Slovenia

Slovenia fits the Alps, the lakes and a slice of the Adriatic into a two-hour drive, and Ljubljana stays compact and very green. Costs are above the Balkans and below Austria, while capital rent is tight because of students and limited supply. Winters are snowy in the mountains and mild on the coast, summers warm, and the shoulder seasons long and wet. Taxes are high, the labour market is small, and Slovenian is expected everywhere except international firms.