THE DIRECT ANSWERReproduce the routines and constraints you would have after moving, then record evidence rather than relying on the emotional high of arrival.
Who this is for
People considering a permanent move who need evidence from normal routines, not a favorable vacation week or a temporary burst of novelty.
DECISION RULEThe test is useful only when housing, commute, work, errands, healthcare access, spending, and uneventful weekends resemble the life you could actually afford.
Work through it step by step
Conceptual planning scene01Set relocation hypotheses
Name what the city must improve and what you fear it may worsen.
Illustrated New York City example02Live in a plausible neighborhood
Avoid the area you would never actually afford or commute from.
Illustrated Lisbon example03Run normal obligations
Work, cook, exercise, manage appointments, and spend several uneventful weekends.
Illustrated Melbourne example04Decide from a written review
Compare belonging, cost, work, health, logistics, and relationships.
Apply the process to real choicesPicture the ordinary week, then test the constraints.
The illustrations help you imagine the decision. Open each field file for the city-specific tradeoffs and reviewed source status.
A realistic example
A couple spends six weeks in Melbourne in a neighborhood within their likely long-term budget. They work normal hours, cook most meals, use transit in poor weather, and record every cost. The city remains attractive, but the test reveals that the desired space and North American work schedule cannot both be sustained.
Mistakes to avoid
- Living like a tourist
- Avoiding administrative tasks
- Testing only perfect weather
- Deciding during arrival excitement
Checklist