Questions and Answers Forum

Hello dear expats, I am just starting to research the place and would like very much if a local/expert could give me some advice regarding the real life, not the touristic life there.
First, let me introduce myself. I am from Bulgaria, Eastern Europe. I am married and very soon we expect our first child. My wife and I are in love with the sea and warm weather and for some time we've thought about relocating for a year and trying a place with good weather all year, nice beaches, normal prices and English-speaking locals.

Hi, I was wondering if there is CBD like Sydney / Melbourne in Adelaide too or are the offices spread all over the city? I need to know this to figure out where to live in Adelaide. I lived in New York City and Downtown NY is the corporate hub and it was convenient living in Manhattan and travelling downtown for interviews etc. in the first few weeks at least. But when I moved to Florida, the offices are spread all across - thankfully I had a car and could drive around but this is not a privilege I would have in SA to start with.

I am from India. I need to apply for corporate driver visa for Saudi Arabia. Is it mandatory to have driving license in India to apply for corporate driver Visa? Is it possible to change to the new profession from Corporate Driver visa in Saudi Arabia?

Greetings folks,

I will be moving to Adelaide on a 190 visa later in August. I have been to Sydney and Melbourne a couple of times in 2012, never to Adelaide. Other than this I have lived across US, UK, Singapore and visited other countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and UAE over last 5 years. I think of myself as a global melting pot. Having lived across different continents has exposed me to different cultures and made me a better man (I like to believe).

I need help with the following:
1 - Do's and Don'ts of Adelaide

Hi there I will most likely be moving to Riyadh with my husband in the next few months. I have heard about the difficulty of starting a business there or getting a job as a woman, but be a qualified primary teacher, will I be able to make a bit of money by offering tuition at my home rather than working for a school? I have a baby so I would prefer to work hours that are convenient for me.

Hi! I'm having a short-term stay in Hong Kong. Can anyone suggest places to live? I am looking for serviced apartments in Hong Kong, pretty much with a budget of $15K, any idea? Thanks a lot!

is it easy to get inexpensive second-hand furniture in Cape Town? Where abouts?

Hey everyone, I hope someone is familiar here with the barriers to entry I would have in relocating to Slovakia for a work opportunity from Canada. I am already in talks with an employer for a position and I was wondering what I would need to relocate there smoothly? I know sometimes the employer needs to prove there is no one else that can do the job. I wonder if this is the case for Slovakia? Thank you

We are about to complete on our property in Italy - mid September. Absolutely gutted over the referendum outcome and fearing we may have made the biggest mistake of our lives. How do others feel?

Hello, I am an Australian with a duel passport (Italy) and I have had a planned move to the uk for the past year, and I leave in a mere 3 weeks, with the result of the referendum I am in a slight panic! Is anyone else in this situation or have any advice? Should I be concerned entering the uk with my one way ticket in 3 weeks time!? Thanks :)

Let me start with the Czech way - Ahoj! I will be moving to Prague next month for work and need an apartment for myself and my wife. Have done my little research but would like to hear from you, which district will have most decent (read cost effective) semi/fully furnished apartments - Prague 6/7, please advise. My budget is 7000 - 8500 CZK Thank you. Arindam (Andy)

I am due to retire at the end of the year and want to move to Jamaica. As I will be receiving my government pension, will I be able to have it paid in to a bank account in Jamaica? Also as a lone woman how safe is it for me, and if I want to work how difficult is it get work?

Hi, we're just trying to find out whether a move to Singapore would work for us and would love to hear personal experience and advice. We have had three years in Europe so have done a move before. We're British with four children. We have two who from Sept would be yr 7 and 9 at a selective all girls grammar school. No3 child will be yr 6 and taking the 11+ with the hope that he would be getting a place at a selective all boys grammar and then no4 child will just be starting primary school. My main worry is schooling. Would anyone recommend or avoid any particular schools?

Hi,

I'm French and got offered my dream job in London last week and I am due to start at the beginning of July. How does the UK's referendum effect my working rights?

Also, what is the feeling like on the ground? Will there now be more hostility towards foreigners working in the UK?

Please help!

Hey there,

I moved in Cape Town in 2005 for an internship and fell in love with the place. I moved here the next year and have been living in SA on and off for the last decade. I've had various different permits - volunteer, work permit, exceptional skills and life partner... But I am told that even after 10 years I am not eligable for PR because I need to have been on the same permit for consecutive years.

Is this true ? I certainly doesn't seem fair!

Smith

My family in Ireland are stressing about me moving to Bahrain to work as senior bartender there. I currently live in London. I hope it will be a happy lifestyle there. It is for the Warbler sports bar in Manama. I would appreciate any advice on which would be the best destination to pick. Thanks in advance:)

So, on popular request we have asked some of our local experts about the best and worst aspects of living in Dubai. Please add to this discussion!

Hi, we get loads of questions about the best areas and suburbs for expats to live in within Dubai, so we're starting this thread with a few comments from our contributors:

Hi We desperately need help to find 1. Schools near to the University of Melbourne for our 4 year old (preferably Montessori) 2. Housing agent to help us locate accommodations quickly.

What are the shoe sizes here in China? They do not have anything like size 9 or size 10 in the U.S. For the same pair of shoes, they may call it 25 or 40 the same while. How do the local ones tell the sizes of their shoes? Advise on that wanted. Thanks.

Hi Please may I ask for some advice? I have always wanted to live abroad, mainly to absorb another culture and learn another language. I am a qualified solicitor and specialised in family and criminal law. I have also volunteered for various charities such as Citizen's Advice Bureau and Woman's Refuge. I will be studying the CELTA course in Valencia to qualify as an English Teacher, to build on my existing skills. I have just turned 50 and my children are all off hand. I intend to rent my house out whilst I am abroad. I am financially independent.

My husband and I are moving to Berlin and, since the process to get any type of Visa takes time, how can we get set up to still receive mail? We'll be living in a temporary housing situation (like Air BnB) so we can't register to receive mail there. Thanks!

We have 3 children - 2 in grade 1 and 1 about to enter pre-school. Does anyone have any suggestions of good private, public or international schools? We're not particular about sticking to a particular curriculum. Also, if you've had any bad experiences in schools, we'd love to hear of them. Thank you!

Hi, I have migrated to Malaysia six month ago as Packing Helper (unskilled worker) for a electronics company on three years contract basic monthly salary 1000 ringgit. Now I wanted to change my job as accountant (skilled worker) because I have completed my certification for Associated Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) and already held a Bachelors of Commerce (BCOM) degree. Need help, can I change job in this case? And what would circumstances be? And what if my employer is not willing to release me? It's urgent please respond quickly. Regards Shahid