Crime, Health, Safety & Accessibility - part 4 of where in the world…

This section of the “where in the world” series covers some general but very important points that we should consider when investigating countries in our hunt for our ideal overseas destination.

These are all points that we know we should consider but which maybe we overlook in our excitement to get out there and make the move!

Part four - Crime, health, safety & accessibility!

Law & Order

Crime levels - if you’re moving from the UK or USA to any other country in the world you’ll probably notice a significant improvement in law and order wherever you choose to make your final destination - sorry!

Back to the point - in all seriousness you need to consider the levels of crime you are likely to encounter according to both the statistical information and also your gut feel when you are on the ground in your country of choice. 

Is it important for you to feel safe walking down the street in broad daylight - and after midnight?  Are you likely to be safe in your destination of choice? 

If crime levels are unacceptable, what are the local politicians and police doing about it?  Is the situation improving, is it improving quickly enough for it not to be a real problem.

Alternatively, is your dream destination a fairly safe haven, in which case give it maximum points! 

When making a pros and cons list to help you determine your ideal overseas country sometimes you find a point that is of great importance to you.  If you do, and you find a country that scores well on this point it might then be possible to live with something else that isn’t ideal.  E.g., if you are highly concerned about law and order and you manage to find a crime free haven but then you discover you can’t get your favourite Heinz tomato ketchup there, you might decide to live without the ketchup!

Terrible example, but hopefully you understand the point I’m trying to make!

Personal safety

Again this comes down to the crime levels in a given country, but also, can you buy yourself out of crime and can you purchase yourself a level of safety not necessarily afforded by your dream destination?

You don’t always have to think in straight lines, can you see a problem, and can you see a way around the problem? 

I have friends who love a certain country where crime is fairly high - they took a risk and bought a house there and were unfortunately relieved of all their personal possessions.  They took the hint, put bars on the windows and now live happily in their dream destination of choice.  It didn’t take much to make them feel as safe as they needed to.

Personally I couldn’t live like that and have always looked at destinations with personal safety in mind.  I want to be able to forget to lock my car and come back and find it where I left it!

What level of safety is acceptable to you and how likely are you to achieve that in your preferred overseas destination and can you do anything to improve safety levels when necessary?

Further Starting a New Life Abroad Articles

Share this article with others.