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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
A recent holiday in Spain – the first trip back to our house on the northern Costa Brava since repatriating to the UK last Christmas – reminded me of all the good things about our former life in the sun.
And the drive home from the airport after we landed back in the UK, with the rain greasing the congested motorway, showed the stark contrast with the world we had left behind.
Since our return friends and work colleagues have been asking the same question: do we regret moving back to England?
Of course, we miss some of the lifestyle benefits Spain offers. After all, the UK is by no means perfect. Nevertheless, on balance we are happy we repatriated.
So what are the good things about living back in the UK? For me, the key ones are:
The number one advantage is being back among family and old friends, renewing those old, precious relationships.
There is an ease to living in a place where you understand the societal attitudes, the sense of humour, and how the systems involved in day-to-day life work. Being able to think and speak in your native tongue once again is nice too.
We have now been through all the seasons, and while the UK’s weather may not be wonderful (I’m writing this with the rain lashing outside), each reveals some special aspect of the country’s beauty.
In the months since our return we have also taken the chance to explore more of the country, and see the charm that attracts so many foreign visitors: the wonders of London, the nation’s majestic stately homes, its quaint villages and verdant countryside.
It is not always easy to see how great Great Britain is when you are brought up with it and long to escape. Instead, sometimes you have to leave to come back again.
As Irish novelist George Moore said: “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”
That is just how I am feeling … at least for the moment!
Tags: airport, beauty, Britain, Christmas, Costa Brava, country, culture, England, escape, family, Foreign, friend, Irish, life, lifestyle, London, rain, relationship, repatriate, social network, Spain, stately home, sun, UK, visitor, weather, work, world
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
So France has the best quality of life in Europe. Or at least that was the finding of a recent study by consumer comparison service uSwitch.com, as I highlighted in a recent posting[1].
I imagine the residents of France may be thinking something different as this week’s round of strikes and protests gets underway.
News reports say the strikes are set to widen to include a range of sectors, including road transport, energy, posts, telecommunications and public service. The industrial action has brought fears of fuel shortages as workers at oil refineries walk out, and rail chaos as train staff join in, threatening to bring the country to a standstill.
The protest has been spurred by moves to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62, and the full retirement age from 65 to 67 years – a change that rather undercuts one of the advantages of French life highlighted by the uSwitch.com survey. The government claims it is needed to prevent the country’s pension deficit from spiralling out of control and threatening the system as a whole.
In total, Nicolas Sarkozy’s government has announced plans to cut spending by €45bn over the next three years in a bid to meet its budget deficit target.
Meanwhile Spain, which came second in the uSwitch.com quality of life rankings, has seen unemployment more than double (to about 20%) since 2007. In a bid to curb its budget deficit, the government is raising the top level of income tax and introducing a range of austerity measures for 2011 designed to cut spending by 8%.
Of course, the UK faces its own economic difficulties – as, for that matter, does the United States. But if you’re aiming to escape your home country’s problems and find a better quality of life by moving abroad, it’s important to remember the grass is not always greener on the other side.
[1] http://expatliving101.com/living-in-spain/what-quality-of-life-can-you-expect-abroad/
Tags: budget deficit, country, economic, Europe, France, French, fuel, government, home, income, industrial action, Moving Abroad, pension, protest, quality of life, Retirement, Spain, strike, survey, tax, transport, UK, unemployment, United States, uSwitch
A new report published by the City of London Corporation[1] suggests the lack of tax predictability in the UK is now “out of control,” and is threatening the country’s position as a leading global financial centre.
The report polled members of the banking, insurance, asset management, hedge fund and private equity communities on six factors: predictability, overall tax burden, attitude of tax authorities, network of tax treaties, complexity and cost of compliance.
Every respondent gave the UK a poor rating on predictability. It is the area where the UK fared worst compared to other countries, but which the report says is the most important factor in judging competitiveness.
The authors said surprise changes such as the introduction of the bank payroll tax and bank levy, and the increase to 50% in the top rate of income tax were creating uncertainty and changing the financial services industry’s perception of the UK. In addition, the new rates and measures meant “the UK is now seen as a high tax jurisdiction not dissimilar to continental countries.”
However, despite fears that changes to the UK’s regime would lead to an exodus of financial institutions and people to more favourable tax jurisdictions, such as Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong, that has not materialised in practice, at least thus far. Instead, for the time being London remains a key financial hub, attracting international investment, as well as expatriate and domestic workers.
Holding on to its position in the world as an attractive place to live and do business is the UK’s challenge going forwards. Relying on its weather as a source of appeal certainly won’t do the job!
[1] Taxation of the Financial Services Sector in the UK: Predictability and Competitiveness, prepared by Charles River Associates for the City of London Corporation, October 2010,
http://217.154.230.218/NR/rdonlyres/E3CEF4F7-479B-46B4-AB93-29DF5F673B53/0/TaxationofFinancialServices.pdf
Tags: bank, business, city, continental, countries, country, exodus, expat, financial, fund, global, Hong Kong, income, industry, international, investment, London, pay, Singapore, Switzerland, tax, UK, weather, world
So you’re moving abroad. You are filled with excitement about the prospects it offers, eager to see new places, meet new friends, pursue your dreams.
But what about the loved ones you leave behind? While you have a wealth of new opportunities and experiences to explore, all they will be left with are the memories of your lives together.
Transition Tips
No doubt they will feel your loss. Nevertheless, there are a few things you can do to make the process as painless as possible:
- Once you have decided to move, share it with your family and friends well in advance. It may take time for them to accept you are leaving, and some may try to discourage you. However, a calm approach will help. Tell them your reasons for moving, and explain the advantages you hope to achieve as a result.
- The days before you leave are bound to be hectic. You will get caught up in a whirlwind of shopping, packing, finalising insurance and visa arrangements, getting health checkups and a host of last minute details. As a result, you may not realise how quickly the days are flying. So don’t forget to spend quality time with your loved ones, especially your family, before you go.
- Try to maintain a cheerful environment while you are still at home. Avoid emotional discussions, and reminders that soon you won’t be there.
- The period after you leave home can be tough for both you and your family. Sudden bouts of loneliness may make you feel homesick, and leave them feeling sad at your absence and anxious for your safety. At these times you have to be the strong one, since it was your decision to move. So the moment you arrive, call to let your family know you are well.
- Once you reach your destination, keep yourself occupied. Get involved in your new life and location by settling into your new home, learn about your new environment, and start making friends.
- During your first few months in the country keep in touch with family and friends as often as you can, making sure you share with them all the details about the place and its people. The pleasure and relief on both sides from hearing each other’s voices is priceless. And because international calling is so cheap these days the cost is no longer a worry.
- You can stay connected too by writing emails to friends and family explaining what you did today, or by sending pictures of where you are.
- And for those friends and family back home who are not well-versed with the internet, why not write them a letter or send a postcard? It is sure to make their day.
Tags: cost, country, destination, dream, environment, experience, explore, family, fly, friend, go, health, home, homesick, insurance, international calling, internet, live, location, love, move, Moving Abroad, opportunities, people, place, safety, tip, transition, visa, wealth
Buying a property in your home country can be a time-consuming, expensive and stressful experience. So think what it’s like trying to do it in another country.
Abroad you may face unfamiliar market conditions, uncertainty around how to arrange a mortgage or how they are calculated, what legal processes are necessary and the fees you will have to pay. To complicate matters further you may not even speak the language.
Those are the sorts of obstacles my wife and I had to navigate when buying our house in Spain. It is not an experience I am eager to repeat.
Much better, I now realise, to get an expert who knows the market intimately to take the strain.
Professional Help
So I was intrigued when I heard recently about a Spanish-based company called Shortcuts Property Search (www.shortcutspropertysearch.com).
Their service is tailored to make both the searching for a property, and the actual buying process through to the signing of the escritura de compra/venta, as easy as possible. This is especially useful for people who don’t speak Spanish, and/or don’t have the time or money to make various trips to Spain before making up their minds.
Crucially, the service comes at no cost to the client either, as normally Shortcuts finds properties through agents who then pay it part of their commission. In situations where Shortcuts finds a property from a private seller the firm charges a 2% commission.
For the moment, Shortcuts Property Search only operates in Spain. But if you are buying property elsewhere in the world I would advise looking for a company that can provide a similar sort of service.
It will make the purchase process much easier and more enjoyable, saving you the stress and bitter aftertaste that can otherwise result. In the long run it will probably save you cash too, by helping you avoid all those ill-suited places, and instead finding you the best deal for your money.
Tags: Abroad, agent, buy, cash, commission, country, escritura de compra, fee, home, house, Language, legal, market, money, mortgage, property, purchase, sell, service, Shortcuts Property Search, Spain, Spanish, venta
If anyone doubts the beauty Britain has to offer take a trip to Salisbury.
Before moving to Spain I was wont to focus on those aspects of life in Britain that were inciting me to leave: the weather, grey and litter-strewn streets, high living costs, crime levels, images of the country’s rundown inner cities, overburdened health and education systems.
Spanish life promised a more gilded existence. Towns of quaint narrow streets and sunshine burnished buildings, café-lined plazas and open-air markets, the turquoise Mediterranean, vast tracts of undeveloped farmland and forest, lower prices and a more relaxed pace of life.
But having now repatriated to the UK after seven years of living abroad I am seeing the beauty of my homeland with fresh eyes. I have a new appreciation of the rolling green landscapes, its woods of oak and elm and beech, those chocolate-box villages, the BBC.
And historic cities such as Salisbury.
I had my first visit there a few weeks ago. Centrepiece is the magnificent medieval Cathedral, completed in 1258 and considered the finest example of its type in the country. Less jaw-droppingly impressive, but equally charming, are the surrounding Cathedral Close and the rest of the medieval city centre.
Sitting amidst the tourist throngs on the lawns beside the Cathedral I saw the city as they must. And it made me realise just how beautiful England – and the rest of the UK – really can be. Not a bad place to live after all.
Tags: Britain, Cathedral, Cathedral Close, country, crime, Education, England, health, homeland, living abroad, living cost, Mediterranean, Moving Abroad, Salisbury, Spain, Spanish, sunshine, UK, weather
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