I want Expat Yourself to be more than information. It needs to provide value, to you, the expat or expat to-be.

So, one idea I had to give added value is expat-related discounts, incentives, more external help, etc…
To get this means talking to companies to create some advantages for ExpatYourself visitors. Of course, nothing comes for free, so my offered end of the deal is a nice big post about that company.

Here is the first one: Solucion Relocation Services.

What do they do? Relocation services.
For an expat, that means “everything you need, but don’t know how to do for yourself.”
Having someone who’s “local” help with relocation can be incredibly time-saving.

For example, Solucion starts helping you before you arrive and welcomes you when you get there. They offer help with legal, housing, moving, even setting up schooling for your little ones.

To Spain only?
They aren’t limited to Spain – they actually have offices all over the world.

How are they priced? They target executives and families
Targeting executives tells you they may be on the high end of some budgets. I can tell you that they are worth it. That assurance might not help, but 10% off should help.

Yes, Solucion is willing to knock 10% off any and all of their services for you. When you write to Solucion, tell them you’re an ExpatYourself “client” and you will receive a 10% discount.

How’s that? I’m fairly excited about it and I hope you are too.

And in case you’re wondering, no, I don’t get any payment or reward for posting this.

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To Wait or Not to Wait - that is our question

Every night, the wife and I read a couple bedtime stories to our young kids. One of my daughter’s favorites is Dr Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

We both recommend it highly. If you don’t have it – get it now..

The story speaks to “you,” a young boy. He learns all about life’s potential greatness as well as its dangers and difficulties.

I read it again recently and one part keeps popping in my head. The story warns the boy about getting lost in life’s “rat race.” Not taking action, but instead just …waiting.

Dr. Seuss’ words about waiting

The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.

Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.

Everyone is just waiting.

Clearly to Dr. Seuss, waiting is not a good thing. (& I agree)

Enter Franz Kafka. As a writer, he’s one of the all-time greats. As a boy born in Prague in a German Jewish family, Kafka struggled with identity. A minority of a minority. He didn’t accept it well. It was tough times for Franz and his writing shows it. His dark writing style was usually about “senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity.” (sources)

What’s Kafka say about waiting?

Kafka’s words about Waiting

You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.

In a Nutshell…
There you have it.
Seuss says: waiting = bad
Kafka says: waiting = good

Why do I mention this? Because it mirrors a tough decision for us these days. I said in a past post, we know our future lies between two cities: New York City, USA and Halifax, Canada.
In one city, we have a chance of a grand opportunity. An exciting chance in an exciting city. But it’s not for certain. Instead we must wait. Out of our control, we wait. Kafka says it’s all fine, …”it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”
In the other city, we also have uncertainty but the choice is completely in our control. We take that choice and wake up believing whatever we want to believe.

What are your thoughts?

Anyway, this is what’s weighing heavily on our minds today and the past few weeks.

Thanks for reading,
-Jeff

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“I want to be an expat” – a dream of over 700 million people.

A survey, which took 3 years to complete, was finally released. The survey asked “Would you like to start a new life abroad?”.
Across 130 countries, 16% of the people answered “Yes.”

What countries were most popular?
Mostly developed western countries, plus Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Where does everyone want to go?
If everyone had their wish, the United States would swell by 165 million people (growing it by 50%)
Canada would bring in 45 million people (a whopping 150% boost!)
France, Thailand and Britain each would grow also by another 40+ million people.

What’s the biggest motivator for all these people?
Jobs. For many folks, the big deciding factor whether to stay or go was employment. Do you want to work abroad?
Last year, HSBC released a report about expats which reported that half of surveyed expats are in their residence country and plan to stay because of a better contract than they could get back home. Another tidbit: more than half had lived outside their home country for longer than 5 years.

Both the HSBC report and the very recent Gallup survey show a growing trend: people are seeking to become expats.

credit: Source article

“I want to be an expat” said by 700 million people. That’s a lot of people. It’s a big dream. Start now, while you’re ahead of the pack.

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I’m not just adventurous in real life (yeah, right), I’m adventurous in website administration.

My dream of helping people live overseas suddenly found a glass ceiling – enough time to answer e-mails.
So, one idea I came up with is to create a forum where people could ask questions (and I still answer them), but future people could see the same questions (& answers!).

A central place for questions. Easy access to (everyone’s) answers. It’s a win-win idea.

I present the world’s newest Expat’s Questions and Answers forum: www.expatyourself.com/forum

You may think it’s light on the questions so far…you’re right. You need to ask them first.

Please post your questions there and I will be very diligent about answering them.

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You know you want to be an expat, but you don’t know where?
Make it easy on yourself — pick one of the Top 10, according to a massive survey of expats themselves.

• 1. Canada
  2. Australia
  3. Thailand
  4. Singapore
  5. Bahrain
  6. South Africa
  7. France
  8. USA
  9. Spain
  10. Hong Kong

Oh, and if you’re wondering who was LAST: the UK. Why? Too expensive, arduous commutes, huge unemployment, etc.

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Check, cheque, Czech

Moving anywhere, whether across the street or across the ocean, requires considerable planning. The below checklist was written by Kathy Dorf of Clements International as a helpful international moving checklist for moving overseas.

Investigate Your New Country’s Rules

Regulations and laws vary widely among different countries, so it is important to research these before moving abroad. Contact the appropriate embassy or consulate for information relevant to expatriates relocating to the country, including:

Visas and permits

Vaccines for family members

Restrictions or taxes on shipped household items

Taxes involved in shipping your car

Vaccines and quarantines for pets insurance

File Applications for Passports, Visas and Permits

Do this early, as this process takes time to complete. It is also wise to renew early if any of these documents is set to expire in the near future.

Gather Important Documents

Be sure to request official copies of important personal documents and allow at least several weeks to receive them. Suggested items include:

Birth and Marriage Certificates

Naturalization, Green Card, Proof of Citizenship, etc.

Social Security Cards

Vaccination, Medical and Dental Records

Insurance Policies

Academic Records and Diplomas

Employment Records

Proof of Residency (utility bill, statement, etc.)

Living Will and Testament

International Moving and Shipping Companies

Contact international moving and shipping companies to obtain quotes for transporting your belongings overseas. Since it could take over a month for your items to arrive, plan ahead when scheduling your shipment.

Insurance

It is critical to determine the exact insurance requirements and availability at your new destination as limits vary widely throughout the world.

Auto Insurance

Anyone planning to operate an automobile internationally will need to purchase an International Auto Insurance policy. Requirements vary among countries, so select an insurance provider with the expertise and resources to ensure the policy meets your needs.

Property Insurance

International personal property insurance, which can include transit and destination coverage, protects items damaged during the relocation process, while in your foreign residence or during shipping and transit. Contact an insurance provider specializing in expatriates for more information.

Health Insurance

Even if your destination country has a socialized healthcare system, you may not be eligible for coverage. If you are not covered under a group medical insurance program, individual policies can be purchased to protect you in a foreign country. These policies include worldwide medical protection and also can include evacuation services. Costs are reasonable and, in many cases, less expensive than stateside coverage.

Bank and Credit Card Accounts

Review your accounts and notify your banks that you will be overseas. Also consider online international banking, which makes it easier to transfer and manage funds between countries.

Prescription Drugs

If you or a family member takes prescription drugs, purchase additional quantities and obtain a copy of the medical file related to the condition. Keep them in your carry-on luggage in the event any bags are lost in transit.

International Driving Permit

Renew your driver’s license if it is set to expire soon. Acquire an international driving permit (IDP) and take extra forms to renew it annually by mail. You can obtain an IDP at a local office of the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club). Remember to carry both your IDP and your U.S. state driver’s license with you at all times.

Tax Obligations

Each country has distinct tax rules for foreign earned income. Determine your obligations and gather the necessary paperwork.

Pets

If your pet is moving with you, ensure it receives proper vaccinations and identify a pet carrier. If you have decided not to bring a pet, allow enough time to find it a new home.

Flight and Hotel Reservations

Make any necessary travel arrangements as soon as your travel dates are set.

VOIP Phone Service

Consider using VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone service, otherwise known as broadband phone service. This is an affordable way for expatriates to make local, long-distance and international calls, all for a monthly fee.

Cancel Subscriptions and Forward Mail

Cancel all publication subscriptions and complete the appropriate forms at the post office to ensure your mail is forwarded to your new address.

Do Your Research

Learn about the country’s history and culture before you move, so you are prepared with the necessary knowledge to adapt quickly to your new home

Article published courtesy of Clements International

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