Research Methodology

1. Hard exclusions first

Any country, city, or region you exclude is removed before scoring. No score can bring it back.

2. Your regions

We consider destinations in the regions you chose. If too few remain, we widen the search — exclusions still apply.

3. Weighted Global Fit Score

Each destination is scored across factors such as climate, everyday environment, lifestyle attractions, walkability, language practicality, relative cost, community, and coast/nature. Your ranked priorities set the weights (rank 1 = 3×, rank 2 = 2.5×, rank 3 = 2×, picks 4–5 = 1.5×), and deal-breakers raise the weight of related factors. Every report shows its breakdown.

4. What the score is not

It is a preference-based estimate, not an objective measure of safety or personal belonging. Current destination profiles are broad editorial impressions. Until live research is connected, prices, safety statistics, and legal requirements are marked “needs research” rather than shown as facts.

5. Independence

Partnerships and affiliate relationships never influence rankings.