Living Abroad: Guides and Advice For Expatriates

Retirement in UK, OK or Not OK?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm

With the news out today that the British economy shrank at its fastest rate in fifty years during the first quarter of this year, and the continuing feeling of economic gloom that pervades in the UK, should you consider retirement in the UK? Would that be ok or not ok for you do you think?

Perhaps you’re a long way off retirement and you feel that by the time you reach 55, 60, 65 or even perhaps 70, the British economy will surely have rebounded. Well, when exactly are you planning to retire? Because according to the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s, the British public sector debt could yet quadruple and reach levels only last experienced during the Second World War.

This will potentially happen over the next forty years – so if you’re planning on retiring at any point during that period, is UK really likely to be the best place for you? In this report we examine the options and potential realities you will face whether you decide on retiring in the UK or elsewhere.

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Expat Dubai! Practical Tips for Living in Dubai

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 2:41 pm

We have an entire section dedicated to living in Dubai, and within it we have a plethora of articles about different elements of expatriate life in the emirate – from coping with Ramadan and culture shock, to getting a visa or even a license to buy alcohol – but if you want a quick, no nonsense overview to life in the emirate, this article is for you.

Expat Dubai: we’re going to give you the practical tips you need for living in the emirate. You can scan the list to get the facts and tips you need at your fingertips.

If you’re looking for specific advice, information or tips about living in Dubai, this guide is for you. And if you then want to read more in depth information about the emirate and how expatriates settle into life there, you can browse our detailed “living in Dubai” section.

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How Expats Can Get Control if Working Abroad and Made Redundant

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 1:54 pm

There are very real concerns in the UK that the jobless total could top three million by the end of the year, as a result, we have witnessed an increase in the numbers of people contacting us for information about moving abroad to live and work. At the same time however, the grass is not necessarily greener abroad.

We’re all well aware of the jobless levels in America for example, but many nations around the world are feeling the effects of the global fiscal fallout, and jobs are being cut as a result. Therefore, even those expatriates who are living abroad to further their career or who are simply living and working in another nation, are not immune to the threat of job loss.

In this article we will look at how expats can get control of their lives and their finances back if they are working abroad and are made redundant. It can be harder for expats if they do lose their job as there may be no state safety net, and also because they may find themselves vulnerable to loneliness and stress as they are physically separated from their former support network of friends and family.

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Expat Guide to Starting a Business in the Netherlands

Monday, June 22, 2009 at 10:09 am

If you want to move abroad but you’ve yet to reach retirement age, of course you’re going to have to start thinking about how you’ll earn an income overseas – unless you’re a wealth heir or heiress of course!

For some would-be expatriates, the thought of moving abroad gives them the extra incentive and inspiration they need to realise another long-held dream, and that’s of becoming their own boss, working for themselves and starting their own business.

However, starting a business in some nations is not necessarily as relatively straightforward as it is in the UK. So, if you’re planning to set up a business in the Netherlands as an expat for example, this article will guide you, step-by-step, on how the entire process works.

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Cheapest Places to Live 2009

In a recent report we highlighted the fact that expats are feeling the pinch just like their peers onshore and back home, this credit crunch is biting the butts of us all it seems and eating equally fast into our disposable incomes and our savings. Therefore, because you’re not immune to fiscal downsides, should you even consider an escape abroad?

Well yes, in our humble opinion and that of almost all expatriates surveyed by a leading international bank – because after all money isn’t everything! These expats who were surveyed cited the fact that yes, times were tougher overseas in some ways because of fluctuating exchange rates and inflation, but that no, they were not returning to the UK any time soon because life abroad was just sooooo good!

This has led us to realise that what you perhaps need to know more than anything is where are the cheapest places to live in 2009? After all, it’s clear that expats already abroad do think the grass is greener on most other levels apart from the fiscal one, so if we can help sort out your money woes, you can pack your bag and head out in search of a better life abroad.

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Is the Grass Currently Greener for Expatriates Living Abroad?

Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:26 pm

According to a recent survey from Halifax International, we Britons escape the UK to find a better quality of life, to seek employment, for better weather and to escape the deteriorating nature of society in Britain. However, is the grass currently greener for expatriates living abroad, or is the global financial crisis having an impact on their lives too?

Unfortunately it seems that even if you can escape the UK and find better weather, your quality of life improvements may well not manifest themselves at the moment because yes, expatriates are also feeling the financial pinch overseas.

New research highlights the fact that even expatriates who are working abroad are finding that the cost of living is rising, whilst those on a fixed income such as retirees overseas are discovering that a weak pound and strong inflation in their new nation are biting hard fiscally speaking. So is it still possible to have a better life overseas? In this report we look at the reality of moving to live and work abroad in the current economic climate.

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The Lifestyle and the Law for Expats Living in Dubai

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 11:08 am

More than many other international locations, Dubai creates a feeling of real uncertainty in many expatriates when they first arrive. The expatriates will of course have bought into the hype about Dubai at least on some levels, and they will see the amazing architecture and experience the incredible politeness and efficiency at the airport and their hotel, but then they will also see for themselves the other side of Dubai.

They will witness the half finished construction sites, they will see the hard done by construction workers, and then as soon as they get to grips with establishing their life in the emirate they will come across the reams of red tape and experience what are to many westerners, old fashioned laws. This seeming dichotomy that pervades across many sectors and experiences in Dubai can make it harder for many expats to settle in.

In this guide to the lifestyle and the law for expats who are moving to live in Dubai we will aim to arm you with some salient information, so that you can be more prepared ahead of your move. That way you can have a realistic overview of what it is really like living in Dubai and you will be ready to embrace the entire experience.

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Working in Spain

Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:48 pm

It’s that time of year again in the UK when we’re supposed to be enjoying lovely long summer days, but instead we’re outside worriedly looking at the grey skies and wondering if we should take an umbrella whenever we go anywhere. The summer tan can be bought from a shop or a salon, but it can’t be ‘earned’ on sun loungers in our gardens. And it’s that time of the year again when interest in moving abroad increases ever so slightly!

It seems that we Britons are sun lovers trapped in a sunless nation and there’s nothing we can do about it except leave! If you’re tempted to get away just for the summer and you fancy getting a job somewhere hot, what about working in Spain? Yes the property market there has died a death, but it is still a top holiday destination for us Brits, for the Irish and even for the Germans too. Therefore there are plenty of businesses that require seasonal workers.

Alternatively, if you want to make a permanent break for the sun then working in Spain can be perfect for you too – with a fantastic year round climate, southern Spain is a popular destination for expatriating Britons. In this report we look into the realities of moving to Spain to work, of finding a job and establishing a new life living in Spain.

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Tax, Finances and the Cost of Living in Dubai

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 1:22 pm

As you well know, moving abroad is a very complex undertaking. At the concept and the outset it seems nothing but excitement and opportunity all the way. Then the reality of having to practically put the elements into place for a new life in an unfamiliar country comes into play, and all of a sudden it’s sleepless nights and worry!

If you’re thinking about moving to live in Dubai and you’re looking around for practical help and guidance, don’t stress, because we at Shelter Offshore, with a little help from our friends at Halifax International, can help you. In this report we will cover tax, finances and the cost of living in Dubai. You need to have all the information to hand that you can find out about your new nation, so that you can sleep easier at night and know that you know all there is to know!

Halifax International are producing mini guides to nations of particular interest to expats, and one of the countries they’re covering is Dubai. In this report into everything to do with money and life in Dubai, we draw on some of their top tips as well as including many of our own.

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Yet Another Reason to Emigrate to Live in New Zealand!

Monday, June 08, 2009 at 9:49 am

We are pleased to announce that beautiful New Zealand has won yet another accolade that directly relates to its attraction and appeal as a stunning and wonderful place to live.

The Institute for Economics and Peace, in conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit, has designated New Zealand to be the most peaceful nation in the world in their latest assessment of 144 nations around the globe.

New Zealand has knocked Iceland off the number one spot and is officially the least violent and dangerous nation in the whole world – yet another reason to emigrate to live in New Zealand! And here are ten more reasons why increasing numbers of British citizens are choosing to turn their back on their own nation, and make a new life in New Zealand: -

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Living Abroad - For Expatriates Worldwide

Living Abroad