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Is Canada the Best Place in the World to Live?
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By Carolyn B. Heller
Is Canada the best place in the world for expats to live?
According to the 2009 HSBC Expat Experience Survey, it is.
Canada topped the list of best places to live, with expats there reporting the highest overall increase in their quality of life since arriving in the country.
The survey polled more than 3,000 expats around the world, assessing whether their overall quality of life increased or decreased during their overseas assignment.
Canada was also number 1 in “quality of accommodation,” with 68% of expats reporting that their homes were better in Canada than in their native country.
Canada received high scores in how easy it is for expats to make friends, to pursue hobbies, and to improve the quality of life with their families.
According to survey respondents, the top reasons for living in Canada include:
* Better environment/quality of life for my children (39%)
* Lifestyle (38%)
* Career prospects (35%)
* Less crime (13%)
Other interesting findings:
* Canada has a high proportion of retired expats: 24% compared with 7% worldwide.
* Canada’s expat community is older than average, with 61% age 45 or over.
* More than two-thirds of Canadian expats own property in the country, which is double the global average of 31%.
* More than 60% of expats in Canada reported that organizing their finances and their health care was easy.
* Nearly 40 percent said that their health improved since arriving in Canada.
Want more info? You can download the full report from the HSBC Expat Experience website.
Carolyn B. Heller is the author of Moon Living Abroad in Canada and the companion website, www.livingabroadincanada.com.
Photo © chazzvid (Flickr)
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.
Not surprising
Posted by millermax10 on May 7, 2010 at 10:05 am
I have only taken Canada tours and have never actually lived in the great White North, but I really think that this is true. The people are friendlier and like you say the environment and lifestyle are better in Canada. I'm surprised more people don't live there!
If we organized a poll right
Posted by aaron on February 12, 2010 at 12:02 pm
If we organized a poll right now on the best country in the world to live I think the wide majority of people would vote for Canada. I think the reasons are obvious, Canada has policies of renewing it's population with the purpose of creating a young smart population. I would move in Canada tomorrow if I could. In fact tomorrow I have an appointment with one of the Charlotte moving companies, I am relocating for a new job hoping to find a better life in a different part of the country. Once I do that it would be easier for me to comply with the conditions required for getting Canadian residency. I hope it's all a matter of time.
reply:
Posted by PardonCanada on January 30, 2010 at 4:01 am
I totally agree with your points, this is definitely one of the better places to live. Thanks for sharing! :)
No surprise.
Posted by George.F on January 5, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Somehow it doesn't surprise me that Canada would be the best place in the world to live. It seems like such a peaceful country. You never hear of any real trouble coming from there. casino online