Which Country Will Give You the Best Start in 2015?
With every New Year come New Year’s resolutions and whether 2015 is the year you aim to get that pay rise, run a marathon or learn a new skill it will always be easier to achieve if you are in a favourable environment.
So, to help you out we’ve found the best countries in the world that will give you the best start in 2015 no matter what your goals.
Here’s our list of the best countries to move to if:
You want to double your UK salary – Switzerland
Straight out of uni and looking to start earning big? Well, if you swap London for Zurich you might just have something to write home about.
Salaries for entry-level professionals in Switzerland start on an average £66,671 – almost £40,000 more than your UK counterpart who will only be taking home an average £27, 199 a year.
The report from HR company Towers Watson also showed middle-managers can earn an average of £115,826 in Switzerland, making the UK sum of £75,524 look rather paltry.
On top of the huge cash rewards, life in Switzerland also offers many other perks including excellent outdoor activities and some of the world’s best healthcare.
But, before your eyes flash with franc signs and you hop on the next flight it is important to remember that with big salaries come big prices and generally the cost of living in Switzerland is much higher than in the UK.
You’ve got little ones to think of – New Zealand
Its rolling countryside, excellent school systems and healthy way of life makes New Zealand the world’s top country to raise a child, according to HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey.
It was noted that children living in the country had exceptionally high levels of health and wellbeing.
According to HSBC, 87% percent of expat parents said not only did they think their children were much safer in New Zealand than before, but they were also healthier and happier.
However, if the Antipodean lifestyle isn’t for you then South Africa, Germany and Japan were also recognised for their high quality of expat family life.
You want to live longer – Japan
The problem with having dreams and goals is you may need time to achieve them all. So starting a new life in a country where people live the longest in the world should give you the timeframe you are looking for.
On average Japanese women boast a life expectancy of 87 years compared to the UK average of 73, with its menfolk reaching an average life expectancy of 85 compared to a UK average of 69.
It is thought the combination of a good diet and top health services help Japanese residents reach a ripe old age.
And should you want to look for a job there, Japan offers incredibly well-paid jobs for expats in the finance, legal and teaching professions as well as looking for foreign engineers and construction workers ahead of its 2020 Olympics.
However, it’s not all good news; Japan boasts some of the world’s longest working hours, meaning you might find yourself spending your newly gained extra years slogging away behind a desk.
You want to fall in love – Italy
Home to the rolling Tuscan hills, kiss-inducing spaghetti and George Clooney’s wedding; it is probably not too surprising that Italy is the world’s top Paese d’amore (or country of love).
A study by HSBC found a staggering 60% of expats in Italy found love after moving there – almost double the global average of 36%.
But if Italy feels a bit too ‘done’ for you, you could always head a bit further east, China and Russia come in joint third as the most romantic expat counties, and will certainly provide you with a bit more unusual wedding venue.
You want to find yourself – Ubud, Bali
Possibly one of the most spiritual places in the world, Ubud is nestled in Bali’s beautiful foothills and home to thousands of expats who seem unable to leave.
But while it is filled with yoga retreats and vegan cafes it also has many co-working spaces where expats can hold meetings, conferences and generally get.stuff.done.
It also has good schools and, of course, you are just a motorbike ride away from the beach.
Its excellent wifi, combined with a horizontal way of life makes Ubud the perfect place to find yourself while holding down a job.
You want to get the Man/Woman off your back – Chiang Mai
You’re done, no more working 9-5, no adhering to a nonsensical dress code and no more wearily asking ‘Good weekend?’ without even stopping to hear the answer.
You’ve made the move and you’re going to work for yourself, but where to plug in your laptop?
The answer is, of course, Chiang Mai in Thailand. Constantly named the world’s best digital nomad destination, this north Thai city offers a warm climate, cheap living costs and amazing food and scenery.
Its fast wifi sees thousands of like-minded freelancers and business owners flee to the temple-filled area and you are a stone’s throw from the rest of Asia and its markets.
You want a better work-life balance – Denmark
Now this is the resolution that features heavily in most people’s list; to stop living for the weekend and instead to enjoy a week that offers a healthy balance between work and life.
According to a report by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) the Scandinavian country offers the best work-life balance with only 2% of Danish workers saying they work ‘very long hours’.
The OECD average is 9%.
On top of this, the Danes spend an average 16.1 hours a day socialising, relaxing, sleeping and eating etc. which is one hour more than the OECD average of 15 hours a day.
There are many expat jobs to be found in Denmark, especially in teaching or the shipping, pharmaceuticals and energy sectors.
In fact just under a half of expats are so happy with their new Danish life they plan on staying longer than originally intended.
You want to get the body you’ve always dreamed of – Australia
With a strong emphasis on healthy living and outdoor life, it is no coincidence that some of Australia’s most famous exports include its supermodels, most notably Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson.
Sports and eating naturally are a huge part of the average Australian’s life and many expats note how their lives change for the better after moving down under.
In fact, Australia tops poll after poll as the best country to be an expat in with 73 percent saying their health has improved since moving, according to a recent Nat West survey.