Life abroad: 3 top spots for expats

Moving to a foreign country can be a daunting experience. From language and cultural barriers to securing employment to finding the right schools for your children, there are plenty of factors to consider.

If you’re contemplating a move abroad, you may want to begin your search with one of these three locations that offer a great quality of life for expats.

1. Singapore

Singapore has long been a favorite among expats, ranking consistently high in global polls for years.

Though the cost of living here can be expensive, Singapore offers plenty of amenities that dramatically improve the quality of life for foreigners who choose to call this Asian city-state home.

A convenient hub that allows easy access to much of the continent, Singapore attracts foreign workers in marketing, advertising, IT, biomedical sciences, engineering, shipping, and finance.

Major international corporations like Microsoft, ESPN, American Express and Shell have headquarters here, and salaries are typically high.

Local international schools in Singapore are numerous and offer expat children a world-class education.

Many expats rank Singapore’s school system as “excellent.” English is widely spoken, and the foreign community here is thriving, offering a wonderful sense of diversity and inclusion.

Singapore is a safe, clean, efficient city with beautiful parks, modern shopping, incredible food and first-rate medical care.

2. Sweden

Another perennial favorite among expats is Sweden, a nation that consistently scores particularly well with families.

Childcare is cheap and heavily subsidized by the Swedish government. New parents are given generous family leave—up to 480 days. With less than 1% of employees working more than 50 hours a week, a good work-life balance is achievable.

Sweden’s public schools are excellent, and there is a host of incredible international schools, as well.

The population is highly educated, and tech startups are booming here. Spotify, Skype, and Mojang all call Sweden home, and only California’s Silicon Valley has more billion-dollar companies per capita.

3. New Zealand

The natural beauty, mild climate, and scenery of New Zealand attract more and more expats every year. The country is a true melting pot of cultures, where diversity is celebrated, crime and the cost of living are low, and the quality of life is consistently good.

Expats report a laid-back lifestyle, with plenty of time to explore the outdoors and take full advantage of the lovely beaches.

The people here are friendly and welcoming, and cities are clean and safe. There’s a variety of housing options for expats, from suburban houses with large backyards to a more rural spread with room for pets or livestock to beachfront or urban apartments.

Families moving here will find excellent public schools and universities, where children perform particularly well in math and science.

Healthcare is free or very low cost for citizens, residents, and expats with a valid work visa.

According to a recent survey, 70% of expat families say their children are happier and more confident as a result of living in New Zealand.