Skiing Brits Find Eastern Property Promise In Bulgaria

Bulgaria is cementing its lead as an investment property hotspot for skiers and snowboarders looking to own a slice of the slopes. The country’s recent accession in the EU, together with the low prices and plentiful property facilitated by the building boom, are leading many British skiers and snowboarders to leapfrog their traditional favourite ski spots in France, Switzerland and Austria, in favour of Bulgaria’s more modestly priced mountains.

The boom in property development in Bulgaria’s best resorts have meant that brand new ski apartments can be  snapped up  for less than 30K. These low prices, combined with the preventive costs of getting on to the British property ladder, means that many young buyers are choosing Bulgaria for either investment property, a holiday home or a way of generating some extra income through rental returns.

As Bulgaria’s premier ski resort, with the best snow record and longest ski season (mid December to mid may), Bansko has become the most popular location for British property investors to purchase. Previously perceived by some as being a budget ski destination, the $40 million investment in Bansko mean that in terms of size and facilities, the resort is now competing with other more established favourites in Western Europe.

However, it’s not just Bansko that’s big with the Brits; other prominent ski areas such as Borovetz and Pamporovo are also attracting interest. Borovets is Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort which dates back to 1896 and offers pistes up to 2600m above sea level. Pamporovo’s claim to fame comes in the form of its weather, and it’s said to be the sunniest ski resort in Bulgaria.

There are also around a dozen other less well known ski areas in the country, such as Vitosha, Semkovo and Uzana, which are currently more geared towards local weekend skiers rather than the international snow sports market, but these are likely to grow in size in the coming years. The new development around Razlog is getting property investors excited as it will be combining a ski area with an 18 hole PGA golf course just 4km from Bansko, and is likely to attract a lot of interest from British buyers.

Though other European nationals have showed interest in buying property in Bulgaria, the British are leading the charge with an estimated 40,000 Britons now owning property in the country. And it’s not just snow seekers who are looking to buy; the Black Sea beach resorts are also attracting adventurous Brits searching for a Bulgarian property investment with a healthy dose of sun and sea; the most popular places to buy are around the Varna area, in towns such as Kavarna and Albena Beach.

As Bulgaria’s economy and infrastructure continues to develop, it’s likely that it will grow even more popular with the property buying Brits – after all, when you can buy a plush ski apartment, town penthouse or beach villa in Bulgaria for the same price as a conservatory in Britain, it’s not surprising that many are heading to the country in search of eastern property promise.

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elisha_Burberry

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Posted under Money

Moving to Belize: Retired Belize Life

The Belize weather is sub-tropical. The Belize culture is very non-racist and liberal. The average per capita income in Belize is less than 6000 USD.  The retired life  in Belize is very peaceful.

The figures from the Belize Central Statistic Office in July 2005, prove that the population of the nation is fast rising and coming close to 300,000 permanent residents. This shows that the appeal and attraction of Belize is increasing per year.

Retired life in Belize

Belize has become a popular retirement destination due to the beautiful scenery, stunning climate, friendly people, tax advantages, proximity and good transport links with the United States and Mexico. The Retired Persons Incentive Program permits people to live 100% tax free. To qualify for this program, the individual can come from any country, must have a minimum age of 45 and should have a qualifying non-Belizean based income of minimum 2000 US dollars per month. This person may be subjected to some background checks. If the person is qualified, the family, personal effects and a means of transportation can be brought and maintained tax-free. Any income created from investments or business ventures would be tax free as long as they are not an output of Belizean economy.

These criteria are very simple to achieve and this is the reason that many Americans, British and North Europeans have retired in this cheap, sunny and beautiful tax haven. Real estate in Belize has very competitive prices. The initial communities are planning their settlement and are in the construction phase. Independent housing is available in the popular areas of Cayes, near Belize City as well as Northern Belize. These places are having a plethora of expatriates. The everyday cost of living due to water, electric, telephone etc. is at very reasonable prices. If local goods are purchased, the Belizean dollars would not accrue to a large value. However, the imported goods are exorbitant. It is easy to travel to Mexico or the United States. The intense wet season repels people from this area. However, this season is the cause that the country is lush and beautiful as well as rich in flora and fauna.

Cost of living in Belize

Belize has turned out to be one of the most exorbitant of the Central American nations. In 2004, the Gross Domestic Product has raised by 3.5%. However, inflation is increasing and this implies that the cost of living would increase. The tourism, agriculture and construction sector’s are progressing rapidly. This is very conducive towards economic growth. In the year 2005, the average per capita income was less than 6000 U.S. Dollars. A small flat in Belize City could be rented for about 1000 U.S. Dollars and a large house in the Cayo district for 300 U.S. Dollars. A piece of land had a cost of 5000 to 10000 U.S. Dollars. Some houses were priced at 25 U.S. Dollars per square foot. An ocean front property was estimated at 250,000 U.S. Dollars.

Belize weather

The weather in Belize is sub-tropical. The humidity is high, but infrequently oppressive. It is most felt in coastal areas. The mean annual humidity is 83% and is overcome by cool sea breezes. The coastal regions have southeast tradewinds at 10-13 knots. These are very consistent in July. The temperatures vary from 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit averaging 79. The mountains have a mean of 72. The Cayo district has about 125 rainy days per year, the Belize district about 171, the Stann district about 183 and Punta Gorda has more than 200.

Foods in Belize

The cooking methods are influenced by the Chinese, Creole, Mexican and European methods. Seafood or chicken and spices are the core of most Belizean foods. Some of the recipes are Barracuda, Beans and rice, Belizean Stew Chicken, Belizean Bake Chicken, Belizean Bake Fish, Belizean Chicken Stew , Ceviche, Belizean Scramble Eggs, Conch Fritters, Tortillas, Plantains and Potato Salad.

Belize culture

Belize is a Caribbean country rather than a Central American one. The people are very friendly and informal. Not greeting known people or failure to return a greeting is not considered proper. The society is fun-loving and not inclined to quarrel. It is thought apt to greet or make a friendly nod to strangers. Before starting a talk, a handshake is thought essential. Racism is not dominant in Belize. A locality may have different ethnic groups that co-exist without mixing. The inhabitants of Belize are cognizant about their clothing. They think it displays the level of their culture, taste and status. The contemporary trends from the  United States  are always held in high regard. English is the official language in this region. The actual language is a blend of English and Creole. Religious freedom exists in this nation. Catholics are 60 percent and Anglicans are 11 percent. Churches conduct a majority of schools and hence everybody is associated with some religion.

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Posted under Employment

Found your dream French Property? – Ten ways to make the move a success

Advice for those people dreaming the dream. You MUST consider these ten pearls of wisdom before you commit to that move to France.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so" – Douglas Adams

The Internet is peppered with tales of woe from people who followed their dream and moved to France in search of a better life, only to discover that things over here weren’t as advertised on ‘A Place in the Sun’. But why did they fail? And what can we learn from their experience? Here are ten things you have to consider before you take the plunge:

1 Consider the children – If they are pre-school age they will settle more easily, but older children will take longer to adapt to new friends, a new language and a different culture. They may not share your dream of a French idyll, and they could have you back on the boat quicker than you can say ‘wish we hadn’t sold our house’.

2 Choose the right place- Yes that old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere is beautiful, but what do you really want out of life? Will you miss the local boozer, the cinema, take-away meals, the gym, sports facilities and clubs? Think carefully about whether you need to be close to a city, or whether you’re happy in the country. If you’re from the  city in the UK or US , then moving to the country in France will be twice as much of a shock to the system.

3 Rent first - The only way to know if you like the area, without taking the ultimate risk would be to keep your UK property, rent it out, and find a rental property in a place you like. This way, you could try different places if you want, and you will be ideally placed to hear first about properties for sale in the area.

4 How will you earn money? - With unemployment at around 10% and stifling employment laws, you could be hard pressed to find work in France, especially if you are not a fluent French speaker. Starting a business could work, but you could be surprised at the red-tape and high social charges, and you’ll need to do your research thoroughly. Many people commute back to a job in the UK each week, but think about the effects on your health and morale over the longer term.

5 Consider your health - Yes the health service here is superb, but the French residents pay for it through hefty social charges, and top-up insurance. There are strict rules governing eligibility for the French system, and if you are retired or nearing retirement age, think about how you will cope without the support of your wider family in the event of disability or illness in your later years.

6 Choose the right kind of property - What will you do with the 30ha of land that you got with the property? Property might be cheap to buy, but there are many that need extensive work (and money) to make them habitable. It’s okay to dream, but construction and DIY materials are not cheap here, and you’ve more chance of bumping into Elvis Presley than a plumber or electrician who can accommodate you in a hurry. Do your homework and be realistic about the depth of your budget and your patience.

7 Learn the language - Basic French will get you by, but what about making friends, dealing with utility companies and integrating into the community? You could feel isolated and alone if you don’t get a reasonable command of the language, and it isn’t easy to pick-up. Try to watch French TV, talk to the locals and do a course. Don’t underestimate how long it will take you to become fluent.

8 Become part of the community - If you have children, meet the other parents and join the school committee. If not, explore the local associations and clubs, and talk to your neighbors. If you limit your social activity to the group of ex-pats you have got to know, then you will never really become part of the community. Respecting and accepting the local culture and traditions doesn’t mean losing your British roots and your own ways of doing things.

9 Give It time! - Common wisdom is that you need at least 2 years to really give it a go living in another country. In this time you will feel homesick, miss the foods, the beer, the shops, your family, and feel that you’ve done the wrong thing and worry about the effect on your family. If you don’t give it time, you’ll never know if it could have worked out.

10 Have some savings -  Moving is expensive , wherever you are going, but make sure you set enough money aside for those house renovations, or for setting up a business if that is what you plan to do.

Good advice? Or patronising rubbish? Tell us what you think, and what you have learnt from your own experience.

GUIDE2PoitouCharentes.com
One stop shop for information on Poitou Charentes, France

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International Medical Cover : Friend In Need

Tremendous improvement in communication methods like telecommunication and Internet, and economic liberalisation in countries all over the world have given rise to insurance sector, too. Several of bigger and private companies are crossing the border, and opening their business in other countries. Several of insurance companies going global have given boost to the term International medical cover. This medical cover, in true way, appears to be a friend of your in need, when you are living outside your domestic location.

The official figures state that market for International medical insurance is growing all over the world at the rate of more than 10% annually. The need to be insured when living abroad has originated the dire need for several private insurance companies to come up with different plans.

Normally the insurance will cover the compensation sum varying between 50,000 to 5,000,000 depending upon the nature of accident you have met. Post 9/11, International medical cover insurance has become a necessity for expats living outside their country. In addition to world health insurance like income replacement insurance, travel insurance and kidnap insurance have become in favourite list of expats to be availed.

To avail an International medical cover insurance, it is important that you have understood the underwriting terms of plans. Having not an inappropriate underwriting can lead your insurance application to get rejected. Besides, if you are applying for this insurance for the first time, you need to be careful about choosing the right insurance. Premium cost comparison is the best way to decide about the suitable International medical insurance you need. Look for the specific benefits, and check also the range of compensation they are giving you. Taking care of such small issues might give you a good deal. Having a good insurance deal especially when you are living in foreign land is like having your best friend always close to your bosom.

By: Darlene Kaitlin

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

The author is associated with UK’s leading healthcare and medical insurance broker, Essential Health Ltd, which provides medical benefits, to its clients in UK and around the world, for Cancer, Medical insurance, Accident insurance, Life, Travel insurance, International medical cover and even dental insurance. She writes on various topics and latest news related to medical, insurance and most importantly on Cancer.

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Posted under Health Issues

Is Hong Kong Any Place For Budget Travelers?

Backpacker savant and perpetually dusty photojournalist Tom Carter fails to make much of an impression in affluent Hong Kong, Asia’s wealthiest city.

Having spent over two-and-a-half straight years in the Chinese mainland without leave, it was with both anticipation and apprehension that I recently crossed the southern border into Asia’s wealthiest city.

Despite its one-stop-shopping popularity with Mainland expats needing new clothes and a new visa, I truly had no idea what to expect in the former crown colony that supposedly makes even rich men feel poor. Rather terrified of exacting reverse culture shock, I hence saved English-speaking Hong Kong and its "One Country, Two Systems" self for the tail end of my journey across the 32 Chinese provinces.

And it is here I report that all my preconceptions and fears about Hong Kong were… true. To quote the under-appreciated American writer Thomas A. Carter (me!) upon his brief sojourn in the legendary Chinese city, "I’ve never felt more poor than when I was in Hong Kong… I’ve never felt more ugly than when I was in Hong Kong."

DAY 1: Cross the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border at Louhu and catch the immaculate KCR railway, immediately impressed that nobody is staring, shoving or spitting. Arrive in Kowloon’s southern peninsula and emerge from the underground into the land of lights – Tsim Sha Tsui. Blinded with excitement, I have to ask a resplendent group of Indian women draped in saris where the Mirador Mansion is. They point their gold-ringed fingers straight up. A towering, rust-stained concrete block, and one of Hong Kong’s only affordable accommodations. I check in to a claustrophobic dorm room (three times the price of a Mainland dorm and three times as small), then hit Nathan Road. Peering up into the neon lights, tripping in the crush of the crowds, I feel just like a migrant worker back in Beijing.

DAY 2: Awoken at 6am by one of my bunkmates stumbling in after a long night. His name is Pat, a young American backpacker with long red hair whose introduction is immediately followed by a long-winded narrative about his two-week romps in Hong Kong, including scoring with the mythical "Asian girls who LOOOVE foreign guys." When I counter that I never had any such luck, the fast-talking but likeable Pat proffers some off-the-cuff advise ("Dude, lose the beard") before launching into more useful information. "It’s Sunday, okay, and there’s gonna be, like, 120,000 Filipino nannies and maids on their only day off – and looking for boyfriends!" I’m a little dubious of Pat’s generalizations, but sure enough his mobile rings continuously with calls from adoring cleaning ladies he met the Sunday before. An afternoon stroll around Statue Square indeed reveals a literal blanket of thousands of picnicking South Asian women (Hong Kong’s largest migrant communities) whose collective chatter sounds just like a large flock of seagulls. When I attempt to candidly photograph one attractive young Filipino, she shouts "Hey! I klick jor ass!" So much for getting a date.

DAY 3: Fieldtrip to Shek O beach on Hong Kong Island’s south side, savoring the soft sand and splashing in the subtropical South China Sea. Supposedly this place is packed out on the weekend, but that’s what weekdays are for, no? It’s one of those moments when I enjoy being unemployed. Chase my fun in the sun with a tram ride up Victoria Peak for a breathtaking evening vista of skyscrapers, which appear to be constructed entirely out of lights. Dafnit, an Israeli girl clearly in awe of the Hong Kong skyline, remarks, "We have no tall buildings in Israel. Oh wait… we have one!"

DAY 4: Spend the day traversing Kowloon, the fashion billboards of TST turning into seedy massage parlor billboards as I descend northwest down the Nathan Road side streets, the sun lost behind precipices of neon signs stretching horizontally over the streets. The markets of Mong Kok are mobbed with uniformed students on lunch break: long-haired boys with untucked white shirts and loosened ties, and made-up girls in little outfits out of a Japanese kogal/hentai fantasy: knee-high black stockings, short skirts and a Louis Vuitton bag to carry their pencils and books. They have tattoos, tongue piercings and smoke cigarettes. After commenting that they are the hippest students in China I’ve seen, one 15-year-old boy replies in perfect English, "Yes, so cool, but so young."

DAY 5: I want to see how the other half lives and spend the day in Central, Hong Kong Island’s microcosm of capitalism. Cross Victoria Harbor by the centuries-old Star Ferry through a morning miasma of pollution and follow white-collared crowds of businessmen contending with cell phones, briefcases and latts into their respective skyscrapers. Later observe as many women shopping in designer department stores – these must be the wives. I notice that they all clutch their purses as I walk by, then realize why as I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflective fa?ade of the Bank of China tower. My head cast down in self-consciousness, I almost get rolled over by a Rolls (driving on the wrong side of the road, damn Brits!), then almost again by a double-decker cable car. Everyone in Central must be against me. My insecurities are firmed up that evening in Lan Kwai Fong, a gentrified neighborhood of upscale restaurants and bars on the Island’s northern escarpment. The steep streets are congested with young, well-to-do westpats toasting yet another successful day of money -making. I can’t believe there are so many white people in China who aren’t English teachers! They are all smartly dressed and have well-groomed hair; I am wearing cutoff army pants, low-top fake Converse, an eight year old t-shirt that I bought used, nor have I shaved or cut my locks in the eight months I’ve been on the road. I want to belong, but I don’t. It’s one of those moments when I regret being unemployed.

DAY 6: I give the Island another chance and take the night ferry across the harbor to the north end’s older and seedier nightspot, the infamous Wan Chai. Recall it is where Richard Mason penned his 1950’s tale of forbidden love, "The World Of Suzie Wong," though a lot has changed since he wrote "take a minute’s stroll from the center and you won’t see a European." The pick-up bars still line the road, yum-yum girls luring passersby into their neon-lit dens, but these are the illegitimate daughters of Suzie Wong, not of Chinese but Thai dissent, wearing not elegant silk cheongsams but cheap miniskirts raised to immodest heights. And unlike the kindly ladies of the Nam Kok Hotel, these modern-day working girls are vicious, mercenary, cold. When a group of obviously disappointed white boys emerge from one venue exclaiming, "In Thailand they take off ALL their clothes," the brown-skinned door girl in plastic go-go boots is quick to shout back, "Then go to Thailand!" Further down Lockhart I follow a couple of older Europeans primed with drink and flirting heavily with a lovely bouquet of girls looking for generous company. After making their arrangements, one of the men leans on me and confides, "Wy mife, I mean my wife, thinks I’m *HICCUP* at a conference." The remaining girls give this poor writer a cursory glance then quickly cross the street away from me.

DAY 7: I wake up feeling dejected and classless; the expatriates of Central don’t want me, nor do the waterfront girls of Wan Chai. Take a stroll around TST, passing by friendly knots of third-world hustlers hanging out in front of the Chungking Mansions, the immigrant ghetto of Kowloon that serves as temporary living quarters for Hong Kong’s financially insolvent migrs. A street corner tout from Kashmir says to me "The Mansions is where anyone not wearing pastel shorts or a suit stay." I realize this mad cauldron of multiculturalism is the only place I truly feel at home in Hong Kong. The Africans on the never-quiet front steps always high-five me, the Pakistanis all think I’m Muslim (must be the beard), and the Indians bat their eyelashes at me. The Chungking Mansions are the international haunt for anyone who is no one, and I am one of them. It is a peasant’s epiphany – in Hong Kong, I am the ‘nongmin.’

TOM CARTER is the author of ‘CHINA: Portrait of a People,’ a definitive 600-page book of photography due out winter 2007 from Hong Kong publisher Blacksmith Books.

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The Top 10 Reasons to Retire in San Miguel De Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a popular retirement spot for Americans and people from the rest of the world as well. There are many reasons why this  jewel in Mexico  is the perfect retirement location, no matter where you are from. Listed below are ten reasons why many people retire here, instead of somewhere else.

1. Cost of living – The cost of living in San Miguel is much lower than the cost of living in the U.S. It costs around one fifth of the price to rent or own a home in Mexico, compared to America, and living expenses are around one fourth of the cost in comparison.

2. Weather – The weather in this Mexican region is nice almost every day of the year. With blue skies and plenty of warm sunny days, this is the perfect location for people who want to get away from the cold.

3. Domestic Help – In Mexico, retirees can afford good domestic help, such as a maid and cook, and still live cheaper than in the United States. Instead of spending time cooking and cleaning, a small price will take care of this for you, and there are always plenty of domestic workers available at a great low price.

4. Population – The population of San Miguel de Allende is friendly, warm, and helpful. Many speak the English language, as well as Spanish, so communication is normally not a problem for retirees here, and there are plenty of new friends to be made.

5. Activities – San Miguel offers a lot of activities for retirees, whether they are active nature lovers or interested in things to do that are less active physically. There are shops and historic places to visit, horses to ride, and many beautiful and exciting things to see and do.

6. Scenery – San Miguel is located in some of the most beautiful surroundings in the world. From the mountains in the background to the antique villas, buildings, and architecture, the scenery is this quaint Mexican town is exquisite.

7. Location – San Miguel is a popular location with retirees, and visitors, because it is located close to many other attractions, but retains the Old World quality and culture. The border between Mexico and the U.S. is not far away, and there are many others towns and cities, as well as natural scenery and historic sights, to see in the surrounding areas.

8. Modern Conveniences – San Miguel offers modern conveniences, such as wireless capabilities, phone service, running water, and electricity.

9. Safety – San Miguel de Allende is a very safe place to live, whether you are from  Mexico or the United States . The crime rate is very low, and there are many retirees who already live here because it is one of the safest places to live in the entire world.

10. Festivals and Culture – San Miguel has more festivals through the year than almost any other city in Mexico. This location contains a lot of culture and history still, and many retirees and visitors enjoy the cultural displays and traditions.

If you would like to know more about how to retire in San Miguel de Allende, please do visit our site.

The author is a Professional Internet Marketer with PowerHunters helping firms get their site noticed online.

 
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The Psychological Effects of Emigrating

Emigrating can be emotionally taxing. The transition is a heavily emotional occurrence. How can you manage your emotions? And, how can emigration really affect you?

Emigrating is not a simple process. Besides the formal side such as applying for a visas and completing a citizenship test, emigration involves leaving your memories behind. Emigration also involves leaving your close connections with loved ones behind. Not to mention the life that has helped morph you into the person you are today.

There’s no doubt about it; Emigrating is a life changing event.

You have to very significant decisions to make; you can decide that emigrating equates to living a lonely existence in country that you are possibly not very familiar with

Or,

You can view this phase in your life as a fresh new start with awesome possibilities awaiting you.

However, no matter what your outlook, your transition will certainly bear a few bumps every now and then. In fact, according to many expats, it takes approximately two years to settle in.

Take note that whether you are considering the emigrate or even if you are in the process of emigrating, you are in fact already feeling the psychological effects of emigrating…

Emigration Companies will often set you up in almost every aspect such as shipping your pets and how to move your goods. In view of the fact that you’ll be starting you life almost from scratch, it seems a logical choice to have a professional in place to help clients to prepare psychologically.

 Often described as an emotional rollercoaster, the transition causes stress levels to rise as the day of departure draws closer. You may wonder if you’ve made the right decision, you may be concerned about the process going wrong and think to your self, "what if I don’t take up the great opportunity, will I regret it for the rest of my life?"

Feelings of irrational indecisiveness and fears may occur. These emotions can sometimes manifest into a host of physical symptoms such as headaches and sleepless nights.

Are there valid solutions?

There is a therapy referred to as "talking therapy" or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is considered a quick fix cure for many psychological needs, these include Bulimia and Schizophrenia. CBT could be explored as a suitable therapy to deal with the psychological effects of emigrating. According to practitioners of the therapy, CBT can help clients deconstruct and deal with their overwhelming emotional problems by sectioning the issues they have into smaller parts. In effect, the therapy helps clients to deal with these issues in manageable chunks.

The aim of this therapy is to unveil and communicate about issues related to your mental state. The therapy uses self-awareness to break free from negative thought patterns.

Can you handle change right now?

We all differ. You may be more careful about the decisions you make. Your friend or partner may enjoy spontaneity and make flash decisions without a care in the world. However, being afraid of change is a natural emotion. Most people may be concerned about whether everything will go according to plan and more importantly, whether the right decision has been made.

According to CBS specialists, you should not think about a life-changing decision such as this if you are going through clinical depression or anxiety.

Even is you are not suffering from problems such as these, it will do you good to find ways to enhance your coping skills. Also ask yourself these questions to establish if you’re ready for change or just fleeing from an existing problem. Do some soul searching…

Are you trying to fix an existing problem?

Are you running away? What from?

Are you aware that you’d be far away from your support systems if you’re trying to deal with an existing problem?

These questions may be tough and painful to answer, but you’ll certainly gain a clearer and more rational perspective. Find a trustworthy friend or family member to support you through the process.

Are you in good form?

It is important to put your thoughts down on paper. This can help you organise what you’re thinking and feeling. You’ll also be aware of the benefits and disadvantages of immigrating. Remember, whatever your decision, it will have repercussions.

List the Pros and Cons. Give a score to each item on your list and then simply add up the scores of each of the columns. This will give a numerical basis for your decision.

How to ensure a smooth transition?

Give yourself time to research the psychological effects. Talk to others as much as you can, particularly those who’ve made the move themselves. Perhaps draw on expat forums on various expat websites.

It is imperative that you socialise with positive like-minded people.

IF you’re going through the immigration application process, compile a list of your goals and what you will do in order to reach these goals. Then pack it away for a while. When you hit an emotional bump, reach for your goal sheet and read it again to remain focused.

Should you ensure that you have a strong support system in place?

You’re family may be your strongest connections. Perhaps your friends are your strongest supporters. Whatever your situation, ensure that you have the full support of your loved ones. It will make the transition harder without the support of those that you hold dear. If you don’t have their assurance, it may be difficult to settle.

Will you be short on cash but high on positivity?

For most, when emigrating there is very little money in the bank. It may be hard to remain positive but it is possible. If you’ve emigrated already, make contact with expats from your country. A familiar social group will do wonders for your emotional stability. You’ll stick together, work hard and stick it out together! Money is very central to your survival, but positivity will get you through those rough patches.

In truth, there is no quick fix solution to preparing yourself. If you create ways to help overcome your worries and anxieties and change the meaning that you give to emigrating towards excitement and challenge, you’ve made a good start.
Any question? Why not contact a clued up consultant.

Immigration Unit
Immigration Lawyers

 
Hyggelige: The Danish way of surviving soul-crushing darkness
So as some of you may have noticed I haven’t written in about a month. Well I learned a very important life lesson. When you move to a new country where you don’t know the language it can be very hard. Read more…

Emmigration
anyway, i’m starting to consider my options if, come early november we awake to find that the hate-mongers have carried the day again, and of course thoughts turn quickly to emmigration. Read more…

Posted under Health Issues

UK’s Special Relationship With Us Needs to Be Recalibrated, Obama Tells Ex-pats in Britain

Call for equal partnership in phone link to London fund-raising event attended by 200

Barack Obama has called for the "special relationship" between the US and Britain to be "recalibrated" to make it a fairer, more equal partnership, the Guardian has learned.

Senator Obama, who leads the race to be the Democratic candidate for the US presidency, made the remarks in a telephone address to a fundraising event attended by American expatriates in London.

He has long been seen by British officials as the most Anglophile of the three remaining presidential candidates, but these latest comments are his first public suggestion that the relationship is unequal and ripe for change.

"We have a chance to recalibrate the relationship and for the United Kingdom to work with America as a full partner," Obama told more than 200 American expatriates gathered at the Notting Hill home of Elisabeth Murdoch, the head of Shine television production company and daughter of the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

The event, which raised more than $400,000 for the Obama campaign, was intended to be confidential, but several guests have since confirmed the senator’s remarks. A foreign policy adviser to the Obama campaign said the remarks on the US-UK relationship reflected the senator’s general foreign policy approach.

"It’s no longer going to be that we are in the lead and everyone follows us. Full partners not only listen to each other, they also occasionally follow each other," the adviser said.

The general opinion among the Obama foreign policy team is that Tony Blair got very little in return for his support of the Iraq invasion, in terms of promoting his agenda for multilateral action on global issues and for a Washington-led push towards forging a settlement to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Prime minister Gordon Brown’s foreign policy team agrees with that assessment, arguing Blair put too much emphasis on Britain being a bridge between the US and Europe.

"The trouble with being a bridge is that people walk over you," one senior British official said recently. Brown has previously had close relations with the Clinton camp, but his first meeting with Obama, in Washington last month, was said by both sides to have gone very well.

The event in Notting Hill brought together some of the most prominent and wealthiest American expatriates in Britain, particularly from the arts and media, who were served miniature hot dogs and pecan pies before the telephone linkup with the candidate.

Co-hosting the event alongside Murdoch were Kay Saatchi, an art collector and former wife of Charles Saatchi, and Josh Berger, the head of Warner Bros in the UK and Ireland. Among the guests was David Schwimmer, the former Friends sitcom star. Gwyneth Paltrow was due to attend but opted instead to appear on a New York television talk show.

She sent a message that was read out at the event explaining that one of the main reasons she was supporting Obama was that he had a multiracial background, "a name like Barack Obama", and had lived outside the US. He therefore had "experience of other cultures" and was aware that the US could not operate as a lone global policeman, Paltrow said, according to guests at the event.

Obama drew on the same theme in his remarks, saying: "I was brought up by an expatriate [his mother and him lived in Indonesia when he was a boy] and I know what it’s like to look at the world differently."

"He has created an enormous amount of interest among Americans here, because he represents real change," said Berger. "I have not organized one of these events before, but I took it upon myself to get involved because I feel strongly about change and about Barack."

He said Obama had far more support among US expatriates in Britain than Hillary Clinton. "He is someone who is going to be much more mindful about the rest of the world – certainly more than the current administration, which is not hard."

Posted under General

Health Care in Spain

The health care service in Spain is excellent for both Spanish nationals and ex-pats alike. Find out how you can be sure you can receive treatment if necessary whilst visiting Spain.

Health care in Spain is of a very high standard with good local health centres or Centros de Salud and here on the Costa del Sol we have an excellent central hospital, the "Costa del Sol", at Marbella. In addition to which there are of course many other hospitals both private and public but most ex-pats tend to gravitate towards the "Costa del Sol" and you hear very good reports of the treatment people have received there.

Certainly my own experiences through attending the A & E, or "Urgencias" when the children were little were very positive. On one occasion my son broke his foot and we were in and out within and hour having had the offending foot, x-rayed and plastered.

The staff there are kind and caring and there are translators on hand if your Spanish is limited. They have a very positive attitude to relatives and in fact are quite happy for one to be present at the hospital 24 hours a day.

When my other son of 15 was in with a broken leg he shared a room with a younger boy and they pushed the beds together so that the boys father could sleep there. A bit unorthodox by some standards perhaps but the Spanish are extremely family oriented and they made every effort to include my son in their visits.

Your E111, or European Health Card as it is now called, will suffice for many of your needs in relation to your health care in Spain and in fact both the incidents sited above were taken care of by my E111 even though the latter involved quite a complex operation with my son’s leg being pinned. Follow up treatment needs to be paid for however so private health insurance is advisable if you are living in Spain or travel insurance if you are just visiting. You can apply for this new card online here.

If you are living and working in Spain and therefore paying social security then you will be entitled to the same health care in Spain as Spanish nationals. If you are in receipt of a U.K. pension and intend to live in Spain then you need to get a form E121 and this should be taken to your nearest Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (INSS) office for registration. You will then be issued with a medical card which you must produce if you require treatment anywhere and you will then receive this free of charge.

Spanish chemists, or Farmacias, are a great part of health care in Spain and are a good port of call if your symptoms are not serious enough to worry your doctor or take you to the A&E department of the hospital. You will always receive good advice there and probably be recommended something for whatever ails you. If you are receiving prescription drugs at home then bring the packet with you and you will probably find that you will be able to buy your medicines over the counter without the need of a further prescription. I must say however that I think their rather free practice of dishing out antibiotics to anyone who asks is not really to be condoned.

In conclusion the level of health care in Spain for both residents and non-residents is of the highest standard and waiting lists are probably shorter than in the U.K. Accident and emergency treatment is provided free for anyone with a European Health card and the full medical services are available for pensioners who have registered with the appropriate authority and for anyone paying into the social security system.

Article submitted by Ruth Polak the owner of www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com A web site specializing in holiday villas and apartments on the Costa del Sol and in Rural Andalucia. You will also find lots of information about Spain and Andalucia, in particular.

Posted under Health Issues

Best Paid Overseas Teaching Jobs

To ensure you land the best paid overseas teaching job you need to consider more than just the salary being offered. Benefits and income tax can either significantly add to or subtract from your savings potential.

Here’s how… When looking for the best paid overseas teaching job it is easy to be blinded by the salary being offered but this may prevent you from making the best choice if saving money is your primary concern. Here are two tips to help you find the highest paying teaching job abroad – net.

Teaching jobs abroad come in many shapes and sizes. You can teach English in private language schools, teach at universities set up for local students from the host countries and, you can teach at international schools which are set up for expatriate children. The most lucrative position is usually teaching at an international school for expatriate children. There are over 4000 international schools worldwide so there is plenty from which to choose.

Salary and Benefits

When considering a teaching position abroad it is important that you consider the overall package rather than simply the salary offered. This is what makes an international school teaching job the best paid teaching position abroad.

Some benefits offered by many international schools that can add to the overall package are:

* flights paid from your home to the school’s location at the beginning and end of your contract. Depending on how far your home is from the school, this benefit alone can save you several thousand dollars.

* housing allowance. Often international schools will pay you a monthly housing allowance, or even provide accommodation for you in an apartment or a housing complex. When you are offered a housing allowance you can usually find yourself adequate housing for the amount you are paid, and sometimes you can even end up with a surplus.

* end-of-contract bonus. International schools want you to remain for the full length of your contract and are willing to give you a financial incentive to do so. You may be able to negotiate an end-of-contract bonus of 10-15%.

Income Tax

Another consideration when considering teaching positions abroad and attempting to evaluate which one will be the most profitable is how much tax you will have to pay. Countries have the differing tax rules, for example in Taiwan you may only pay 10% tax, but in Poland you will have to pay closer to 20%. Therefore it is important to find out how much tax you will have to pay and establish how this will affect your overall take home salary.

Also, some benefits are taxable as well, so it is wise to check whether the dollar amounts you are quoted are gross (before tax) or net (after tax).

Finally on the subject of income tax, you should check with the tax department in your home country to establish what your tax commitment to them will be. Simply not living in your home country does not mean your government will not require you to pay tax there, for example, the government in Holland expects citizens who teach abroad to pay ‘wealth tax’ on any assets they leave behind.

This information is difficult to come by for most international schools in the initial stages of the recruitment process. Some international teacher job fair organisers require member schools to complete some of this information in their vacancy listings, but others do not. In order to ensure you have the required information to make the best decision possible before you sign a contract for a teaching job overseas, make up a set of interview questions that will cover this ground.

For more detailed information on securing the best paid overseas teaching jobs get Kelly’s Complete Guide to Securing a Job at an International School – now completely revised for 2008!

"Escape the Rat Race – Teach Overseas" available FREE!

Posted under Employment