Cost of living - Expat Magazine
Russia
Diane's never-ending passion for new cultures brought her abroad years ago. Originally from Paris, Diane spent a few years in England before moving to Russia in 2013. For her, Russia is a land of opportunities – both at personal and professional levels. She shares her loving feelings for Russia with Expat.com.
The latest edition of the HSBC Expat Explorer survey has arrived, and with it comes some insight into expats and their finances. We have a look at the results to find out some of the places to move to if you want to boost your finances, or where the most expats are property owners.
Spending a year or more abroad as part of your studies is sure to be a major asset in shaping your career, but where should you go for the best experience? Which cities are best for international students in terms of quality of education, social life and affordability? Expat.com gives you an insight into the world's best student cities according to the QS Top Universities ranking.
Moving abroad for work can be a challenging experience. Even if you are excited about the prospect of adventure, you should bear in mind what is involved in expatriating to another country for your career. We have some advice on making your professional expatriation a success.
USA
Lisa originally comes from Charente Maritime, France. In her quest for new horizons, she moved to New Zealand where she spent six months before moving back to France. A few months later, she decided to move to the USA for her studies and better career prospects. Passionate about cinematography, she is now living her dream in Los Angeles and shares her enthusiasm with Expat.com.
Many countries and major cities have efficient public transport systems. However, this is not always the case, and frequent transport service disruptions can lead many to look for alternative options. Some prefer the reliability and experience of a taxi, which as it turns out is more affordable in some countries than others. Uber has come to dominate the taxi market, though surge pricing and its non-presence in certain jurisdictions means that you may have to rely on the local taxi service. But how much will it cost you?
Germany
Cyril Anne met her husband on a work trip to Germany, where she then moved to continue their life together. She has developed a love for all things German, from the cuisine to warm and friendly people, and she tells Expat.com about some of her favourite things about living in Frankfurt.
Where is everyone moving to, and why? Anyone thinking of moving abroad will, of course, have their own reasons for moving – according to MoveHub's report on global moving trends, 30% of respondents think that cost of living is the most important thing to consider before moving, with 50% claiming they moved for better employment opportunities. We look at the most popular destinations to move to.
Mercer's latest cost of living report has revealed the most expensive and the most affordable cities for expats. This year Asian cities took the most places in the top ten most expensive cities, along with several European cities. However, some of the cheapest cities can also be found in Europe and Asia. The rankings were assessed as per the cost of living for an expat working abroad.
Türkiye
We most often talk about learning a foreign language and the challenges we face, but what about learning foreign numbers? Sounds familiar — that time at the till in a foreign country when we are expecting the cashier to punch in the amount we have to pay and turn the calculator so we can see. Jason, an American expat in Turkey, speaks to Expat.com about his slow-paced life in Izmir, Turkey, the benefits of being your own boss, and his application, 'Foreign Numbers'.
France
Having spent a number of years in the Netherlands and Belgium, Brit Nicholas Parrott decided to continue his European adventure in Hendaye, France, where he has been living since June 2016. He shares with Expat.com just what it is that makes Hendaye such a unique an appealing town.
Qatar
Have you ever imagined starting a new life abroad without anything set in stone? No job or an employer awaiting for your arrival, no accommodation sorted, but with the only thought in mind that you have to make it work. Lenny and her husband from the Philippines dared to do exactly this -- to take the risk and to dream big. And you will be happy to know that they made it! Let's hear their inspirational story as shared with Expat.com.
Germany
Krisa decided to pack up and move to Braunschweig, Germany to follow her heart and to embark on a new adventure. She had begun working in fashion design in Wisconsin after graduating from university, and continues to do so in Germany, which she has successfully adopted as her new home thanks to its rich history and culture. She shares her love of all things German with Expat.com.
Finland
You don't have to go too far from home to experience a new culture and lifestyle... sometimes your new home can be just a three-and-a-half-hour train ride away. Alexander decided to move to Finland after frequent visits for weekends away. He got the opportunity to further his career, and made the leap. Here, he talks with Expat.com about life in Finland and just what it takes to make a new start abroad.
Singapore
Aspiring writer Ellie's boyfriend received a job offer in Singapore, and they jumped at the chance to live in one of the world's financial capitals. Ellie speaks with Expat.com about how she has adjusted to life in Singapore, how she spends her time, and what her favourite things are about her new home.
Guatemala
Expat and author David Anicetti expatriated in Guatemala 24 years ago from the US to set up his business. But the country of the epic Mayan civilisation and scenic nature made an impact on David, and he has called it home ever since. He talks to Expat.com about the country, its people and the lifestyle, and how he conceived the idea for his book 'Living in Guatemala', a practical guide to the country. Join us in a journey to Central America to find out more about the everyday life of a long-term expat in Guatemala.
For those looking to move to some of the world's leading financial centres, the cost of living will play a very important part of your decision. If you will be working in the financial sector in a big city, you will likely want to live close to the city centre, but rent can be pricey. So where are the cities where you can get better value for money? Just how much does it cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment? Recent research has revealed where you can get the best balance of location and rent price.
If you choose city-living in a bustling metropolis, be prepared for some potentially sky-high costs. The amenities afforded are innumerable in a cosmopolitan city, but at what price? The latest report from the Economist Intelligence Unit on the most expensive cities to live in across the world is out, highlighting the places with the highest cost of living. We take an in-depth look at the most expensive cities to live in, as well as hearing about the experiences of some of our own members.
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