Moving abroad is a dream that many people have had in all their lifetimes, but a dream that very few actually make it into reality. There can be many reasons for this, from having the wrong type of job or not speaking a foreign language, to having children at the wrong stage in life so that their schooling will be disrupted. Whatever the reason is in this globalized world, it has never been easier to pick-up sticks and move to that dream destination under the sun, by the sea, or in the mountains.
Here are the 4 perfect locations for expats we are going to look at:
1. Singapore
Singapore is a perfect destination for anyone planning to move abroad. For a start, the business language is English, so if you are reading this, you already have an advantage. The education system has one of the highest standards internationally and there are many job offerings from western corporations. Furthermore, income taxes are very low, and compared to other globalized cities it has a very low cost of living. Healthcare uses cutting-edge technology and is staffed by highly-trained doctors and nurses from around the world. The country is virtually crime-free and enjoys one of the highest standards of living globally. If you like food then Singapore is certainly your place as the melting pot of ethnicities has led to every conceivable type of food being available, from burgers to noodles, to curry dishes. Singapore enjoys a perfect position in the heart of Southeast Asia where you can use the multitude of local low-cost airlines to easily travel throughout the region. With a year-round temperature in the 80s, why would you not make this city your new home?
2. Dubai
Dubai has grown from a small desert town into a sprawling metropolis in the last 50 years, thanks to the oil wealth that exists under the desert sands. The government wisely uses this income to diversify the economy, and today, Dubai is a global financial hub as well as prides its way of having huge IT, tourism, and shipping industries. There is a free trade zone if you are interested in setting up a business, and magnificent restaurants and beach clubs to while away those free hours. Thanks to its wealth, the country is crime-free and the population enjoys a high standard of living with fantastic transport links. English is widely spoken and children can be educated in western international schools. This combined with low-income tax rates, a near-perfect climate, and idyllic coastline has made Dubai one of the most popular expat locations in the Middle East.
3. Cyprus
Cyprus is strategically located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It enjoys a year-round sun and offers a relaxed laid back lifestyle, perfect for retirement living. The pace of life is slow in Cyprus and could not be any more different from the frantic and rushed lifestyles that we lead in the UK or the USA. What’s more? There is a huge international community, so language is no barrier and these professionals from ArazoEstates.com can talk you through the real estate market so that moving can be made as seamless as possible. There are plenty of green open spaces and few crowds as well. Cyprus has one of the lowest costs of living in Europe. This is perfect if you are living off a pension, and if you do need employment, income tax is also attractively low. There is also no inheritance tax, limited capital gains tax, and low corporation tax so a perfect environment to settle knowing your wealth won’t be eroded away. Academic standards are very high and education is available in English. The countryside is unpolluted and clean due to the dearth of heavy industry on the island. These all add up to a perfect European destination for retirement living, or indeed, a general Expat life.
4. Spain
Spain has long been a favored Expat destination and it is not difficult to see why! The country enjoys a near-perfect climate with a huge coastline so hours can be passed soaking up the 30 days of sunshine a year by the coast, by the pool, or in one of the numerous national parks. Spain has a wealth of cultural history which has led to a rich cuisine of authentic regional dishes such as paella, gazpacho, salmorejo, or Jamon de Iberico. The food is of such high quality you need no other reason to move there, but if you still need convincing, then you need to hear about the legendary nightlife for Spaniards enjoy nothing more than a raucous ‘fiesta’ or party! They also have the ‘sensible’ custom of a mid-afternoon nap or ‘siesta’ so you can recover from the searing afternoon heat or the previous night’s excesses.
Spain also has many island groups offering different cultures and experiences. You can travel to the Balearics, famous for the party atmosphere in Ibiza or head way down south to the Canary Islands where you will find influences from north Africa and a totally different landscape and atmosphere. If island hopping isn’t your thing then why not head to Pais Vasco in the north where they speak one of the most unique languages and have one of the most envied cuisines in the whole world. The Spanish seem to have all bases covered and that is why Spain has become one of the most desired Expat destinations in the world.
As we have discovered, there are many different types of Expat locations from culturally rich destinations, such as Spain and Cyprus, to modern metropolises such as Singapore or Dubai. Each country has its unique advantages, from offering perfect retirement living or providing an ideal location to bring up a young family in the sun, but with business opportunities for professionals. As globalization has taken over the world, it has never been easier to move abroad, so what are you waiting for?! Fish out those passports and take the plunge, you won’t regret it!
