Rome

Rome is packed with stunning historical sights, art, and good Italian food, making it a top spot to visit. People are friendly and sociable, and it's easy to hop to other parts of Italy. Wi-Fi speeds are decent, which helps if you're online sometimes.

But living or working here long-term is tough. The city feels chaotic and dirty, with overcrowded public transport and only three poorly connected metro lines. Rent is expensive for what you get, and summers are brutally hot. Nightlife sucks, coworking spaces are scarce, and startup events are rare. Making deep friends is hard—Italians stick to schoolmates and family. Tons of tourists mean everything's messy, and drivers are nuts. Food has traps, so pick spots carefully. Great for a short trip, but not for getting work done—you'll just wander around distracted.