Latest news with #expatLife
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
We swapped Wiltshire for New Zealand for the promise of a better life - but this is what they don't tell you about moving across the world
With the promise of fatter paychecks, lower living costs and sunny beaches, it's no wonder Brits are eyeing up New Zealand for their big move abroad. Now it's easier than ever after the Government relaxed rules to allow non-nationals to work remotely for a foreign employer whilst visiting for a period of up to 90 days - which can be extended to up to nine months. It was all too tempting for Robert Eaton and his wife Sabrina who had been living in Chippenham, Wiltshire, for the past six years whilst he worked for Vodafone. Robert hails from Essex but working in the telecommunications industry has seen him live in Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Europe. He met Sabrina, 47, in Jakarta and the pair tried living in Singapore, Sydney and Auckland for six months in 2017 due to his job. But the 46-year-old found his most recent role at Vodafone 'isolating' with his team stationed in Europe as he worked from home, so he 'halfheartedly' applied for a job in New Zealand. 'The offer was good. My UK gross salary was the same as my New Zealand net salary when we moved last year,' he told The Telegraph. The couple had previously visited New Zealand on holiday and fell in love with 'the scenery, the culture and the people'. After the landing the job, Robert and Sabrina packed all of their belongings into a 20ft container and had it sent to their new home in Whangaparāoa on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Auckland, for £10,000. They paid an extra £1,000 to have it insured and another £2,000 to have their cat flown over. New Zealand came out of a recession at the end of last year, but unemployment remains unchanged at 5.1 per cent - compared to Australia's 4.1 per cent and the UK's 4.4 per cent. Many New Zealanders have jumped ship to Australia for more job opportunities with around 72,000 leaving in the year to December 2024, according to their government. But New Zealand's skills shortage means it is easier to get a job in sectors such as education, healthcare, engineering and cyber security. Even though he could earn more money in the same role in Australia, Robert and Sabrina were not as happy there and said 'it wasn't as welcoming'. The only downside the pair discovered when they got to their new home is that the cost of living was not as cheap as they may have been led to believe. 'We loved the area - the Whangaparāoa Peninsula has beautiful beaches around it - but we were shocked at how high the house prices were,' he said. Renting a four-bedroom house around 25 miles from Auckland is costing them £375 per week (NZ$850). They could have chosen a smaller new-build in the area for £310 (NZ$700) but opted for a big garden and sea views in the pricier property worth around £554,000 (NZ$1.25m). Robert now commutes by bus to Auckland every day whilst Sabrina looks for a job in recruitment. Sabrina, who grew up in Malaysia, said: 'I'm hoping the market is going to pick up, but here in New Zealand it's all about who you know, so it takes time to get established But the sense of community is better.' The cost of living is lower than in the UK with their food shop costing £243 ($550) per month and other costs including broadband at £22 to £44 ($50-$100), mains water at £44 ($100), electric at £75 ($170), gas at £35 ($80) and phone bills at £18 to £29 ($40-$65). Petrol is cheaper in New Zealand and eating out is also more pocket friendly with a quick lunch in Auckland costing around £6 to £8 each and a coffee priced at £2.21 ($5).
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
We ditched UK rat race to buy 12-acre Med paradise for price of second hand car…beers are £1 & childcare is £200 a month
LOOKING up from her computer, Katie Smith hears the buzzing of bees, chirping birds and her giggling toddler picking vegetables with her dad. Five years ago the 36-year-old mum-of-one and husband Danny, 37, ditched their office jobs in the UK and used cash they'd saved for their wedding to buy a dilapidated two-room stone house and 12.5 acres of land in a popular holiday hotspot. 15 15 15 Their farm, complete with 200 olive trees and 50 carob trees, some dating back 300 years, sits in the terraced hills of Catalonia, Spain and cost the couple a little over £15,000 - less than the price of a second-hand Ford Kia. The couple chose to avoid the more touristy areas in the Mediterranean region, opting for a tiny rural village outside Baix Ebre with just 900 residents, where cappuccinos cost £1.20 - 10p more than a pint of beer. The cost of living in rural Catalonia is 50 per cent cheaper than Britain, while rent is 70 per cent cheaper and buying a home or farm is a whopping 90 per cent less than in London. Former marketing manager Katie and project manager Danny, 37, met at school in Rotherham, South Yorks when they were 17 and have been together ever since. The pair attended the University of Reading and stayed after graduating, settling into jobs on the outskirts of London and commuting from their £900-a-month rented one-bedroom flat. Katie explains: 'In 2015 we were trying to save for a house in the commuter belt and Danny's work offered him the chance to do advanced study in Polymer Chemistry at the University Automna in Barcelona.' The pair moved to Barcelona and Katie got a job in marketing. When lockdown hit in 2020 the pair ditched their plans for a big wedding and exchanged their vows in front of ten people. They then used the money they'd saved for the nuptials to pursue a new life as olive producers, despite having never lived or worked on a farm. 'Lockdown and the cost of living made us realise if we wanted to try something different - this was our chance,' says Danny. I ditched my waitress job in London and moved to paradise island where rent is £200 and dates with men involve beach 15 15 15 In July 2020 they paid just over £15,000 for their olive grove plot featuring a two-room stone building, known as an 'Almacén', which didn't have water or electricity. Speaking to The Sun, Katie reveals: 'It's three miles down a dirt track. It hadn't been used for decades. 'The olive trees were in dire need of love and the bottom room of the house had been used to house a donkey, but we loved it. 'We still can't believe we bought an olive farm for less than the price of a second hand car. 'This year we're going to press our own extra virgin olive oil. We didn't grow up on a farm so we're self-taught. 'The owner wanted cash and when we had to hand over £15,000 in notes. It was terrifying but it all worked out brilliantly.' Danny and Katie, who were still working in Barcelona and travelled down on weekends, pitched a tent and built a tiny house to stay in while doing renovations on the Almacen. 'It was a big job," Katie admits. "We were cutting down bushes, fixing the stone walls and tending to centuries-old olive trees to bring them back to life after years of neglect.' In November 2022 the couple discovered Katie was pregnant. Katie recalls: 'Our olive farm is on terraced land on the side of a mountain with wild boar, no electric or running water. "We realised raising a baby there without a completed house was going to be impossible." 15 15 They spent the next few months looking at houses in the nearby village, and when Katie was 40 weeks they became proud owners of a four-storey, three-bedroom stone and brick terraced home, also in dire need of renovation - costing a little over £50,000. 'We got the smallest mortgage the bank would allow us to have. The house was liveable, and it had running water and electricity. From day one were were renovating," says Danny. Katie was made redundant during her pregnancy and the pair admit buying the house, working on the olive farm and welcoming their first child was a monumental task. 'I am sure people thought we'd come fleeing back to Britain, but we doubled down," she says. 'We'd spent less than the cost of a bedsit in London on an olive grove and a village house. 'Having our daughter in July 2023 made us realise our decision was the right one. 'Having a child is life-changing. We decided to effectively add in becoming farmers and house renovators as well. There are times I looked at Danny and said, 'This is beyond crazy!'' The couple knew if they returned to Britain they'd have to move to the commuter belt outside of London and would be overwhelmed with financial worries and work stress. 'Just the experience of buying the 'off the grid olive grove' made us realise Spain was our new forever home,' says Danny. 'When we bought the village house we had no proper DIY experience, but we knew we could make it work even if Isabelle, who's now 22 months, was just born." 15 15 15 Despite the village being "about as remote as you can get", with English a third language behind Catalan and Spanish, the couple say it's worth it for how cheaply they can live. The family pays £80 a year for propane for their stove, £100 a month on electricity and £30 for satellite internet. The couple splashed out £15,000 on a second-hand Land Rover because the off-grid olive grove is almost four kilometres down a windy dirt road, and fuel costs around £1.29 a litre. They pay just £200 a month for Isabelle to attend the local nursery, and at 22 months she speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English. 'Here we spend less than £950 a month on mortgage, utilities, fuel and food," says Katie. Katie continued: "We occasionally do a trip to a nearby city to go to Lidl or Aldi. 'We buy food we need from the local village markets and spend £60 a week. On average milk costs 80p a litre, bread is 90p a loaf and a dozen eggs £1.60. "A bottle of locally produced wine is around £3 and a pint of local beer is around £1.10. "Eating out at a local village restaurant is about £18 for two and includes drinks. 'The locals have taken us under their wing. They love the fact a young British couple has moved in and have a child and are living here.' While some people think they're "crazy", Katie says they always knew this way of living was the right decision for them. 'In Britain, a three-bedroom house with 12.5 acres of land would cost between £800,000 and £2million. In London, £65,000 wouldn't even rate as a house deposit. Here it got us an olive grove and a four-storey home in the village," she says. 'It's definitely been a challenge with ups and downs. But when I look up from my laptop and see my little girl and her dad picking vegetables, or we wander in our own olive grove, I really pinch myself. 'Our view is amazing and it's so quiet. One day we thought we could hear a drone overhead – it was a swarm of wild bees.' 15 15 The couple admit taking on renovating their village house and farming the olive grove has been exhausting and not for the faint-hearted. So far they've refurbished the bathroom, plastered the bedroom walls, repaired beams and restored flooring, doing much of the work themselves. 'We set ourselves a budget of £2,400 for the kitchen as it's the centre of the house," says Danny. 'We were quoted £10,000 to have the kitchen renovated by builders. Doing it ourselves over 10 months has saved us more than £8,000 and despite exhaustion, leaking pipes, redoing work we thought we'd fixed, it's almost done. 'We're creating a proper DIY Catalan farmhouse kitchen. It means finding and using local wood and tiles. That means lots of upcycling." As well as the olive and carob trees, Danny is planting lemons, oranges and nut trees. 'We're all in and refuse to give up," say Katie. 'We're learning new skills every day. Sometimes we fail, but if we fell apart every time that happened, we'd be back in Britain.' The Digital Nomad Visa Spain is also one of 65 countries to now offer digital nomad visas. The Digital Nomad Visa, also called Spain Telework Visa, allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to legally reside in Spain. It was introduced in the 2023 Startups Law. Katie says the key to making a successful move to rural Spain is getting the digital nomad visa and ensuring you keep to a work routine with your British job. 'It is also critical you check if the property you are buying allows you to live on it," she adds. "Just because it's for sale and has a building on it doesn't mean living there is approved. 'It's done on the British equivalent of a council or council basis. So, visit the local Town Hall and check - you don't want to buy a farm or olive grove and discover you can't renovate the house.' Since having her daughter, Katie has published a bilingual English and Spanish children's book called Paco the Adventure Dog Goes to the River. 'It's about our dog Paco but allows parents to start teaching their child Spanish," she explains. 'We are doing free courses to learn Catalan and we're now almost fluent in Spanish." Katie has started chronicling the family's new life on social media and has found herself inundated with questions from families wanting to do the same. ' Our YouTube is very popular," she says. "Lots of young families want advice. If we did it with a newborn, so could they. 'It's a dream many people have. People wanted to know everything about our new life, from where we get our hair cut to the cost of fuel and how we pay our electric bill. 'Living here is a real back to basics existence, and we love it. The pressure we used to feel in London has disappeared. "We're less stressed, more relaxed and have more quality family time than ever before.'
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Bloomberg
Want to Move to Europe? Here's What to Do First
Last Friday I rolled off a high-speed train from London to Paris and straight into the living room of a friend doing what a lot of Americans are dreaming of right now: moving to Europe. My friend has been 'auditioning' cities across the continent, staying in Airbnbs for weeks at a time to see what he thinks. After enough trial and error, he'll make a call on where he wants to be long term. The experience made this story about Americans exploring a move overseas ring even truer. So for this week's newsletter I'm aiming to give you a sense of how to do it.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Forbes
Everything To Know About Retiring In Italy
Enjoy cafe culture in Italy's great cities, with the world's most famous museums, cathedrals, and architecture at your fingertips... Retiring in Italy is a dream for many Americans—and for those who make the dream come true, it doesn't disappoint. With some of the most history, art, and culture in the world packed into this small country, as well as amazing food and wine, this is a culture vulture's paradise. What most people don't know is that Italy also delivers on outdoor pastimes , with mountains for skiing, long coasts full of award-winning beaches, oodles of countryside, and national parks to explore. Whatever kind of lifestyle you're looking for, Italy will deliver. With such a massive population of Italian descendants in the United States, numbered at 17.3 million according to a 2024 census, it's no surprise than many of them dream of returning to the old country… And many of them do—nearly 16,000 Americans are reported to be currently living in Italy . Plus, according to the British Embassy in Rome, 30,000 Brits were living in Italy in 2021, a number which has likely risen since. That means that you won't have trouble finding English-speaking friends or community here in Italy, though in smaller towns or remote villages, you might need to go to more of a population center to find them. I've often heard expats in the Italian countryside report that they had lived there for years and had just recently met another foreign couple who'd also been there for years—they had just never crossed paths. The best way to meet people is to be active on social media and join lots of local groups. La dolce vita in Italia (the sweet life in Italy) is renowned for a reason… Italy offers a wide variety of lifestyles, from countryside to cosmopolitan city, from beaches to mountains, and from luxury to completely off-grid. Because of its location on the Mediterranean, Italy enjoys fairly temperate year-round weather. Even in the north, where it can be rainier, foggier, and cooler than in the south, you won't experience extreme colds here. In the summer, though, prepare for heat and humidity, as well as lots of sunshine. With its two long coastlines along the Med and the Adriatic, there's a wealth of beaches to enjoy, as well as any other water diversion you'd like. Its world-class historical cities drew over 68 million visitors from around the world in 2024, a record-breaking number. From the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, Italy maintains its connection to its past. When it comes to history and cultural sites, Italy has 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites… to put that in perspective, China has 59 and is about 32 times bigger than Italy. Italy offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure—especially for nature and history lovers. Plus Rome and Milan's international airports offer easy access to the world, with direct flights to the United States, Canada, and dozens of destinations all over Europe… All that in addition to the cuisine, wine, history, culture, arts, and general attitude towards life, make Italy one of the most popular overseas locations in the world for retirement. On the plus side… On the other hand… Tax residents of Italy are subject to income tax on their worldwide income. There are three types of income tax in Italy: national income tax, regional income tax, and municipal income tax. National income tax is quite high at 23% to 43%. Regional income tax ranges from 1.23% to 3.33% depending on which region you live in. Municipal income ranges from 0% to 0.9% (according to municipality). On the bright side, first-time buyers of a primary residence in Italy are not subject to tax, and subsequent homes are taxes at just 0.05%. Italy imposes a wealth tax of 1.06% on real estate and 0.2% to 0.4% on financial investments owned outside of Italy. Tax treaties with the United States and Canada prevent any risk of double taxation. Italy does not have a retiree-specific visa, but offers an independent means visa known as the Elective Residency Visa that many retirees use to live in the country long-term. The basic requirement to qualify is proof of passive income (pensions, dividends, royalties, rents, etc.) of 32,000 euros per year. This grants you a one-year residence permit that is renewable. The Golden Visa requires an investment of €250,000, €500,000, or €2 million in approved sectors. It's valid for five years and is renewable. A digital nomad visa is available if you can prove an income of €32,400 per year outside Italy as well as savings of €30,00. It's valid for a year and is renewable. After five years you can apply for permanent residency and after another five for citizenship. Cities that have become overcrowded with tourists in summer, particularly Venice, have been putting in regulations to limit the number of visitors per day. But this attitude generally only applies to tourists, especially those who descend for just a few hours from cruise ships. When it comes to people wanting to move to the country, Italy has been known to be especially welcoming, putting in incentive programs for business people and digital nomads, selling homes for just a few euros, offering tax breaks, and offering citizenship through proving you have Italian-born parents or grandparents. Italy is no secret to those of us who love culture, great food and wine, and the beauty of the Old World. Any lover of history, art, culture, fashion, and food would love a life in Italy. This popular European destination is a haven for expats searching for a dreamy, sunshine-filled retirement that offers the best of the outdoors, as well. Along with this generous stretches of coastline, Italy offers one of the most varied landscapes on Earth, including scenic mountain ranges like the Alps and the Apennines, and stunning lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Como. If you don't think you're up for learning Italian, though, you'll have a hard time settling in here. It's also not the best destination for LGBTQ+ retirees, as this is one of the most conservative and traditional Catholic cultures in Europe. Aside from those two caveats, Italy is a welcoming and hospitable country for Americans. So whether you prefer cities or the outdoors, retiring in Italy will deliver an enviable lifestyle for just about anyone.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- The Sun
I ditched living in London & now live in one of the cleanest cities in the world – we get free healthcare & pay no taxes
AS the cost of living crisis rises, many people are leaving the UK in search of a better quality of life. And forget the glitz and glam of Dubai, it's the oil-rich Middle Eastern state of Qatar which is proving popular. 5 5 5 5 Numerous young people have relocated to Qatar's capital Doha - where 80 per cent of the population live - and have been open about the benefits they've found. These include tax-free salaries to the sun-soaked life feeling like a 'full-time holiday.' The cost of living in Britain is 34.2 per cent higher than in Qatar, according to the Mail, with restaurant prices 48 per cent more expensive and groceries 41.5 per cent more costly. One of the 20,000 British nationals to have made the move to Qatar is Ang, who posts under @anginqatar. In a video which has over 5,000 views, she shared the benefits from living in Qatar compared to the UK. Ang shared: 'Qatar is the cleanest, most beautiful country you will ever experience. 'Coming from a place like London, the level of cleanliness and beauty is unfathomable!" She also raved about there being numerous things to do in Qatar. Ang continued: 'There are so many activities to do in Qatar that life can feel like an extended holiday. 'Life is for living, so enjoy as much as you can. But also remember your purpose for being here. Live for today, plan for tomorrow." One of the main benefits for her is feeling safe - especially given London's crime rate. This comes as phones are stolen in London at a rate of one every 7 1⁄2 minutes. Figures show gangs and crooks took 70,137 mobiles last year — 192 a day. Ang added: 'There is virtually NO CRIME in Qatar. You can leave your phone/handbag unattended and find it in the same place hours later. 'You can leave your car or apartment unlocked and no one will enter. 'As a woman, you can go out at any time and be completely safe! I cannot explain how amazing it feels to be able to take a midnight stroll and not worry about being approached or spoken to (or worse!). 'The West will portray that women are oppressed, whereas women are PROTECTED and RESPECTED." 5 Ang, who moved to Qatar three years ago, said the financial benefits are also great. She explained: 'There is no income tax, meaning what you earn, you get to take home. 'On top of that, many employers will also cover accommodation and utility bills, transport, food and health insurance - more disposable income to do the things you want, rather than the majority of it going on housing.' How should you dress in Qatar TRADITIONALLY Qataris dress conservatively in traditional dress and can be offended when people dress inappropriately. You should dress modestly, including while driving and in public places including shopping malls, restaurants and parks. Be aware that if you enter one of these areas dressed inappropriately you may be asked to leave. Clothing should not be transparent, indecently expose parts of the body or display offensive pictures or slogans. Women and men should cover their shoulders and knees. Any form of nudity is strictly forbidden, including topless sunbathing for women. Source: Gov UK Qatar was previously under UK rule for more than 50 years between 1916 and 1961, but is now an independent nation. The flight from London is seven hours by plane, with some flights costing as low as £250 for a round trip. Typically a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is £37.16 in Doha, compared to £80 in London, according to data from Numbeo. The Doha rate is lower than neighbouring Dubai, where the average equivalent price is £57. Meanwhile a McDonald's meal is £5.16 in Doha compared to £8 in London. The 2.6million population in Qatar is dominated by expats, with only 313,000 of these being Qatari citizens.
