(MoneyWatch) See how this list compares to last year's rankings of the 10 best countries
to live and work abroad.
As the economy
continues to crawl out of its slump, more businesses will expand into new
markets overseas, looking for a new set of consumers and a new labor force.
That means there's opportunity for career-minded people willing to start a new
life abroad with a global company.
According to HSBC's latest expat survey, expat wealth remains widely immune to global economic troubles, even in
countries which have experienced turbulence over the years.
These 10 countries
offer more than great economic opportunity, according to the survey. They also
provide new residents a good environment for raising a family and a great
overall experience -- respondents reported having an easy time adapting the
local culture, getting used to local foods and meeting new friends.
10. United Kingdom
Known as one of
the financial capitals of the world, the U.K. is popular with expats from every
country.
Expatriates relocating to the U.K., and London in particular, can expect to
pay a hefty price tag for housing. The city was ranked the 18th most expensive
city on Mercer's Cost of Living Survey in 2011, making it the most costly city in the
U.K. Wages generally reflect this, but be prepared for sticker shock when
searching for an apartment or going to the grocery store.
9. Netherlands
Amsterdam, the
capital city of the Netherlands, is a popular destination for expats looking
for jobs in the business services, health and welfare services, trade and
transport and communications sectors.
The cost of living
in the Netherlands is inexpensive compared with some other European countries,
but it's not cheap. Foreigners are only eligible for "free sector"
apartments, which means there is no cap on how much the landlord can charge and
expats should expect to pay big money for little space.
8. China
Expats looking for work in the IT, manufacturing, finance or international
marketing fields will have good luck in China, according to Expat Info Desk.
Many expats will end up in one of the country's two biggest cities: Beijing or Shanghai. The cities ranked 20th and 21st on the Mercer's Cost of Living Survey,
and demand for housing is high. Expats can expect to spend
an average of 8,817 yuan ($1,400) a month for an apartment in
Beijing's city center. Rents in Shanghai range from 6,298 yuan ($1,000) to
56,683 yuan ($9,000) a month, depending on location.
7. France
In France, popular
industries include the manufacturing and distribution of machinery, chemicals,
automobiles, aircraft, electronics and textiles.
The capital city of Paris is a popular destination for expats because, like most big cities, it
offers good job opportunities and plenty of recreational activities. Living in
the City of Light is costly -- it ranks as the 27th most expensive place to
live on Mercer's index -- and expats should plan to spend more than 990
euro ($1,317) a month for a basic one bedroom apartment in the city center.
6. United States
This location isn't very exotic for those of us currently living in the
U.S., but thousands of expats flock to the States every year. Many of them are
relocated to big cities like New York, which is widely regarded as the epicenter of the global finance, media
and fashion industries.
Rental rates and
expenses vary depending on where you live, but New York is the most expensive
city in the U.S. Expats relocating to the city should be prepared for sticker
shock -- a basic studio apartment can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500 per
month.
5. Australia
Companies are
drawn to the land "down under" because of the huge potential market
and the abundant and diverse natural resources available.
Australian cities have gotten more expensive in recent years; Sydney and Melbourne, two of the most popular cities with expats, are the
11th and 18th most expensive cities in the world. Apartments in Sydney average
545 Australian dollars ($583) a week, while apartments in Melbourne run AU$383
($377) a week.
4. Mexico
According to Country Guides, Mexico is a go-to destination for global companies looking to expand into
the rich markets of the U.S. and Canada. While plenty of expats come to Mexico
for work, many others come to retire and enjoy the nice weather and relatively
low cost of living. Emigres moving to the country for work can expect to spend
an average of 6,345 pesos ($495) on a one-bedroom apartment in an urban area like Mexico City.
3. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is popular with expats from all over the globe due to its high
quality of living and large expatriate workforce. Many of those newcomers head
to Dubai, the 81st most expensive city on Mercer's index.
Whether you're
coming to Dubai already employed or looking for a new job, expect to pay a lot
for housing -- average rents range from 20,000 to 55,000 Emirati dirham ($5400
to $15,000) a year for a studio, and from AED30,000 to AED75,000 ($8,167 to
$20,419) a year for a one bedroom.
Hong Kong is a
major financial center, and serves as an important trade and cultural center.
Recently, the combination of low taxes and a high standard of living has begun
to attract expats from all over the world.
The perks of living in this Hong Kong come at a price. Expatriates moving here for work can expect to pay
an average of 21,949 Hong Kong dollars ($2,830) for a two-bedroom apartment. If
you're traveling to Hong Kong with family and need more space, remember it
comes at a premium price: expats should budget more than HK$124,094 ($16,000) a
month for a luxury three-bedroom.
1. Singapore
Life in this modern trade and finance center doesn't come cheap. The city
of Singapore -- which goes by
the same name as the country -- is the eighth most expensive city in the world,
according to Mercer's 2011 Cost of Living Index. Groceries are inexpensive, but
nightlife and housing are costly.
Expats planning to
rent a room should expect to spend 800 to 1,200 ($627 to $955) Singapore
dollars a month. Those planning to rent a larger space should budget S$3,000 to
S$6,500 ($2,388 to $5,174) for housing. Like anywhere else, those numbers
change depending on location.
By Ilyce
Glink March 8, 2012
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-505145_162-57383075/10-best-countries-to-live-and-work-abroad-2012/?tag=back
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