Latest news with #expats
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Want To Work Abroad? The Most And Least Expensive Countries For Expats
Want To Work Abroad? The Most And Least Expensive Countries For Expats If you find the occasional vacation is not enough to satisfy your wanderlust, ask about an international transfer or check if your company offers a sabbatical, which you can dedicate to travel. If you're really ready to go, leave without a job lined up and take a micro-retirement. William Russell, an international health insurance company, looked at costs for transportation, utilities and even entertainment to approximate cost-of-living for different locations. Most Expensive Countries For Expats Switzerland, Iceland and Norway are the top three most expensive countries for expats. If a transfer abroad is for one of these countries, make sure that your compensation accounts for a potential higher cost-of-living. Of course, you should run your own numbers based on your daily living habits – e.g., driving a car v. taking mass transit, eating out v. cooking at home. Least Expensive Countries For Expats On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mexico is the least expensive country for expats. Lithuania and Poland tied for second most inexpensive. See the full study from William Russell for the top 10 most and least expensive countries to get even more ideas about where to go. Moving Your Job Abroad If you're convinced that you want to take your career abroad, check out international opportunities within your current employer. Your company already knows (and hopefully likes and trusts) you so a lateral move to a new geography might be as simple as expressing your interest and following the internal transfer policies. Check your company's internal job board for specific openings. Research what offices they already have abroad and whether your role exists in these places already. Find out who the decision-makers are, and ask your manager for networking help -- a recommendation or a direct introduction if they know people at your target office. You may need to interview with the team abroad, so polish up your interview skills. Research differences in your current office environment and your target location – don't assume everything translates 100% even within the same company. Outline a fair transition plan for your current role to minimize disruption to your manager and team. Alternatives For When Your Current Role Can't Be Moved If your employer doesn't have existing international opportunities for you to move into, see if they have international expansion plans that you can be a part of. This is a riskier play, since your role won't be defined, but it's a career advancement opportunity to build something from scratch and contribute to a new initiative at the company. If there is absolutely no possibility of a role abroad, negotiate for extended time off that may be enough to quell your wanderlust, or ask for a work-from-home arrangement (then move your home abroad!). If you don't have the ability to move overseas with your current role, launch an international job search. With online job postings and social platforms like LinkedIn, you don't need to be abroad to make connections abroad. Get to know specific companies and their decision-makers in your target country. Join the regional chapters of your relevant professional association. Research trends local to your target country, and build a case for how your current expertise and experience is an advantage (and worth the trouble of hiring you over someone local). Top Countries For Digital Nomads Or, you can pair your geographical pivot with a career pivot and become a digital nomad. Bangkok, Dubai and London took the top three places in a survey of digital nomad hotspots by travel site, Hotelwithtub. The survey looked at a variety of factors including safety, affordability, and even the return rate of digital nomads to compile their list. Make your own list of must-haves for a target geography, make a list of your marketable skills, and take your career abroad as an entrepreneur.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Airspace disruptions, regional escalation cloud summer outlook local businesses
AMMAN — As July and August draw near, businesses across Jordan are preparing for the country's traditionally busiest season. Sectors such as tourism, real estate and retail are hoping for a much-needed boost, driven by the return of Jordanian expatriates and an expected rise in summer spending. Behind the seasonal optimism lies a more fragile economic reality. Ongoing regional tensions, mounting household financial pressure, and uncertainties surrounding air travel due to geopolitical developments are all clouding this year's outlook. From hotel operators to retail managers, many business owners report early signs of promise, but caution that sustained growth would hinge on three key factors: regional stability, consumer confidence and uninterrupted flight operations. 'At this time of year, we usually count on expats and tourists,' said Maria Saed, who manages a jewellery shop in Amman. 'But local customers are much more cautious now. The rising cost of living has made people think twice before making any purchases, big or small.' A similar sentiment is being echoed in the real estate and home decor markets. 'There's strong interest from returning Jordanians looking to refurbish or buy homes,' said Abeer Abed, a home decor specialist. 'But most are postponing major plans and focusing only on essentials.' Despite economic concerns, Jordan's tourism sector continues to show signs of recovery. According to official data, tourism revenue in the first quarter of 2025 reached $2.4 billion, a 15 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. International arrivals also rose significantly. Yet experts warn that this momentum is vulnerable to external shocks, particularly airspace closures and flight disruptions linked to regional instability. In response to these concerns, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission Haitham Misto has recently assured that Jordan's airspace remains safe. 'The Kingdom's skies are secure for air traffic, with safety measures in place that meet both national and international aviation standards,' he said. Still, June has seen a wave of air travel disruptions. Following missile attacks on US military bases in Qatar on June 23, several Gulf states, including Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, temporarily shut their airspace. The closures led to widespread flight cancellations, particularly affecting expatriates planning to visit Jordan. 'Uncertainty is our biggest challenge,' said Hala Abdulla, owner of a boutique in Amman. 'If expats aren't sure their flights will even land, they won't book. We saw cancellations from people who were simply afraid of sudden airspace closures.' Abdulla said many of her customers had planned visits to attend weddings and family gatherings but have now postponed their travel plans. To help the tourism industry cope with these developments, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a dedicated operations room to monitor conditions and respond to regional volatility. Government efforts also include enhanced airspace coordination, security readiness, and diplomatic engagement. In downtown Amman, retailers are bracing for whatever the season may bring. 'There's a steady flow of people, and the atmosphere feels lively,' said Khaled Odeh, an employee at a local garment store. 'But things aren't fully back to normal yet—we're staying hopeful for better days.' © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Two drivers from Bangladesh, India win Dh150,000 each at Big Ticket Weekly e-Draw
Two expats, one from Bangladesh and another from India, have won a whopping Dh150,000 each in the third weekly Big Ticket e-draw of June. Naushadh Chathery, a 37-year-old house driver from Kerala has been living in Dubai for the past 15 years, while his family remains in his hometown. He first heard about Big Ticket 20 years ago and has been purchasing tickets ever since, sometimes on his own, and other times with a group of 10 friends. For this draw, he opted for the 'Buy 2, Get 4 Free' bundle with his friends, and it was one of the free tickets that led to their win. 'I am truly happy. Even though it's a small win, it has given me hope to keep trying. We plan to split the cash prize among our group, and I'll be saving my share. My aim now is to win the grand prize, so I'll continue buying tickets," he said. Mohammed Chowdhury, a 41-year-old house driver and small business owner from Bangladesh has been living in Abu Dhabi for the past 20 years. He first heard about Big Ticket 10–12 years ago through friends and has been participating with them every month since. For this draw, he purchased the 'Buy 2, Get 4 Free' ticket bundle with his group, and it was one of the free tickets that secured their win. 'I couldn't believe it, I'm so happy. It's an unexplainable feeling. Right now, the plan is to split the cash prize among my 10 friends, and then I'll decide what to do with my share. My eyes are now on the grand prize, so I'll definitely keep trying my luck. Big Ticket is really helping people's dreams come true, and I encourage my friends and everyone else to take part," Chowdhury said. This month, three weekly e-draws have already been conducted, and only one more remains before the grand finale. All eyes are on the Dh25 million grand prize, which will be awarded during the live draw on July 3. In the final weekly e-draw of June, three lucky participants will each win Dh150,000.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
'San Pedro Prowler' targeting Brits' homes on Costa del Sol as victims sleep: Terrifying video shows masked burglar stalking through properties
British expats in Spain have been warned to beef up their security systems after falling prey to a 'terrifying' burglar who remains at large. Chilling footage shows the moment a man in a mask and a grey hoodie breaks into a series of villas between San Pedro de Alcantara in Marbella and Benahavis, on the Costa del Sol. The brazen thief, dubbed the San Pedro Prowler, is seen picking locks with a sharp implement, which locals said he could use as 'a weapon if he needs it to be'. The menacing figure then calmly walks off with his hands filled with goods, including luxury handbags and jewellery. Among the recent stolen items include €10,000 in cash and a €30,000 watch. The robber appears to be wearing no shoes and just have socks on during his raids, seemingly to avoid alerting anyone inside the house to his presence. Neighbourhoods he has targeted include Guadalmina, and La Quinta, in upmarket Benahavis. The evidence has been collected by Martin Brown, originally from Scotland, who is well connected to the expat community as he runs a property management company. He told the Spanish Eye: 'I'm being sent a lot of images with what appears to be the same guy sporting a grey hoodie and a hanging mask. 'In several cases the victims were in the villa. He enters knowing there are cameras, knowing there are alarms... and knowing people are inside. 'He has no interest in TVs or such, just targets bags and watches from what we know.' Martin said that this week in San Pedro he stole €3,000 in cash and a luxury watch that was a family heirloom. He said: 'He seems to be able to open patio doors very easily, prising them up from the bottom. He can be in very quickly. 'In the case of a recent La Quinta robbery, the British couple were inside. 'He had been inside the house at around 6am and stolen a watch from the bedroom while the victim was asleep.' When Martin called the Policia Nacional, they told him that 'this is a job for the Guardia Civil.' When he called the Guardia Civil, they said he must call the Policia Nacional. The Guardia Civil polices more rural areas and smaller municipalities in Spain whereas the Policia Nacional is an armed civil force which deals with more serious crime. Martin said he ended up losing his temper over the confusion and told the police to be at the victim's house in the next 20 minutes. 'Two coppers did turn up and they were pleasant, but that is probably the first time I have had the cops turn up after a robbery,' he said. 'In a recent San Pedro robbery, they rang the police, who asked if the robber was still in the house, when they said 'no', they said just go to the police station in the morning. 'And this robber had just been inside their house, in their bedrooms… so that's the attitude of the police.' Martin advised any homeowner on the Costa del Sol to get centre locks on patio doors and install high-quality perimeter alarms, and to 'get a big dog.' Another expat living in Benahavis said that when her area was targeted, thieves 'always got in through the patio or terrace doors.' She advised that residents fit bolts 'that vertically go up and down into the frame so it's no longer possible to lift the patio doors from underneath.'
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Are you feeling lonely? You are not alone.
For many expats in the Gulf, it may seem normal to live in a high-rise building with almost 400 flats and still not know the person who lives right next door. But maybe it shouldn't be. According to the World Happiness Report 2025, simply expecting kindness from a neighbour — as measured by the 'wallet test' — has a stronger impact on well-being than income or physical safety. The test, which asks how likely a lost wallet would be returned by a neighbour, stranger, or police officer, highlights that people often underestimate the impact of kindness on their mental health. Gallup's 2023 Wellbeing Survey found that while most people want connection, only a small percentage actively greet neighbours. Just 27 per cent of US adults reported greeting six or more neighbours, a behaviour linked to the highest well-being scores. Those who greeted none reported significantly lower life satisfaction scores. For Samer, a 40-year-old marketing manager, the data reflects his lived experiences as a resident in a large urban metropolis like Dubai. 'In my home country, people live in the same houses or flats for most of their life. Everyone knows their neighbour and it's common for people to check in on each other all the time. Here in Dubai, I've lived in the same building for more than six years and it's very common that I meet my neighbours in the elevator and they don't even say hi or return my smile,' he says. Engaging in niceties Samer never expected friendship from his neighbours, but he agrees that interactions with them can impact well-being. 'After a long day at work with all of the drama there, seeing a friendly face in my personal space would be nice. It would help me feel less isolated and alone.' Urban loneliness is on the rise globally, especially in expat-heavy hubs defined by rapid growth and cultural diversity. Insiya Dsouza, a counselling psychologist at UAE-based OpenMinds Psychiatry, Counselling and Neuroscience Centre, explained: 'Urban loneliness in Dubai is shaped by transience and cultural fragmentation. People typically move to the Gulf for work and upward financial mobility, not to permanently settle. So, much of the expat existence, identity, bandwidth, and focus is tied to the work that other aspects of their personhood shut down. 'This form of loneliness creates a disconnect from oneself and others. When so much of one's life is focused on work and other life responsibilities in a place where they won't permanently settle, there's an impact on social life and community building — things that are essential for mental well-being.' The UAE is also incredibly diverse, with more than 200 nationalities living and working across the country. This multicultural landscape makes it one of the world's most globally represented nations, but it can also exacerbate feelings of urban loneliness. 'Social groups in expat and local communities tend to be quite insular,' explained Dsouza. 'This also has an impact on our willingness to connect with neighbours from different cultures. We walk on eggshells around people from other races on account of unfamiliarity, our preconceived notions, the transitional and transactional nature of the region, and out of fear that we might unintentionally offend them. This comes in the way of breaking barriers and having genuine social interaction.' Some demographics — single people, people with disabilities, minorities, and people who don't engage in normative work, for example — are more vulnerable to urban loneliness. These populations are at higher risk because urban loneliness isn't just about proximity, it's about inclusion, accessibility, and trust. Without intentional effort to foster neighbourly connection, these groups are more likely to feel invisible in the places they live. According to Dsouza, urban loneliness doesn't always look like solitude — it often feels like not having anyone to turn to when it matters. 'In my experience, clients are self-aware about the contribution that loneliness makes to their stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental-health concerns,' she said. 'They also notice the difference in their mental well-being when they feel seen and understood. So, in therapy, we focus on self-compassion and building communication skills so clients can self-advocate for their connection needs.' Make the choice But despite the alarming statistics, it's not impossible to keep loneliness at bay in big cities like Dubai. For Sonal Chhiber, a senior corporate communications consultant and 18-year UAE resident, a neighbour's small act during the pandemic changed everything. 'She would check in, drop off groceries, send over food,' Chhiber said. 'It reminded me of home — and how powerful kindness can be when you're far from everything familiar.' Back in India, Chhiber said, neighbours are 'like extended family'. But in the UAE, those relationships don't form automatically. 'You have to be intentional. But once you break the ice, people are more open than you'd think,' she said. 'A smile in the hallway, a shared cup of tea, a kind word in the lift. We don't always need grand gestures, just more human ones.' Neighbourhood watch We asked residents around the UAE what their experiences have been like living here. Here's what they had to say: 'I didn't expect to have a community of good neighbours in Dubai like I did back home. Initially, I didn't find it friendly or welcoming of newcomers. That changed when one elderly neighbour asked me how I was doing. I had spent a hellish night staying up with my then seven-month daughter and burst into tears. She sat with me and talked, and held the baby. It was a small thing, but I've never forgotten that kindness and try to pay it forward. I have now been in the same apartment complex for 15 years. One of the reasons I haven't moved is because I love my neighbours!' — Shalaka, senior communications strategist 'I moved to Dubai without my family. It's been tough. It's not socially acceptable for a man to be friendly in public. When I am friendly with kids or families in the building it's only because I am lonely and they remind me of my boys. It would be easier if my family were here with me.' — Anonymous, 37, finance manager 'I started my neighbourhood WhatsApp group and many of us have become close friends. I'm always offering to include people in WhatsApp groups and connecting with them in real life. Being helpful is my love language. Otherwise it can be lonely and isolating for so many of us.'
