Retiring at home may be difficult when it comes to managing a budget. Living expenses are at an all time high and are only getting worse. For those of us who are willing to try something different, retiring overseas may be a beneficial option.
International Living’s Global Retirement Index has found 5 overseas communities that give you the best value for your money.
Ecuador – Vilcabamba
Warm sunshine almost everyday is just one of the many benefits of living in Ecuador. From their naturally grown foods to their crisp clean drinking water, you can understand how the people in Ecuador live a much healthier lifestyle. Temperatures in Ecuador average between 65 and 81 degrees fahrenheit year round. The cost of living is among the cheapest found. A person can live worry free with a budget of US$600 and up.
Nicaragua – Granada
Cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages make Nicaragua a beautiful place to retire. Nicaragua is home to the biggest lake in Central America, Lake Nicaragua. The city itself has a laid back, carefree mentality among its citizens and enjoys a very warm climate as well. Nicaragua has the lowest cost of living in all of Central America allowing a person to live on just US$700 a month.
Panama – Santa Fe
Known for its rainforests and many different species of animals and plants, Panama brings to life many possibilities for people looking to retire overseas. Santa Fe has a very mild climate which compliments a beautiful landscape of mountains and trees. The cost of living here is very minimal. Even their distinguished, top-notch healthcare is very affordable. With a budget of US$800 a month a couple can live happily.
Malaysia – Penang
Malaysia is teeming with history. With its 18th century buildings and historical streets one can understand why history is the main attraction for visitors to this island. Malaysia also has a beautiful white sand coastline as well as many parks, jungle trails, malls, restaurants, and bars. A warm climate and constant sunshine make Malaysia an excellent option to retire for under US$1,200 a month.
Mexico – Campeche
Campeche is a beautiful city that borders the Gulf of Mexico. The coast is lined with boardwalks and bike paths. The city center and the three surround neighborhoods are very well communicated which each other allowing you to move around without the need of a car. With a budget of US$1400 a person can live well.
A recent article by Forbes.com highlighted the most friendly countries for expats. Though not necessarily the most sought-after international destinations for everyone, these are the places where transplanted expats feel the most welcomed.
Being accepted by others is a natural human need. Though, as most expats have encountered, being thrust headfirst into a different culture does not mean an immediate welcome party waiting as you disembark the plane. In fact, the initial phases of adjustment can prove very trying and even exhausting at times. That said, not all expat destinations are created equal. Some foreign countries feel like home from the first day we arrive. It can be hard to quantify this feeling of comfort in another country. According to Forbes these are the top 5 most friendly expat locations:
5. United States
The earnings are a big plus for expats in the U.S., along with improved transport and housing situations. Though many express having difficulty with the more difficult-to-navigate healthcare and school systems.
4. Canada
Neil Young would be proud to know his home country is providing better working conditions and improved work-life balance. A total of 39% of expats say they are interested in committing to Canada for the long-term.
3. South Africa
First they host the World Cup and now locals in South Africa are welcoming expats with open arms. In addition to feeling welcome – 79% here said they were able to integrate well with the local community. The country offers expats financial perks, with 47% saying that relocating here has brought more access to luxuries, and 69% reporting an increase in disposable income.
2. Australia
Of expats living Down Under, 77% reported that it was easy to integrate well with the local community and 87% also feel welcome in the workplace. With the global economic crisis being a theme in today’s news, it can also be noted that the Australian economy is regarded as strong by 95% of expats. Australia also received high rankings in the raising children abroad category.
1. New Zealand
Known as the adventure capital of the world and more recently the Mecca for Lord of the Rings fans, New Zealand tops the list as the friendliest country for expats. A strong majority, 75% of those surveyed, said that it is quite easy to fit into the new Kiwi culture. Also, 55% (compared with 23% of surveyed expats overall) stated they will either stay or return to the country.
Feeling like an outsider is normal (because you are one). But remember before you jump on that plane, train, or automobile – there are places in the world where you are more likely to be met with warm smiles and open arms. Choose wisely!
Other highly ranked friendly countries that did not make top five include Turkey, UK, Philippines, Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, and France.
As an expat, which country made you feel most welcome? Let us know in the comments!
Being confronted with poverty can be challeging
Expatriates coming from western societies are often unused to extreme poverty. Poverty in the shape of numerous street children, disabled people begging and visible hunger. It is something you probably don’t regularly see on your daily commute.
Being confronted with the extreme living conditions of the locals in your expat destination is never easy. Often it will lead to feelings of sadness and it is likely that you will compare the situation to your home country. This can give you insights of how privileged you are in this world which can lead to guilt and helplessness.
This type of grinding poverty is common in many top expat spots, so how do you cope? Do you turn a blind eye or are you left heartbroken every time when you see it?
You cannot help all of the people you see and it is not your personal fault. You can find yourself desperate and not knowing how to cope with the situation. What is the right thing to do?
How an expat dealt with poverty in Jakarta
During my time in Jakarta (Indonesia), I was also confronted with extreme poverty. A lot of people in Jakarta are very poor and barely have food to eat and a place to stay. But what struck me the most was the enormous contrast between rich and poor. You would find a shanty town of cardboard houses next to a 30 floor five star hotel. Stepping over a begging two year-old to get in a restaurant became a regular experience.
For me personally, seeing the young street children being forced to beg for money by older men was the hardest. I was told that in Jakarta it is illegal to give the children money, no matter how sad they look. Since the begging is often organized by older men who just use the children as bait for guilty feeling “rich” people.
I knew Jakarta has a lot of poverty, but I did not know it was this bad. I had no idea how to cope with the situation and looked for solutions.
First I tried to look away, ignore it. But after a while that seemed impossible. My solution was to buy candy and chocolates and keep them in my bag. Whenever a kid came to me, I would offer them candy, since that is something they do not have to give to their “handlers”.
Here are some of my personal tips which helped me to still make my visit a valuable experience:
- Talk with the local people
- Find the happiness in the communities (money isn’t everything)
- Have an open mind
- Don’t compare everything with your own country
- Take some time for yourself every day to reflect on your experiences and to develop a better understanding for the situation.
So next time you find yourself being confronted with extreme poverty, remember these tips. If you know you are going to a developing country, try to prepare yourself for the worst. Read about the country carefully – not just the positive stories.
Don’t make it easy for yourself and think: “I can’t help them anyway”. Every little thing you do will have an impact. Even though the impact might be small and only for one person or child, it still counts.
We don’t all live in a musical where nuns sing about us and teenage boys dance around flashy cars. That said, whatever your situation in life there is probably a song written about it.
Expatriate life is no exception – with a new culture, language, friends, job, there are many emotions that can, and have been, translated into music. Life is not always a song, but here are some to help you remember that others have shared the same expat feelings as you.
Songs about expats facing a different culture
Sting – “Englishman in New York”: An undeniable modern classic, Sting’s “Englishman in New York” comes pretty close to how many expats have felt. Regardless of their country of origin and destination. “…It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile/ Be yourself no matter what they say…” – the song celebrates being proud of where you come from and not being put down by people who refuse to see beyond your “alien” habits.
Guns n’ Roses – “Welcome to the Jungle”: Axl Rose wrote this song to describe his own transition from Indiana to Los Angeles. Even though he can’t be considered an expatriate, if we look beyond the wild rock star lifestyle, the song is actually pretty relevant to starting a new life abroad. “Ya learn to live like an animal in the jungle where we play” – at some point of our life in the host country, we have all felt like we have been thrown in a jungle where the only way to survive is to adapt.
Songs about expatriates and nostalgia
Michael Bublé – “Home”: When living abroad for a long time, moments of nostalgia are (almost) inevitable. Even though Michael Bublé’s “Home” is more of a love song, it captures that feeling of wanting to be back to that place you belong in an instant. “Another summer day/ Has come and gone away/ In Paris and Rome/ But I wanna go home… Another aeroplane/ Another sunny place/ I’m lucky I know/ But I wanna go home”- doesn’t it sound familiar?
Elton John – “Rocket Man”: The lyrics of the song “Rocket man” by Elton John are based on a short story by Ray Bradbury with the same title. The story is about an astronaut torn between flying away to do his job or stay with his family. It is not hard to see how expatriates can relate to this feeling, even if they aren’t going all the way to Mars.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Sweet Home Alabama”: One song that captures the genuine joy of returning home is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet home Alabama”. “….where the skies are, oh, so blue…” – you don’t even have to be from Alabama, or even the US to recognize the feeling. And, if the name of your home town or country can replace “Alabama” to fit the music- even better!
What are your favourite expat related songs? Share your opinions in the comments below.
An increase in global mobility has seen more children being born or raised in countries that neither of their parents are from. These so called “third culture kids” often struggle to identify themselves with one nationality or culture. What is a third culture kid? The term third culture kid (TCK) describes “A person who has [...]
By Plamena Andreeva20 March 2012
Charlemagne, the King of the Franks during Medieval times, once said, “To have another language is to possess a second soul”. To master a foreign language means not only knowing its grammar, its vocabulary or the correct nouns. To actually master a foreign language means to understand the people with whom you would like to [...]
By Amir Yagen13 March 2012
Receiving proper medical treatment can be hard in your own country. It is even harder when you’re an expat who is already dealing with the stress of living abroad. To avoid dissatisfaction and ease the process of trust building, patients should remember that differences between them and their doctor are possible and try to show [...]
By Plamena Andreeva6 March 2012
Just Landed has recently launched its Malta guide in Italian. Italian speakers moving to Malta can now benefit from all the up-to-date advice the guide offers, in their native language. Our country guides aim to take some of the stress out of moving abroad by preparing the reader. The Malta guide includes advice on housing, [...]
By Antonella Pino29 February 2012