It’s been 3 years I’m working in web3, and the conversation starter go-to phrase has always been the same for me and most people I interact with:

“Hey, where are you based ?”

This simple question reflects a profound shift in how we work in the “MeTaVerSe”. First, it highlights the international nature of web3, not only as a market but also in terms of where its players choose to live—like borders no longer matter for products or people. In the past, where you lived wasn’t much of a choice; it usually reflected where you worked or grew up. Today, especially in web3, it reveals your values, priorities, and aspirations.

Your HomeBase tells something about you

Choosing a homebase is akin to selecting a narrative for your life. Each location sends its message, shaping not just your professional opportunities but also your identity. In web3, where geographical constraints are less pronounced and remote work common, the choice of where to settle becomes even more telling about what your priorities are. Ambition over quality of life? Making money? Living in nature ? or Perhaps a bit of everything?

While remote work has greatly reduced the importance of physical location, it has its limits. Trust, excitement, and networking thrive in face-to-face interactions that build deeper connections. Your environment shapes your behavior and mindset. Simply put, you won’t bump into Vitalik walking your dog in the middle of nowhere. This stuff happens in conferences when you get closer to action, living in a business hub is like being in conference-mode every day.

But why walking your dog with Vitalik’s would even make you more productive?

You’ve probably heard the saying, "You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Now, imagine Vitalik is one of those five—your standards for net worth, ambition, long-term vision, and intelligence would skyrocket (maybe not your muscle mass, but you’ve got four more spots to fill for that). You’d constantly be absorbing new ideas, discussing blockchain economics, and having casual conversations that could spark your next big breakthrough. It’s not just about proximity—it’s about being in an environment where ambition is contagious. Being around that kind of energy keeps you sharp and pushes you to level up.

Numerous examples of history have shown exceptional talents all living in the same place at the same time, every antiquity intellectual you’ve heard of lived in Athens around -400 BC same goes for Impressionists in the 19th century, same goes for painters in Florence in the 15th century and this still going on today in tech with Silicon Valley. While this doesn’t mean you can’t make your start-up succeed outside of the valley, it means you probably increase your odds of success but at the cost of living in an expansive, high-tax & relatively unsafe place. As a European, the small version of Silicon Valley would be either London, Amsterdam, or Paris while these cities offer good quality of life you still have to pay your business ambitions with high taxes and shitty weather.

Are all ambitious Westerns doomed to accept high taxes, shitty weather and unsafeness?

Now, some cities are like products, with residents as customers enjoying the user experience. Dubai is the best example of this new wave of destinations. A place built in the last 20 years where immigration is easy, taxes are low or non-existent, and security is among the best. Dubai’s value proposition is simple: “A new world where everyone is welcome to make money.” Living there says to the world: “I prioritize money” (and that’s ok). You’re not becoming a part of the country in the way you might in Western nations, where integration and the opportunity to build a life are possible. In the UAE (or Singapore), you’re essentially a customer—welcomed and tolerated as long as you’re economically valuable, but without the path to full citizenship. Choosing this kind of lifestyle also means acknowledging that while you benefit financially, the sense of permanence and cultural belonging isn’t part of the deal. As choosing is renouncing, living in Dubai is saying: “Cultural fit and integration possibility isn’t as important as making Business”.

Dubai UX bet seems to work pretty well so far

On the other hand, destinations like Thailand or other popular Southeast Asian spots say something different: “I prioritize quality of life,” but with sacrifices in business, family proximity or land ownership. Some middle ground exists, like Lisbon, where you get a bit of everything: good weather, lower taxes while keeping a Western European culture.

The Maths approach

It’s counterintuitive, but having all the choices in the world can be more paralyzing than liberating. That’s why we need to filter down these endless possibilities to make a decision. Let’s take some top nomad list cities as a sample and rank them based on two main criteria: Business & Quality of Life. Let’s ask AI to set up the criteria, assign ratings, and create a top 5 cities for both business & quality of life.

After tweaking the ratings a bit (I mean, Medellin above Bangkok in security? Come on, GPT!), here’s our final top cities:

Top 5 of cities on Quality of Life vs Business

Choosing your life balance

Well, I believe you can establish a solid network and social influence within a smaller, more focused circle. You don’t need to be surrounded by tech bros in every corner to stay motivated by your environment. On the flip side, it's hard to argue that living in a massive open-air parking lot like Silicon Valley beats the Mediterranean coast of Spain in terms of lifestyle.

So, I’d set my QOL/Business balance at 65%/30%.

How will this affect the top cities for me ? Let’s see.

I’ll apply my personal balance ratios to the average business and QOL scores to rank the cities based on the combined score.

My top with a QOL/Business balance at 65%/30%

The top 5 results seems again pretty accurate for me as I thought about almost all of these cities to live or spend time months in my life.

The most important takeaway is that choosing your homebase today says more about you than ever before. It’s no longer just about convenience or proximity to work—it’s about aligning your environment with your ambitions, values, and lifestyle. In a world where you can live anywhere, the place you call home has the power to define not just your career, but your entire life.