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LIFE COACHING
Where to Migrate to
Migration is very much about dreaming big, and following your heart, but there are also practical considerations that can not be overlooked.
Access to an appropriate Visa or Citizenship is first among these.
Different countries offer different programs for various forms of long term / work visa and citizenship applications, but in general here are some visa criteria / forms that you might look for.
You can visit many countries for a month or in some cases more, but without a work visa you can't stay and earn an income.
Some countries offer residency to 'digital nomads', people who come with a remote job, that pays them from abroad, and so brings money into the country
There are also often visas for staying without earning an income, for those with large bank accounts. Visas for retirees on a pension, are welcome in most European countries.
Many countries offer work visas to people who are being invited by a corporate sponsor, to take a job in their country.
Often their are citizenship application programs for people who have been in a country for ~5 years or so, under one of the legal visa options available. Although there are commonly other requirements for candidacy such as language competence etc.
Some countries offer citizenship for sale. For people who can afford to purchase citizenship with a single large payment.
Others offer citizenship for an investment of some kind.
Citizenship or at least work visas are sometimes available to people with a particular profession or expertise.
Many countries offer citizenship to people who can prove that their parent or in some cases grand parent was a citizen of that country.
Historically several countries have opened citizen application up to people who can proove decent from that nation, further back in their family tree. Recent examples include Luxembourg and the return of the Sephardic Jews to Spain. However these programs are often short lived, closing after a year or two.
Choosing a Country Based on your Language Skills
Choosing a destination based on your first or second language, is a natural bias. There are also some countries where english speaking is more common than others. Some languages are easier to learn than others, and there are those that you will find it easier to acquire due to similarities and common roots with your own. Its good to remember that having learned a language in school, will certainly make language acquisition easier, but there is a substantial distance between a fast spoken, idiomatically complex language like French for example, and high school French classes. Even if you are going to a country with the same language, be prepared to learn new uses, idioms, emphasis, pronunciation and speech patterns. On the up side learning a new language as an adult keeps your brain agile and has been proven to delay the symptoms of brain aging. As you learn a new language you will find that you have an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Infact different languages promote different personalities and energetics. Try it out, its a real plot twist.
Choosing based on Cost of Living
Cost of living is on the rise everywhere, but some countries are cheaper to live, particularly if you are earning an income from a more expensive country. You may also find that some life styles offer some insulation from rising prices, because of their simplicity, and self sufficiency. If your income or savings come from another country, it is wise to watch for foreign exchange trends that might reduce your spending power over time.
Another aspect of this conversation is that, if you have always wanted to own your own home and / or land, migrating could give you access to that dream, when your home country did not. Some countries have generally lower real estate prices compared to that country's average income, than others, lower real estate taxes and generaly more space available, depending on where you want to be of course. For example rural Europe is very much less expensive than metropolitan Europe, and there is a lot of housing stock available, with an abundance of charm, history and potential.
Choosing based on the availability of Health Care and Social Services
Some countries have better and cheaper health care systems than others. Better hospitals, more advanced / modern medical equipment etc. Some countries have these things available in general but be sure that the area that you choose has access to the medical support you might need. Likewise social services vary wildly from one country to anther, so pay close attention to the details.
Choose based on climate and life style.
Climate is a common consideration, when looking for a comfortable relaxed outdoorsy lifestyle. But remember that places with mild winters, can have excessively hot summers and will be more predisposed to drought and fire danger. Also keep in mind that global temperatures are on the rise, as are sea levels, and coastal populations.
Choosing based on Social Equality, Political Freedom and Stability
Some countries have explicit social and political policies of inclusivity, and equality. If this is important to you, you will want to include this in your search criteria.
Based on your personal support system and family ties
There are many people who seek places where they have connections, either familial or friend groups, cultural peer groups or religious groups.
Choosing a Country Based on your Language Skills
Choosing a destination based on your first or second language, is a natural bias. There are also some countries where english speaking is more common than others. Some languages are easier to learn than others, and there are those that you will find it easier to acquire due to similarities and common roots with your own. Its good to remember that having learned a language in school, will certainly make language acquisition easier, but there is a substantial distance between a fast spoken, idiomatically complex language like French for example, and high school French classes. Even if you are going to a country with the same language, be prepared to learn new uses, idioms, emphasis, pronunciation and speech patterns. On the up side learning a new language as an adult keeps your brain agile and has been proven to delay the symptoms of brain aging. As you learn a new language you will find that you have an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Infact different languages promote different personalities and energetics. Try it out, its a real plot twist.
Choosing based on Cost of Living
Cost of living is on the rise everywhere, but some countries are cheaper to live, particularly if you are earning an income from a more expensive country. You may also find that some life styles offer some insulation from rising prices, because of their simplicity, and self sufficiency. If your income or savings come from another country, it is wise to watch for foreign exchange trends that might reduce your spending power over time.
Another aspect of this conversation is that, if you have always wanted to own your own home and / or land, migrating could give you access to that dream, when your home country did not. Some countries have generally lower real estate prices compared to that country's average income, than others, lower real estate taxes and generaly more space available, depending on where you want to be of course. For example rural Europe is very much less expensive than metropolitan Europe, and there is a lot of housing stock available, with an abundance of charm, history and potential.
Choosing based on the availability of Health Care and Social Services
Some countries have better and cheaper health care systems than others. Better hospitals, more advanced / modern medical equipment etc. Some countries have these things available in general but be sure that the area that you choose has access to the medical support you might need. Likewise social services vary wildly from one country to anther, so pay close attention to the details.
Choose based on climate and life style.
Climate is a common consideration, when looking for a comfortable relaxed outdoorsy lifestyle. But remember that places with mild winters, can have excessively hot summers and will be more predisposed to drought and fire danger. Also keep in mind that global temperatures are on the rise, as are sea levels, and coastal populations.
Choosing based on Social Equality, Political Freedom and Stability
Some countries have explicit social and political policies of inclusivity, and equality. If this is important to you, you will want to include this in your search criteria.
Based on your personal support system and family ties
There are many people who seek places where they have connections, either familial or friend groups, cultural peer groups or religious groups.
Based on the ease which which you can start a business, and the associate tax systems for doing so
Some countries make it easier or more challenging, to be an entrepreneur, to start and grow a business. Even within Europe, rules vary greatly.
Unfortunately many countries with good social services, also have overly complex, onerous and restrictive tax laws. You will have to decide for yourself if you are willing to accommodate this added financial burden and administrative complexity.
Even those that are not more complex or more expensive, will be utterly different (and possibly in a foreign language) from what you are used to and may well require that you hire a tax accountant to navigate.
Luckly multi lingual accountants can be found, as can local 'fixers': Multi lingual people with small consulting businesses, that help other people with business administration and set up. Look for them in the local facebook groups that serve the area you are settling.