Methodology

How We Score Countries

Transparent about what we know, honest about what we don't. Our scores are tools for exploration, not gospel.

Our Philosophy

Moving abroad is a major life decision. You deserve real information, not marketing.

Our scores exist to help you explore and compare — not to tell you where to live. The right destination depends on your priorities, circumstances, and trade-offs you're willing to make.

We're transparent about confidence levels because some data is solid and some is our best educated guess. You should know the difference.

The 6 Pillars

Each pillar answers a strategic question about relocation.

ACCESS

Can I get in?

  • Visa availability
  • Work rights
  • Travel mobility
  • Language accessibility

ECONOMIC

Does the math work?

  • Cost of living
  • Tax burden
  • Banking access
  • Currency stability
  • Real estate
  • Crypto-friendliness

OPTIONALITY

What doors open?

  • PR pathway
  • Citizenship path
  • Passport quality
  • Credential recognition
  • Business environment

COMMUNITY

Will I belong?

  • Local bonds
  • Cultural openness
  • Integration pathways
  • Expat community

RESILIENCE

Can I weather storms?

  • Political stability
  • Healthcare quality
  • Infrastructure
  • Safety
  • Eco-sustainability

LIFESTYLE

Will I thrive?

  • Weather & climate
  • Aesthetics
  • Natural beauty
  • Comfort & convenience
  • Food scene
  • Outdoor activities

Confidence Levels

Every score has an accompanying confidence indicator. Here's what they mean.

●●●

Verified (Level 3)

Official government data, academic research, or established indices.

Examples: Henley Passport Index, WHO healthcare data, World Bank statistics

●●○

Researched (Level 2)

Multiple secondary sources agree. Expat forums, travel guides, comparative studies.

Examples: Cost of living from Numbeo + Expatistan, visa requirements from multiple embassies

●○○

Editorial (Level 1)

Our informed estimate based on general knowledge, reputation, and geographic inference.

Examples: Food scene ratings, aesthetic quality, cultural openness

Current State (Jan 2026)

Most of our Lifestyle pillar data is Level 1 (editorial estimates). Access and Resilience pillars have more Level 2-3 data because visa requirements and safety statistics are more verifiable.

We're working to improve this. You can help.

Known Limitations

Subjectivity

What makes a "good food scene" differs by person. We score general quality and variety, not personal fit.

Temporal Lag

Data ages. Tax laws change. Visa programs open and close. We aim for quarterly reviews but gaps exist.

Urban Bias

Scores often reflect capital city or major metro experience. Rural areas may differ significantly.

Western Lens

Initial scoring reflects English-speaking expat perspective. We're actively working to diversify input.

Individual Variation

A retiree's priorities differ from a startup founder's. Use profile weighting to adjust, but no score replaces your own research.

Version History

Date Change
Jan 2026 Added lifestyle data to all 59 countries (confidence 1-2)
Jan 2026 Launched 6-pillar system (merged V1 + V2 frameworks)
Dec 2025 Initial scoring for 30 pilot countries