Quality of life hinges on climate, safety, walkability, and beach access. Use a simple budgeting framework: housing, utilities, food, transport, and discretionary spending. For neighborhoods, coastal areas give easy evenings and scenery, while inland zones tend to offer calmer streets and lower rents. Seasonality matters: summer crowds push certain services and lodging; shoulder seasons are quieter and sometimes cheaper. To save, consider longer-term rentals, shared housing, cooking at home, and buying produce in markets. Get around by walking, bus, or bike to keep costs predictable. Tip: test a 4-week rhythm before committing to a longer lease.