Community Blogs

Global, Global

• Jan 23

Global mobility challenges include compliance (biggest risk), cost containment (70% reducing costs), and family adjustment, with only 61% preparing full cost estimates for assignments.

The Expat Collective

34

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Jan 23

UAE driving licenses can be obtained by transferring eligible foreign licenses (AED 1,000, few weeks) or taking driving classes and tests at registered centers.

Aisha Rahman

39

Mexico City, Mexico

• Jan 23

Mole originated from pre-Hispanic "molli" made by Aztecs, then evolved through Spanish colonial influence adding chocolate and spices, creating the complex 20-30 ingredient sauce celebrated today.

Miguel Hernandez

36

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Jan 23

The UAE formed in 1971 with seven emirates, operates with a Federal Supreme Council, and has limited political freedoms with Freedom House rating of 18/100.

Aisha Rahman

34

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Jan 23

Open Mexican bank accounts without local phone at HSBC, Kapital, or Banamex (with workarounds). However, Mexican number highly recommended for SMS security codes and fraud alerts. SIM costs 50-100 pesos.

Rachel Chen

33

Mexico City, Mexico

• Jan 23

Get Mexican health insurance through public IMSS (6,000-12,000 pesos/year) or private options (15,000-60,000 pesos/year). IMSS offers low-cost comprehensive coverage; private provides faster English-speaking care.

Miguel Hernandez

47

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Jan 23

Luxembourg requires compulsory third-party car insurance (€500/year) with comprehensive at €1,500, offering generous no-claims bonuses up to 55% over thirteen years.

Thomas Weber

41

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Jan 23

Dutch combines words literally creating neushoorn (nose-horn), stofzuiger (dust-sucker), and pindakaas (peanut-cheese), making language learning genuinely entertaining and logical.

James Van Der Berg

45

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Jan 22

Saudi Arabia offers family attractions including Al Shallal Theme Park, Fakieh Aquarium, Kingdom Center Sky Bridge, and educational heritage sites across Riyadh and Jeddah.

Fatima Hassan

36

Moscow, Russia

• Jan 22

Russian banking includes 350 supervised banks with cash transactions dropping to 31% as digital payments via Visa, Mastercard, and Mir networks expand.

Natasha Volkov

41

Mexico City, Mexico

• Jan 22

Mexico's social security operates through IMSS for private workers and ISSSTE for government employees, with voluntary IMSS enrollment costing 6,000-12,000 pesos annually by age.

Miguel Hernandez

56

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Jan 22

Motor and health insurance are compulsory in the UAE, with employers arranging coverage for staff and 62 insurance companies offering various protection options.

Aisha Rahman

41

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Jan 22

PDC taxi tip: use InDrive app, propose your own fare. Official rates (tarifas.imoveqroo.com) outdated since 2018. Tourist Zone charges higher. InDrive beats all.

Rachel Chen

58

Mexico City, Mexico

• Jan 22

Building credit in Mexico takes 6-12 months through secured cards or employment contributions. Your foreign credit history doesn't transfer, requiring you to establish new creditworthiness.

Miguel Hernandez

41

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Jan 22

UAE work visas require employers to process entry permits, Labor Cards, and residency visas in 2-4 weeks, with options including Green Visas and Golden Visas.

Aisha Rahman

33