Amherst, MA vs Richmond

Richmond is a rare beast: a city of 210 thousand where a 1-bedroom outside the centre runs $1,427/mo and the safety index sits at 85/100, so you can actually relax. The trade-off is a Mediterranean climate at 1 m elevation that keeps air quality at 55, and a local average net salary of $3,032/mo that will feel tight against $1,834/mo city-centre rent. Still, with YVR 10 km away, an 82/100 expat score, and Steveston and Brighouse pulling a large active expat crowd, it earns its place for anyone who values easy flights and a low crime index over big-city salary upside.

Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.