Archive Page 15

December 2021

Romania

in Romania – MSN News

...he decided to move to Bucharest about two and a half years ago, where he started a new life and a new business.

He finds Romanians to be very helpful and polite people, and he also likes the local cuisine and the countryside, which he says "is one of the most diverse in Europe." Plus, he told Romania-insider.com that Romania has brought him "a sense of purpose, security, happiness and prosperity."

On the other hand, Michael McNeir needed some time to get used to the traffic in Bucharest and believes illegal logging and human trafficking are some of Romania’s biggest issues.

National Institute of Statistics of Romania estimated the population of Romania as of January 1, 2022 as approximately 19.5 million people.

Romania is experiencing population decline due to a combination of factors, including emigration, low birth rates, and aging of the population. However, Romania remains one of the largest countries in the European Union in terms of population. The majority of the people in Romania are ethnic Romanian, with some ethnic Hungarians, Roma, and other smaller minority groups.

Working in the USA: The Four Best Cities

Glassdoor ranks the top cities for work in the United States – arrticle at CNBC

For the report, Glassdoor scoured millions of employee reviews and insights about companies submitted between October 2020 and October 2021. Researchers focused on companies with at least 1,000 employees and 75 reviews, rating each organization on a 5-point scale for career opportunities, compensation, culture and other factors.

“A lot of these metros are places where tech companies have performed really well,” Christian Sutherland-Wong, CEO of Glassdoor, tells CNBC Make It. “Tech companies have been leaders in providing employees with flexible work arrangements, and have seen hyper-growth in their business because we’ve relied on technology more during the coronavirus pandemic … this all benefits employees.”

Related: One Hundred Best Places to Work 2022 – Glassdoor [behind registration page]

Government trust: in what countries is it highest (and lowest)

January 21, 2022: Story at Protothema

The findings come from Edelman Research’s latest Trust Barometer which polled 36,000 people in 28 countries about their trust in various institutions in November 2021. The U.S. figure is far lower than many other countries, with trust in government in Canada and Australia standing at 53 percent and 52 percent, respectively. It is also slightly lower than the UK ...

Some of the highest levels of trust in government were seen in Asia where 91 percent of Chinese respondents said they had trust, along with 82 percent of people polled in Saudi Arabia and 74 percent in India. The lowest rating was found in Argentina...

The "Covid-Expats" who travelled and worked during the pandemic – MSN News

Best Mexican locations for American expats – MSN Travel

Expats asked how to better attract talented foreign workers – Shanghai.gov

"Fawning over America" and the pandemic effect – Irish Times

Spain: "don't get ripped off" – UK Express

Nick Anders said he moved to Spain to start a new life and lived in the Costa del Sol town of Nerja. Popular with British expats and tourists, Nerja is a pretty town on the coast... Nick said that Spain’s customer service was one of the reasons he couldn’t wait to get back to the UK.

Do British expats act "entitled" in Spain – UK Express

Despite VISA changes, Spain and Portugal continue to seek out EXPATS – Big News

December 15, 2021

Saving money on health insurance for expats in 2022 – I Am Expat

USA CDC Moves Spain onto "highest risk level" for travel list

Other countries are: Chad, Lebanon, Gibraltar, San Marino and Finland, Caribbean isle of Bonaire and Monaco – Story at MSN News

USA CDC international travel warnings for Dec 2021

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination

Expat list of "cultural differences" to be aware of for living in Australia – UK Daily Mail

South Africa "exit tax" – Finglobal

The Top Ten Expat locations for careers

Here's the top five:

Switzerland
Australia
New Zealand
UAE - more about United Arab Emirates
Guernsey

December 23, 2021: story at International Investment

Based on the HSB British multinational investment bank Annual Expat survey - Expat Explorer

Kuala Lumpar ranked as the best city in the world for expats

But, what are the challenges of this Malaysian city?

One expat in Malaysia said: "Learn about local customs to avoid social faux pas.

"What name to use when referring to local people, not shaking hands with Muslim women, dos and don’t during fasting month, what gifts not to give to Chinese clients etc."

Story at UK Express

The highest-costing cities of the world

Tel Aviv has become the most expensive city to live in.

December 1, 2021: story at The Street

Rankings at The Economist

Greece wins award as top global destination

Story at Protothema

The most polluted places on earth – Protothema

Expat tips for Switzerland – UK Daily Mail

Increase in "Golden Visa" applications in Greece

Story at eKathimerini

Renouncing USA citizenship because of taxes? Think twice!

With mandatory, continual reporting needed every year for the IRS, many overseas Americans consider renouncing their U.S. citizenship. As a certified enrolled agent and CEO of an expat tax service, I can understand the frustration. However, there are a few things to be aware of before anyone decides to turn in their U.S. citizenship.

Story at Forbes

The expat exodus from out of China

Story at Financial Times

...a worsening outbreak of the Delta coronavirus variant has prompted a return to local lockdowns and travel bans after spreading to two-thirds of China’s regions.

With no exit strategy articulated, and just as the rest of the world reopens, US business leaders have warned Beijing that it risks accelerating the outflow of foreigners from China.

Top Five retirement destinations in Europe

This short article includes a brief survey of cost of living comparisons that covers rent and food, plus the general price of "getting around." Article actually covers more than just five spots in Europe/Mediterranean.

...properties to rent for less than $600 a month or to buy for under $110,000. A filling three-course meal in a local restaurant can be had for $10, while a bag of fresh produce grown locally can be got for under $6. In all these countries you’ll find fabulous beaches, idyllic rural retreats, and cities where history is thickly layered with stunning architecture and grand museums."

Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, Malta, Croatia and Greece: story at MSN News

Working while in Malta

The Nomad Residence Permit is a document that allows its holders to legally live in Malta while being employed with a company abroad.

The program explained at Tripzilla

Expats in Spain seeking travel freedom amid restrictions – Euro Weekly News

EXPATs upset in Hong Kong over pandemic rules – MSN News

Five tips for expats going abroad – Channel News Asia

Central banks around the world getting involved in crypto currencies – MSN News

The rising crime rates in USA cities – Newsweek

Related: Crime stats in Europe at Eurostat

The EU Blue Card is "sweetened" for foreign professionals

Story at Jamaica Observer

Reform of the Blue Card for "highly qualified" immigrants – Sofia Globe

The four destinations in Europe competing with Spain for Expat attention

Story about Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Poland and a chart showing the top ten locations UK expats go to around the world. Article at Express UK

Expat in Spain

Expat talks about his (positive) experience with the Spanish Health Service.

Story at The Olive Press

Gurugram in India a hot destination for expats

The automotive industry is based in Gurugram. As a result, Gurugram has become one of the most popular expat destinations. Gurugram offers custom-designed homes with cutting-edge features that attract people from neighbouring states and South Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Koreans.

Story at Hindustan Times

Bloomberg list of countrie's "Covid Resilience Ranking"

Story at Bloomberg

International travel and dealing with USA taxes

Story at Forbes

Reference to online resource at eqs-cockpit

Expat life in Hong Kong: quarantine exemptions for wealthy and celebrities, exodus by many others

Quarantine exceptionalism aside, the show’s focus on the expatriate bubble at a time when the city is undergoing a political sea change is also rubbing Hong Kongers the wrong way. And it’s not the only show Amazon’s developing that’s similarly centered on the light-hearted experiences of foreigners.

Story at MSN News

Pres. Biden may remove travel barriers between Europe and USA soon – News Yahoo

Refusal to mask gets expat sent to Singapore mental ward – UK Express

Sri Lankan expatriates seek vehicle import right – UK Daily Mail

Stranded expats in Singapore hope for quarantine end – Skift

Brazil may shortly ease up on pandemic restrictions – MSN News

New Eurostat salary comparison calculator tool

Online calculations comparing an input salary to the percentage ranking within that country, at Europa.eu

Expat success story: arrived in cargo ship in UAE and "made a fortune" – MSN News

United Arab Emirates

UK travellers annoyed with continued restrictions on travel to France – ABC News