Comments on: New Survey of British expats shows Spain, Canada, and Germany are where they are happiest

By: Rob Innis

Rob Innis — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:14:10 +0000

Yes many Expats are happy in Spain including me – the secret is too try and understand the local culture and don’t assume that your own is always best. Adapt and be patient hen the benefits are easily obtained and all with that amazing blue sky and low cost of living.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:33:08 +0000

In reply to Jim Tilley Hon chairman British Pensions in Australia. Jim, that's an interesting point that I hadn't thought about. Australia's surging currency could really be a problem for almost anyone living on foreign wages or a pension. And New Zealand's dollar has more or less come along for the ride. Fortunately, it seems like exchange-rate shifts normally balance out over the years, though some things might be different this time. -Tom

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:30:41 +0000

In reply to Guillaume. Guillaume, exactly. Spain might be the happiest country, but only for retired expats drawing a good pension who don't have to worry about the economy crumbling around them. I really wish there were more data and surveys of non-executives and non-retirees, as the picture would look quite different. -Tom

By: Jim Tilley Hon chairman British Pensions in Australia

Jim Tilley Hon chairman British Pensions in Australia — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:04:04 +0000

Many retired expats are unhappy that their pensions they paid for from the UK are not indexed, and that their income from Britain has decreased by up to 30% in the past few years because of both the pension being pegged and the depreciation of the £ v the Aussie $.

Other than that I find they are generally happy with their lot in Australia, although some people tell me the cost of living is expensive. If you convert prices in the UK into Aus$s that may be the case and I think it is an unreal comparison. I find this complaint of a high cost of living here remarkable for I find I live quite reasonably in Australia. However I have been here now for over 40 years and I am staying “put”.

By: Guillaume

Guillaume — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:58:57 +0000

Totally agree with your conclusion.

How is it possible to consider Spain as the happiest country when 40% of its youth is jobless ? The spanish population is starting to decrease because of emigration…

Let’s not speak about the Mercer studies, which are published for elderly people (Vienna and Zurich, best cities in the world, come on …)

Everytime time I moved to a new country (Germany and China), I made my own study to make sure I would not be in a professionnal/age/social class in “trouble”.