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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
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
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
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
We’ve long suspected it, and now it appears to be true – the French, those lucky blighters, have the best quality of life in Europe.
Or, at least, so says a new study by consumer comparison service uSwitch.com[1].
Its research examined 16 quality of life factors – such as net income, food and fuel costs, life expectancy and working conditions – across 10 European countries to see how they stacked up.
France emerged with the best overall score, followed by Spain. The UK came ninth, with Ireland propping up the bottom of the table.
The reason for the UK’s poor score, said uSwitch, included its high living costs, below average government spending on health and education, shortage of holiday entitlements, high retirement age and lack of sunshine.
France, by contrast, was found to have the lowest retirement age, the longest life expectancy and the highest healthcare spend.
Meanwhile, Spain benefited from low living costs (especially for alcohol and cigarettes!), the highest number of holidays (at 43 days per year) and most sunshine hours.
The firm went on to note that three in ten people in the UK believe now is a good time to emigrate[2]. Given the low quality of life it seems they can expect to enjoy, is it any wonder?
The Full Picture
Yet before everyone starts packing their bags for France and Spain, it is important to remember that while such surveys make for attention-grabbing headlines, they don’t show the full picture.
For instance, the uSwitch report gives no consideration to the countries’ current or expected economic growth rates. Or what about the 20% unemployment rate afflicting Spain?
It gives no weighting either to the burdensome red tape that is so often cited as a feature of life in France and Italy.
The percentage of GDP spent on health is a blunt tool too by which to measure and compare the efficacy of countries’ systems. The United States, for one, spends a considerably higher percentage of its GDP on health, yet millions of its citizens remain without adequate, or indeed any, health cover.
The uSwitch survey also takes it as given that the greater the hours of sunshine the better. Yet the impressive sunshine quota seen in southern Europe – as well as places such as California and parts of Australia – bring with it high summer temperatures that frequently provoke raging forest fires, water shortages, pest infestations and crop failures.
In addition, the summer heat may force residents, especially the elderly, to spend weeks of the year trapped indoors, and can even lead to spiking death rates (as seen in Europe during the 2003 heatwave).
In short, these types of reports and surveys – a plethora of which are produced around the world each year – can give some helpful indication of the life you can expect to find when moving abroad. But to get a real picture, don’t forget to consider all the elements, the pros and the cons, and what they mean specifically to you.
[1] UK and Ireland Trailing the Rest of Europe for Quality of Life, uSwitch.com, 22 September 2010,
http://www.uswitch.com/press-room/press-releases/uk-and-ireland-trailing-the-rest-of-europe-for-quality-of-life-1769.pdf.
[2] uSwitch.com Consumer Opinion Panel, May 2010, amongst a sample of 3,640 adults.
Tags: Australia, California, citizen, cost, countries, Education, emigrate, Europe, Food, France, French, GDP, growth, health, holiday, income, Ireland, Italy, living cost, Moving Abroad, quality of life, resident, Retirement, Spain, summer, sunshine, survey, UK, unemployment, United States, uSwitch.com, work
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
Alan Howard, founder of leading hedge fund Brevan Howard Asset Management, has joined the expat ranks.
Recent reports say Howard, who is swapping London for Geneva, is among a number of financial luminaries to have left the UK. And there are fears many more will follow, driven by concerns about rising tax rates, a less attractive business environment, and quality of life issues.
Certainly Geneva has its attractions. Low tax is an obvious one, especially for those wealthy City types. For example, alternative investment managers (i.e. those at hedge and private equity funds) can obtain a special tax status that enables them to discount chunks of their taxable income. Indeed, Switzerland as a whole offers many tax advantages.
Then there are the lifestyle benefits – the proximity of world-class ski resorts, sailing on the country’s many lakes, the beautiful scenery, its excellent environmental record, high quality health and education systems, etc, etc.
And that is backed up by Mercer’s 2010 Quality of Living survey, which put Geneva third in its global rankings, one place behind Zurich[1].
The flipside is that Geneva also ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, coming in fifth in Mercer’s recently released Cost of Living survey[2].
With a reported fortune of £875 million that won’t faze Alan Howard. Still, it might give the rest of us pause for thought.
[1] Mercer 2010 Quality of Living survey,
26 May 2010
http://www.mercer.com/qualityofliving
[2] Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2010 – City rankings, 29 June 2010, http://www.mercer.com/costoflivingpr#City_rankings
Tags: business, cities, city, cost of living, Education, environment, expat, expensive, financial, fortune, Geneva, global, health, hedge fund, Howard, income, investment, lake, lifestyle, London, Mercer, quality of life, sailing, ski, Switzerland, tax, UK, wealth, world, Zurich
Having just come back from a conference in Vienna I got a little reminder of what the Austrian capital has to offer.
As a leading centre of European culture for hundreds of years, it is a city steeped in history and beauty. In spite of the bombing endured in World War II, Vienna remains an architectural delight – so much so that in 2001 the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also world-class museums, fine parks, a rich musical tradition, and a multitude of wonderful cafes and restaurants.
Quality of Life Survey
I wasn’t surprised, therefore, to learn that Vienna claimed the top spot in the Mercer 2010 Quality of Life Survey, released last week[1].
The survey evaluates 420 cities worldwide, assessing the living conditions across 10 categories, which include the political and social environment, the economic environment, health and sanitation, schools and education, and recreation.
Having also come first in Mercer’s 2009 survey, it seems Vienna is cementing its status as the city offering the world’s best quality of life.
Meanwhile, Europe as a whole had 16 cities amongst the top 25 in the world. It underlines just how much the continent has to offer for prospective expats.
Happy Living
So what does all this mean for expatriates? Well, it is a useful guide into the ease of life you can expect to find when moving abroad to a new city.
For instance, while in Vienna a couple of weeks ago I got talking to two guys – one from Spain, the other from Colombia – who have both moved to Geneva. Their comments about the life they lead there certainly chime with its 3rd-place ranking in the Mercer survey.
But when looking at reports like Mercer’s there are a couple of provisos to bear in mind:
1) By their nature, such considerations as quality of life are subjective. Mercer goes to great pains to compile valid statistical comparisons across its 10 life assessment categories. But these won’t necessarily mirror your judgements or priorities. (Furthermore, you may not even want to move to a foreign city, but instead plan to be by the beach or in the rural hinterland, where the situation may be very different to the country’s urban centres.)
2) Quality of life ? happiness – it may be a contributor, and an important one, but happiness comes from a broader range of factors.
But that’s a topic for another time.
[1] Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey, released 26 May 2010 ,
http://www.mercer.com/qualityoflivingpr#City_Ranking_Tables
Tags: beach, city, Colombia, country, Education, environment, Europe, Geneva, happiness, health, living, Mercer, quality of life, recreation, Spain, survey, UNESCO, Vienna, world
It’s not quite the West Wing, but the UK election and subsequent coalition negotiations have turned into a fascinating drama (mind you, I’m a politics graduate, so perhaps I’m biased, and a little sad).
There has even been a bit of humour. At their first joint press conference, Prime Minister David Cameron and his Liberal Democrat deputy Nick Clegg stood side-by-side in the garden at 10 Downing Street to set out their coalition stall. It was followed by a question from a journalist: “Prime minister, do you now regret when once asked what your favourite joke was, you replied ‘Nick Clegg’?” he asked.
Cameron looked suitably embarrassed, but Clegg took it in good heart. Indeed, it even revealed the relaxed camaraderie that seems to be burgeoning between the two leaders. Is this politics growing up at last? A recognition that people from different parties can work together in that stock phrase of the last few days, the National Interest?
There is certainly a lot to do, as the new government’s agenda shows. And from an expat perspective, it reveals some important choices and changes.
A notable one is immigration. It was a big area of difference during the election campaign. But the Conservatives’ proposals have now won out. As a result, the government will introduce an annual cap on the number of economic migrants from outside the European Union that are allowed into the country.
As for what happens to tax levels and spending on core services such as education we will have to wait for the upcoming Budget, which will offer the first detailed breakdown of the government’s programme.
The question then will be can this historic coalition succeed in making the UK a better place to live, both for people thinking of moving to the country and those already there? I can only hope so.
Tags: Cameron, Clegg, coalition, Conservative, country, Downing Street, Education, election, European Union, expat, government, Immigration, Liberal Democrat, migrant, moving, national, tax, UK
Democratic elections seem to bring out the best and worst in a society, as the current campaign in the UK has shown.
Of course, the right to have an equal voice in the governance and future direction of your country should be a source of pride, something to be celebrated and embraced. Let’s not forget what life would be like without it, as many people around the world have to endure. Be grateful, and exercise that privilege.
Unfortunately, elections also have a flip side.
There is all the negativity: the schoolyard name calling and finger pointing that so often characterises the grab for votes.
There is the veneer politicians put on their campaigns, for fear some small blemish, some sign of human frailty, might wreck their electoral hopes. With that comes a tendency to rewrite history, for politicians to claim that all the decisions they have taken – or would have taken, if they don’t happen to be in government – have improved the country, while their opponents’ ones have been a disaster.
Worse, I think, are the overblown promises for the future. “Vote for me and we will have huge and sustainable economic growth, a wonderful education system, transformed healthcare, no crime, a clean environment, congestion-free roads, great public transport, bounteous pensions …”
Unfortunately, the underlying message each time an election comes around is that the country in question has gone to the dogs, but that a gilded future is on the horizon.
As I read expat forums and articles on emigration, or talk to people considering a move abroad, I see a similar mindset: “My country is on the road to ruin and so I’m getting out to someplace where the sun always shines and all my problems will be solved.”
Instead, we need a balanced, honest approach to the debate – both political and expatriate. The situation isn’t all terrible now, and won’t be perfect when we change government/country.
We should recognise, and strive to appreciate, the good we have at the moment, as well as being open-eyed to what needs changing. And we should have hope for a better future, without pinning it on some quick and easy fix.
For changing political leader, or your country, isn’t the magic answer. One cross on a piece of paper or a new stamp in the passport won’t solve everything. We must bear that responsibility ourselves – to make our lives better, wherever we choose to lead them.
Tags: campaign, country, crime, Democratic, Education, election, electoral, Emigration, environment, expatriate, growth, healthcare, move abroad, political, politicians, sun, UK, vote
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