
Chris Potter
Romania is a beautiful and varied country situated in south-east Europe, sharing a border with Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Moldova. It also has a fantastic coastline along the Black Sea with some amazing beaches.
Expats who choose to seek work in Romania do so because of its vast history including medieval castles, amazing scenery, including ample countryside where you can relax as well as those glorious beaches, the climate and the relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle, with locals who welcome foreigners gladly. The cost of living is also cheap, while the job market is growing and the economy is stable.
Romania’s population is over 19 million.
Due to Romania’s location, its climate has influences from both the Mediterranean and the central continent. This means that winter can produce plenty of snowfall and rain, but during the summer months you can expect hot temperatures and a dry climate. If you want to enjoy traditional winter weather but with all the benefits of a Mediterranean summer, Romania may be perfect.
With approximately 300 days of sunshine a year, a beautiful landscape and varied wildlife including the famous Barbary apes, Gibraltar is an extremely popular destination for expats across Europe but particularly those from the UK. It’s a British Overseas Territory and is English-speaking, with a subtropical Mediterranean climate ensuring hot dry summers where you can unwind on the beach. Many industries are represented in Gibraltar, providing ample opportunity to further your career.
Applying for a job in Gibraltar very much mirrors the UK – all contracts are in English and the interview process is generally the same. Indeed most processes in Gibraltar are the same as in the UK, so it’s ideal for any UK expats who just wish to enjoy a better climate! Language isn’t normally an issue either, as most industries are suitable for those fluent in only English. However, learning Spanish can be beneficial, particularly if you live across the border or intend to travel frequently.
Cape Town is a fascinating, beautiful city that is very attractive to expats. It is home to a number of major industries across finance, energy and the service sector, and according to Mercer’s Cost of Living Index, it’s the least expensive city in the region to live, so you can really make the most of the financial opportunity here.
Not only that, but you need to consider your work/life balance when you move to a new country to work, and Cape Town has plenty to see and do to encourage a healthy amount of fun and entertainment.
Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, established around 3,000BC, ensuring it has a truly rich heritage to enjoy. It’s popular with expats due to this incredible culture, as well as its wonderful cuisine and of course, its climate. With long, hot summers and mild winters, it makes for a very pleasant location to live and work – with 665,000 people calling the city centre home.
With its warm climate, picturesque countryside and cosmopolitan cities, Portugal is a delightful country to live and work in. It’s also one of the safest, with plenty of entertainment options and a wealth of great restaurants, bars and cultural attractions to keep you entertained in your downtime.
And despite being one of the sunniest countries in Europe, it has a relatively modest population of around 10 million people, with most people living and working on the Atlantic Coast in the north-west of the country. With the exciting cities of Lisbon (the capital) and Porto based here, it’s no surprise this is where most expats relocate to.
Germany has one of the strongest economies in the world, and it is a major force in the EU, which makes it a very attractive destination for any expats looking to further their career or get a fresh start in a magnificent country. It is modern and cosmopolitan, with a storied history too, and across the country there is a rich diversity between the contemporary cities and the breath-taking countryside and forests.
It’s the most popular destination for expats although there are many other major cities to choose from, including Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and more. Even the smaller towns often have ample opportunity for expats to seek work, so you’ll have ample choice when deciding where to live.
Bulgaria is a beautiful and varied country situated in south-east Europe, sharing a border with Serbia, Romania, Greece, Macedonia, and Turkey. It also has a fantastic coastline along the Black Sea with some amazing beaches. Despite its small size, it has varied landscapes including hills and mountains, deep river valleys and gorges, stretching plains and charming cities.
Expats who choose to seek work in Bulgaria do so because of this amazing scenery, including ample countryside where you can relax as well as those glorious beaches, the climate and the relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle, with locals who welcome foreigners gladly. The cost of living is also cheap, while the job market is growing and the economy is stable compared to neighbouring countries.
Bulgaria’s population is a little over 7 million, so it’s not the biggest country by any sense. English is not an official language here, only Bulgarian, so while you’ll probably be able to get by on English for a visit, you’ll want to learn the language should you wish to move here for work.
Due to Bulgaria’s location, its climate has influences from both the Mediterranean and the central continent. This means that winter can produce plenty of snowfall and rain, but during the summer months you can expect hot temperatures and a dry climate. If you want to enjoy traditional winter weather but with all the benefits of a Mediterranean summer, Bulgaria may be perfect.
Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands and, without a doubt, is the cultural hub.
It is a charming, pretty city famed for its canals and its many museums, with a population of just over 1.6 million. Many tourists visit the city every year to sample the local beers, tour the art galleries and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere, which has resulted in a large expat community here too.
Dundalk is a small town situated in County Louth. It’s situated on the Castletown River, close to the border with Northern Ireland. This means it’s about halfway between Dublin and Belfast, so it’s a good choice for relocation if you want to visit the larger cities without living amongst the hustle and bustle. It’s picturesque with the river flowing into Dundalk Bay, and some good beaches within easy reach.
As the capital city of Ireland, Dublin is modern and vibrant, making it an attractive place to live and work. The city has a strong transport network including a comprehensive bus network, which makes getting around easy. And with plenty of bars, cinemas, restaurants and other leisure facilities to enjoy, it is easy to cultivate a healthy work/life balance. Dublin’s population is quite small compared to other capital cities, at around half a million people, many of whom are younger people enjoying the city centre lifestyle.