All articles tagged with #expat life
Originally Published 19 days ago — by Business Insider
Denae McGaha shares her reflections on returning to the US after seven years in Budapest, highlighting the importance of early packing, keeping documentation, allowing time to grieve, and the challenges of rebuilding a career and health care system, while emphasizing steady progress and personal growth.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Business Insider
A couple in their 30s considered buying a 1-euro home in Italy but opted for a more expensive, move-in-ready farmhouse in Sant'Elia a Pianisi. They found the 1-euro housing program risky due to potential renovation costs and legal stipulations, which are often in Italian. Instead, they purchased a 3,121-square-foot farmhouse for 29,000 euros, enjoying a vibrant community and the flexibility to renovate at their own pace. They recommend hiring a property lawyer for navigating international real estate transactions.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BuzzFeed
In 2007, an Australian woman living in Dubai faced legal challenges after her boyfriend, Stuart, died in a swimming accident in Fujairah, UAE. Despite the UAE's strict laws against cohabitation and adultery, she navigated a tense legal situation by convincing a judge of her innocence, ultimately avoiding imprisonment. The ordeal highlighted the complexities of living as an expat in the Middle East, where cultural and legal norms can differ significantly from Western countries. The experience led her to leave Dubai, eventually finding a new life and husband in Abu Dhabi.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Life
Georgia Lewis recounts her traumatic experience in Dubai when her boyfriend Stuart tragically died during a weekend trip to Fujairah. Following his death, she faced a distressing legal ordeal under Fujairah's interpretation of Sharia law, where she had to lie about her personal life to avoid severe penalties. Despite the grief and surreal experience, she eventually moved to Abu Dhabi, met her future husband, and later relocated to London. The incident remains a haunting memory, but it also led to new beginnings in her life.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Business Insider
Jessika Roso Malic, a former Emirates stewardess, moved from Phoenix to Dubai in 2010 for a glamorous job but returned home in 2017 due to burnout and a desire for a more balanced life. While she enjoyed the cultural diversity and travel opportunities in Dubai, the demanding work schedule and lack of personal time took a toll. She missed the variety of activities available in Phoenix and found the city's infrastructure more convenient. Now settled in Phoenix, she works as a communications and events manager at a nonprofit.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Joanna McIsaac-Kierklo and her husband Ed Kierklo, a retired couple from San Francisco, are planning to return to the US after their attempt to settle in France turned into a "nightmare." Despite their initial excitement about living in Nîmes, they faced challenges with French bureaucracy, language barriers, and social integration. Joanna found the French lifestyle difficult to adapt to, missing the familiarity and social connections of her life in the US. Although they enjoyed visiting France, they concluded it wasn't the right place for them to live permanently.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Disillusioned with life in the US, interior designer Marjorie Skouras moved to Mexico after falling in love with the country. She and her husband settled in Merida, where they restored a 19th century ruin and later opened a boutique. They then bought land in Dzemul and launched a nonprofit music school for local children. Skouras, now a permanent resident, is applying for Mexican citizenship and feels deeply connected to the country and its people, with no plans to return to the US.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by USA TODAY
Retirees from the U.S. have found affordability and a higher quality of life in Ecuador, but recent drug-fueled violence has raised concerns about safety. Despite the escalating violence, many retirees are choosing to stay, while others are using caution and considering their options. The situation has prompted a reevaluation of the safety of retiring abroad, with experts advising potential retirees to consider countries with a history of stability and to stay informed about local conditions.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Business Insider Africa
Mercer, a global consulting company, has released a report on the best African cities for expatriates to live and work in 2023. The report analyzed factors such as political and social environment, health, education, recreation, and housing. The top 10 cities identified as providing a high quality of living for international employees are yet to be revealed.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Business Insider
Joe Green, a US veteran, and his fiancée, Gift Prakaew, left city life in Bangkok to build their dream home in a seaside town in Central Thailand. After retiring, Green wanted a change of scenery and found Thailand to be an affordable and appealing option. They purchased a plot of land under Prakaew's name and worked with a builder and architect to construct their three-bedroom, 2,000 square feet home. The couple's modern, one-story house, with a white, grey, and black color scheme, cost $188,000 to build and turned out exactly as they envisioned.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
The Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of digital nomads have led to a surge in Americans moving to Mexico City for a more affordable and laid-back lifestyle. While many Americans enjoy the communal atmosphere and cultural richness of the city, locals express concerns about rising rent prices, displacement, and the changing fabric of their neighborhoods. Some Black Americans feel safer and more included in Mexico City, but the region still faces high crime rates. The influx of foreigners has sparked gentrification, with rent prices increasing and short-term rentals proliferating. The housing crisis in Mexico City is exacerbated by the need for over 800,000 new housing units annually. The Mexican government is urged to find a way for newcomers and locals to coexist peacefully and responsibly.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
A woman shares her experience of leaving the United States to live in Denmark with her husband and son. They rent a two-bedroom luxury apartment in Copenhagen for $2,100 a month, which they find to be a good value for the space they have. The neighborhood is family-friendly with plenty of amenities and outdoor spaces. While the cost of living is high, the woman is happier in Copenhagen due to job satisfaction, better work-life balance, and access to good public transportation. She plans to eventually get more space but wants to stay in the city.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
A couple from the US, Eric and Rixa Freeze, purchased a cheap apartment in Nice, France, and renovated it themselves to provide their children with a bilingual upbringing. They later bought a second apartment from the French Communist Party and transformed it into two separate units. The couple, who split their time between France and the US, completed the renovations on a tight budget, with Eric even learning to spearfish to save on food costs. Living in Old Nice has allowed their family to enjoy a car-free lifestyle, closer proximity to amenities, and a strong sense of community. While they acknowledge the gentrification of the area, they appreciate the welcoming and diverse environment.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Daily Mail
British TikToker Melissa Herrera, who moved to South Carolina in August 2021, has gained over 74,000 followers on the platform by documenting the things she finds strange about life as a Brit in America. Her videos cover uniquely American customs such as drive-thru ATMs, outdoor TVs on porches, and glittery fake boulders that obscure neighbourhood power boxes. She also highlights the cleanliness of American neighbourhoods, the size of everyday items and buildings, and the convenience of life in the east coast state. However, she misses the familiarity of the UK and the food, and struggles to adjust to life in the USA.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by New York Post
An American couple's dream of living in Paris turned into a nightmare due to French haughtiness, language difficulties, homesickness, and the challenges of living in walk-up apartments. The couple had started a YouTube channel to document their adventure, which quickly gained thousands of followers. However, the stress of producing more and more videos, combined with KJ's knee issues, depression, and a violent case of food poisoning, led them to return to their home in Boca Raton, Florida. They hope to return to Paris part-time in the future.