Expat Guide to Living Abroad
Whether you're already living abroad or preparing to move overseas, our Expat Guide to Living Overseas can help guide you. For answers to specific questions, use our Country Forums to talk with other expats and retirees already living abroad.
An overview of healthcare in Turkey. Topics include: health insurance requirement for residence permit, hospitals in Turkey, quality of medical care and more.
If you're moving to Turkey, read this guide to get advice from expats living in Turkey about making the move.
Expats from the United States and Canada often choose to move to Mexico or retire there. Here are some of the locations that they recommend most to others considering living in Mexico.
Portugal is a safe, expat-friendly country with stunning beaches, cities, popular beach towns and sleepy fishing villages. We've compiled a list of 12 of the best places to live based upon expats' recommendations. They include Lisbon, Cascais, Lagos, Tavira, Ericeira, Caldas da Rainha, Tomar, Nazare, Coimbra, Porto, Guimaraes and Braga.
An expat talks about moving to Martinique. She advises that newcomers take traffic into account when deciding where to live. With 7 kids, this expat ended up picking a place near the grocery store to make life easier.
An expat talks about making the move to The Bahamas. He wishes he'd brought cooler work clothing and tech-friendly items. Plus, be prepared for higher utility bills, such as a $500 to $750 a month power bill.
An expat in Barbados talks about what it's like living on this beautiful island. Adjusting to a more laid-back lifestyle isn't always as easy as you'd think, but can be liberating. Friday nights at the Oistins fish fry are a must!
An American who retired to Uruguay talks about why he moved to Piriapolis. He offers incredible insight into culture shock, how the challenges of living in Uruguay gradually wore on him and what he appreciated about the culture in Uruguay.
An expat who has lived in Santiago, Chile for 23 years talks about how the city has changed due to immigration and the fact that fewer people are religious.
An expat in Nicaragua talks about life in the small fishing village of Playa Miramar. The village has 5 surf camps and about 1000 locals. If you're considering a move to Playa Miramar, you may want to start a business or non profit that gives back to the community.
An expat in Costa Rica compares what she expected life in Mal Pais would be like compared to the reality. She had hoped the move would renew her marriage and it has!
A retiree talks about what it's like living in Cuenca, Ecuador - she enjoys the slower pace of living, lower cost of living, climate and that she has friends from all over the world.
More Culture Shock Reports
Culture shock is part of the settling in process. Knowing the different phases of culture shock and how other expats handle it can be very comforting. Below are some of the responses to date:
- Culture Shock in Aarhus, Denmark
- Culture Shock in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Culture Shock in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Culture Shock in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Culture Shock in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Culture Shock in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Culture Shock in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Culture Shock in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Culture Shock in Abuja, Nigeria
- Culture Shock in Accra, Ghana
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- Culture Shock in Ajijic, Mexico
- Culture Shock in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Culture Shock in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Culture Shock in Alabang, Philippines
- Culture Shock in Alexandria, Egypt
- Culture Shock in Alexandria, Egypt
- Culture Shock in Algiers, Algeria
- Culture Shock in Algiers, Algeria
- Culture Shock in Algiers, Algeria
- Culture Shock in Algiers, Algeria
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Submit a Culture Shock Report View All Reports
More Living Overseas Reports
What are people's priorities - work? family? What are the best ways to meet other expats? Are people accepting of racial, cultural and religious differences? Below are some of the responses to date:
- Living in Aberdeen, Scotland
- Living in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Living in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Living in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Living in Accra, Ghana
- Living in Adelaide, Australia
- Living in Ajijic, Mexico, Mexico
- Living in Al Ain, UAE
- Living in Al Ain, UAE
- Living in Al Hocemia , Morocco
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- Living in Alexandria, Egypt
- Living in Alexandria, Egypt
- Living in Allendale, United States
- Living in Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Living in Alytus, Lithuania
- Living in Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Living in Amersfoort, Netherlands
- Living in Amstelveen, Netherlands
- Living in Angera, Italy
- Living in Antalya, Turkey
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More Moving Overseas Reports
What should you take with you when you move? What should you leave behind? What type of housing and neighborhoods are typical for expats? Below are some of the responses to date:
- Moving to Aberchirder, Scotland
- Moving to Abingdon, UK
- Moving to Abingdon, UK
- Moving to Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Moving to Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Moving to Agean Island, Greece
- Moving to Ahmedabad, India, India
- Moving to Ajijic , Mexico
- Moving to Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico
- Moving to Alesund, Norway
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- Moving to Almeria, Spain
- Moving to Altea, Spain
- Moving to Alto Boquete, Panama
- Moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Moving to Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Moving to Angeles City, Philippines
- Moving to Angeles City, Philippines
- Moving to Angeles City, Philippines
- Moving to Arusha, Tanzania
- Moving to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
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Submit a Moving Overseas Report View All Reports
International School Reports
Reviews and school profiles from expat parents and even a few school administrators. Great place to find insight into school facilities, teachers and curriculum. Below are some of the reviews submitted to date:
- Gems american academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Gems American Academy in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Glenelg School in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- American International School Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- American International School in Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- American International School in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- American Community School in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- ACS in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- American Community School of Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Cascade - British Nursery in Adan, Kuwait
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- International Community School of Addis Ababa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- International Community School Addis Ababa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- International Community School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Scotch College in Adelaide, Australia
- International School Basel in Aesch, Switzerland
- Montessori School in Agadir, Morocco
- Alpes/Cumbres Institute in Aguascalientes, Mexico
- Mahatma Gandhi International School in Ahmedabad, India
- MADAR International School in Al Ain, UAE
- Dubai American Academy in Al Barsha, UAE
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Submit an International School Review View All Reports
Dream vs. Reality of Living Abroad Reports
Most expats have have "dreams" (and fears) about the expatriate experience before they move abroad. If you are already living abroad, share how those "dreams" have been fulfilled, and how they have not. Below are some of the reports submitted to date:
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Ajijic, Mexico
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Athens, Greece
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Baar, Switzerland
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Balatonfured, Hungary
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Balikpapan, Indonesia
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Bangkok, Thailand
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Berlin, Germany
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- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Brasilito, Costa Rica
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Braunschweig, Germany
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Burgas, Bulgaria
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Cahuita , Costa Rica
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Cimarrones, Costa Rica
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Cingoli, Italy
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Cologne, Germany
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Constanta, Romania
- Dream vs. Reality of Living in Coral Coast, Fiji
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Submit a Dream vs. Reality Report View All Reports
Retiring Abroad Reports
Retiring abroad can be a great option for retirees seeking their dream lifestyle at an affordable price. Help other retirees, who are thinking about retiring abroad, by filling out our Overseas Retirement report. Below are some of the reports submitted to date:
- Retiring in Ajijic, Mexico
- Retiring in Ajijic and Chapala, Mexico
- Retiring in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Retiring in Angeles City, Philippines
- Retiring in Antalya, Turkey
- Retiring in Apizaco, Mexico
- Retiring in Aude and Herault Departments, France
- Retiring in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
- Retiring in Belize City, Belize
- Retiring in Boquete, Panama
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- Retiring in Brussels, Belgium
- Retiring in Budapest, Hungary
- Retiring in Budapest, Hungary
- Retiring in Cali, Colombia
- Retiring in Cascais, Portugal
- Retiring in Cascais, Portugal
- Retiring in Cebu City, Philippines
- Retiring in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Retiring in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Retiring in Coral Harbour, Bahamas
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Having a Baby Abroad Reports
How did expats choose their doctors, midwives, hospitals? What is childbirth like around the world? Below are some of the reports submitted to date:
- Having a Baby in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Having a Baby in Alghero, Italy
- Having a Baby in Algiers, Algeria
- Having a Baby in Amman, Jordan
- Having a Baby in Amman, Jordan
- Having a Baby in Antofagasta, Chile
- Having a Baby in Arusha, Tanzania
- Having a Baby in Athens, Greece
- Having a Baby in Athens, Greece
- Having a Baby in Athens, Greece
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- Having a Baby in Athens, Greece
- Having a Baby in Ballinsloe, Ireland
- Having a Baby in Barcelona, Spain
- Having a Baby in Belize City, Belize
- Having a Baby in Blida, Algeria
- Having a Baby in Boca Raton, US
- Having a Baby in Bogota, Colombia
- Having a Baby in Brussels, Belgium
- Having a Baby in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Having a Baby in Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Submit a Having a Baby Abroad Report View All Reports
More Working Abroad Reports
What's it like to find a job abroad? How difficult was it to obtain a work permit? What types are jobs are typical for expats living in various cities and towns around the world? Below are some of the reports submitted to date:
- Working in Aarhus, Denmark
- Working in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- Working in Beijing, China
- Working in Bogota, Colombia
- Working in Brussels, Belgium
- Working in Bucharest, Romania
- Working in ChangWon, Korea
- Working in cleveland, Costa Rica
- Working in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Working in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
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- Working in Dubai, UAE
- Working in Dubai, UAE
- Working in Dubai, UAE
- Working in Dublin, Ireland
- Working in Dublin, Ireland
- Working in Dusseldorf, Germany
- Working in Dusseldorf, Germany
- Working in Florence, Italy
- Working in Frankfurt, Germany
- Working in Guatemala City, Guatemala
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Submit a Working Abroad Report View All Reports
Additional Articles
Pros and Cons of Living in the Philippines
The Philippines attracts the interest of expats from all over the world - truly has a lot to offer for a variety of different people. However, it's also important to understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with appropriate homework and preparation.
Healthcare in Malaysia
Expats in Malaysia recommend that newcomers talk to friends and learn about the best hospitals, clinics and doctors in their area before a medical emergency arises. Plus, obtaining expat health insurance is recommended.
Moving to Malaysia
Expats are attracted to Malaysia's lower cost of living, bustling cities, multicultural vibe, climate and proximity to Singapore. Mant expat retirees take advantage of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program. For others who don't qualify, visa runs become a inconvenient part of expat life that often dissuade them from staying in Malaysia long-term.
Pros and Cons of Living in Belize
Anyone thinking about moving to Belize should carefully consider the pros and cons of expat life in Belize. The article includes insight from expats about the cons (crime, limited healthcare, poor road conditions and more) and the pros (beautiful beaches, friendly people, low cost of living and more).
Healthcare in India
An overview of healthcare in India - the quality of hospitals, prescription medicine in India, vaccinations, finding an English-speaking doctor in India and more.
Moving to Saudi Arabia
Expats who want to move to the Saudi Arabia should fully explore what it means to move and live there. Read a lot of comments from people who live in Saudi Arabia, and have for a number of years.
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