Community Blogs

Tokyo, Japan

• Mar 20

If you live in Japan, whether on a work visa, with permanent residency, or as a naturalized citizen, you may want your family to join you indefinitely. If they ...

Sarah Tanaka

24

Brussels, Belgium

• Mar 20

Belgium is an ideal place to experience a diverse European life. As it borders France, Germany, and the Netherlands, its unique culture enjoys elements of ea...

Sophie Van Den Berg

20

Warsaw, Poland

• Mar 20

Poland buy-to-let: 4-6% yields in Warsaw, prices below Western Europe. Best: Warsaw (corporate), Kraków (tourism), Wrocław (tech). Strong rental demand.

James Crawford

57

Berlin, Germany

• Mar 20

Opening a bank account in Germany is vital to setting up your new German life. You need to arrange utilities for your new home, arrange German TV and internet s...

David Miller

20

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 19

The School Choice DilemmaOne question I hear repeatedly from newly arrived expat families is the same one I asked myself six years ago: should we put our childr...

James Van Der Berg

12

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Mar 19

So, you’re bringing new life into the world – or thinking about it. Congratulations! With the right research, preparation, and support, having a baby in Saudi A...

Fatima Hassan

28

Warsaw, Poland

• Mar 19

Czynsz is Poland's mandatory monthly building fee (5-15 PLN per square meter) covering water, heating, trash collection, and maintenance - separate from rent and essential for budgeting housing costs whether renting or owning.

James Crawford

31

Pretoria, South Africa

• Mar 19

South Africa is a melting pot of cultures and languages, and the political landscape is just as broad and diverse as the country and its population. Similar to ...

Rachel Ndlovu

16

Warsaw, Poland

• Mar 19

Foreigners can buy apartments in Poland - EU citizens unrestricted, non-EU can buy flats without permits. Budget 5-10% for transaction costs.

James Crawford

45

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Mar 19

Riviera Maya offers world-class eco-parks (Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor adventure), crystal-clear cenotes (Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos caves), ancient Mayan ruins (Tulum clifftop coastal, Coba 138-ft climbable pyramid), pristine Caribbean beaches (Akumal sea turtles, Puerto Morelos reef), adventure activities (snorkeling Great Mayan Reef, whale sharks June-Sept). Plan 1 week minimum, base in Playa del Carmen.

Rachel Chen

57

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Mar 19

New expats should be aware that opening a bank account in Saudi Arabia can be a long process. Therefore, they might want to budget enough cash to tide them o...

Fatima Hassan

17

Worldwide, Global

• Mar 19

Why Financial Planning Becomes Critical for Expat FamiliesExpatriate finances are uniquely complicated. Your wealth and assets sit suspended between two countri...

The Expat Collective

20

Doha, Qatar

• Mar 18

With people from all over the globe living on this peninsula, you’ll find a range of options within the education system in Qatar. From various languages of ins...

Ahmed Al-Rashid

24

Warsaw, Poland

• Mar 18

Poland couple expenses: 6,200-7,500 PLN monthly (€1,450-1,750) in Lodz. Rent 2,900 PLN (60-70m²), groceries 1,150 PLN. Warsaw/Krakow 20-30% more.

James Crawford

51

Bangkok, Thailand

• Mar 18

Hospitals in Thailand consist of public and private entities, which anyone in Thailand can access. However, newcomers to Thailand mainly receive medical care th...

Lisa Thompson

16