Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
At this time of year, when it can be cold and grey outside for days on end, it can be tempting to imagine changing things up and moving abroad in search of a better life. There are many reasons for leaving your home country – better weather, more career prospects or just an easier way of life. There are a lot of great places out there, but here are just three of them to consider.
The city-state of Singapore has long been a popular destination for ex-pats. Singapore came first in HSBC’s annual ex-pat survey for three years, from 2015 to 2018. The survey, which was answered by 27,000 ex-pats in countries around the world, found that ex-pats living in Singapore were enamoured with the city’s cleanliness, education system and safety.
Singapore’s education system is renowned around the world. Although the island’s only around 280 square miles, it’s home to six public universities. Two of these – the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University – are two of the top 20 universities in the world. In the QS World University rankings, they rank higher than renowned universities such as Yale and Cornell.
Dubai, which is one of the biggest cities in the United Arab Emirates, often features in lists of the best places to live. Some of the main attractions include the tax-free salaries and the year-round sunshine. One of the newest areas of Dubai is City Walk, a commercial and residential area that’s close to both Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, right in the heart of the city. According to Bayut, a UAE-based property website, there’s a wide variety of apartments available, with schools nearby and plenty of public transport links.
Much of the city’s population is made up of ex-pats, as there are plenty of job opportunities available, especially in the tourism and construction industries. It can be more expensive than other places around the world, but that tax-free salary can mean you still get more for your money.
Scandinavian countries are widely regarded as some of the best places to relocate to. Although not as warm as the other two countries featured on this list, they’re highly regarded because of factors such as the lifestyle of the residents and life expectancy.
One of the best Scandinavian countries to live in, according to experts, is Norway. In fact, the United Nation’s Human Development Index, which ranks countries around the world based on their standard of living, put Norway at the top of the list 14 times in 16 years. Norway also topped the UN’s World Happiness Report in 2017. With free health care, free education and up to 46 weeks of paid leave for new parents, Norway is proving to be increasingly popular.
If you feel like you want to change your life, moving abroad could be the answer. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find somewhere that matches all of your needs – somewhere that’s right for you.
