@matthew321

I just came back after 12 years, last time I lived in SF for 3 months in 2012. Back then it was a walkable and clean and fun, pretty safe city. The only place back then that you'd avoid was the Tenderloin. There was homeless but they actually weren't aggressive. There wasn't much robberies either. San Francisco in 2024 is very different, as you've probably seen from social media. The homeless problem has grown a lot since then, and they're not just clustered in the Tenderloin, they're all over

I loved my stay in Austin. I had heard a lot of people moved here during COVID and wanted to see it for myself. We stayed around Lady Bird Lake, like on the south side of the river, a very nice area. We were there in July so it was quite hot, but in the shadow it was fine to walk. It is dry heat, not like in Thailand, so while it's hot it's not sweaty which is much better. The average quality of food here is very high, like some of the best food I had in the world besides maybe Japan. Not eve

New York is cool. I’ve visited multiple times to see my family throughout my life, and recently came back from my first post-COVID trip there. Yes, it’s very expensive — but there is no city on earth that’s more captivating in my opinion. I used to think that New Yorkers were smug by claiming that NYC was better than everywhere else, but now I totally get it lol. My personal favourite neighbourhood is the Upper East Side, which is where you’ll find the coveted Museum Mile. But I also

Playa has been really good to me. The digital nomad community (at least over my winter stay) has been INCREDIBLE. Join the Facebook groups, find the WhatsApp groups - it’s so easy to meet others. The beach is ok, seaweed isn’t as bad in winter but it’s very visible and does smell. It rarely kills my beach day. The city has so many conveinces and is very walkable - it’s perfect for someone looking to work and enjoy themselves. Internet has been stable and fast. I get it’s not authentic,

I really enjoyed my trip to DC for one week. I did NOT feel comfortable walking around many places alone because there are a lot of mentally ill/drugged out people. During daylight with other people I felt fine. There are soo many restaurants, interesting boutique gyms, cool libraries and more. The variety you can find in DC is closer to NYC than you can find most places. The memorials are pretty cool. There are a lot of free museums which are impressive. I liked the Lincoln Memorial/Gettysburg

Was great when I visited in 2019, unfortunately upon returning, things have gotten worse. Locals are tired of gentrification and over tourism, and the vibe is not the same. It has attracted a lot of the wrong type of foreigners.

Berlin used to be nomad base in Europe... but it's not the same anymore. The 'pandemic' changed many things -- the cost of course, but also the culture -- the freedom and liberty have been contained. The police presence and size of the state have grown -- definitely doesn't feel so relaxed anymore. It's also important to note here -- there is limited ambition. Most are looking for an easy, fun and peaceful life -- which is great, but if you are building something or running a business it can fee

Lived here, as a guy, most of my youth, so I can't speak about expat experience very much, but I want to address some issues: 1. It's very safe, no pick pocketers, no scammers, no addicts, streets are safe at night, and women are not afraid in general to walk at night, very unlikely to attract even catfishing. Not sure why it rates lower than cities with culture of thinking a single woman is a willing woman. 2. The country itself is not friendly to LGBTQ+ citizens: no gay marriage, pushbacks