Features

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.

Elina from Estonia is an independent marketing consultant and web design project manager, who's running her business with a close friend from her home in Australia after moving there over seven years ago. Elina outsources a lot of work, but she has no employees, nor is she employed by anyone else. Like others who have abandoned the traditional nine-to-five, she's involved in more than one venture. For anyone looking to make a similar leap, here are Elina's five insights in starting a small business in Australia.

For years, Europe has been attracting professionals from all around the world, so you might as well have considered moving there as part of your career development. However, your chances of being hired in Germany, the UK, France or the Netherlands depend on more than your degrees and work experience. The job search meta engine Joblift unveils the top must-have soft skills in Europe.

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.

Millennials are becoming increasingly influential in the workplace as they rise through the ranks of big businesses. Having grown up with technology and weathered a global recession, millennials are forming a larger and larger part of the workforce. So what are their thoughts on business and the future of business? Deloitte's latest survey presents the outlook educated and employed millennials around the world have on global social, economic, and business matters.

It can be hard to decide whether to uproot your family and start over somewhere new. HSBC's Expat Explorer report has revealed a wealth of information about living abroad by surveying expats around the world, including parents. We take a look at the results for families, including which countries expats feel are the best for their children and what benefits they feel they have gained by moving abroad.

As the global trends towards health and fitness have picked up over the past years, with a vast population who won't stop talking about their clean eating journey, CrossFit classes, and seven-day-detox plans, it's hard to suppress the urge to become more active in our day-to-day lives. One of the easiest ways to get active is to shake up our commuting routine — after all, there must be more productive ways to use our time than staring at our phones on the bus or the subway.

The freelance and entrepreneurial economies are thriving, especially among the Millennials and Gen Z working population. In 2016 there were 55 million freelancers in the USA, and it's estimated that by 2020 freelancers in the US will make 50% of the total workforce. But where do freelancers and digital nomads work? You have definitely seen them in the cafés or the park, however, with more than 10,000 coworking spaces around the world, remote work has been redefined. Here we look into the benefits of coworking spaces, the etiquette for deskmates, and we give you tips on how to choose the right coworking space for you.

Since the early 2000's there has been an international move towards eradicating smoking, and this has come in the form of different types of bans and regulations surrounding the sale and packaging of cigarettes. On World No Tobacco day, we look at some of the different laws around the world that aim to help prevent the damage caused by smoking.

The decision is made – you are moving abroad. But where do you start from? What do you need to get done before you leave? For the organised amongst us, making a list is probably the best way to make sure everything goes smoothly, and nothing is forgotten. As your departure date gets closer, you will need to operate to a timetable – it will help you not to miss your paperwork's deadlines and will ensure nothing is overlooked.

Stepping into the world of digital nomads is a brave career and lifestyle choice to make. Due to the passion and uncertainty involved in such a radical change, we suspect that you don't just want to make it, you want to thrive! So, if you recognise in yourself some of the following trades – determination, independence, curiosity, and a healthy disrespect for authority – and you know what you are good at, then you are ready to launch your brand as digital nomad. Sara, a digital nomad and freelance writer, gives you some tips on how to make this profile outstanding and profitable.

Startups are certainly about the idea, but they are also about location. Where you launch your startup can make all the difference in how quickly your business progresses and how successful and straightforward financing is. We take a look at Startup Genome's latest report on the world's best ecosystem for startups, and find out where the expat entrepreneur should be looking next.

You want to rediscover your passion, to dedicate your time to a job that doesn't simply pay the bills — it makes your day. You know other people have done it, and you are ready to quit your nine to five and become a digital nomad. Here are a few top jobs that you could do remotely with all your heart while enjoying the freedom of travelling, managing your time, and balancing your life. Choose the job that best suits your talent and skills, and join a diverse community of digital nomads who have taken the courage to live life through experiences.

Think of all the times that food has helped you feel better — the chocolate-stuffed pancakes in your mum's kitchen when your heart was broken, the creamy and comforting pasta on a night out with your colleagues after a hustling and bustling day at the office. Now, what about the days abroad when homesickness hits and you long for familiar flavours, or simply want to impress your friends with your cooking skills? Food is part of your identity, and wherever you are, you can find home through a great dish. Here' s a guide on how to recreate your favourite meals (and the homey atmosphere) in your kitchen abroad from Kristyna, a Czech expat in England.

Expatriation is synonymous to adventures and discoveries — a different environment, cultures and traditions; all become part of your new life abroad. But how do you keep hold of the memories and show your friends, family, and the wider world what your host country has to offer? Catie, an American expat in Turkey shares with Expat.com some tips to help you document your expat adventures.