Friday, September 30, 2011

Cost of Living Comparison Calculator

Xpatulator.com is a cost of living comparison calculator by city. You can choose from the salary, cost of living allowance, or cost of living index reports for international comparison of global locations across the world.  


Xpatulator.com provides cost of living index and hardship (quality of life) index information for 13 different baskets in 300 international locations delivered via 3 self service comparison calculators (Report Wizards) that generate personalised reports online.
The next update will be on 1 October 2011. Be sure to checkout  http://www.xpatulator.com/ tomorrow for the latest results.

Cost Of Living Index Calculation



Cost of living is the cost of maintaining a specified standard of living, similar to a typical household budget. A Cost of living index is a numerical way of comparing cost of living, either over time, or by comparing different geographical locations.

When you relocate to another geographic location, the cost of everything you spend your salary on will either cost more or less. Some of the costs may be higher in the new location and some of the costs may be lower. The difference in cost of living is typically reported as a “cost of living index. By selecting the appropriate costs that you will have to pay from your salary, you can use a tool such as http://www.xpatulator.com/ to calculate the cost of living difference between 2 locations. Xpatulator uses 13 basket groups, the result of extensive research of actual spending habits, to reflect a reality-based international expenditure pattern. The basket groups are weighted according to Expatriate expenditure norms.

When comparing the cost of living between 2 locations the difference in the aggregate cost of all the selected basket groups are examined in each location using the average reported price in each location for the same quantity of each item. Cost of living is the relative differential in the local cost of the basket groups and the ruling exchange rate between the 2 selected locations.

When comparing the cost of living between different locations the objective is to calculate the difference in the cost of living expressed as an index (e.g. dividing the cost of living in Location A by the cost of living in Location B may result in an index of 140). The cost of living index indicates the difference in the cost of living between the 2 locations. In the above example the index of 140 means that Location A is 40% more expensive than Location B.

This means that a person who moves from Location B to Location A would need to earn 40% more, to have the same standard of living in Location A as they have currently.

Xpatulator.com Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI)  calculates cost of living indexes for the host locations you select using the home location you specify. You can choose from any one of the 13 baskets or you can choose the overall cost of living index. you to choose 1 home location and up to 300 available host locations. Recommended for the calculation of 3 or more cost of living indexes using your choice of base city.

For more on how Xpatulator.com can calculate cost of living indexes for you visit http://www.xpatulator.com/Cost-of-Living-Index
 

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Moving to Harare

Today we look at moving to Harare in Zimbabwe from St Louis in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Harare people speak English (official), Shona and Sindebele. In St Louis people speak English.
Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe and largest city and its administrative, commercial, and communications centre. St. Louis is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. The city is the principal municipality of Greater St. Louis which is the largest urban area in Missouri and 16th-largest in the United States. Harare is a trade centre for tobacco, maize, cotton, and citrus fruits. Manufactures include textiles, steel, and chemicals, and gold is mined in the area. St. Louis has 8 Fortune 500 companies. During the late 20th and early 21th century several corporate pillars left the city. The greater St Louis region is known as an academic and corporate center for the biomedical sciences, has built up a formidable health care industry and is home to some of the country's largest privately held corporations.

The overall cost of living rank in Harare is 271 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from St Louis to Harare will experience a change in cost of living of -3.4%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Harare is ranked as an extreme hardship location with a hardship index of 40% compared to St Louis with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.
Source: Harare Cost of Living as at July 2011.

Xpatulator.com

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Moving to Lusaka

Today we look at moving to Lusaka in Zambia from Seattle in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Lusaka people speak English (official), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja and Tonga. In Seattle people speak English.
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. Seattle is the Northernmost major city on the West Coast of the United States. Lusaka is a commercial centre as well as centre of government, and the four main highways of Zambia radiate north, south, east and west from it. The major economic, cultural and educational center in the region, Seattle is the center of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area, the 15th largest in the United States, and the largest in the northwestern United States.

The overall cost of living rank in Lusaka is 135 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Seattle to Lusaka will experience a change in cost of living of 6.9%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Lusaka is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% compared to Seattle with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Zambia Lusaka Cost of Living as at July 2011.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Moving to Sanaa

Today we look at moving to Sanaa in Yemen from San Jose in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Sanaa people speak Arabic. In San Jose people speak English.
Sanaa is the capital and largest city of Yemen. San Jose is the third-largest city in California and the tenth-largest in the United States. Sanaa International Airport is Yemen's main domestic and international airport. Al Madina, a commercial area of the old city, is where development is proceeding rapidly. The large concentration of high-technology engineering, computer, and microprocessor companies around San Jose has led the area to be known as Silicon Valley. As the largest city in the valley, San Jose has billed itself the capital of Silicon Valley.

The overall cost of living rank in Sanaa is 298 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from San Jose to Sanaa will experience a change in cost of living of -40.6%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Sanaa is ranked as an extreme hardship location with a hardship index of 40% compared to San Jose with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Yeman Sanaa Cost of Living as at July 2011.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Moving to Ho Chi Minh City

Today we look at moving to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from San Francisco in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations

In Ho Chi Minh City people speak Vietnamese. In San Francisco people speak English.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city in Vietnam. San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California and the 12th most populous city in the United States. The economy of Ho Chi Minh City covers different fields, from mining, seafood processing, agriculture, construction to tourism, finance, industry, trading. It is regarded as the economic center in Vietnam as it accounts for a high proportion of Vietnam's economy. Tourism is the backbone of the San Francisco economy. Its frequent portrayal in music, film, and popular culture has made the city and its landmarks recognizable worldwide. San Francisco's economy has increasingly become tied to that of its Bay Area neighbor San Jose and Silicon Valley to its south, sharing the need for highly educated workers with specialized skills.

The overall cost of living rank in Ho Chi Minh City is 278 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City will experience a change in cost of living of -30.6%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Ho Chi Minh City is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% compared to San Francisco with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Ho Chi Minh City Cost of Living as at July 2011.

What is your Bumper Sticker?



I have written a variety of articles on the softer side of being an expat, the highs and lows, missing home, leaving loved ones and parents behind, going on an expat assignment, but and this is a big but…..

I love being an expat, I love the knowledge that I am one of a small community of people that are expats, which seems to be growing enormously on a yearly basis.


We are the ones that smile knowingly at each other in the shopping centers, the ones that understand what it has taken to get to this point in time.  The struggle it has been to leave your loved ones behind, the decision to  extract yourself from a life you know all too well, one that you are comfortable with, the one that you put to one side for a couple of years as you embrace this new adventure.



It is a special secret club, you can go anywhere in the world and meet someone that has been an expat and have an immediate connection.  “You know.”

You know that you have had to learn to make new friends, to open yourself up to others, to hope that you don’t come across as being too different, to learn new cultures and be accepting of them, to just be you and embrace those that embrace you for being just that.


Your old friends have always just accepted you, clearly your friends back home have either been lifelong friends, people with similar interests or who are at the same stage of life as you are.   Being an expat you mix with people that are in most instances different to you, who are from all over the world, have a different home language and different customs. 

Coming from South Africa, even though we have been brought up with English as our first language, it is different from both US and British English. Try directing someone via circles and robots and your words quickly change to roundabouts and traffic lights. These are people that are similar to you, yet there are still differences. My favorite being bath plug and tub stopper.  Words are spelt differently and you have to figure out which spellings are the ones that are to be used for specific schools and or business you are dealing with.


Having these basic differences is what opens up a whole new exciting world, we often laughing ourselves silly at some misunderstanding that if taken lightly can be very amusing.  One of those instances was the use of the word “fetch”.  Someone was asked to fetch something and it was regarded as being a word you would only use for a dog.  This is not true, depending on which culture you come from and how you perceive the word.  We have decided to call our villa the Dog House and laugh hysterically whenever the “incident” is referred to by our friends.
 



Each day is regarded as an adventure where something new and exciting can happen.  The children have participated in Film Festival Workshops, gone to exclusive Music Academies,met famous Tennis Champs, seen the most amazing sporting events, travelled to exotic places that I would only have dreamed of at their age.  To encounter people, events, cultures, travels and societies that we would never have experienced if we had taken the easy and comfortable route.



I am an expat, and although it has taken a few years, love being one!  You can see the 
newbies, those “deer eyed”, frustrated and slightly befuddled peopled wondering the malls andyou want to embrace them and tell them that this life is actually pretty darn good!
We all have bumper stickers with “I love England” or “I love Japan” or “I love {Insert your preference}”, but my bumper sticker is now going to read 









EXPAT LIFE


What will yours say?

Denise is an Expat, Mom, Wife, writer and Marketing Manager at  http://www.xpatulator.com/ a website that provides cost of living index information and calculates what you need to earn in a different location to compensate for cost of living, hardship, and exchange rate differences. The complete cost of living rank for all 300 locations for all 13 baskets is available here.

Moving to Hanoi

Today we look at moving to Hanoi in Vietnam from San Diego in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Hanoi people speak Vietnamese. In San Diego people speak English.
Hanoi is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam. San Diego is the ninth largest city in the United States, second-largest city in California and 46th largest city in the Americas. Industrial production in the city has experienced a rapid boom since the 1990s in addition tourism, finance, and banking now play an increasingly important role. San Diego's economy is largely composed of agriculture, biotechnology/biosciences, computer sciences, electronics manufacturing, defense-related manufacturing, financial and business services, ship-repair, ship-construction, software development, telecommunications, wireless research, and tourism.

The overall cost of living rank in Hanoi is 265 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from San Diego to Hanoi will experience a change in cost of living of -18.1%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Hanoi is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% compared to San Diego with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Hanoi Vietnam Cost of Living as at July 2011.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Moving to Caracas

Today we look at moving to Caracas in Venezuela from San Antonio in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Caracas people speak Spanish and indigenous languages. In San Antonio people speak English.
Caracas is the capital and largest city of Venezuela. San Antonio is the second-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventh-largest city in the United States. Important industries in Caracas include chemicals, textiles, leather, food, iron and wood products. Caracas is a regional center for the distribution of products. San Antonio has a diversified economy with four primary focuses: financial services, government, health care, and tourism. San Antonio also has a strong military presence.

The overall cost of living rank in Caracas is 80 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from San Antonio to Caracas will experience a change in cost of living of 40.2%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Caracas is ranked as an extreme hardship location with a hardship index of 40% compared to San Antonio with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Caracas Venezuela as at July 2011.

Moving to Vatican City

Today we look at moving to Vatican City in Vatican City from Portland in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Vatican City people speak Italian and Latin. In Portland people speak English.
Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. Portland is Oregon's most populous city, and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest, after Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The unique, noncommercial economy of Vatican City is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. Portland and the region are noted for strong land-use planning and investment in light rail, supported by Metro. Portland is known for its large number of microbreweries and microdistilleries, and its coffee fanaticism.

The overall cost of living rank in Vatican City is 88 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Portland to Vatican City will experience a change in cost of living of 17.1%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Vatican City is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Portland with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Cost of living Vatican City as at July 2011.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Moving to Port Vila

Today we look at moving to Port Vila in Vanuatu from Pittsburgh in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Port Vila people speak Bislama, French and English. In Pittsburgh people speak English.
Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. Pittsburgh is the second largest city in the state of Pennsylvania and is the county seat of Allegheny County. Port Vila is the economic and commercial centre of Vanuatu. Port Vila is Vanuatu's most important harbour and the centre of the country's trade. The international airport, Bauerfield International (VLI) is also located in the city. Major industries in the city remain agriculture and fishing. Tourism is also becoming important, especially from Australia and New Zealand. Pittsburgh is historically known for its steel industry, today its economy is largely based on healthcare, education, technology, robotics, and financial services.

The overall cost of living rank in Port Vila is 27 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Pittsburgh to Port Vila will experience a change in cost of living of 51.6%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Port Vila is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% compared to Pittsburgh with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Port Vila in Vanuatu as at July 2011.

Moving to Tashkent

Today we look at moving to Tashkent in Uzbekistan from Phoenix in USA. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Tashkent people speak Uzbek, Russian and Tajik. In Phoenix people speak English.
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and also of the Tashkent Province. Phoenix is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the fifth most populated city in the United States. Since 1991, the city has changed economically, culturally, and architecturally. Phoenix was primarily agricultural, dependent mainly on cotton and citrus farming. In the last two decades, the economy has diversified. Arizona State University has enhanced the area's population through education and its growing research capabilities. Numerous high-tech and telecommunications companies have also recently relocated to the area.
The overall cost of living rank in Tashkent is 287 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Phoenix to Tashkent will experience a change in cost of living of -19%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Tashkent is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% compared to Phoenix with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.
Source: http://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-review/Uzbekistan-Tashkent_221.cfm as at July 2011.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Moving to Denver

Today we look at moving to Denver in USA from Montevideo in Uruguay. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Denver people speak English. In Montevideo people speak Spanish, Portunol or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix).

The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. Denver's economy is based partially on its geographic position and its connection to some of the major transportation systems of the country. Because Denver is the largest city within 1,000 km, it has become a natural location for storage and distribution of goods and services to the Mountain States. Montevideo is the economic hub of Uruguay and is home to approximately one third of the population.
The overall cost of living rank in Denver is 218 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Montevideo to Denver will experience a change in cost of living of -12.7%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Denver is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Montevideo with a hardship index of 20% which is a some hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Denver USA as at July 2011.

Moving to Dallas

Today we look at moving to Dallas in USA from London in United Kingdom. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Dallas and London people speak English.

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the eighth-largest in the United States. London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest and most populous metropolitan area and the largest urban zone in the European Union. Dallas's economy is primarily based on banking, commerce, telecommunications, computer technology, energy, and transportation. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as a whole has one of the largest concentration of corporate headquarters in the United States. London is a leading global city and the world's largest financial centres with the largest city GDP in Europe. Central London is home to the headquarters of most of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the FTSE 100) and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest. London's influence in politics, finance, education, entertainment, media, fashion, the arts and culture in general contributes to its global position. It is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.

The overall cost of living rank in Dallas is 246 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from London to Dallas will experience a change in cost of living of -38.1%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Dallas is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to London with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Dallas USA as at July 2011.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Hong Kong Purchasing Power



Does salary purchasing power lag in Hong Kong?

Accommodation, flights and education allowances are among the perks many companies use to entice their employees to move to places where the cost and quality of living might be very different to their countries of origin. Salary surveys indicate that managerial level expats in Japan receive the highest salaries in the region. Expats who work at the same level in Hong Kong reportedly receive an average of 18% less salary than Japan. However, the cost of living is on average just 16% lower in Hong Kong compared to Japan. That means that on average an expat manager in Hong Kong has 2% lower purchasing power than Japan. It is very important to take into consideration what the relative salary purchasing power is, the 2% difference between Hong Kong and Japan is relatively small, but some international locations have far larger differences in both cost of living and salary market.

Conduct a cost of living review for both the location you are moving from and to in order to get a feel for the differences in cost of living. To get a really detailed calculation of your current salary's purchasing power in the new location do a salary purchasing power parity calculation.

Moving to Columbus

Today we look at moving to Columbus in USA from Leeds in United Kingdom. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Columbus and Leeds people speak English.

Columbus is the capital and largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio, and the state's third largest metropolitan area, behind Cleveland and Cincinnati. Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. The city has a diverse economy based on education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology. Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of the wider West Yorkshire Urban Area. Leeds is the UK's largest centre for business, legal, and financial services outside London.

The overall cost of living rank in Columbus is 259 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Leeds to Columbus will experience a change in cost of living of -32%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Columbus is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Leeds with a hardship index of 10% which is a minimal hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Columbus USA as at July 2011.

Moving to Cleveland

Today we look at moving to Cleveland in USA from Glasgow in United Kingdom. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Cleveland and Glasgow people speak English.

Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. Cleveland's businesses have diversified into the service economy, including financial services, insurance, legal, and healthcare sectors, though the city's population is declining. Glasgow is one of Europe's top twenty financial centres and is home to many of Scotland's leading businesses. Whilst manufacturing has declined, Glasgow's economy has seen significant relative growth of tertiary sector industries such as financial and business services, communications, biosciences, creative industries, healthcare, higher education, retail and tourism.

The overall cost of living rank in Cleveland is 221 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Glasgow to Cleveland will experience a change in cost of living of -30.2%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Cleveland is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% the same as Glasgow.

Source: Cost of Living Cleveland USA as at July 2011.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Australia Cost of Living




Australia's economy has become increasingly dependent on mining resources for growth, with manufacturers forced to cut jobs and production as they have contended with the strongest exchange rate in three decades which has made exports prohibitively expensive. The Australian dollar has soared approximately 23 percent in the past two years. Australia is however the only major developed economy to avoid a recession in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens has again kept interest rates at 4.75 percent. Interestingly the RBA board makes decisions on interest rates without publicly revealing the vote of the board. Meanwhile the number of business failures in Australia has risen sharply despite global insolvencies falling to their lowest level in nearly four years. Business failures in Australia rose 12.1 per cent in the June 2011 quarter. Business failures in Australian manufacturing have risen on average by 60 per cent since 2008.

Moving to Chicago

Today we look at moving to Chicago in USA from Birmingham in United Kingdom. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Chicago and Birmingham people speak English.

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, and is the largest city in the state of Illinois and the Midwestern United States. Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands county of England. Chicago is home to 12 Fortune 500 companies. Chicago is a major transportation and distribution center. Manufacturing, printing and publishing, and food processing also play major roles in the city's economy. Chicago has the third largest gross metropolitan product in the USA. Birmingham grew to prominence as a manufacturing and engineering centre, however its economy today is dominated by the service sector, which in 2003 accounted for 78% of the city's economic output and 97% of its economic growth. Tourism is also an increasingly important part of the local economy. With major facilities such as the International Convention Centre and National Exhibition Centre the Birmingham area accounts for 42% of the UK conference and exhibition trade.

The overall cost of living rank in Chicago is 167 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Birmingham to Chicago will experience a change in cost of living of -19.7%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Chicago is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% the same as Birmingham.

Source: Cost of Living Chicago USA as at July 2011.

Cost of Living in Guernsey





The cost of living in Guernsey is considerably higher than most of the UK, with the exception of London. A comparison using Xpatulator.com's Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator shows Guernsey to be 6.7% cheaper than London, but 4.4% more expensive than Birmingham, and 4.4% less expensive than Paris. While electricity is approximately 20% more expensive than in the UK, Guernsey has a milder climate, meaning less electricity is required for heating homes. Public transport is not feasible requiring every household to have a car in order to live a normal life in Guernsey. Motoring costs are generally lower in Guernsey due to the lack of MOT inspections and cheaper petrol.

The 10 most expensive cities in Europe:
1. Switzerland, Geneva
2. Switzerland, Zurich
3. Norway, Oslo
4. Liechtenstein, Vaduz
5. Russia, Moscow
6. Denmark, Copenhagen
7. United Kingdom, London
8. Monaco, Monaco
9. France, Paris
10.Finland, Helsinki

Moving to Charlotte




Today we look at moving to Charlotte in USA from Belfast in United Kingdom. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Charlotte and Belfast people speak English.
Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. Belfast is the capital of and the largest city in Northern Ireland. Charlotte has become a major U.S. financial center and is now the second largest banking center in the United States (after New York). The nation's largest financial institution by assets, Bank of America, calls the city home. The center city/uptown area of Charlotte has seen remarkable growth over the last decade. Numerous residential units continue to be built uptown, including over 20 skyscrapers either under construction, recently completed, or in the planning stage. Belfast is Northern Ireland's educational and commercial hub. It is currently in the top five fastest growing regional economies in the UK.
The overall cost of living rank in Charlotte is 229 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Belfast to Charlotte will experience a change in cost of living of -25.8%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Charlotte is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% the same as Belfast.
Source: http://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-review/USA-Charlotte-NC_259.cfm as at July 2011.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Moving to Boston

Today we look at moving to Boston in USA from Dubai in United Arab Emirates. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Boston people speak English. In Dubai people speak Arabic.

Boston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Boston's colleges and universities have a major impact on the city and region's economy. Boston's schools are major employers and attract high-tech industries to the city and surrounding region. Boston is home to a number of technology companies and is a hub for biotechnology. Dubai has the largest population and is the second-largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. The emirate's main revenues are from tourism, property, and financial services.

The overall cost of living rank in Boston is 102 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Dubai to Boston will experience a change in cost of living of 5.5%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Boston is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Dubai with a hardship index of 20% which is a some hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Boston USA as at July 2011.

Israel Cost of Living



In one of the largest social protests in Israel's history, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to protest the high cost of living in the country and demand government action. Israel is currently ranked 98th most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, by Xpatulator.com, out of 300 international locations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently appointed a special panel of experts to draft a series of recommendations on how best to reduce the cost of living. The panel is due to discuss the growing sense of disparity in Israel. Despite promising figures of growth and low unemployment rates, many Israeli feel the prosperity is not shared by all.


The 10 most expensive cities in the Middle East:
1. United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
2. Qatar, Doha
3. Israel, Jerusalem
4. Bahrain, Manama
5. Lebanon, Beirut
6. United Arab Emirates, Dubai
7. Iran, Tehran
8. Palestinian Territories, West Bank
9. Syria, Damascus
10.Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

Do Expatriates experience hardship?

Does an Expatriate and their family experience any hardship? First impressions can be misleading. Many Expatriates accept an overseas position with high expectations of a better quality life, luxury accommodation, and the excitement of new experiences.

The reality is that many Expatriates are disappointed with the reality versus the expectation of their living and working experience. Once they settle in to their new environment, hardship, over which they have very little control often appear.

Hardship is the relative difference in the quality of living a person and their family will experience and the relative impact on their lifestyle when moving between different locations.

Factors include-:

Economic Differences: Such as moving from a First-World location with little poverty and high levels of service provision to a Third-World location where poverty may be prevalent and services intermittent or unavailable

Political Differences: Such as moving from a liberal western life style where diverse views are tolerated to a highly regulated life style where conformity is expected

Religious Differences: Such as moving from an environment where your religion is dominant, to a location where your religion is potentially seen with suspicion

Public Service Differences: Such as moving from an environment where water, electricity, sanitation, work permits etc are easily accessible, fast and efficient to one where services are not reliable, where administration requires a great deal of your time in poorly maintained offices potentially exposed to corrupt officials

Environment/Climate Differences: Such as moving from a mild climate to one of extreme weather such as very hot or very cold locations

Personal Safety Differences: Such as moving from a safe secure environment where you can walk the streets in safety to an environment where you require security (armed response, expensive insurance, high walls electric fences etc) and where it may not be safe to walk outdoors alone

Health Differences: Such as moving from an environment where vaccines and health standards have eradicated most disease to an environment where health standards are poor, and life threatening viral outbreaks common

Education Differences: Such as moving from an environment where state education standards are high, pupils are taught in their mother-tongue, and schools are close to home to an environment where state school standards are poor and in a different language requiring attendance at an international school which can be expensive and require daily travel

Transportation Differences: Such as moving from a location where public transport is freely available and efficient, to a location where it is unreliable and may not be safe to use.

In assessing how much to pay an Expatriate, it is important to take into account the relative hardship, in terms of quality of living conditions between locations, and assesses the relative level of difficulty that will be experienced in adapting to a new location.

Retirement in Spain



A list of retirement hotspots by pension company Standard Life shows Spain, which is on average still 16.8% cheaper than London, especially when it comes to the largest budget items such as housing (40% cheaper), healthcare (30% cheaper) and groceries 7.6% cheaper) is still the number one choice for British pensioners heading abroad. But British pensioners in Spain have been severely hit by the weak pound against the euro. A £10,000 pension that was worth 16,500 Euro 9 years ago is now only worth around 5,000 Euro.

The property market crash has seen property halve in value. There are reportedly 700,000 unsold properties, good news for buyers, bad news for owners.

The 10 most expensive cities in Europe:
1. Switzerland, Geneva
2. Switzerland, Zurich
3. Norway, Oslo
4. Liechtenstein, Vaduz
5. Russia, Moscow
6. Denmark, Copenhagen
7. United Kingdom, London
8. Monaco, Monaco
9. France, Paris
10.Finland, Helsinki

Moving to Baltimore

Today we look at moving to Baltimore in USA from Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Baltimore people speak English. In Abu Dhabi people speak Arabic.
Baltimore is an independent city and the largest city and cultural center of the U.S. state of Maryland. Abu Dhabi is the capital of, and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Baltimore is a major U.S. seaport and is situated closer to major Midwestern markets than any other major seaport on the East Coast. Baltimore has a modern service economy providing a growing financial, business, and health service base for the southern Mid-Atlantic region. Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for the United Arab Emirates Government and the home for the Emirati Royal Family. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. One of the world's largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism.

The overall cost of living rank in Baltimore is 181 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Abu Dhabi to Baltimore will experience a change in cost of living of -18.8%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Baltimore is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Abu Dhabi with a hardship index of 20% which is a some hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Baltimore USA as at July 2011.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Expatriate Arrivals - Moving to Doha

Once expats moving to Qatar actually figure out where this tiny Gulf state is located on a map, the next bit of information to process is normally the fact that Qatar has emerged as a liquid natural gas powerhouse that claims the highest per capital income in the world (2011).

Moving to DohaThe gas- and oil-rich economy has elevated the miniature emirate to an important global player. As a result of the fossil fuel boom, as well as monarch Emir Hamad bin Khalif Al Thani’s socio-political liberalisation policies, Qatar now hosts regiments of Commonwealth and South Asian expats; and increasing numbers of foreigners are moving to Qatar to work hard, save money in the tax-free environment, and maintain a standard of living and wealth relatively similar to that of Western Europe.


Read more 


Go here to calculate the Cost of Living in Doha, Qatar

Moving to Austin



Today we look at moving to Austin in USA from Kiev in Ukraine. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Austin people speak English. In Kiev people speak Ukrainian (official) and Russian.
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine. Austin is considered to be a major center for high tech. Thousands of graduates each year from the engineering and computer science programs at The University of Texas at Austin provide a steady source of employees that help to fuel Austin's technology and defense industry sectors. Austin is also emerging as a hub for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Kiev is a major administrative, cultural and scientific centre of the Ukraine. It is the largest city in Ukraine in terms of both population and area and enjoys the highest levels of business activity.
The overall cost of living rank in Austin is 263 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Kiev to Austin will experience a change in cost of living of -17.2%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Austin is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Kiev with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Austin USA as at July 2011.

Switzerland Enforces Minimum Exchange Rate




Switzerland's currency has risen by 43% against the euro between the start of 2010 and mid-August this year. The Swiss National Bank, which conducts Switzerland’s monetary policy as an independent central bank, announced that it will enforce a minimum exchange rate of CHF 1.20 to the Euro. The Swiss National Bank said that even at a rate of CHF 1.20 per euro, the Swiss franc is still high and should continue to weaken over time. If the economic outlook and deflationary risks so require, the SNB will take further measures.

Moving to Atlanta


Today we look at moving to Atlanta in USA from Kampala in Uganda. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Atlanta people speak English. In Kampala people speak English (official), Swahili (official), Luganda as well as various Bantu and Nilotic languages.
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the state of Georgia. Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. Atlanta ranks third in the number of Fortune 500 companies, behind New York City, and Houston. Several major national and international companies are headquartered in Atlanta or its nearby suburbs. Atlanta is considered to be one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Kampala is the economic hub of Uganda and is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning.
The overall cost of living rank in Atlanta is 226 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Kampala to Atlanta will experience a change in cost of living of 29.5%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Atlanta is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Kampala with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Atlanta USA as at July 2011.

Is living in Beijing more expensive than New York?



New York Versus Beijing A recent posting of a comparison of prices between Beijing and New York has been subject to much debate on Chinese microblogs. The comparison shows that foreign brand consumer goods cost more in Beijing than in New York. Is this true?

We ran a salary purchasing power parity calculation and included all cost of living basket items for an expatriate moving from New York to Beijing. The overall cost of living difference puts Beijing at 13.2% cheaper than New York. Not everything is cheaper in Beijing however. The cost of living comparison of each individual basket shows that clothing, furniture and appliances are 31% more expensive in Beijing, while communication (mobile; internet etc) is more than 60% more expensive than New York. Foreign goods that are regarded by Chinese as "luxury goods" are exceptionally expensive in China. The prices for some "Made in China" goods are in fact higher in China than in the United States, largely as a result of the higher tax in China which is largely made up of "turnover" taxes, such as value-added tax, sales tax and consumption tax. In addition China's logistics costs are relatively higher, which further pushes up the prices. These items constitute a relatively small portion of the average expatriates expenditure.

The items that people spend most of their salary on are, in general, cheaper in Beijing. Household accommodation is 20% cheaper in Beijing while groceries are 14% cheaper, meals out are 38% cheaper, and transport is 20% cheaper. Public transportation, such as the bus and subway in New York, is substantially more expensive than Beijing.

While the cost of living may be lower in Beijing, salary purchasing power is substantially higher in New York given that salary levels are far higher in the USA compared to China. The minimum hourly wage in different states of the United States range from 4.1 U.S. dollars to 8.7 U.S. dollars, according to data published by U.S. Department of Labor. According to statistics from China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the minimum hourly wage in Beijing reached 13 yuan in the first quarter of 2011, higher than the rest of China but lower than the lowest minimum hourly wage in the United States. As a result while it is true that products made in the USA are normally produced at a far higher cost than the same product made in China, people have a higher level of purchasing power.

So for now at least, the American dream continues. But for how long?

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Moving to Anchorage



Today we look at moving to Anchorage in USA from Funafuti in Tuvalu. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Anchorage people speak English. In Funafuti people speak Tuvaluan and English.
Anchorage is a consolidated city-borough in the state of Alaska. Funafuti is an atoll that forms the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu. Anchorage's largest economic sectors include transportation, military, local and federal government, tourism, and resource extraction. Large portions of the local economy depend on Anchorage's geographical location and surrounding natural resources. The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the world's third busiest airport by cargo traffic, surpassed only by Memphis and Hong Kong. This traffic is strongly linked to Anchorage's location along "great circle" routes between Asia and the lower 48 states. Funafuti has an airstrip, hotel (Vaiaku Langi Hotel), and administrative buildings, as well as homes, constructed both in the traditional manner, out of palm fronds, and more recently out of cement blocks.

The overall cost of living rank in Anchorage is 125 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Funafuti to Anchorage will experience a change in cost of living of 3.6%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Anchorage is ranked as a some hardship location with a hardship index of 20% compared to Funafuti with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Anchorage USA as at July 2011.

Moving to Montevideo

Today we look at moving to Montevideo in Uruguay from Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Montevideo people speak Spanish, Portunol or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix). In Ashgabat people speak Turkmen and Russian.
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. Montevideo is the economic hub of Uruguay and is home to approximately one third of the population. Ashgabat is primarily a government and administrative center. The principal industries are cotton textiles and metal working.
The overall cost of living rank in Montevideo is 143 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Ashgabat to Montevideo will experience a change in cost of living of 5.9%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Montevideo is ranked as a some hardship location with a hardship index of 20% compared to Ashgabat with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Montevideo Uruguay as at July 2011.

Moving to London



Today we look at moving to London in United Kingdom from Istanbul in Turkey. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In London people speak English. In Istanbul people speak Turkish.

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest and most populous metropolitan area and the largest urban zone in the European Union. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and 5th largest city proper in the world. London is a leading global city and the world's largest financial centres with the largest city GDP in Europe. Central London is home to the headquarters of most of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the FTSE 100) and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest. London's influence in politics, finance, education, entertainment, media, fashion, the arts and culture in general contributes to its global position. It is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. The economy of Istanbul has always been the centre of Turkey's economic life because of its location as a junction of international land and sea trade routes. Istanbul is also Turkey's largest industrial centre. Istanbul and surrounding province produce cotton, fruit, olive oil, silk, and tobacco. Food processing, textile production, oil products, rubber, metal ware, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, glass, machinery, automotive, transport vehicles, paper and paper products, and alcoholic drinks are among the city's major industrial products.

The overall cost of living rank in London is 20 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Istanbul to London will experience a change in cost of living of 27.1%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, London is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Istanbul with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living London UK as at July 2011.

Cost of Living Comparison Calculator



Xpatulator.com's cost of living calculators are just what you need when you are planning to relocate abroad, perhaps to take advantage of a wonderful new employment opportunity. Moving to overseas is an exciting and challenging prospect, but you will need to conduct thorough research to ensure you are prepared for your adventure. You will certainly need to compare your salary offer to the cost of living, and this is where an international cost of living comparison calculator can really help. The Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator is used to calculate how much the salary you earn now will be worth in your new location, thus enabling you to compare the salary you are being offered in the new location. This can then be used to negotiate, plan and budget your living expenses in advance of your move.

Xpatulator.com's cost of living calculators are very easy to use. You will simply need to input some basic information about your current location, your intended new location and your finances. The Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator will then calculate the equivalent salary with the same purchasing power in your new location from which you can deduce what standard of living you can expect to achieve. Although they are very useful for general purposes, the Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator can only be used to gain a broad overview of your financial prospects in a new country. It may be unwise to base your final decision on whether to relocate or not solely on results obtained from the cost of living comparison calculator. It is very difficult to include all variables in an international cost of living calculator. However, if used wisely, the Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator is a useful tool in helping you to plan your relocation.

You can now access Xpatulator.com's comprehensive, free, and up-to-date cost of living reviews of 300 international locations covering every country in the world.

The 10 most expensive cities in the world overall:
1. Japan, Tokyo
2. Brazil, Sao Paulo
3. Switzerland, Geneva
4. Switzerland, Zurich
5. China, Hong Kong
6. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
7. Brazil, Brasilia
8. Japan, Osaka
9. Norway, Oslo
10.Liechtenstein, Vaduz

Moving to Leeds

Today we look at moving to Leeds in United Kingdom from Ankara in Turkey. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In Leeds people speak English. In Ankara people speak Turkish.

Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of the wider West Yorkshire Urban Area. Leeds is the UK's largest centre for business, legal, and financial services outside London. Ankara is a very old city with various Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman archaeological sites.
The overall cost of living rank in Leeds is 56 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Ankara to Leeds will experience a change in cost of living of 20.8%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Leeds is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Ankara with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Leeds UK as at July 2011.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Moving to Glasgow

Today we look at moving to Glasgow in United Kingdom from Tunis in Tunisia. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In Glasgow people speak English. In Tunis people speak Arabic (official) and French.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. Tunis is the capital and largets city of Tunisia. Glasgow is one of Europe's top twenty financial centres and is home to many of Scotland's leading businesses. Whilst manufacturing has declined, Glasgow's economy has seen significant relative growth of tertiary sector industries such as financial and business services, communications, biosciences, creative industries, healthcare, higher education, retail and tourism. Tunis is the heartland of the Tunisian economy and is the industrial and economic hub of the country. Products include textiles, carpets, and olive oil. Tourism also provides a significant portion of the city's income.
The overall cost of living rank in Glasgow is 38 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Tunis to Glasgow will experience a change in cost of living of 73.2%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Glasgow is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Tunis with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Glasgow UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Birmingham

Today we look at moving to Birmingham in United Kingdom from Port-of-Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In  both Birmingham and Port-of-Spain people speak English.

Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands county of England. Port of Spain is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Birmingham grew to prominence as a manufacturing and engineering centre, however its economy today is dominated by the service sector, which in 2003 accounted for 78% of the city's economic output and 97% of its economic growth. Tourism is also an increasingly important part of the local economy. With major facilities such as the International Convention Centre and National Exhibition Centre the Birmingham area accounts for 42% of the UK conference and exhibition trade. Port of Spain is Trinidad and Tobago's most developed city. The city serves primarily as a retail and administrative center.
The overall cost of living rank in Birmingham is 52 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Port-of-Spain to Birmingham will experience a change in cost of living of 4.2%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Birmingham is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Port-of-Spain with a hardship index of 20% which is a some hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Birmingham UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Belfast

Today we look at moving to Belfast in United Kingdom from Nuku'Alofa in Tonga. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Belfast people speak English. In Nuku'Alofa people speak Tongan and English.

Belfast is the capital of and the largest city in Northern Ireland. Nuku'Alofa is the capital and commercial, transport and social center of Tonga. Belfast is Northern Ireland's educational and commercial hub. It is currently in the top five fastest growing regional economies in the UK. Nuku'Alofa is the economic hub of the country.
The overall cost of living rank in Belfast is 81 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Nuku'Alofa to Belfast will experience a change in cost of living of 63%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Belfast is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Nuku'Alofa with a hardship index of 40% which is an extreme hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Belfast UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Dubai



Today we look at moving to Dubai in United Arab Emirates from Lome in Togo. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Dubai people speak Arabic. In Lome people speak French (official) and local languages.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Lome is the capital and largest city of Togo. Dubai has the largest population and is the second-largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. The emirate's main revenues are from tourism, property, and financial services. Lome is the country's administrative and industrial center and its chief port. The city exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm kernels. It also has an oil refinery.

The overall cost of living rank in Dubai is 127 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Lome to Dubai will experience a change in cost of living of -0.6%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Dubai is ranked as a some hardship location with a hardship index of 20% compared to Lome with a hardship index of 40% which is an extreme hardship location.

Source: http://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-review/United-Arab-Emirates-Dubai_211.cfm as at July 2011.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Moving to Abu Dhabi



Today we look at moving to Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates from Dili in Timor-Leste. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.

In Abu Dhabi people speak Arabic. In Dili people speak Tetum and Portuguese (official), Indonesian and English (working languages).

Abu Dhabi is the capital of, and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Dili is the capital and largest city of East Timor. Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for the United Arab Emirates Government and the home for the Emirati Royal Family. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. One of the world's largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism. Dili is the chief port and commercial centre for East Timor.

The overall cost of living rank in Abu Dhabi is 71 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Dili to Abu Dhabi will experience a change in cost of living of 23.2%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Abu Dhabi is ranked as a some hardship location with a hardship index of 20% compared to Dili with a hardship index of 40% which is an extreme hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Abu Dhabi as at July 2011.

Moving to Kiev

Today we look at moving to Kiev in Ukraine from Bangkok in Thailand. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Kiev people speak Ukrainian (official), Russian. In Bangkok people speak Thai.

Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine. Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Kiev is a major administrative, cultural and scientific centre of the Ukraine. It is the largest city in Ukraine in terms of both population and area and enjoys the highest levels of business activity. Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, dominating the country's economy.
The overall cost of living rank in Kiev is 168 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with middle cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Bangkok to Kiev will experience a change in cost of living of 0.4%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Kiev is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% compared to Bangkok with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Kiev Ukraine as at July 2011.

Moving to Kampala

Today we look at moving to Kampala in Uganda from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Kampala people speak English (official), Swahili (official), Luganda, various Bantu and Nilotic languages. In Dar es Salaam people speak English and Swahili.

Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania. Kampala is the economic hub of Uganda and is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning. Dar es Salaam is the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. About one half of Tanzania's manufacturing employment is located in the city despite the fact that Dar holds only ten percent of Tanzania's population.
The overall cost of living rank in Kampala is 296 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with low cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Dar es Salaam to Kampala will experience a change in cost of living of -26.6%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Kampala is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30% the same as Dar es Salaam.

Source: Cost of Living Kampala Uganda as at July 2011.