Quality of life hinges on sensible budgeting, neighborhood fit, and adapting to seasonal rhythms. Use a simple framework that separates housing, food, transport, and incidentals, then compare options as you explore. Seasonality influences markets and seafood supplies, so stay flexible with meal planning to stretch a budget. Choose neighborhoods that balance quiet evenings with access to groceries, beaches, and work-friendly spaces; language is mostly Malagasy and French, so learning a few basics helps. Power and water can be intermittent, so have backups and offline tasks. Tip: Build a lightweight monthly plan, track spending weekly, and test a few neighborhoods before longer stays.