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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

OP posts:
pupsiecola · 07/11/2013 14:34

Very interesting indeed. I think the final statement sums it up for me. Asia if you don't have kids. Germany and Switzerland if you do. Having seen first hand how hard Chinese kids are generally worked (and other Asian kids) I would agree with that. I know its talking about expats and not the locals, but the inter-country movement among Asia means non local schools have to cater to that strong work ethic.

Also some if the stories that come out of China regard how they treat children are unbelievable (and girls).

Finally, cot of living in a lot of Asia is NOT cheap!

pupsiecola · 07/11/2013 14:37

Sorry for typos. Laptop shagged so using Moby.

Salbertina · 08/11/2013 13:30

Yes but tax is v low, no? Relatively speaking?

Note that Africa amongst worst from map (tho not even warrants a mention in article)
Here cost of living is v high as is tax yet salaries not at Western levels. So as expat not a choice you make for financial reasons!

castlesintheair · 08/11/2013 13:52

Interesting about western Europe. Apart from being lonely and bored where I live (France) I think it is a great place to have kids.

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 09/11/2013 07:57

Salbertina Yes, and I reckon if you take tax and rent together, living in central Hong Kong is about the same as living in central London, so we can't really complain. Some things are more expensive- food stands out- but some things are very cheap, such as public transport and taxis, and critically, childcare. Overall, I think it's a case of "same same but different"

Anyway, I think you have to take surveys like this with a pinch of salt because what Expat X wants/expects ain't necessarily the same as what Expat Y wants/expects.

Personally, I think Asia is great for kids. There's so much help available, you can still have a good social life- I don't just mean in terms of going our drinking, but just having time to play sport or whatever. If I was in London with DH working all hours and traveling, and with no family near, I'd be confined to barracks every night.

The schools are good, and maybe HK and Singapore are different, but the International schools in HK are not overly academic/pushy- in fact some parents complain they're not academic enough and send kids back to board for secondary.

I find it really bizarre that China is No 1 and HK is No 10 - looking at the criteria, I don't really understand what the differentiating factors are.

pupsiecola · 09/11/2013 09:57

Yes tax is cheaper but then school fees take most of that. Which is a new cost for many, who have had kids in UK state schools. The article makes no mention of expat packages re not getting financial help from employer. So for example many may get schools fees partially or fully reimbursed whereas others pay the full amount?

My son's teacher at SAIS said many Chinese parents were asking for more homework. They wanted at least a couple of hours a night! I do think its hard to get the balance right in an International school.

Salbertina · 09/11/2013 10:03

Yes, we were the same pupsi, to go from UK state school and nhs to private ed and health is quite a hit to take!

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