Thousands of people have given their opinion on the best countries for expats to live in, in a new survey about living and working abroad. From Malaysia to Mexico, expats share why they love their new home.
When you leave your home country and go to another country, there are many challenges. Whether it is to explore the subtleties of a new civilization and culture, to find the best entertainment places or to make new friends in a new country. In all these cases, where the joys are hidden, there are also the challenges.
It largely depends on what lifestyle you are looking for as there are some places where expats have an easier life than others.
The network Internationals recently published its annual ‘Expat Insider’ report, which ranks the top countries based on 56 aspects of expat life. These aspects include everything from living expenses to accommodation and availability of high-speed internet.
More than 12,000 expats representing 171 nationalities and living in 172 countries or territories participated in the survey, resulting in a coveted and somewhat surprising list spanning the globe.
We spoke to locals living in some of the top countries to find out what aspects of life can make expats feel at ease and help them build their lives in a new place.
Mexico
Topping the index for ease of settling in, the country also ranks first in the newcomer-friendly policies sub-category. 75 percent of expats surveyed said Mexicans are easy to make friends with.
Here you will find some of the friendliest people in the world. Mr. Dovet has lived in Mexico for a year and a half and says, “I thoroughly enjoy the conversations I have while shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables at a local Mexican market. It is easy for many people to adopt the simplicity of the lifestyle here.
Residency in Mexico is also easy to maintain if you qualify, and there is no minimum length of stay in the country to maintain your visa status.
Although English is spoken in almost all of the tourist areas here, life will be much easier for expats if they can master Spanish before they arrive. Even if you’re not proficient in Spanish by the time you move here on a permanent basis, a little practice can go a long way.
“Poca a poca (meaning little by little) your Spanish will start to improve,” says Julian Casa Nova, founder of Oska Travel Trips, who has lived in Mexico for five years and is originally from the United States.
Mexican culture and history are also very important to expats and they appreciate it. This is also reflected in the culture and welcoming sub-categories.
“A close connection to family and tradition is embedded in Mexican culture,” Casanova said. I love living in Oaxaca for this reason. It’s an incredibly vibrant city rooted in its past.’
Mexico has no shortage of unique cities that foreigners call home.
Elizabeth Lemos, who came from Uruguay, has been living in Mexico since 2022 and is also an international ambassador.
“Mexico has all kinds of landscapes, all kinds of climates, minerals and cultures,” he said. And best of all, the warmth and service of the people, always a good sense of humor, there is a party atmosphere wherever you go. In Mexico, you can find your own world.’
Spain
Spain has been among the top 10 countries in the survey’s quality of life index since 2014 due to its culture and nightlife, entertainment and leisure opportunities, and mild climate and weather.
“Although the country varies significantly from south to north, the temperature is generally mild and pleasant,” says Patricia Placios, who has lived in Spain for the past decade. The weather here is a major advantage of living here. Cities like Valencia and Málaga, for example, have more than 300 days of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.
She also enjoys the food and variety of flavors there. They are also inspired by the country and its architecture, which is the result of many cultures over the years.
Living here is relatively cheap compared to other European countries. This can be good or bad for you because salaries are low here.
“It’s best to stay here and work remotely for other countries because it will give you a higher salary and a better lifestyle,” says Palacios.
He praised the country’s digital nomad visa program. She also says that one of the issues with being a freelancer is that there can be a ‘freelancing fee’ on top of the normal taxes.
According to Palacios, the locals live a simple life and are friendly and welcoming, especially to those trying to learn their language.
They are very patient with foreigners with limited Spanish, which can be very important when starting out in a new country. According to an international survey, 80 percent of expatriates feel satisfied here, which is 18 percent higher than the global average.
She also recommends that anyone who comes here take specific Spanish language classes. “You will be able to get the most out of your new life in Spain just by speaking this language,” he said. It is also a way of showing respect and appreciation towards the local culture.
Panama
It ranks third in the Mid-American country index. The country scores high in the ease of settling in, ease of finding friends, and culture and welcome categories. Like Spain, this country has introduced a digital nomad visa and charges the lowest visa fee in the world.
In fact, expats rate it as one of the top five easiest countries to get a visa. In terms of climate and weather, this country is quite high.
“Panama’s weather is amazing in my opinion,” says Sarah Bajic, owner of Camarosito Eco Resort. The temperature here is 24 to 29 degrees Celsius throughout the year and there is a good combination of rain and sunshine.
The country is geographically close to the US, making it easy for them to make phone calls and catch up with family and friends even after 10 years in Asia.
Mr Bujak said that the US dollar-based economy here also makes managing finances easier. This directly allowed them to buy real estate with ease. The survey also found that most expats think housing here is easy to find and afford. The country ranks eighth overall in the Personal Finance Index, while 80 percent of foreigners are happy with their financial situation.
Bahrain
Bahrain is the only Middle Eastern country to feature in the top 10 countries and is ranked ninth on the list. The country has made the most progress in the list from 2022 to 2023, moving up 19 positions.
This country has moved to the top of the Personal Finance Index this year. That’s because nearly half of the expats surveyed rated the cost of living here as more favorable in 2023 than in 2022 and expressed greater satisfaction with their financial situation.
It ranks first in the Expat Essentials category, which covers topics such as administration (such as opening a bank account), housing, digital access and language. It is also one of the easiest countries to get a visa and deal with the local authorities. 78 percent of people surveyed said it is easy to live here without speaking Arabic.
Residents also say that the country develops because of you. International Ambassador Sharmila Wadi is originally from India and has been living in the capital of Bahrain for 23 years.
“During expatriate gatherings and events, expatriates from other countries are inevitably delighted to see how beautiful this country is and how enthusiastic they feel with Bahraini friends and colleagues,” he said. Almost everyone you talk to will agree with you about how warm and culturally hospitable this country and its people are.’
Muzwadi cites a work environment there that is welcoming, but competitive enough to pursue a successful career.
He said, “Bahrain has a wonderful mix of educated workforce which, alongside skilled expatriates, makes the work environment very exciting and conducive to knowledge exchange and therefore provides opportunities for growth for all.” does.’
She says many expats have found career success here and stay longer than originally planned, even buying property.
Wadi says recent years have also seen an increase in entertainment options, especially in the months leading up to the Bahrain Grand Prix (held in March) when concerts by top music artists are accompanied by art exhibitions and other creative activities. There are
The annual spring cultural festival brings together talent and showcases from around the world (such as the Turkish Poetry and Japan Film Festival) while also highlighting the country’s rich culture and historical sites.
Wadi said: ‘There is so much to do for fun, which allows us to enjoy a good work-life balance that makes living here such a pleasant experience.’
Malaysia
Malaysia, ranked fourth in the overall index, has improved in the quality of life sub-index this year. It is ranked third in availability of travel opportunities. The Southeast Asian country also scores well in friendliness to locals and personal finances.
Spanning two regions (Pinsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo), Malaysia is a wonderful destination for frequent travelers.
Malaysian-born Sean Bhushan said: ‘The ability to reach the whole of Southeast Asia within a two-hour flight makes it the hub of the region, providing easy access to regional markets.’
He has also lived in Singapore, London, Hong Kong and Miami. They themselves want to know this country properly and in a new way. “The country’s sprawl and vastness allow for the discovery of diverse cuisines, trips to old cities, UNESCO heritage sites, islands, history, geography and religions to see and explore,” he says.
According to Bhushan, the cost of living here is affordable and it is easy to balance income and overheads.
English is widely understood and the vernacular is written in the Roman script, making it easy for English speakers to read. Ms Bujak, who lived in Malaysia for two years as a teacher, said education is respected here. ‘Malay culture values education, and my students (and their parents) treated me with great love and respect.’
In this warm and welcoming culture, Bujak was able to make many friends from the traditional Malay community as well as the Indian and Chinese communities.
But she says there’s a difference between socializing and being genuinely accepted that foreigners may find difficult in the long run. Expats report that initially it is easy to socialize with people here.