Quality of life here comes from balance: outdoor time, community, and a practical budgeting approach. A simple framework helps: categorize essentials (rent and utilities), daily needs (groceries, transit), and discretionary (eating out, activities). Track monthly to adjust as seasons shift – winters bring higher heating needs, summers invite outdoor markets and events. Choose a neighborhood by spending a weekend walking its edges, noting proximity to markets, cafes, and transport, plus noise and safety. Savings come from cooking at home, using local public transport, and choosing long-term leases over short-term stays when possible. Tip: set a flexible one-page budget you can update each month.