Every single country has it’s inherent advantages and disadvatanges. Here is our quick and simple guide to some of the top expat destinations throughout the world.
Argentina
Pros: Culturally rich living environment that offers access to a wide variety of entertainment, cuisines and art; impressive landscape and a wide variety of outdoor activities; relatively low cost of living; expat-friendly community.
Cons: Weak currency; corrupt political environment; economic instability; inefficient bureaucratic systems.
Destination Guide: Buenos Aires
Australia
Pros: English-speaking environment; great weather; fantastic outdoor scenery; modern, thriving cities; big and diverse country with plenty to see and do; high-quality medical services.
Cons: Relatively high cost of living; remote cities; isolated from many other major countries; poisonous insects and snakes.
Destination guides: Melbourne, Sydney
China
Pros: Culturally rich, enlightening living environment; picturesque countryside; fascinating historical sights and traditions; high standard of living for those on expatriate contracts.
Cons: Pollution; over-populated cities; poverty in many areas; language and cultural barriers; many home comforts are not available; extremes of weather in many cities.
Destination guides: Beijing, Shanghai , Hong Kong
Costa Rica
Pros: Sizable expatriate community; high standard of living; plenty of outdoor activities on offer, stunning natural scenery.
Cons: Recent increase in drug crime; many expatriate living areas have become Americanized and do not embrace the local culture and traditions; great destination from which to explore South America.
France
Pros: Great cuisine; laid-back culture; great destination from which to explore Europe; beautiful countryside, culturally-rich cities; high standard of living.
Cons: Language can be a barrier for those that don’t learn French; restrictive employment laws; high cost of living; bureaucratic administrative environment.
Destination guide: Paris
Germany
Pros: High standard of living; great destination from which to explore Europe; beautiful countryside, culturally rich cities.
Cons: Unpredictable weather; bureaucracy; restrictive employment laws; inherent racism in some areas; language can be a barrier for those that don’t learn German.
Destination guide: Berlin
India
Pros: Low cost of living; English is widely spoken; diverse and interesting cuisine; fascinating culture.
Cons: Local infrastructure and transportation is poor; high levels of poverty; over-populated cities; lack of hygiene in many areas; pollution; tedious and time-consuming administrative procedures.
Destination guides: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore
Italy
Pros: Delicious cuisine; fascinating country will plenty to see and explore; interesting culture and history; great base from which to explore Europe.
Cons: Few employment or business opportunities for foreigners; lengthy bureaucratic procedures; relatively expensive cost of living; currently economically instable.
Mexico
Pros: Rich culture and history; relatively low cost of living; fascinating culture; friendly population; great destination for entrepreneurs, freelancers and retirees.
Cons: Not as safe as other destinations in South America as a result of drug and gang culture; economically unstable; unreliable infrastructure in many areas.
New Zealand
Pros: Spectacular natural scenery and outdoor lifestyle; friendly people; moderate climate in many areas; plenty of space; English-speaking environment; calm and relaxed atmosphere; safe.
Cons: Isolated from many other major countries; high cost of living.
Destination guide: Auckland
Russia
Pros: Cultured and educated people with strong traditional values; cultural entertainment and exotic cuisine; no shortage of entertainment options.
Cons: Exceeding cold, long winters in many parts of the country; language can be a barrier if you don’t speak Russian; corrupt government; not safe in many areas; people from different ethnic backgrounds may be treated hostilely in many areas; high cost of living.
Destination guide: Moscow
Singapore
Pros: Year-round sunshine; relatively crime free, clean and well maintained; efficient infrastructure; well connected with the rest of the world; child friendly; cultural attractions; no risk of natural disaster; English is widely spoken.
Cons: High cost of living; hot and humid; relatively limited outdoor activities; strict laws; kaisu culture.
Destination guide: Singapore
South Africa
Pros: Well-maintained infrastructure; beautiful natural scenery, multitude of outdoor activities; pleasant weather; diverse and interesting culture; sophisticated transport systems.
Cons: High levels of crime; high taxes; overcrowding in some areas.
Destination guide: Cape Town
Spain
Pros: Pleasant climate; beautiful beaches and natural scenery; rich culture and traditions; friendly people; relatively low cost of living;
Cons: High levels of bureaucracy; opaque property laws in many areas; high crime rates in some cities.
Destination guide: Madrid
Thailand
Pros: Affordable; expatriate friendly; pleasant climate; beautiful natural landscape; culturally rich.
Cons: Can be politically unstable; high crime rates in some areas; overpopulated and polluted in some areas; natural disasters.
Destination guide: Bangkok
United Kingdom
Pros: Well-developed infrastructure; fascinating country with plenty to see and explore; historically rich; very good education and health systems; plenty of entertainment on offer; multicultural living environment in most cities.
Cons: High crime rates in major cities; threat of terrorism; unpredictable weather; high taxes; relatively high cost of living.
Destination guide: London
United States of America
Pros: Well developed infrastructure in most cities; convenient services and products; free thinking is encouraged and differences are embraced; multicultural living environment;
Cons: High social security taxes; health insurance is mandatory and expensive; relatively lower vacation days per year than other countries; some cities experience high rates of crime and gang culture.
Destination guides: New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles
Vietnam
Pros: Relatively low cost of living; friendly people; beautiful natural scenery; rich in culture and history; enlightening experience.
Cons: Poor infrastructure in many areas; bureaucratic; many areas of the government are corrupt; language can be a barrier to assimilation; poor road safety standards; price discrimination.
Destination guide: Hanoi
