Which are currently the best expat destinations?
In 2021, the most popular expat destinations had many things in common: wide open spaces and lush landscapes (Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand), a balance between bustling urban lifestyle and the charm of quiet neighbourhoods (Switzerland, Japan), a wide range of opportunities in prosperous cities (Singapore, Taiwan, Dubai). Could we assimilate expat life in these destinations to luxury? Yes, according to the marathon awaiting applicants for working holiday visas in Canada, for example. Canada is one of the rare countries to have set up a lottery system as a result of its own success with immigrants. Other visas are equally popular, which makes Canada one of the most favourite expat destinations despite the pandemic. The country is a symbol of multiculturalism and is appreciated for its quality of life. But do expats really fit in? This question does not even arise for Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in general since their population comprises 90% of foreigners. In Japan, on the other hand, it is the opposite. There are fewer immigrants compared to other countries, and expatriates sometimes have the blues. "After more than ten years here, it's frustrating to always feel like a foreigner", they say.
Could all this be just a dream? It all depends on how you define expat life and your efforts to integrate. Far from the postcard images, these countries are best known for their high living costs in these popular destinations. When it's not the cost of living, it's the pace of life, the culture shock or the language barrier. You should keep in mind from the beginning that living in Dubai is the same as living in Europe or the USA. Working in South Korea is not the same as working in Germany. According to Mercer's 2021 ranking, Tokyo is the world's 4th most expensive city. Next come Zurich, Shanghai and Singapore. Geneva comes 7th, followed by Beijing and Bern. Seoul ranks 11th. But the figures do not say everything, and it is fortunately easy to apprehend them differently.
The reality about the popular destinations
Most of us have misconceptions about expat life. It is totally possible to get the most of your expat life in the land of your dreams. There's one key to success: step back and live like a local. It is assumed that the cost of living in Switzerland, Tokyo and Dubai goes hand in hand with high wages. However, it is best to compare within the country itself than with your home country. Infrastructure, healthcare organizations, leisure, green spaces, quality of transport, accessibility for people with disabilities are just some of the things you should consider. Indeed, quality of life goes well above a simple price tag. However, some things might add up, such as the calm of a residential area, walking by the lake, discovering a traditional dance or food, integration in the neighbourhood, etc. Many expats find happiness and wellbeing in simple living.
Moving abroad is a step that requires proper planning. So make sure to gather all possible information upstream. It will be much easier to plan ahead and accept the conditions implicitly imposed by these popular destinations. Learning the language and getting used to the culture are part of this process, so you should be ready to invest both your time and money in this to better prepare yourself. You should also know how to deal with any frustrations you might have. As easy as it seems to integrate into Canada fully, immigration to Japan or South Korea seems more complicated. While some appreciate their privileged living environment, others feel like a foreigner. Here again, it is all about making efforts.
In countries like Japan and South Korea with strong traditions, immigration is a recent process. Integration can simply mean knowing how to communicate with the locals, move across the city, visit the best places and the finest restaurants, and find local markets and groceries. The integrated immigrant understands and accepts the local culture without defying it or struggling with it. He also knows that Japan is not Tokyo and that happiness can also be found in other cities like Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, or in smaller cities like Otaru or Shibukawa. In fact, integration is much easier in smaller cities.
More than the cost of living, the real price to pay is perhaps the apprehension of this new environment. For example, avoid comparing with your home country (especially regarding prices!). Instead, try to observe and do like the locals. Accept failures, digest your frustrations, and do not think you belong to a higher class. Learning the language and the culture of your host country will also help. These are the best ways of living in and adapting to the way of life in your host country, be it New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, Thailand or any other popular destination.
