1. Malta
Malta, a tiny island south of Italy, is surprisingly affordable, especially for a Mediterranean island.
Many people speak English as it was a British colony and there is a large ex-pat community there. Entertainment is excellent and ranges from the outdoors to festivals. If you need more, Sicily and the rest of Italy are short ferry rides away.
It is considered safe and the weather is very moderate. The public transportation system allows you to save on car expenses as well.