Housing - Expat Magazine
Europe is full of cities on the move, be it improving infrastructure, to heightening inspiration. Savills Investment Management's measure of the most dynamic cities in Europe highlights the cities with the best prospects for commercial investment, though it is a good indicator of a city's development for anyone hoping to move there. London topped nearly all five of the metrics used by Savills to take the overall top spot, and the UK as a whole features strongly across the different categories.
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.
If you are getting ready to move abroad, preparation is key, and part of that is insuring against the unforeseen. From your health to your belongings, you will need to find the right kind of insurance to protect against any accidents or unpredictable events. Before you part with your money, make sure you are thoroughly informed of the available options.
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.
When you move to a country for the first time, you are always learning new things about the place, such as how the system works, how the people act, and what social norms are acceptable. Finding your feet in a new environment will often mean that you make mistakes —from finding accommodation and meeting new people to knowing your employment rights and budgeting your money.
Millennials are much maligned by older generations, but they are more open, more keen to experience the world and more mobile than those that have come before. They are also living in one of the most economically challenging times, with rent prices in many major cities becoming increasingly out of reach. Nestpick have assessed a wide range of factors to find the 100 most millennial-friendly cities, from the affordability of rent and food, to the prevalence of nightlife and – why not – Apple stores.
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.
A big part of making your move abroad successful is making your new house feel like home. Whether you are renting or buying a property abroad, being able to quickly make your new house feel like home can help get you through any initial homesickness. This is obviously no easy feat, but there are ways to make it easier!
Obtaining residency as an expat can sometimes be an arduous and time-consuming process. Often countries require long periods of residence, along with a range of other criteria that must be met before you can acquire a residency permit, even if you're ready to call your new country home. However, if you have a few $100,000 burning a hole in your pocket, or you are looking to invest in your latest destination anyway, you may want to consider the countries which allow foreign investment in property in addition to offering residency above a certain level of investment.
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.
Ever wondered how expensive it is to live in some of the most desirable European countries? Europe is home to a wealth of popular expat destinations for both EU citizens and those coming from further afield, but it can be hard to know just how much things like accommodation and transportation will cost. Below we present the average cost of living in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain.
England
When an opportunity comes, you better grab it. This is exactly what Swapna from the United States and her family did several months ago when they moved to Surrey, England. Nowadays, they all enjoy a new lifestyle that may not resemble what they were used to back home but teaches them a whole lot about the world and themselves. Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to understand who you are and what matters to you in life.
France
Emily is an expat mum from the UK. She moved to Lyon three years ago with her husband who is of French origin but had never been to France before, and their two daughters. Between her remote parliamentary job and freelance journalism, Emily has a fulfilling family life. Emily shares her feelings about living in France with Expat.com.
China
Jerry comes from the USA. During a short stay in Taiwan, he fell in love with the east side of the world. He settled with his wife in Qingdao, China, seven years ago. Nowadays Jerry and his beautiful blended family are making the most of Qingdao's ocean, mountains, and oxygen. But expatriation is always an option for the future.
If you had told me five years ago that come 2016, I would be permanently swapping the wet and windy streets of my hometown Manchester in the UK for the sunshine and everyday stunning sunset views in magical Mauritius, I probably would have laughed in your face. Yet here we are, and here I am — an official expatriate now living on this glorious island, right in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
There are several ways to feel at ease in the new country you have decided to move to — finding a place that you can settle in and make it homey is maybe the predominant one.
Belgium
Charlotte comes from London. Her partner's posting brought her to Belgium in January 2016. Since then, every day is an adventure. She shares her time between work and fun wanders among the cobbled streets of Brussels where there's always a new bar or restaurant waiting to be discovered. She shares with Expat.com her life in what she describes as being a very European city with a laidback lifestyle.
Articles to help you in your expat project
Buying a property in Mauritius
The Economic Development Board reminds us that any non-citizen, whether an individual or an investor, is allowed ...
Finding accommodation in Australia
There are many types of flats, rentals, and houses in Australia, ranging from modern units to more traditional ...
Buying a property in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is home to a large number of expats, many of whom call the city their second home. Thus, it comes as no ...
Accommodation in Manila
There are lots of renting options to choose from when relocating to Manila. Most expats in the Philippines live in ...
Buying property in the Dominican Republic
Procedures regarding purchasing a real estate property in the Dominican Republic can be pretty complicated ...
Accommodation in Taiwan
Taiwan can be a challenging place to find affordable and suitable accommodation, being a densely populated ...
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