits to be told, and you will witness remnants of European, Greek, Jewish, and Armenian civilisations. Everything about Istanbul — the food, the architecture, the lifestyle — is a mixture of traditional and modern. Here, you will never get bored, as there's always something new to discover in this city of opposites, which balances between its Asian and European sides. Expats in Istanbul are constantly reminded that they live in a very touristy place; going out on a Saturday night may require a lot of organisation, such as booking a table in advance, as most places are packed with tourists all year round.
Toronto
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, but it's Toronto that is classified as a world-class city, and not unjustifiably. First, it is a much larger city with 2.7 million citizens, as opposed to Ottawa's 900,000. You will pay much higher rentals in Toronto; however, you will be living in a cosmopolitan place, where you will never feel you have limited options. In Toronto, theatre, galleries, and live music are in much more abundance than in Canada's capital city, as well as the bars and restaurants. Also, in Toronto, you can secure a good job and open yourself to even more new job opportunities with just your English language skills, whereas in Ottawa many jobs require you are fluent in both French and English.
Shanghai
Similar to Beijing, Shanghai is a massive city with 24 million people. However, Shanghai doesn't have the extreme pollution levels that China's capital city has (often thick smog covers Beijing's atmosphere with pollution which is above the healthy or acceptable levels), allowing you to enjoy more time outdoors. Apart from the renown skyline and rooftop bars, Shanghai is a financial, and therefore, wealthy district where expats tend to have well-paid jobs and lead a fashionable lifestyle. In Shanghai, you may not have the original experience of living in China, due to the city's globalised personality, but you will have a comfortable life, which balances between work and leisure.
Lagos
Lagos, one of the largest cities in Africa with 21 million citizens, may not have been recognised as the “London of Africa”, as Nigeria's well-developed capital city Abuja has, but it boasts diversity and character. Lagos is a relatively affordable city, as opposed to the very high cost of living in Abuja, and, as long as you are patient, you can find good quality housing at a very reasonable cost. Also, it is in Lagos where young people are continually looking for opportunities to earn money, develop their skills, and grow their career. Thus, Lagos is a vibrant entrepreneurial hub, which rewards creativity. The city offers a variety of public transportation options, such as buses, taxis, and tricycles. If you are a professional expat, there's a good chance you will find work in one of the many international companies or emerging businesses.
