Every year International Living publishes its list of the top ten retirement havens. They’ve just sent out their September issue, and it includes their take on the best spots in the world to retire. I’ve been known to take issue with their findings in the past (for example, in their 2011 Quality of Life list). […]
Best Countries for Quality of Life in 2011
August 12, 2011 Leave a Comment
An organization called Nation Ranking recently released its 2011 Quality of Life Index. One hundred thirty-seven countries were ranked according to: “a nation’s livability for its average inhabitant. It is a composite of six sub-indexes, each describing one of the elements which objectively influence the quality of life: health, education, wealth, democracy, peace and environment.” […]
36 Best Cities for Quality of Life or Business
June 3, 2011 4 Comments
As future expats trying to decide where to live, we have to balance all sorts of important issues: quality of life, health care, affordability, weather and climate seem to top everyone’s lists. The Economist recently ranked cities worldwide for Quality of Life. Vancouver, BC, Canada Melbourne, Australia Vienna, Austria Toronto, Canada Calgary, Alberta, Canada Helsinki, […]
Can You Build a Solid House from this Blueprint?
January 28, 2011 11 Comments
Recently I purchased a publication that promised to be roadmap for expats, something that would quickly take us, step by step, through our journey from our native homes to our lives abroad. Instead of the AAA Triptik I was expecting, however, I got an envelope full of “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” from Mrs. […]
An Antidote to Doom and Gloom
November 5, 2010 3 Comments
Occasionally I reprint articles here that appeared on other expat websites. This one struck a chord with me, and I hope it will with you too. Thanks to Live and Invest Overseas, where you can read the original in its entirety. “Vicki and I recently returned to Argentina after a six-month absence,” writes Intrepid Correspondent […]
Social Networking for Expats
October 8, 2010 3 Comments
Social networking is playing an ever-increasing role in our lives. With a computer and an internet connection, an expat can investigate their new overseas location and connect with people already there. There are many ways you can use social networking to ease your overseas move — before, during and after. Besides the obvious sites like […]
Which Countries Have the Best Health Care?
January 29, 2010 5 Comments
In the Expat Web group on LinkedIn, a member asked recently, “As an Expat, which countries do you think have the best and worst health care systems?” Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Malta and France all received positive comments. One poster said Japan’s was “the worst I ever experienced.” The US was mentioned favorably, but “only […]
Where in the World Do Employees Get the Most Time Off?
January 27, 2010 1 Comment
According to a survey by Mercer, it’s not who you might think! By looking at a country’s statutory annual leave, statutory holidays and public holidays, they compiled a list of where employees get the most time off. One caveat: it’s based on what an employee working a five-day week for 10 years is entitled to. […]
End-of-Year Lists
December 30, 2009 1 Comment
International Living’s annual Quality of Life Index. Every year, IL produces a Quality of Life index, which usually differs quite a bit from their recommendations on best places to retire. France has topped the list for several years running. France (was #1 last year as well) Australia (moved up from #5 in 2009) Switzerland (down […]
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