How European Cities Blend Cultural Experiences with Family Wellness

Being in the right European city can provide families with young children with a wealth of benefits. Everyone wants their children to have the best possible start to life and access to the very best facilities. This will include everything from health to education.

Given how diverse the world has become through globalization, some of Europe’s cities have become the perfect place for individuals to learn. Of course, there are known locations like London, Paris, and Madrid that are often cited as highly desirable places to work due to their status as capital cities.

However, they can also be extremely expensive and difficult for those who have children to afford. The cost of living within these locations can be extremely high compared to other locations, which can be just as good for the same reasons. They may not have the same reputation or be lacking in certain areas, but they might not be as impactful on the pocket. If they are cheaper, parents can offer their children a potentially better lifestyle because they can afford different things.

Which European cities are the best for raising children?

In some research conducted by Preply, an online Spanish classes and courses platform, they have found that Funchal is the top destination to raise children. The city on the Portuguese island of Madeira ranked as the #1 overall across three of the categories that were used to score them. They looked at ‘Education’, ‘Health and Safety’ and ‘Lifestyle and Leisure’ as their key metrics. The city ranked highly in other areas, too. It has the lowest crime rate, there are low pollution levels, and it is favorable economically to families with young children in terms of its living costs.

The study conducted by the company found that the northern Italian city of Trieste was second in their overall rankings list. Although a small port city, it is considered an ideal location for raising children. There is an abundance of resources available that can contribute to a child’s growth and development, including various educational resources and free healthcare. It might not be the best location for a child to learn diversity and immerse themselves in other communities. However, with school curriculums now including topics based on society and tourism being experienced in the region, it’s still a place that can provide various teachings.

Portugal is a top country for young children to be raised by their families, as Lisbon ranked third in this research study. Reykjavik in Iceland was placed fourth due to its continent-leading teacher-to-student ratio. A family can benefit from 280 days of paid maternity leave. It’s one of the best countries in Europe that offers this and is only beaten by three others. Prague rounds out the top five cities for young children to be raised because of its educational resources.

What could moving to a top European city achieve for young families?

As noted, many of Europe’s biggest and best cities have become multicultural. With it possible to travel and relocate almost more easily than ever before, it’s not uncommon for families to move away from their domestic homeland and settle in a new area as they seek a better life. For example, many British families move to Spain seeking a new and improved life, with many of their children attending school there.

With the world getting smaller, there has been a growing emphasis on being culturally aware. Whether at a young age and at school or in adult life and professionally or socially, there is almost guaranteed to be a mixture of cultures within groups.

Children who are exposed to this from an early age can be educated and learn about the diversity that they will encounter later in life. This will allow them to know how to approach and treat others in the correct way, especially as many societies have different norms and traditions.

They might not only benefit from a cultural perspective. Children may obtain a better standard of learning or healthcare by moving to a certain city. Some of Europe’s top locations have the infrastructure in place to provide the best services. However, it may not always be possible to receive the same level in some locations, which could put children at a disadvantage later in life.

What factors should parents be thinking about?

When it comes to obtaining the best for our children, compromise can often be necessary. For parents, this might involve moving and changing their own lives to ensure they give their children the best possible start.

They may have to look for new job opportunities as their current role may not be available or exist. They may even have to learn a new language if they move from one country to another.

At the end of the day, it’s a big commitment, but if it can provide their children with a headstart in life, it’s something all parents would look to do in a heartbeat.