Moving Abroad Tips
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I confess, I’ve never actually been there. But the myriad of people I know who have lived in or visited the city all say the same thing: Vancouver is an absolutely fabulous place.
And it has some official backing.
The latest annual ranking[1] by the Economist Intelligence Unit claims Vancouver is the most liveable city in the world.
The survey scores locations according to five factors: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Vancouver topped the poll with 98 out of a maximum 100, as it has done for the past two years. Toronto came fourth, with Calgary fifth.
Mercer’s annual Quality of Living Survey[2] holds Vancouver in similarly high regard – it placed fourth in the 2010 rankings, behind Vienna, Zurich and Geneva.
Meanwhile, this year’s Mercer survey also compiled a list of cities with the best eco-ranking, basing scores on water availability and potability, waste removal, quality of sewage systems, air pollution and traffic congestion. Calgary came out top, with Ottawa in joint third, behind Honolulu.
Canada scores
Indeed, Canada as a whole usually fares well in the various international surveys and rankings.
I may not have been to Vancouver, but I have visited Canada. OK, so a holiday is hardly the same thing as living there (especially as I never experienced the harshness of a Canadian winter). Still, it wasn’t hard to see why the country consistently ranks so highly: huge space … stunning and varied landscapes … diverse recreational activities … reasonable living costs (at least compared to the UK and parts of the United States) … a vibrant economy.
Expat choice
It seems many expats have come to the same conclusion. Canada is the second most popular destination in terms of total number of expatriates from the United States. Among Brits, it ranks fourth.
Expats in Canada seem pretty happy with their lot as well.
HSBC’s 2010 Expat Experience survey[3] asked expats from around the world how they found:
a) Setting up in their new country of residence.
b) Integrating into local society.
c) Their quality of life compared to where they used to live.
Having topped the league in 2009, Canada slipped to second place in the 2010 report. But as HSBC noted, the country “still ranks high for expat lifestyle.”
Not that it is all great, of course. For one, there are those long, cold winters to get through.
The sheer scale has its downsides too – just getting anywhere can take an awfully long time.
(I remember going for a beer one evening during my trip – there wasn’t much to do in the small town where we were staying, so we were driven 90 minutes across the border to a bar in the States!)
And while Canada boasts a host of attractive cities, they can’t boast the same cultural riches as those in Europe and Asia.
Still, nowhere is perfect.
Tags: Asia, Brit, Calgary, Canada, city, country, culture, eco, Economist, economy, Education, environment, Europe, expat, Geneva, health, HSBC, lifestyle, live, liveable, living, Mercer, Ottawa, quality, survey, Toronto, UK, United States, Vancouver, Vienna, winter, world, Zurich
So you’ve decided to take the plunge and emigrate. Congratulations! Your next question should be how are you going to make your move a success?
Many people decide to emigrate in order to provide a better quality of life for themselves and their family – the thought of year-round sunshine, more time with loved ones, different leisure opportunities. But whatever your motivations, it is crucial you put yourself in the best financial position possible if you are to get off to a good start in your new country. And to do that, you need to give serious thought and planning to the issue of currency exchange.
OK, so it may not seem as fun as researching all about the sun, sea and sand you can look forward to enjoying. But getting a good currency exchange rate can make a huge difference to the success of your move. And if it helps maximise the budget you have to spend on your dream home abroad that has to be time well spent.
Getting the biggest bang for your buck
For some people, currency exchange may be a key factor in their choice of destination. For instance, countries in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe with relatively weak currencies can offer great opportunities to make your savings go further.
Alternatively, among those soon-to-be-expats who have already picked their dream location, the issue will be more a matter of how to get the most from your money.
Take buying property abroad. For many expats it means exchanging your savings into the local currency of the country to where you are moving. Exchanging large amounts can be an expensive exercise though, and isn’t to be taken lightly. Therefore, many expats employ a foreign exchange broker to guide them through the process. Others simply bide their time, research the currency market, and exchange when the rate is particularly favourable.
Money matters
Foreign exchange rates are a huge factor when moving abroad – so make sure you address it as soon as possible in the decision making process.
The best advice is to do your research thoroughly. If you want help, consider using a foreign exchange broker. And if not, ensure you shop around to get the best exchange rate possible.
Tags: Abroad, Africa, Asia, broker, budget, buy, country, currencies, currency, destination, emigrate, Europe, exchange, expat, family, financial, Foreign, home, leisure, life, location, love, market, money, move, moving, property, quality, rate, saving, success, sun
Last weekend’s shootings in Arizona have trained the world’s attention once more on America’s attitude to guns, and its charged political atmosphere.
To many outsiders, me included, America’s fixation with its guns – and the ease with which people can buy them – is incomprehensible.
Gun advocates, meanwhile, argue their case by referencing America’s frontier past, their constitutional rights and the defence of freedom.
Bridging the Cultural Divide
This divergence of opinions on the issue of gun control illustrates the cultural divide expats often have to bridge when trying to make a new country their home.
For those heading to the US, the actual question of gun ownership is one aspect. But it is understanding and living with the underlying beliefs that support such positions which are likely to prove the bigger test.
Personally, I loved living in America. I loved the landscapes, its space, the optimism and can-do attitudes. And I met nothing but warm, generous, friendly people.
Nevertheless, the country’s political environment, its commitment to capitalist economics, and prevailing sentiments around healthcare, education, religion and a host of other factors may prove insurmountable obstacles for some.
Global Challenges
And it is not just America. Such political, economic and cultural considerations should feature in your decision, whatever your intended destination.
For example, Europe offers an abundance of cultural delights, with untold historical riches, beautiful architecture, and a culinary smorgasbord from which to sample. But can you cope with Italy’s red tape, French workers’ proclivity to strike, or the famous British reserve?
It is never easy to know until you are on the ground in a country, facing the life it offers day after day.
But if you ask yourself the testing questions on how suited you are to a life abroad before you go you will be better equipped for the changes ahead.
Tags: Abroad, America, Arizona, Brit, capital, Constitution, country, cultural, destination, economic, Education, Europe, expat, freedom, French, gun, healthcare, home, Italy, life, political, religion, Shooting, States, US, world
It is exactly a year now since we repatriated from Spain to the UK. It was lovely to return in time to have Christmas with family, but looking back I wouldn’t do it the same way again. For rather than enjoying those magical weeks in the run up to Christmas, we had to spend them up to our ears in boxes, sorting and packing belongings.
Having moved several times before, we knew how much work was involved. Still, it’s amazing to discover how much “stuff” we had managed to accumulate, and how long it takes to sort.
The question then is always what do you do with it?
Which are the essential items you absolutely must take with you when relocating? Which bits can be given or thrown away? And the biggest quandary, what do you do with the rest? You know, the stuff you want to keep, or that you think might come in useful “some day.”
Unless a friend or family member is happy to give up their garage or attic indefinitely so you can jam it full of your belongings, the only real solution is to use a self storage facility. They come with several advantages:
1) It’s cost effective
For one, it is inexpensive these days to rent storage space. In addition, there are no long term contracts. That means that as you settle into your new place you have the flexibility to collect your boxes when you are ready for them.
2) It’s safe and secure
Any self storage facility worth its salt will have effective security measures in place to protect your property. Look for 24hr CCTV and individual alarms on the storage rooms.
3) It’s convenient
Self storage has become more and more popular in recent years. As a result, there is probably a self storage facility[1] close by.
Where possible it is best to look for facilities near both your old and new homes. That way you always have the option of keeping any overflow you’re not sure if you want or have space for safe.
4) It’s flexible
Unless you’re relocating to a place where the weather is pretty much the same all year round, you may also want to think about storing all that stuff you only use at certain times of the year – for example, skis or scuba gear. That way you won’t have it cluttering up the house the whole time. And that can do wonders for your state of mind!
[1] For example,
Big Yellow Self Storage has over 70 sites across Britain. You can see their facilities and locations at
http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/.
Tags: belonging, box, Christmas, cost, expat, facility, family, friend, home, house, inexpensive, move, pack, property, relocating, rent, repatriate, room, safe, secure, security, space, Spain, storage, UK, weather, work
If you’re considering moving abroad then you want to do it right from the off. Your happiness depends on it. And that means making sure you head for a destination that best meets all YOUR requirements.
So here are some of the key issues to contemplate when deciding where to live:
1) Education
For any parents, the quality of education available to their children – whether in the local state system, a private institution or at an international school – has to be a crucial factor.
If a country’s educational options are poor, think again. Your child’s future is too important.
2) Language
Which languages do you speak? Where in the world will you find it easiest to integrate, and feel most comfortable living, as a result? Which languages will prove most beneficial to your prospects going forward?
At the gates of my daughter’s school here in Britain I hear many foreign accents. One big attraction for these parents of raising their children in the UK is the English fluency they are achieving. As the world’s dominant business language at present that will stand them in good stead in the years to come.
3) Quality of life
Definitions of quality of life vary from person-to-person. But common considerations include the location’s relative cost of living, the climate, career opportunities and earning potential, access to leisure activities, the country’s political freedoms and cultural mores.
For instance, the UK is renowned for its high cost of living and poor weather. However, HSBC’s latest Expat Explorer Survey[1] ranked it the top country for entertainment, and reported that it is an easy place for expats to integrate.
The important thing is to determine which quality of life factors matter most to you.
4) Social network
It is great to have family support and contact. Yet for many people living abroad often means having to do without that.
In such situations, it is important to be in a location where there are plenty of opportunities to develop a strong circle of friends who can offer emotional support, and with whom you can share the good times.
5) Future prospects
Looking ahead, what sort of life will your location offer?
Does it hold out the prospect of attractive career opportunities, for you and any children you may have?
If you are considering retirement there, is it affordable? What sort of social life can you expect? How do the healthcare system, and healthcare costs, stack up?
Answer these crucial questions before you leave home and you have a much better chance of finding happiness and contentment when you arrive.
[1] Expat Experience is the second of three reports from HSBC’s 2010 Expat Explorer research series,
http://www.offshore.hsbc.com/1/2/international/expat/expat-survey/expat-experience-report-2010
Tags: Abroad, Britain, business, career, child, climate, comfort, cost, country, destination, earn, Education, English, entertainment, expat, explore, Foreign, freedom, friend, happiness, health, home, HSBC, integrate, Language, leisure, live, living, location, moving, parent, politic, prospect, quality, Retirement, School, survey, UK, weather, world
The Holiday Season is well upon us. But if you live abroad you’ll need to get used to a whole different category of celebrations.
Take today, December 6. For many of us it may be another dreary Monday at work. But not everywhere …
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
December 6 is a special festival for children in many European countries, as well as some American cities – for it marks Saint Nicholas Day.
In the Netherlands in particular, Saint Nicholas’ Eve is the equivalent of Christmas Eve, when Sinterklaas (the original Santa Claus) brings gifts for all the good boys and girls. Similarly, in Germany children traditionally put a boot out for St Nicholas to fill with small presents and sweets.
Advent of Democracy
December 6 is a special holiday in Spain too, albeit for different reasons. This is Constitution Day, marking the Spanish public’s vote in 1978 to approve the Constitution of Spain, and thus the country’s formal transition to a democratic state.
As a citizen of the UK, with its long democratic history, it is easy to forget how recent the establishment of such political rights was in Spain. If I was a Spaniard, however, I would have been born in a dictatorship.
In the developed world it is easy to see democracy as a right, one we take for granted. But days like today remind me how blessed we are.
Tags: Abroad, America, Children, Christmas, citizen, Claus, Constitution, countries, country, December, democracy, Democratic, developed, dictator, Europe, Eve, festival, Germany, holiday, live, Netherlands, Nicholas, Saint, Santa, season, Sinterklaas, Spain, Spanish, UK, world
I have just started reading Andre Agassi’s autobiography, Open.
The book starts with Agassi playing his last tournament before retiring, the 2006 US Open.
He is in New York with his wife, tennis superstar Steffi Graf, and their two young children. For the duration of the tournament the family stay in a suite at the Four Seasons hotel in Manhattan. A “lovely suite,” he says, yet it remains another of those places that are what he terms “Not Home.”
Rather, home is Las Vegas. For all the evident pain of his childhood, the constant pushing of his father and resulting hatred of his profession, Agassi remains wedded to the city where he was born and raised.
Relocating for love
As a result, it is Germany’s Steffi Graf who has made the move abroad.
Like any relationship where the partners hail from different countries, one or other has to give up their homeland. For some that may be a welcome move. For others, a painful sacrifice. Yet if they are to survive as a unit there is no other option.
I’m no trained relationship counsellor, so I’m not trying to be an Agony Uncle on this. But over the years I have seen a lot of couples wrestle with this location issue, with varying degrees of success. Some have continued happy and strong. Others, unfortunately, have not.
So what lessons can these sporting idols offer?
1) Knowing the lingo
Graf has perfect English, which is a huge benefit.
Knowing or learning the local language is crucial when moving abroad. But it is even more important when moving to a partner’s country. Seeing as they will be jabbering away with extended family and friends in that tongue, you must be able to join in if you don’t want to get isolated socially.
2) Partner’s understanding
The home country native also has responsibilities, not least to ensure they include their partner.
That means taking them places, introducing them to friends, giving them the freedom and opportunity to make their own social circle and interact with it, supporting them through any bouts of loneliness and homesickness. Understanding and support will be critical to prevent/repair any divisions.
3) Affirm the decision
Why did Agassi and Graf settle in Las Vegas, rather than Germany or somewhere else?
Both partners need to be clear about why they have picked that particular location, rather than another.
You need to decide why, on balance, your choice of town/country offers the best quality of life for all concerned. Why does it have to be that person’s home, rather than the other way round?
If you aren’t both in agreement on this point, resentment and subsequent rupture can easily result.
4) Love-all
It’s a book, so there is always potential for the writer to put a gloss on things. Nevertheless, what comes through in Agassi’s autobiography is evidence of a couple that adore each other.
Staying together in a long-term relationship is hard enough as it is. Trying to do it as an expat is next to impossible unless there are strong bonds of love, respect and friendship.
Ultimately, it is the love you have for each other that will keep you focused on what matters most, and get you through the inevitable difficulties arise.
Tags: Abroad, Agassi, Children, city, countries, country, couple, English, expat, family, freedom, friend, Germany, Graf, home, homesick, Language, Las Vegas, life, location, loneliness, love, Manhattan, move, moving, New York, partner, profession, quality, relationship, social, tennis, US
Do animals get grumpy?
Are there certain days when your cat or dog is more irritable than others? Do creatures in the wild go through mood swings? Or is it just humans?
I ask because I read this week about Cathal Morrow, an author living in Madrid. Back in June he embarked on a quest to live for a year without unhappiness, in an attempt to prove happiness is merely a state of mind.
As he writes on his blog, http://imhappyandiknowit.com/:
“What I’m attempting to live is my belief that happiness is entirely independent of the highs and lows of my little life, that it’s far bigger than me. That happiness is a permanent state for us all, if only we allow it to be.”
Being happy. We’re all looking for it, aren’t we?
Yet that appears to be the root of the problem. We’re searching for it, as if happiness is a destination that will be reached once we’ve got X, Y and Z in place.
Thanksgiving
It’s an important issue, brought into focus by this week’s Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States.
While it began as a festival giving thanks for the year’s harvest, Thanksgiving has since developed into a more general expression of gratitude.
And therein lies Mr Morrow’s secret to happiness – a determination to see the everyday brightness in life and be happy for it.
Seeking a better life
Which brings me to moving abroad.
Why is it so many people around the world – including millions of citizens in some of the most prosperous countries on the planet – want to relocate elsewhere?
For most people the interest is spurred by a desire to find a “better life,” whatever their definition may be.
Many are stirred by the potential benefits they hope to find by relocating – better weather, more leisure opportunities, lower living costs, attractive employment openings. Others see moving abroad as an escape from the unfulfilled lives they are living in their current location.
Finding Happiness
However, this desire for movement is not necessarily the path to happiness.
Yes, moving abroad can lead to a healthier, happier, richer life. But switching one country for another won’t by itself be enough. Ultimately it is an internal shift, rather than the external one, that leads to happiness and fulfilment.
Hence the importance of gratitude.
Rather than think about the things that are wrong with our lives, we should devote more attention to the things that are right.
It could be your health, or the health of your partner or children, the love of family, laughter with friends, the joy of a sunrise or waves on the beach, thanks for the food you have to eat.
Which isn’t to say you shouldn’t want to improve your current situation. It is human nature, one of the driving forces of evolution. But by stopping to give conscious thanks for those daily blessings we too often take for granted, the chances are you will be a happier person, wherever in the world you happen to find yourself.
Who could ask for a better life than that?
Tags: beach, Children, citizen, countries, country, destination, employment, family, festival, Food, friend, gratitude, happier, happiness, happy, harvest, health, leisure, life, living, location, Madrid, Moving Abroad, planet, relocate, sun, thank, Thanksgiving, United States, weather, world
What are your biggest worries about moving abroad?
Is it finding or settling in to a new job? Making your retirement savings stretch far enough to provide a decent quality of life? Having a healthcare system that is up to scratch? Getting your children into good schools?
According to Expat Experience[1], the latest report in HSBC’s Expat Explorer series, the top concerns keeping expats awake at night prior to relocating are:
- Being able to re-establish a social life (41%)
- Feeling lonely, and missing friends and family (34%)
The survey also found these worries affected female expats significantly more than men.
Meanwhile, missing family and friends is a particularly big concern for expats based in Australia (49%) and Canada (46%) – not surprising, since the majority were from the UK originally, and so the distances involved make regular face-to-face contact difficult.
Overcoming concerns
Such emotive issues have an obvious link – if you are worried about establishing a social life in your new destination then you are more likely to miss the existing network of family and friends you have back home.
On the flip side, if you can form strong friendships and develop a bustling (and satisfying) social life once you move abroad then you are less likely to be lonely and dwell on what you have left behind.
In short, once you land in your new location you have to make a concerted effort to get out, meet people, make friends and take advantage of whatever exciting lifestyle opportunities the country has to offer.
It’s not always easy to do. Sometimes you may have to force yourself to step out of your comfort zones. But the success of your expat venture depends on it.
[1] Expat Experience is the second of three reports from HSBC’s 2010 Expat Explorer research series,
http://www.offshore.hsbc.com/1/2/international/expat/expat-survey/expat-experience-report-2010
Tags: Abroad, Australia, Canada, Children, country, destination, expat, Expat Experience, Expat Explorer, family, female, friend, healthcare, home, HSBC, job, lifestyle, location, lonely, men, move, moving, quality of life, Retirement, School, social, survey, UK, worries
Moving to Canada to work or start a new business can be an exciting venture. To make the most of it though, it is important to know how to go about obtaining a visa.
Canada values immigrants who come to their country to help contribute to their economy. Nevertheless, there are a few restrictions you should know about when applying for a work visa.
In the case of immigrating to Canada for business purposes, it is important to understand the specific visa requirements and the points system.
Some key points to know:
- Education: This section offers a maximum of 25 points based on the amount of school completed. It starts at secondary education and below, which offers 0 points. PhD or Master’s degree holders receive 25 points, on condition they have completed at least 17 years of full-time study.
- Language: Canada’s two official languages are English and French, and you can receive a maximum of 24 points for fluency in both. Fluency in one yields 16 points, provided you have mastered reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency.
- Work Experience: Points are only rewarded when you have had at least a year of full-time experience in a managerial, professional, or highly skilled occupation. One year earns 15 points, and four or more years earns the maximum 21 points.
- Proof of Funds: 10 points are awarded to people who have an offer of employment approved by the Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). Otherwise, you will need proof you have either a set amount of funds in a bank account, or have secured work in Canada.
The eligibility requirement is based on the number of household members. As of May 2010, single applicants were required to have at least CAD $11,086, whereas a six-member household needed CAD $26,350.
Securing work in Canada exempts immigrants from this requirement. However, failure to meet any requirements results in ineligibility.
- Age: Because most people in the workforce are aged 21-49, the highest number of points is awarded to this age bracket. Applicants under 16 and over 54 do not receive points in this section. Other age brackets are awarded in two-point increments up to eight.
There are a number of Canada Immigration Services that can help you get started if you plan to immigrate from the UK to Canada in search of work. Whether you plan to move to Canada for business or hope to move there permanently, knowing the basics in the immigration process can help you become acclimated more quickly and avoid any procedural snags along the way.
This article was provided by Global Visas, the leading immigration experts for private and corporate clients locally and worldwide.
Tags: age, bank, business, Canada, country, degree, economy, Education, employment, English, experience, fluency, French, fund, Global Visas, household, human resources, Immigrant, immigrate, immigrating, Language, move, occupation, points, professional, School, study, system, UK, visa, work, workforce
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