Beijing

Beijing is an affordable and friendly city with strong safety and a wide variety of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles. Foreigners can find it easy to adapt with translation apps and get around using the highly efficient metro system. There's no shortage of cheap and tasty food options, although you may have concerns about food quality at the ultra-low end. The city also has good opportunities for side income through English tutoring or teaching, making it viable for digital nomads. Internet in cafes is generally good, and many spots offer work-friendly environments.

However, it’s highly recommended to get a local bank account and set up WeChat Pay or AliPay, as international cards like Visa or MasterCard are not widely accepted. This can be a hassle initially, especially for short stays. Also, while most of the city is safe, be cautious in tourist-heavy areas due to potential scams. A major downside is the air pollution, particularly in winter, which can be a significant quality of life issue. Accessing global internet services can also be challenging due to the Great Firewall, and VPNs often perform poorly or are completely blocked, depending on the political environment.

If you can work around these issues, Beijing offers a rich, dynamic base with lots to explore.