Expat interviews
Switzerland
Philippe Michecoppin comes from France but is a globetrotter at heart. After having lived in Spain, Italy and Greece, he settled in Switzerland in 2005. Philippe has been with the Adecco Group for the past 21 years. In 2011, he took the lead of the Candidate International Mobility programme. Since then, his mission has been to restructure and enhance the international recruitment services offered by the Adecco Group to its clients, candidates and associates.
Mexico
Launia was born in France. For years, she traveled Africa, Europe and America before moving to Mexico 10 years ago. She has now retired and enjoys her relaxed pace of life.
USA
Anna comes from Bulgaria. It's been 16 years since she moved to the USA. Nowadays, she owns an insurance agency and spends her free time fishing, cruising and attending events.
Philippines
Van comes from California. She moved to the Philippines four and a half years ago with her daughter to study Nursing. She particularly enjoys going to the beach, partying and blogging.
Vietnam
Richard comes from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Music teacher, he settled in Ho Chi Minh City in September 2013 following several trips. Nowadays, he also runs a trading business.
Germany
Garrett grew up in New York, USA. After spending a few years in North Carolina and in Wyoming, he moved to Germany four months ago. Garrett particularly enjoys flying and writing.
Portugal
British expat, Sarah moved to Algarve in February 2015 with her partner. Autism specialist, freelance writer and blogger, she now enjoys a slower pace of life than back home.
Ecuador
Mike comes from British Columbia, Canada. He moved to Cuenca almost two years ago with his cat. Former Internet engineer, he now enjoys the easy-going local lifestyle along with his girlfriend's family and friends.
Puerto Rico
David comes from Texas, USA. Following a trip in 2013, he moved to Puerto Rico with his wife and two sons last year. David particularly enjoys the natural beauty and the laid back pace of life.
Anastassia Beliakova is responsible for developing strong links between the Global Chamber Network and the UK Chambers of Commerce. She tells us more about the main steps to set up a company or develop a business abroad.
Mexico
Terry comes from Oregon. Following her stay in Mexico, Central America and South America for several years, she decided to move to Sayulita with her husband. She has now retired and enjoys writing books and blogs.
China
Diya comes from Louisiana. Volunteer and writer, she moved to Qingdao, China, in 2015 following her stay in Indonesia. Nowadays, she keeps herself busy teaching in poor schools on a voluntary basis.
Bulgaria
English expat, Tracey moved permanently to rural Bulgaria with her partner Paul in March 2012. Nowadays, they keep themselves busy renovating their property and taking care of their garden and animals.
Australia
Chandan comes from India. He moved to Adelaide two years ago following a job opportunity. Chandan particularly enjoys photography and joining meet up groups.
Austria
US expat, KC has spent several years in Vienna before moving back to her home country. Nowadays, she lives and works in a management position in Vienna. She particularly enjoys the quality of life, cultural events and green spaces.
Scotland
Mel comes from Queensland, Australia. During a holiday visit to Edinburgh, she fell in love with the city. She decided to make it her home five years ago.
France
Mark comes from New Zealand. Following his stay in the Czech Republic, he moved to Grenoble in July 2015. Freelance English teacher, he particularly enjoys exploring the surroundings.
United Arab Emirates
Abbey comes from England. She moved to Dubai four years ago with her husband who was offered a job there. They now have a one and a half years old son and a grumpy cat.
Other Types
Tax
Living in a country without paying taxes: a dream for many expats who choose their destination specifically based on its tax policies. But does a truly "zero tax" country for foreigners actually exist? And what hidden financial risks should you watch out for?
Transport
"Once this war is over, fuel prices will collapse," Donald Trump declared. The U.S. president believes he has "very good chances" of reaching a deal with Iran, while also stating he is prepared to take military action if talks fail. In the meantime, prices at the pump continue to break records worldwide, with variations from country to country. How are expats coping with this situation? How are they managing their daily commutes and travel? The Expat.com community shares its experiences.
Banks and finance
Online banks and neobanks market themselves as the perfect solution for expats: open an account in a few clicks, fully digital, accessible from anywhere… at least in theory. What are the real advantages and limitations of these banking options? And what should expats watch out for?
Everyday life
For decades, the traditional idea of retirement was simple enough. You work until a certain age, then stop. The assumption was that a workplace pension, a state pension, or a private pension, and perhaps a little nest egg, would provide sufficient income to enjoy a good quality of life. However, for some, the new retirement reality is much more complex.
France
This quiet reform barely made a ripple in France's political debates, yet it slipped through largely unnoticed and will tighten the rules for those who combine work and retirement.
Work
Cold emails are a powerful way to show your drive and determination, provided you know how to stand out and reach the right person. Which countries are most receptive to unsolicited job applications? And how do you capture the attention of a foreign company?
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
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