These top countries that are most friendly to expats and retirees, which we’ve prepared for you, should be highly considered as a place to live in. Why? The simplest answer is that in the friendly environment everything is a lot easier and goes smoother.
In our series of articles about the countries for expats and retirees, we have already ranked the countries according to various criteria, and today, we’ll rank them by the criterion that is highly appraised by expats and retirees and is among their highest priorities. No, not the food! We talked about that in top 11 countries with best food/diet in the world for retirees and expats. We are talking about the friendliness of countries.
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When you come for the first time in a foreign country, you can feel a bit awkward. It is especially hard if you came to stay for a long while. You don’t know the customs, where can you get the best food for less than 2$ and how to react when someone offers you an exchange service. This all gets a lot easier when you have some help, preferably from locals. That way you will feel at home in no time, and your new beginning and transition will be smooth.
Unfortunately, not all countries are friendly to the newcomers. It probably has something to do with the national pride and the feeling that a person from the outside will take something yours. In those countries, the locals are giving their best to make your life miserable and make you want to take the first flight back home. So, what are the countries at the end of that spectrum, countries that are most friendly to expats and retirees? To find those countries we have customized a survey that was conducted by HSBC. In that survey, people shared their opinions on various topics, one of them being the friendliness of a particular country in other words – how easy it is to make friends and integrate there. The results were a surprise for us, and maybe they will be a surprise for you as well.
11. Philippines
When it comes to tolerance, people in the Philippines are ranked on the second place. That is probably why it is easy to become their friend. They are not picky, and can get along with almost anyone.
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10. Bahrain
People from Bahrain are family oriented, so the country will suit you the best if you are a family person. When it comes to overall ranking of best countries for expats, including all three categories – Experience, Economics, and Family – Bahrain ranks 4th.
9. Canada
Sorry! Is this a surprise? Of course not, at least for the people who watch American movies and TV shows, where all Canadians are depicted as polite and boring. The stereotype about Canadians being polite is true according to the survey. They rank a little lower when it comes to making friends, but make it up with their tolerance and openness to integration.
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8. Turkey
The land of bazaars and baklava, where everyone is trying to sell you something, may trick you into thinking people are just pretending that they want to be your friends. Friendliness is in the core of Turkish people and you should embrace it.
7. Taiwan
Making friends and integrating in Taiwan is easier than it seems. Although the majority of the Asian countries is closed, and people are less open to outsiders, Taiwan has a completely different policy and has decided to be open to the world.
6. Russia
It may seem odd, but making friends in Russia is a piece of cake, and they are ranked in the first place, according to this criterion. Integration is where Russia has some flaws and a reason why it doesn’t get a higher place on our list of top 11 countries that are most friendly to expats and retirees.
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5. Australia
Surrounded with all the dangers lurking them, it isn’t quite a surprise that Australians are so friendly. You know what they say: “Friend in need is a friend indeed”.
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4. Brazil
Brazil may have problems with their economics, but that don’t stop them to be happy. Making friends and integration were among few things that people really appreciated in Brazil. Sometimes that is enough.
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3. Spain
One thing is for sure – you won’t easily forget your stay in Spain, since this country is in the second place when it comes to overall life experience. If that is the only thing you are interested, look no further, Spain has it all.
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2. New Zealand
New Zealand is a frequent flyer on our list of best countries for expats and retirees and 2nd ranked country when all criteria are taken into consideration. This quote from the survey is enough: “Don’t be an ‘expat’, integrate from day one… Enjoy the ‘Kiwi’ lifestyle or move on, you’ll never be happy unless you give it your all”.
1. Mexico
Put a sombrero on the head and take tequila in your hand. Congratulations, you are a Mexican. Survey has shown that happening to newcomers when they set their foot in this country. Mexico may have a lot of flaws, but people in this country are the country’s best representatives. They are open, ready to help, and will do anything so you could feel comfortable. Do you need more to explain Mexico’s topping 11 countries that are most friendly to expats and retirees?
