Best Places in the World for expats. to live

carmenes82

Why is it that London is rated so highly on every foreigneers wish list and that where I live, in the West End, most of the residents are foreign? In fact, I would say that there must be at least 20 nationalities in my building alone. I think it is plain that the grass is always greener on the other side. Now where's that travel brochure...

se999

Helsinki!!

I've travelled a lot with work, and thought I could manage to adapt to anywhere until Helsinki!! I've been to the other Scandinavian countries mentioned, and expected it to be similar, I've found the culture to be so different.

If you're young, single and on a large salary there appears to be a quite active international english speaking community based initally around the english lesson groups, but then moving to the Irish bars.

There are other groups for international speakers and a regular english language newspaper.

Longer term I'm told taxes are high, I've found basics like food are very expensive, fresh fruit & vegetables of the range & standard you get in the UK aren't easy to get. Wine etc is very expensive, but locals go on 'booze' cruises to Tallinn to stock up. But schools are internationally rated as good (especially for languages) and public transport is very good despite the extreme weather. In the centre of Helsinki, most people speak fluent English, but not so much if you go further afield outside the standard business and tourist spots. Just going to the corner shop in winter for milk or out to a business meal in the evening has a new dimension when you have to put on umpteen layers because of the low temperatures, you also get used to looking at wind speed and direction on the weather reports because of wind chill.

So, how did Helsinki get in this list. Where does this list come from, who did the voting?

P.S. I'm not anti-Finns & Finland, just surprised at it being in the top 20.

gobbyash

Talking of Vancouver, I'm flying there in a couple of weeks but am hopping over the border to stay in and around Seattle (apparently, another lovely city!).

I'm amazed by some of the prices available on https://www.canadianaffair.com

Currently you can go from Manchester to Vancouver via Calgary for £972 return for 2 adults and 2 children, which is less than £250 return each

gobbyash

Leylauk

I think that the only other country where I could live is Hong Kong. So many similarities to England (double decker buses, signs etc) dating back from the British rule but so clean and people are respectful.

They even have signs in shopping centres: 'Be clean, dont be loud. No spitting.' I love it.

mystic_trev

I'd like to know what the WORST 20 are?

nelly_2

Leylauk wrote:

They even have signs in shopping centres: 'Be clean, dont be loud. No spitting.' I love it.

Spitting in China is like coughing here they all do it without a second thought,

its gross but hillarious at the same time, youd here some one coughing up a right old gargler as loud as they could and fire it out, youd turn round and see its some 60 year old woman, rightr in the middle of the street and no one bats an eyelid.

malamala

nelly wrote:

Spitting in China is like coughing here they all do it without a second thought,

its gross but hillarious at the same time, youd here some one coughing up a right old gargler as loud as they could and fire it out, youd turn round and see its some 60 year old woman, rightr in the middle of the street and no one bats an eyelid.

Though Hong Kong population is made up of mostly Chinese people, the culture is quite different from that of China.

The other thing I noted is in Hong Kong, those who are rude are mostly older people, while the younger people are usually quite respectful. This is the opposite in England.

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I am quite worried about the future of England.

Finishrich

carmenes82 wrote:

I think it is plain that the grass is always greener on the other side. Now where's that travel brochure...

That's so true. My brother went over to Oz for a year and toured about and took a few jobs to pay his way - he had a great time. Yet my dad's cousins son about the same age couldn't wait to leave Oz and go to London as "there's nothing for him in Oz". That really made me laugh. I guess most people end up living where their job is and that's about it really.