THE BEST places for expats have been named, with only one European country making the top 10. Where should wannabe expat move to?

A clue Thailand Not among the top 10..

 

Top 10 countries for expats

1. Taiwan

2. Mexico

3. Costa Rica

4. Malaysia

5. Portugal

6. New Zealand

7. Australia

8.Ecuador

9. Canada

10. Vietnam

 

https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1535129/best-expat-country-taiwan-mexico-costa-rica

What's the point of such best of lists?

Like: what's the best car? What's the best computer? What's the best whatever?

Answer: It depends on what you are looking for. There is no such thing as "the best" for all of us.

2 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What's the point of such best of lists?

Like: what's the best car? What's the best computer? What's the best whatever?

Answer: It depends on what you are looking for. There is no such thing as "the best" for all of us.

It is not only about "the point"  people who are looking to relocate, and there are many of them, are always looking for information on where are the best places and the pros and cons of each country in relation to the others.. No brainier really...

12 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What's the point of such best of lists?

Like: what's the best car? What's the best computer? What's the best whatever?

Answer: It depends on what you are looking for. There is no such thing as "the best" for all of us.

That's the Best answer????

But not everything was perfect in Taiwan either, with Facebook user Joseph Nickalo saying: “I was surprised by how many businesses turn down a person simply because they don't want a foreigner. I guess they think we are too much trouble. I think that's illegal in the US so I just wasn't expecting it, but I get it I guess.”

 

You ain't in Texas now buddy! 

 

Canada's great place, but housing costs in any major city is horrific.  Average house price in Toronto is over CA$1,300,000.  Try that as expat on a pension or retirement savings.

So, Taiwan OK till the pre-invasion bombardment starts. Mexico has 7 of the 10 most-violent cities in the world. Costa Rica good & safe. Malaysia Portugal excellent. NZ boring but safe. Oz nice but expensive (across NSW, not just Sinnee, average house price is AUD 1,100,000). Ecuador mmmm till the next upheaval. Canada nice, chilly & expensive. Veetnaam splendid to visit but crime rates are high ...

 

And then there's Surin. Ah Surin, nice one minute, boring the next, but safe except for the tropical diseases & the burglars.

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

It is not only about "the point"  people who are looking to relocate, and there are many of them, are always looking for information on where are the best places and the pros and cons of each country in relation to the others.. No brainier really...

If you would want to "relocate", would you really look for the "best" location? Or would you think i.e. about Cambodia or Lao (just examples) and then try to find out more about those places?

I.e. Norway can be top of the best whatever list and I would never think about moving to such a cold country. Also just an example. 

Most of these surveys come up with nonsense results.

Probably because they're bribed/sponsored by the countries that appear at the top.

 

How does Vietnam even appear, when only business VISAs are available for long term stays?

Canada/Taiwan/NZ/OZ just no.

12 hours ago, mfd101 said:

So, Taiwan OK till the pre-invasion bombardment starts. Mexico has 7 of the 10 most-violent cities in the world. Costa Rica good & safe. Malaysia . Portugal excellent. NZ boring but safe. Oz nice but expensive (across NSW, not just Sinnee, average house price is AUD 1,100,000). Ecuador mmmm till the next upheaval. Canada nice, chilly & expensive. Veetnaam splendid to visit but crime rates are high ...

 

And then there's Surin. Ah Surin, nice one minute, boring the next, but safe except for the tropical diseases & the burglars.

Good summary ..definition of 'best' is seriously subjective ..

Certainly agree on Portugal ..great place and easy to pop into Spain 

Turkey (Adana)  and Greece maybe ..both great food 

No mention of the Philippines ..

Malaysia ..big place many options and islands 

Surin .. bit of excitement now as elephant festival is on ..????

 

 

I'm currently looking at both, Malaysia and Vietnam, as options for myself. (But also Turkey and Portugal.) Never considered Taiwan, but I guess it's more an option if you've got a well-paid job there.

Emphasis on 'relocate' vs 'retire'.  

 

Aside from visa issues ... Relocating would require quality public schools, healthcare and job opportunities ... nuff said.

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

Top 10 countries for expats

1. Taiwan

2. Mexico

3. Costa Rica

4. Malaysia

5. Portugal

6. New Zealand

7. Australia

8.Ecuador

9. Canada

10. Vietnam

Must be an old review.   Taiwan may end up in a hot war with China.  Borders to Australia, NZ, Canada, Vietnam and closed.  Perhaps others. About the only viable countries at this time are Mexico, Costa Rica, and Portugal.

In the Covid era, there "Best Places To........" reviews are about as useless as nipples on men.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Most of these surveys come up with nonsense results.

Probably because they're bribed/sponsored by the countries that appear at the top.

 

How does Vietnam even appear, when only business VISAs are available for long term stays?

Canada/Taiwan/NZ/OZ just no.

You know nothing about NZ or Australia I live in OZ on a pension (since I lost every thing in the land of lies) I don't have property I pay rent and I live quiet well

38 minutes ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

You know nothing about NZ or Australia I live in OZ on a pension (since I lost every thing in the land of lies) I don't have property I pay rent and I live quiet well

Some of us prefer not to live in police states where everything is taxed and regulated and citizens entry in and out of the country is tightly monitored and restricted.

how does Mexico made the list?????? crime/mafia/drug lords, gangs fitghting eahcother, kidnapping, run grab robberies just to mention a few

As someone who tried relocating to Malaysia, be advised that unless you stay in a ritzy *high* high rise, unless you want to wake up at 05:30 every morning for the rest of your life, reconsider. Also, as a foreign retiree we are forbidden from buying modest working-class row houses. And the most desirable place for me (Georgetown) with a large ethnic Chinese Buddhist population, had property prices beyond my means.

 

But nice people all over Malaysia, very flirtatious women (Muslim ones being the most keen), multi-ethnic cuisine, and better value medical care than Thailand. Plus proximity to first world Singapore and an easy lingo to learn.

 

In brief, unlike in Turkey the call to prayer is loud and ugly, and the connection between politics and religion is too cozy for my liking. Dubai in the Gulf is much less Islamic. Be warned.

Clarification: more precisely, 'Malay' women are in my opinion the hottest (friendly, approachable and attractive). Why did I write 'Muslim women'? The Malaysian goverment decrees that all ethnic Malay women must officially be Muslim. Other ethnic groups (Tamils, etc) can also be, but Malays *must* be. Women can convert to Islam (mandatory if husband is Muslim) but if husband is Muslim, they *must* and a non-Muslim man must convert in order to marry a Muslim woman. What people practice or believe is irrelevant to the Malaysian goverment. I got fed up with this and similar rules that could affect my personal life.

 

If you run a business there are pro-Malay quotas. Your regular Muslim neighbour and business associate was normal.

 

My decision to leave was sealed when I saw a pro-ISIL bumper sticker on a car: 'Mess with the best, die with the rest'.

12 hours ago, mfd101 said:

So, Taiwan OK till the pre-invasion bombardment starts. Mexico has 7 of the 10 most-violent cities in the world. Costa Rica good & safe. Malaysia, . Portugal excellent. NZ boring but safe. Oz nice but expensive (across NSW, not just Sinnee, average house price is AUD 1,100,000). Ecuador mmmm till the next upheaval. Canada nice, chilly & expensive. Veetnaam splendid to visit but crime rates are high ...

 

And then there's Surin. Ah Surin, nice one minute, boring the next, but safe except for the tropical diseases & the burglars.

 

11 hours ago, RmcaIssan said:

Good summary ..definition of 'best' is seriously subjective ..

Certainly agree on Portugal ..great place and easy to pop into Spain 

Turkey (Adana)  and Greece maybe ..both great food 

No mention of the Philippines ..

Malaysia ..big place many options and islands 

Surin .. bit of excitement now as elephant festival is on ..????

 

 

mfd101 ^^^ says:

“… And then there's Surin. Ah Surin, nice one minute, boring the next, but safe except for the tropical diseases & the burglars.”

Rmcaissan ^^^ says:
“… Surin .. bit of excitement now as elephant festival is on ..????”

 

Strange that you should both mention Surin! Warning to fellow readers/posters do not click on the link below, if you have a queasy stomach.

Surin? No thanks
 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10303791/8ft-python-regurgitates-Thai-familys-pet-cat-eating-Video.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed_article&ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed

8 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What's the point of such best of lists?

Like: what's the best car? What's the best computer? What's the best whatever?

Answer: It depends on what you are looking for. There is no such thing as "the best" for all of us.

Exactly. Yet, some thrive on the easier indoctrinated ideals of invented comparatives and superlatives - both, which have little to do with anything. 

 

.....and we continue to be engaged in the dumbing down.

The article and list doesn't even consider libido which is strange as everyone I know who thinks about relocating considers the availability of a partner as the number one consideration!

 

Women, cost of living, long stay visa and weather. And Canada makes the list!!!!!!!

It always gets me that a bunch of people who made the decision to move to Thailand based on a few short term vacations here, and now regret that decision and want to move elsewhere, are willing to choose their next location based on what a bunch of strangers on a website tell them.  What could possibly go wrong?

5 hours ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

You know nothing about NZ or Australia I live in OZ on a pension (since I lost every thing in the land of lies) I don't have property I pay rent and I live quiet well

Both Australia and New Zealand are great places, with some brilliant scenery and adventure if that's what's wanted, however it is very expensive to live in the major cities in both of these places.

 

If one is looking for "girls" then neither of those two places would be anything like what's available here in Thailand, so it all depends on what one wants in their "relocation".

 

Not only that, houses are expensive in the major cities both Australia and NZ, however there are some very picturesque small towns and out of the way places where retirement could be peacefully enjoyed.

 

Beaches and the sea are major draw cards for those two countries, and for me I thought the scenery in NZ, especially in the South Island was fantastic, not to mention the lovely vineyards and wine, and that also applies to Australia.

 

I did a bit of trout fishing, as well as a bit of sea fishing in NZ and thoroughly enjoyed it, so one might ask what the hell am I doing in Thailand??

 

Well I came here to retire and relax and escape from the rat race, as well as to get over a potentially severe medical condition, this along with the desire to party, party just in case my medical condition shortened my lifespan!

 

Well here I am, 15 years later after moving and am quite settled in Thailand and I don't see myself moving back to NZ, and even if I wanted to I doubt whether I could afford it these days, although I can live like a king in Thailand, I couldn't in NZ or Oz, although my wine bill would be a lot less!! 

 

If I had to relocate to another country  then I would consider Spain or Portugal or possibly Malta, and then again there is always Rarotonga (look it up), which is very beautiful and peaceful, but extremely boring! 

4 hours ago, Mavideol said:

how does Mexico made the list?????? crime/mafia/drug lords, gangs fitghting eahcother, kidnapping, run grab robberies just to mention a few

You can fly into Mexico with a Health Declaration Form and no Covid Test or Vaccination Status is required.  It's that easy. 

So?  Those who are free-spirits and prefer "freedom" with all its warts will navigate to Mexico.  I mean really?
Those who are afraid of Covid are not going to go to Mexico for the same reasons that they are afraid of Covid. 
Those who are not afraid of Covid will go to Mexico because they are not afraid in general.

It really does boil down to the amount of risk you are willing to accept. 
Some people dive off cliffs with wing suits or Base Jump, or are matadors or surf Monster Waves.
Some people chose a risk level that heightens their life without going to extremes.
Most people chose to live lives that are safe and predictable. 

Most people are spectators who live veraciously though others within the safe confines of their personal cocoon.

Who lives the fullest?  That is a rhetorical question.

My focus is on RETIRED expats so heres my response to that list in that context.

 

1. Taiwan

Not a fit

 

2. Mexico

One of the best choices in the world. Overall moderate cost.

 

3. Costa Rica

Pretty good. Relatively high cost.

 

4. Malaysia

Visa program has priced most people out. Moderate cost to live though.

 

5. Portugal

One of the best choices in the world. Overall moderate cost.

 

6. New Zealand

Visa program has priced most people out. High cost

 

7. Australia

Same same NZ

 

8.Ecuador

One of the best choices in the world. Overall lower cost.

 

9. Canada

Not a fit

 

10. Vietnam

No legit visa option

 

 

Should be on the list

 

Colombia

Phillipines

Panama

 

5 hours ago, Mavideol said:

how does Mexico made the list?????? crime/mafia/drug lords, gangs fitghting eahcother, kidnapping, run grab robberies just to mention a few

30 or 40 years ago, those of us who came to SE Asian had a high tolerance to risk.
Those of you who have arrived in the last 5 or 10 year probably don't.  What is "safer" than a government who takes control of the county via a coup?  The heavy-hand provides safety, right?  They keep the commoners in their place.  So the foreigners who prefer "safety" over adventure will gravitate toward the 'heavy-hand.' 

I'm not knocking anyone's choice, I'm just pointing out the obvious.  The demographic who gravitates toward New Normal Thailand is not the demographic who will feel comfortable in Mexico or Columbia.  In fact, they prefer to stay in places like Australia, New Zealand, or Canada - "safe" places where the government exerts total control and can provide the citizenry with a patina of safety at the expense of individuality.  Just submit and safety is yours!

Personally, if staying in Thailand becomes a bureaucratic nightmare, I'll head for Mexico. But that's just me.
"But it's not "safe!""

Exactly.

I was thinking about relocating to Mexico recently. We just spent some time there in Baja and Baja has three of the cities with some of the highest homicide rates in all of Mexico. The cartels are fighting for territory, America's ridiculous war on drugs is adding fuel to the fire, things do not seem to be getting any better.

 

The food was fantastic, the seafood was sublime, the people are cool, cities are decent, the cost of living higher than I would have thought, but the security situation is out of control. Heavily armed police were everywhere with machine guns, army trucks with 20 soldiers on the back with high caliber machine guns, and it's a very very insecure place at the moment. 

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I was thinking about relocating to Mexico recently. We just spent some time there in Baja and Baja has three of the cities with some of the highest homicide rates in all of Mexico. The cartels are fighting for territory, America's ridiculous war on drugs is adding fuel to the fire, things do not seem to be getting any better.

 

The food was fantastic, the seafood was sublime, the people are cool, cities are decent, the cost of living higher than I would have thought, but the security situation is out of control. Heavily armed police were everywhere with machine guns, army trucks with 20 soldiers on the back with high caliber machine guns, and it's a very very insecure place at the moment. 

So check out

Merida

Queretaro

Puerto Vallarta

Etc.

 

12 hours ago, mfd101 said:

So, Taiwan OK till the pre-invasion bombardment starts. Mexico has 7 of the 10 most-violent cities in the world. Costa Rica good & safe. Malaysia mmm . Portugal excellent. NZ boring but safe. Oz nice but expensive (across NSW, not just Sinnee, average house price is AUD 1,100,000). Ecuador mmmm till the next upheaval. Canada nice, chilly & expensive. Veetnaam splendid to visit but crime rates are high ...

 

And then there's Surin. Ah Surin, nice one minute, boring the next, but safe except for the tropical diseases & the burglars.

Agree with all your comments; and hey they all have plenty of advantages, depends what you are looking for. But my issue with Portugal is that the government is broke (like many governments, but worse), taxes will rise and they will also coming knocking for your money when the crisis unfolds.

45 minutes ago, Cowboy1 said:

Agree with all your comments; and hey they all have plenty of advantages, depends what you are looking for. But my issue with Portugal is that the government is broke (like many governments, but worse), taxes will rise and they will also coming knocking for your money when the crisis unfolds.

The nice thing about Portugal is it's beautiful, historic, and handy to the rest of Europe awa nth Africa for visits. And you can actually read the language even if you can't speak it (not to be sneezed at for longterm stay).