Lifestyle - Expat Magazine
Martinique
We are in 2018 when Monica and her husband, along with their children, decided to go on a trip. They were both employed in the retail industry in Italy and wanted to take charge of their lives and experience new sensations. So, they moved to Malta, and then to Spain amidst the pandemic. Then, one day, an unexpected opportunity came knocking at their door: a job in Martinique! They didn't waste any time and rushed to this island in the West Indies, a French overseas department.
Portugal
Carla and Walter are an Italian expat couple who now live in Portugal. Retired, they left the gray of Alexandria to settle in Coimbra. They talk to Expat.com about what makes their new home a great place to live in.
In late November, Qatar is set to become the smallest country to ever host the FIFA World Cup. This exciting sporting event is being marred by international boycotts over the treatment of workers who built the World Cup facilities. The event is also affecting accommodation prices, visa issuance, and the school calendar for expat families.
The Netherlands' population grew by over 250,000 in 2021, and this trend might be set to persist due to a rising number of non-EU immigrants. However, the Dutch government is looking to temporarily curb immigration, especially among asylum seekers, because it puts unsustainable pressure on this small country with limited housing.
Denmark
Eliska is a young expatriate who has been traveling abroad since the age of 18. After staying in London and other countries, she finally moved to Denmark, where she owns a business helping people in their moving abroad plans. She talks to Expat.com about her expat life in this Nordic country.
Adjusting to life abroad means adapting to not only a new culture but also to a new natural environment, including its risks. How should you prepare yourself when you move to a country which often experiences natural disasters? Where to look for information and help in case disaster strikes?
Portugal
Diva is originally from Milan. After retiring, she moved to Braga, a city in the northwest of Portugal, alongside her partner. “This is a country we've fallen in love with,” she writes, “because life here has a rhythm and flavors which remind us of our youth.” Enjoy the read!
Rising inflation, the Ukraine war, not to mention other wars and conflicts which aren't in the limelight of international media, have been affecting energy costs over the past months. Is it still safe to plan a move abroad under these conditions? How are expatriates affected by such rises?
"Who will pay?" For some, this question ruins the beauty of the moment. For others, it simply solves a practical issue. We just surely pay before leaving the restaurant. What are the different approaches in various countries? What is women's stance on this? How is the practice of going Dutch perceived?
In March, the German government announced that it would be disbursing a one-off relief payment of 300 euros to help households face the rising cost of energy. This relief payment was meant to be debited in September and originally concerned everyone. But since then, things have changed. Not all people residing in Germany will be eligible for the relief payment. So who is currently eligible and under what conditions? Are expats concerned?
The profound changes experienced by the whole world since the pandemic have made some well-established expat destinations lose their appeal, and new ones become more attractive. The strictness of sanitary measures, political stability, and the cost of living during a period of worldwide inflation are all factors affecting this change in the choice of destination. Bloomberg published a list of six cities that are emerging as expat hotspots: Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, Dubai, Bangalore, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro.
Singapore
Mangla is originally from Malaysia. She has been traveling a lot since a very young age and has lived in Australia and the UK. Today, she's raising her third-culture kids in Singapore. Mangla talks to us about what makes Singapore a great place to live as an expat.
Rising inflation is very likely to be a pain to households and families in Europe.” On Friday, August 26, the Chair of the Federal Reserve System (FED) of the United States, Jerome Powell, warned of a difficult future for millions of Americans – difficulties that are also threatening Europe. For now, a full-blown recession has been avoided. But ominous signs keep cropping up. Winter will be cold, and we're not only talking about the temperature. Moreover, the deterioration of European economies is raising fears of a slide into recession. This is raising significant concerns among expats and prospective expats.
Alex is from Germany, and his wife Alex was born in Brazil. Both had a normal life until they met in the UK and decided to go on an entrepreneurial adventure around the world. Today they live in Argentina and have taken up the mission of empowering other expat micro-entrepreneurs.
First of all, there's the official language of your host country. Getting used to it requires motivation, patience and time, the same qualities required to have a successful expat life. When we talk about languages, we're talking about all of their manifestations, regional languages, dialects and patois, jargon and slang, and body language. How should you prepare yourself for this change? What should you expect as an expat?
Céline and her husband Patrick are from France. In 2014, they decided to settle in Quebec with their two children. Former army officers, Céline and Patrick are now entrepreneurs. Owners of a French creperie, they share their experience with us and their success story despite the recent pandemic.
You've recently moved abroad, and you've just finished a great meal on a restaurant terrace. The weather is lovely, and the decor too. You want to leave your table to stroll around to digest your meal while enjoying the view. It's time to pay for your excellent meal, and here comes the most complex part. It's not that you don't have enough money. You've brought plenty of the local currency, and your credit card is also well stocked. But you don't know whether you should leave a tip or not.
Originally from the British countryside, Amy spent ten years in London before following her military husband to Brunei for an international assignment. She talks to us about her career conversion into an expat coach after giving birth to her first child and her journey as an expat.
Articles to help you in your expat project
Getting married in Qatar
Getting married in Qatar could be a hassle for newbies. However, knowing the right procedure and information can ...
Marriage in Brazil
Brazil can be a romantic country, and you may want to marry here. Perhaps you even want to remain in Brazil ...
Getting married in Greece
Dreaming of getting married in Greece? Whether you're a foreigner or a Greek citizen, tying the knot in this ...
Getting married in Vietnam
Have you met that perfect someone who you want to spend the rest of your life with? Luckily, getting married in ...
Marriage in Hong Kong
There are many reasons why you may want to get married in Hong Kong. You could be a long-term expat and have ...
Getting married in the Philippines
Getting married in the Philippines provides a backdrop of immense beauty through stunning beaches, tropical ...
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
"