“Where Should I Move?” Recommender

The “Where Should I Move?” Recommender uses a multi-criteria scoring system to compare cities across eight key dimensions. Each city receives a score from 0–100 for each dimension, and these scores are combined using your selected priority profile to produce an overall “move score.”

Cities are then ranked by their overall score, with the highest score representing the best match for your stated priorities. This provides a starting point for research—not a definitive answer about where you should live.

• Cost of Living (0–100): Higher scores mean more affordable. Covers housing, groceries, utilities, and general expenses relative to national averages.
• Job Opportunities (0–100): Higher scores indicate stronger job markets, higher wages, and more employment options.
• Safety/Crime (0–100): Higher scores mean lower crime rates. Based on city-wide crime indices, not neighborhood-level data.
• Climate Comfort (0–100): Reflects year-round weather patterns including hot days, cold days, humidity, and comfortable temperature ranges.
• Remote Work (0–100): Measures infrastructure for remote workers: internet speed, coworking spaces, and general work-from-home friendliness.
• Family-Friendliness (0–100): Considers school quality, parks, family amenities, and child-friendly infrastructure.
• Healthcare Access (0–100): Reflects healthcare infrastructure including doctors per capita, hospital access, and clinic availability.
• Lifestyle & Amenities (0–100): Culture, dining, entertainment, parks, and overall quality of life infrastructure.

Your selected priority profile adjusts how much weight each dimension carries in the overall score:

• Balanced: All dimensions are weighted roughly equally, giving you a holistic view.
• Budget Focused: Cost of living gets more weight; lifestyle and climate get less.
• Remote Work Focused: Remote work infrastructure and job opportunities get more weight.
• Family Focused: Family-friendliness and safety get more weight; lifestyle gets less.
• Lifestyle Focused: Amenities and climate get more weight; cost and remote work get less.
• Health & Safety Focused: Healthcare access and safety get more weight.

Changing your priority profile can significantly reorder the rankings. Try different profiles to see how your priorities affect the results.

All scores are based on city-level aggregate data that may be 1–2 years old. They represent general patterns, not precise predictions about your experience:

• Neighborhoods within a city can vary dramatically in cost, safety, schools, and amenities.
• Job markets change based on industry, economy, and your specific skills.
• Healthcare access depends on your insurance, specific medical needs, and provider acceptance.
• Cost of living depends on your lifestyle choices—housing size, dining habits, transportation.

Use these scores as a starting point for research, not as a final answer.

This recommender is a high-level comparison tool. It cannot:

• Tell you definitively where you should move—that's a personal decision involving factors we can't model.
• Provide immigration, visa, or work permit advice. Legal requirements vary by country and personal situation.
• Give tax advice. State and local taxes, deductions, and credits are complex and require professional guidance.
• Guarantee job prospects, safety, or quality of schools. These depend on neighborhood and individual circumstances.
• Replace visiting cities in person, talking to locals, and doing deep research.

Once you've identified some top candidates, consider:

1. Research neighborhoods: City averages hide huge variation. Look at specific areas where you might live and work.
2. Visit in person: Spend time in your top choices during different seasons and days of the week.
3. Talk to residents: Online forums, local groups, and people who've moved there can share real experiences.
4. Check job markets: If relevant, research job listings, employers, and salary ranges in your field.
5. Consider logistics: Moving costs, proximity to family, climate adjustment, and social connections all matter.
6. Consult professionals: For tax, legal, or financial implications, work with qualified advisors.