Community Blogs

Global, GLOBAL

• Mar 15

Financial literacy helps expats handle foreign taxes, currency exchange, international banking, retirement planning. Common challenges: double taxation, currency risk, credit access. Use both home and local advisors.

The Expat Collective

27

Pretoria, South Africa

• Mar 15

Main English news in South Africa: Daily Maverick, Mail & Guardian, eNCA, News24. Access international via DStv (BBC, CNN), streaming, VPNs. Expat platforms: SAPeople, expat groups.

Rachel Ndlovu

40

Global, Global

• Mar 15

Ancient temples tamed by unruly jungles. Pristine ribbons of white sand lapped by turquoise seas. Glistening metropolises that pulse with life around the clo...

The Expat Collective

34

Madrid, Spain

• Mar 15

Find eye doctors in Spain through public healthcare (GP referral), private clinics, optical chains like Alain Afflelou. Public covers surgery, not glasses. Eye exams cost €20-120, glasses €80-300.

Emily Johnson

35

Singapore, Singapore

• Mar 15

Moving to Singapore is a popular choice for expats, thanks to its superb standard of living and great job opportunities. As well as being one of Asia’s bigge...

Kevin Lim

41

Doha, Qatar

• Mar 14

Qatar has hot desert climate. Summer (May-Sep) reaches 40-50°C with humidity. Winter (Nov-Mar) is mild 20-30°C - best time to visit. Minimal rainfall. Occasional sandstorms in spring/summer.

Ahmed Al-Rashid

34

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 14

Send money to Netherlands via bank wire (€15-40 fees), Wise/Remitly (0.5-2% fees), or SEPA (free/€1 for euros within EU). Transfers take 1-3 days. Personal fees not tax-deductible.

James Van Der Berg

28

Paris, France

• Mar 14

Best Paris arrondissements: 5th/6th for charm, 7th for elegance, 11th/18th for affordability, 16th for families. Rent ranges €20-45+ per sqm monthly. Most areas safe for expats.

Olivia Martin

49

London, United Kingdom

• Mar 14

UK school holidays 2025-2026 vary by region and school. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland have different dates. Half-terms in Oct, Feb, May plus Christmas, Easter, summer breaks. Check your local school.

Priya Sharma

56

Vienna, Austria

• Mar 13

Austrian primary school starts at age 6 for 4 years. Public schools are free and teach in German. International schools offer English instruction. School day runs 8 AM to 12-1 PM.

Emma Fischer

35

Lisbon, Portugal

• Mar 13

For expats in Portugal, choosing the right credit card is an important step in managing day-to-day expenses and building financial stability. There is a wide ra...

Maria Santos

50

Ottawa, Canada

• Mar 13

This guide walks through some important things to think about including how to choose a Canadian credit card, and how to improve your credit score as a new arri...

Nathan Hargrove

35

Rome, Italy

• Mar 13

Whether you’re looking for a job in Italy or starting your own business, it helps to understand the norms and practices regarding business culture and etiquette...

Marco Rossi

38

Brussels, Belgium

• Mar 13

Belgium’s healthcare system makes accessing doctors easy and efficient, whether you need a quick consultation or a specialist’s expertise. From choosing the rig...

Sophie Van Den Berg

27

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 13

Why Learn Dutch? Beyond the Practical Necessity When I first arrived, I thought I'd get by on English alone – everyone speaks it here, after all. But I quickly ...

James Van Der Berg

24