Why Moving Abroad Could Be The Best Thing For Your Family And Finances

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When looking for the best options for your family’s finances and future, the opportunity to move abroad may be one that you could consider. While moving overseas is a big step for anyone, it is even more so when you have more than just yourself to consider, and you have a family to think about too. However, there are millions of families who have done just that, moved to another country and have loved it so much they had made it their permanent home or others who went for experience, got what they set out to achieve and then moved back home when they were ready. You could be considering a move for work purposes or just seeking a new adventure for your family, but either way when moving with a family then finances will likely be top of the list of considerations, followed by finding schools and childcare services and healthcare facilities. Here are a few ideas of the best places you could move to with your family if this is something you’re considering doing:

Austria

A beautiful country not only that, there is an abundance of childcare and education options, Austria is at the top of the Family Life Index as the country has improved dramatically with regard to the quality of education and general family well-being and moved from the eleventh to the second place for both childcare and education options in just one year. 92% of expat parents rate Austria's quality of education favorably, compared to a global average of 65%.

Finland

Finland offers a high-quality but affordable education for children, ranking first out of 41 countries in the Quality of Education subcategory, with 92% of expat parents giving it a positive rating. Financially, the country is in first place for the cost of education as 81% of expat parents agree that education is accessible to afford there, nearly twice the global average of 41%. Education is free from pre-primary levels to higher education and textbooks, transport, and meals are also either free or partly funded.

Sweden

A secure and spacious country not too far from the UK, there is nowhere quite like Sweden. There are plenty of green spaces, outdoor living and winters nowhere near as long and miserable as you’d think. Sweden is an ideal place to raise a family, and the Swedes enjoy a great work-life balance, good quality healthcare, education, and housing. The cost of living is quite high and disposable incomes low, yet the nation is still content; Sweden ranked 10th on the World Happiness Report 2016 (the UK is 23rd).

Singapore

A tiny Southeast Asian country, but one which achieves high rankings from many expats. There are excellent career and social opportunities as well as world-class education and standards of living. However, the city can be expensive. On the plus side, what price do you put on safety? There is a low rate of crime in Singapore meaning it is a very safe country to live in and is ranked second on the Global Safety Index. It also offers excellent education as the public schooling system in Singapore provides a high standard of education that is affordable. Extra-curricular activities are varied and learning a second language is compulsory. There is also a great expat social scene and fantastic healthcare facilities. Property and rent prices can be high as the cost of renting in the city is comparable to central London prices. However, there are options for buying if you are looking to settle for a long time or you’re looking to invest. The hdb resale portal is an excellent place to start to get an idea of what’s available and what prices are like.

New Zealand

With children's education options and kids' well-being topping the list, 91% of expats are also generally satisfied with the friendliness of the locals towards families with children in New Zealand. Expats in New Zealand say they don't find it hard to get used to the local culture, with 77% agreeing that they feel at home there. New Zealand's schooling system is similar to the UK's. Children start school at the age of five and continue in compulsory education until 16. The quality of schooling is excellent, and the country regularly places in the top ten worldwide locations for education.

So if you are considering moving abroad, let me know.  I would love to hear about your journey and experiences.