Expat interviews
India
American expat, Micky moved from San Francisco to Kolkata, India, about 4.5 years ago. He settled in the city with his Indian wife.
Japan
After 5 years of studying at university in Virginia, USA, Ashley moved to Japan to teach through the JET Program. Though she had studied and prepared to be a secondary science teacher, she is currently teaching conversational English at a top-tier high school in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Brazil
British expat, Enrico moved to Paraiba just over five years ago. He lives in a small village by the beach in the north of the state with his Spanish partner and two daughters, leading a pretty off-grid lifestyle in a very quiet place.
China
Tomas has been living in Shanghai since February 2012. He works as a PR officer for a Swedish sourcing firm during the week and teaches English on weekends. During his experience in China, he tries to get accustomed to its new environment...
Australia
Diane is a serial expat: she first moved from California to Germany at the age of 17. Several years and several children later, she found herself as a single mother who had landed an amazing opportunity to work in Sydney, Australia.
Spain
In 2009, Sara and her Spanish husband decided to make a life change and moved from New York City to Spain. They own a bar in Altea, Alicante, where they have been able to meet some amazing people, including film directors and artists.
France
Kim Defforge is a lifelong francophile and former French teacher, with a passion for all things French. Having moved from the U.S. to the French Riviera, she now enjoys writing about French culture, food, wine, events, and the simple beauty of a Mediterranean sunset...proving that dreams really can come true!
South Korea
Annie is 26. She started travelling in 2011. She travels to get to know the local culture, to capture some pictures... mostly of food. She has indeed a passion for food and even dedicated her blog, "Epicurious Annie", to Korean food.
India
Cynthia grew up and lived in Colorado. She decided to retire in India with her husband. They settled in Ghorachal Bhowali Nanital District, Uttarakhand where they live a "quiet peaceful life".
France
Kendra is from Northern Wisconsin, USA. She has been living in Paris for a little over one year. She used to teach English in Asia, but moved to Paris for a job. She met her husband there (on Expat blog!) and got married in the French capital.
India
Etta is from Subaraya, Indonesia. She recently moved to New Delhi with her Indian husband and tries to get accustomed to her new environment. Even if she misses her home country, her "husband is here, which makes India better than any other part of the world".
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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