Moving to Tokyo (Japan)

by Alpana on June 19, 2009

A bustling metropolis that holds over 35 million people, Tokyo is the economic hub of Asia. Earlier known as Edo, Tokyo got its name when it became the capital of Japan in 1868. The city witnessed tremendous growth in the 1960s and 1970s with huge leaps in technological advances. Today, it is considered as one of the finance command centers in the world.

Many foreigners would like to relocate to Tokyo due to its economic sovereignty. As of 2007, Tokyo had about 3% registered foreigners, and this number has been growing steadily. Preferred industries include multinational finance companies and hi-tech industries. A large number of Koreans, Chinese and Filipinos move to Tokyo for semi-skilled labor jobs. Almost everybody speaks English in Tokyo and it is usually very easy to get around. However, the people in the suburbs of Tokyo as well as the rest of Japan are not well versed with English and you will do yourself a big favor by learning some bit of Japanese. The Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners imparts essential data for non-residents in Tokyo and it is a good idea to bookmark it for future needs. If you are looking for a job in Tokyo, you can find them on websites such as Tokyo Connections, Jobs.com, CareerCross and Japanese Jobs.

Tokyo is also home to about one third of all universities in Japan. Admission processes for foreign students in Japan, however, are not at all simple and requires some bit of research. You may go though the Japan Student Services Organization website and also visit the websites of individual universities as each has a different admission process. For younger children who are moving to Tokyo along with their parent(s), there are many English speaking schools to enroll into.

The most daunting part of moving into Tokyo is the high cost of living, being one of the highest in the world in some areas. The cost of renting an apartment is equivalent to renting one in London. Additionally, you also have to pay the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, damage deposit (normally not returned), gift to the landlord and realtor’s fee up front. Housing is usually cheaper in the suburbs and if you can avoid staying in central Tokyo, you will save yourself a big deal. Visit TokyoRent, Tokyo Apartments, Arkios and Sakura House. While cost of living in Tokyo is very high, many people who live in the suburbs, have adapted to Japanese cooking and public transport will tell you how affordable it is if you do the same.

Traveling within Tokyo can be done using their metro and bus services. You may also want to travel using taxis and boats (water taxis), though these are very expensive. Most people prefer using the metros in Tokyo due to their affordability and proximity to almost any place within Tokyo.

True to any urban metropolis, Tokyo’s main attractions include shopping, cuisine, museums, zoos and amusement parks. There are scenic attractions as well, but these are very few. Be sure to check out the tourist calendar of events to see if anything interesting is coming up while you are there.

The climate in Tokyo varies greatly with difference in summer and winter temperatures being 20° C (68° F).  With four distinct seasons – spring, fall, summer and winter – March to May and September to November are the best seasons here. So pack your bags accordingly!

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Moving to Rome (Italy)

by Alpana on June 17, 2009

Walking around Rome give you a glorious feeling, of standing in the midst of a great past and a rich history. Engulfing the Vatican City on all sides, Rome breathes an ecclesiastical spirit of culture and architecture. Being the capital of Italy, many multinational companies are headquartered in Rome. Tourism, banking, education and entertainment (television and radio) are the main industries here.

Working in Rome is quite challenging, and you will find many useful tips on Romebuddy.com. Employment opportunities are available on websites such as JobinRome and EU Jobsly. In the unorganized sector, you can always look for jobs as a tour guide or a private English teacher. Finding accommodation in Rome is quite easy and can be found at stayRome, RentalinRome, LiveinRome, ItalyRents and the Roman Tourism website as well.

Rome enjoys a pleasant climate all year round, amiable for people coming in from tropical as well as cold countries. Average highs hit a maximum of 28° C (82° F) in July and August while average lows touch a minimum of 3° C (37° F) in December and January. October is the preferred month for travelling in Rome, with tourism peaking in the pleasantly sunny month. Accommodation in Rome is not cheap, though it is not the most expensive city in Italy either.

Places of interest in Rome mainly consist of historical monuments, including archaeological, heritage, architectural and religious sights. There are also many museums and galleries as well as parks and gardens. Getting around is effortless, with a choice of buses and trams or the metro. However, the metro is useful mainly for travelling to and from work, as it does not run through most of the tourist destinations within Rome. Alternatively, you could hire a bicycle, motorbike or scooter and roam the streets.

Studying in Rome is perfect for students who wish to achieve a degree in art or architecture. It is also one of the preferred destinations for student wishing to enrol in political science, sociology and history courses. The Ministry of Education, University and Research of Italy has a website on studying in Italy, which gives vital information to students looking to choose universities or courses in both English and Italian language. For younger children, schools in both English and Italian languages are available in Rome.

And remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do! Italians take a lot of pride in their culture, tradition and language and love people who are keen on adopting the styles and manners of the locals.

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Moving to Dublin (Ireland)

by Alpana on June 12, 2009

Dublin is the capital of Ireland and also its largest city. Literally translated, it means “town of the hurdled ford” or “the ford of the hurdles” and gets its name by the Vikings who grew the original settlement near a hurdled ford. It enjoys a temperate climate, with average highs going up to 19° C (66° F) in July and average lows going down to 2° C (36° F) in January. Unlike the rest of Ireland, Dublin does not have high rainfall, with its total annual rainfall being lower than that of cities such as London, Sydney and New York.

Dublin is a well governed city with the ease of many online government services. Public service information for Irish residents is provided online on matters such as health, education, law and justice, taxes, to name a few. Looking for accommodation is easy, not only on Dublin’s official governance website, but also on their official tourism website and other sites such as stayDublin and Go Ireland. The best rates of accommodation in Dublin based on the neighborhood or type of accommodation can be found here.

Ireland has one of the least unemployment rates in the world at just over 4%. About 9% of the labour force in Ireland is of foreign origin, with Dublin attracting the most number of immigrants. More and more people, especially those from other countries in Eastern Europe, choose Dublin as their preferred city to immigrate to. Job offers are made based on shortage of skills and not on a quota system. Those of you looking to find a job here may want to look at websites such as Jobs.ie, Gumtree, Jobsearch and DublinCityJobs.

Parents who are relocating to Dublin with their children will find a huge number of options in primary and secondary schools, most of them being English language schools. Children in Dublin are enrolled in infant classes in primary schools usually at the age of 4 or 5, though they are not necessarily required to do so until the age of 6. Dublin, along with the rest of Ireland, is actively promoting its schools, colleges and universities to attract foreign students. A dedicated web portal called Education Ireland enumerates the reasons and advantages to study there.

Once you’re finished taking care of finding accommodation, a job and your choice of educational institute, it’s time to sit back and enjoy Dublin. Soak in the history and culture, play some rugby (American football), cycle around the city, indulge in fishing, sailing or kayaking, or simply go shopping. And at the end of it all, park yourself at the nearest bar for some lip smacking beer!

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Moving to Budapest (Hungary)

by Alpana on June 11, 2009

The political capital of Hungary, Budapest is also the commercial and educational capital of the country. Earlier comprising of three cities, Buda (on the west bank of River Danube), Obuda (old Buda) and Pest (on the east bank of River Danube), It was merged into one in 1873. The River Danube flows from the north to the south, dissecting the city into two.

Budapest is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, comparable with Vienna but without being as costly. It retains its natural beauty while having developed its architectural splendor. The cultural highlights of Budapest not only include great architecture, but also comprise of various libraries, exhibitions, museums, theaters, concerts, bathhouses and spas. It is, in fact, known as the city of spas! Due to its beauty, Budapest is a key tourist destination in Europe.

To add to this, Budapest has an agreeable climate, especially from April to September, when temperatures range from an average of 28° C (83° F) to 7° C (44° F). There are four main seasons here – Spring (April), Summer (May to August), Autumn (September to November) and Winter (December to March).

Hungary has seen about 10,000 international students enrolling into their universities in the last decade. Of the 25 universities in Hungary, 10 of them are in Budapest. These universities offer education in both English as well as Hungarian. There are also English language schools in Budapest along with the local Hungarian language schools.

Jobs in Budapest are growing due to increasing investments in the automobile, renewable energy, high-end tourism and information technology industries. However, many companies require employees to speak fluent Hungarian. If you are looking for an English language job, a few portals that may help you out are English Language Jobs, Profession, Jobs and CV Online.

Accommodation in Budapest is very cheap compared to other cities in the European Union. The major property portals include Home Management, Rent Budapest Apartment, Apartments in Budapest and Budapest Property Rental. Getting around Budapest is very easy due to a well connected public transport consisting of buses, trolleybuses, trams, underground trains (metro) and suburban trains (HÉV). This is also supplemented by taxis plying across the city. Budapest is thus the city where you can roll your socks and enjoy!

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Moving to Mumbai (India)

by Alpana on June 10, 2009

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is the financial capital of India, with a confluence of people from various backgrounds and cultures from across the country. It is a city known to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of millions of people around the country and across the world. With a population of approximately 14 million, it is a melting pot of grit, spirit and determination.

Mumbai was once a group of seven islands which were gradually joined together by massive reclamation projects undertaken by the British in the 1700’s. Today, Mumbai is an incessantly growing city with the Indian Ocean to its south and an ever-increasing boundary to the north. As more and more suburbs of Mumbai keep getting developed, they are slowly falling under the jurisdiction of Mumbai.

Mumbai has quite a consistent climate across the year, being a coastal city by the Arabian Sea. The average temperature varies from 18°C (64° F) in winters to 30°C (82° F) in summers. There are three main seasons – Summer (from February to May, and again in October), Monsoon (from June to September) and Winter (from November to January). Mumbai’s humidity levels range between moderate during winters and high during summers and monsoon.

When relocating to Mumbai, you must consider the cost of living in this city. It is the most expensive city in India and one of the ten most expensive places in the world to rent an apartment. There are very few houses in Mumbai and most people live in apartments. Renting or buying an apartment can be easily done by contacting local real estate agents who will provide you with the cheapest deals. These agents are usually reliable and are the most common channels to rent or buy property. If you have any friends or family in Mumbai, they could help you out with this. However, finding accommodation online is catching up in India, pioneered by sites such as 99 Acres, Makaan and Magic Bricks.

Being the economic hub of India, employment prospects in Mumbai are vast. There are a plethora of job sites, including Naukri, Monster and Times Jobs to name a few. However, due to the large population, there is a lot of competition and it helps if you are a post graduate (which, in India, means at least 17 years of education). While schools in Mumbai are either English-medium or vernacular (in which case, English is taught as the second or third language), Mumbai University imparts graduate and post graduate education in English to all its students. The main languages spoken in Mumbai are English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati. Among the four of them, Hindi is the language common to both immigrants as well as locals and would be most helpful to learn.

There are quite a few sights in and around Mumbai. You can spend a few days absorbing the British architecture in the south of the city or take a walk along the narrow lanes of Bandra villages. You may also take a ferry ride from the southern tip of Mumbai to ancient caves dating back to 600 AD or spend an entire day at the museum. Getting around Mumbai is very easy – all of Mumbai is well connected by public transportation like local trains, buses, taxis and auto rickshaws.

So if you’re the kind who loves a fast paced life, welcome to Mumbai!

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Moving to Argentina

by Dan on June 8, 2009

South America is a wonderful continent with many interesting, distinct countries, but one of its finest parts is Argentina. This enormous country has everything a person could ever want, whether it is big city living or ice trekking, Argentina has the answer. The capital city, Buenos Aires, is home to three million people with an additional couple million living in the greater Buenos Aires area. The country has become very urbanized since the majority of the population is located in the larger cities. Argentina is a massive country but there are large expanses of land where few people live. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city with a strong European feel thanks to the architecture and the population being heavily comprised of European descendents. Due to the rich culture of the city and the favorable exchange rate, 3.6 pesos to the dollar, there is a large expatriate community in Buenos Aires. Finding people with similar backgrounds can make exploring the country much more fun.

Due to the urbanization of Argentina, the population is very well educated and a large amount of English speaking individuals can be found there.  While there are people who speak English, it is still vitally importan for people moving to the country to learn Spanish in order to get around and engage in day to day activities. Buenos Aires is a very culturally rich city where people can spend their days admiring fine architecture and pass hours at one of the many cafes and enjoy delicious dinners with fine wine at night. There are numerous museums, theaters, and hisotrical districts within the city that make it an exciting and enriching place to live.  Argentine people are also exceptionally friendly and helpful so settling in can be made that much easier. The economy in Argentina has a history of instability so it is best if foreigners can seek employment with an international business that operates in Argentina rather than trying to find employment there.

Agriculture and livestock comprise the majority of Argentina’s economy. The country is world renowned for their steak and wine so if someone has an interest in either of these industries then Argentina is definitely a great choice. Individuals who are looking to spend some quality time in the outdoors would absolutely love the southern part of Argentina known as Patagonia. This massive area offers everything from whale watching to glacier trekking. The Andes mountain range separate Argentina and Chile, providing excellent hiking and winter activities as well. The north of Argentina has a more historical, colonial component and that is where people will find more of an indigenous influence rather than European. Gaining citizenship in Argentina is quite straightforward. A person must get a temporary residency visa and renew it each year for three years and at the end of their third year living in the country they receive their permanent residency visa. At the end of five years continuously living in Argentina, a person can apply for citizenship.

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Moving to Turkmenistan

by Dan on June 3, 2009

For people looking to make a change of scenery, Central Asia is a good place to look.
One country in particular is a great choice for a person who prefers a drier, more arid
climate and that is Turkmenistan. Eighty percent of Turkmenistan is covered by the
Karakum Desert and the remaining twenty percent does not have a lot of precipitation either. This is the ideal climate for individuals who suffer from joint aches and pains such as the ones induced by arthritis. People with an interest in languages would also enjoy the challenge of learning the country’s language, Turkmen.

While a substantial amount of the country is covered with desert, there is 1,099 miles of
Turkmenistan shore that runs along the Caspian Sea. This expansive amount of shore makes for
some lovely days spent at the beach. Individuals looking to move to Turkmenistan might have a
lot of free time because working in the country is quite difficult. The latest unemployment rate
estimate has the country at sixty percent unemployment with fifty-eight percent of the population
living below the poverty line.

The visa process in order to enter Turkmenistan is rather extensive. An individual must obtain a visa application form from the Embassy of Turkmenistan. A person must submit a signed passport as well as a copy of its first page. Payment for the visa must also be submitted, the cost depends on how long an individual plans to stay in the country and how many times they will be coming and out. If a person is going to visit someone or a company they must also submit a letter of invitation from the individual being visited or the company and the letter must be certified by the State Foreign Citizens Registration Service of Turkmenistan. For people who are not visiting someone or a company, they must contact a travel agency in Turkmenistan.

While it is a rather extensive process to get into the country, a person can do some fun exploring in Turkmenistan.The capital city of Ashgabat has many museums that outline the interesting history of the country. There is also avery impressive presidential palace located in the city. Turkmenistan is also a great location of horse lovers because an important part of Turkmenistan’s culture are the unique horses they have called the Akhal-Teke horse. These particular horses are known for the intelligence and speed. The open geography of Turkmenistan is the perfect setting for these horses to really let loose. People can arrange to ride them outside of the main city of Ashgabat, but onlypeople with a lot of horse riding experience should attempt to ride. For those with an interest in horses but lacking riding experience there are horse races in the spring and autumn at the Hippodrome in the main city of Ashgabat. Just six miles south of the city is the Turkmenbashi Stud Farm where these special horses are bred.

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Moving to Uruguay

by Dan on June 1, 2009

Though small in size, Uruguay has a lot to offer both tourists and residents. Moving to this lovely little country is a great idea for anyone looking to adopt a more tranquil lifestyle and develop some language skills by studying and speaking the native language, Spanish. Located in the southeastern part of South America, Uruguay is one of the best places on the continent to relocate to because it has been one of the most successful countries to move away from the South American trend of corruption. Along with Chile, Uruguay is the least corrupt country on the continent and it also has some of the freest political and labor conditions. In addition to not being corrupt, Uruguay is one of the richest countries in the Americas with a high GDP and it proudly holds the 45th spot on the world list of quality of life.

Working in Uruguay has become a more diversified possibility as the economy is increasing incorporating other business besides agricultural exports. While agriculture still comprises a large portion of the country’s economy, it was the first country in Latin America to start exporting software. The unemployment rate is under 7.2%, so this indicates that there is a pretty stable job market available. In order to obtain residency in Uruguay a person must apply to the Direccion Nacional de Migracion, which is the country’s immigration authority. The documents that an individual will need are a birth certificate, a marriage certificate if applicants are a married couple, criminal record, and proof of income. The proof of income just needs to show that a person has a steady income of at least $6,000 a year. Hiring an immigration lawyer is the best way to make this process as quick as simple as possible.

The geographical location of Uruguay is ideal because it provides the country with warm summers and mild winters, perfect weather to enjoy the beautiful beaches that adorn its 200 miles of coast. Of the 2.8 million people who live in Uruguay, about eighty percent live within the vacinity of the capital city of Montevideo. This beautiful, old city is filled with pre-colonial architecture, as is the historic small city of Colonia del Sacramento. These historic locations are filled with interesting building and museums that outline the history of the little country. Uruguay is the perfect resting place for beach lovers as well. Punta del Este is becoming the newest hot spot for beach goers in South America.

This beautiful little city is booming with tourists and Uruguayans alike thanks to its amazing beaches and fun night life. Uruguay is a great place to move to for people who are looking to make the most out of life and perhaps slow down a little to enjoy the journey a bit more.

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Moving to Venezuela

by Dan on May 27, 2009

Located on the northern coast of South America, Venezuela is one of the most interesting and environmentally rich countries on the continent.There is immense environmental diversity throughout the country, making it one of the world’s top eighteen most biodiverse countries.

Nature lovers can explore the far reaches of the country, going from the Andes mountains, across the expansive plains known as the llanos, down to the Amazon Basin. People can trek out to see the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls, or relax along the coast. This is the perfect place to move for people who love to explore the outdoors and see Mother Nature’s different creations. The natural beauty of Venezuela also translates to the country being endowed with a fair amount of profitable natural resources.

Venezuela has natural resources like petroleum, natural gas, gold, iron ore, and diamonds. Venezuela is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of petroleum, offering the lowest prices due to heavy government subsidies. This is the perfect location for anyone in the oil industry to move to since this resource makes up a third of the country’s gross domestic product and about eighty percent of its exports. The distribution of wealth in the country is not very even, with the majority of it resting in the hands of a select few, mainly those in the oil industry. Finding employment outside of oil might be a bit more difficult, though the powerful rivers are being used to create hydroelectric power, so that might be another area where foreigners could find employment. About 68% of the country’s population live in poverty, further illustrating the distribution of wealth.

A very important skill that a foreigner moving to Venezuela will need is the ability to speak the native language, Spanish. Being able to speak Spanish will greatly increase a person’s job prospects as well as add to the whole experience by being able to communicate with other people and learn more about the beautiful, diverse country. Individuals who are looking to relocate to Venezuela will not have too difficult a time gaining residency since it can be attained through naturalization. Once an individual has continuously lived in the country for at least five years. Marrying a Venezuelan citizen is another way to achieve citizenship as well. Living in Venezuela is a great way to ensure that life will never be boring, whether a person chooses to explore the expansive natural wonders that make up the county’s geography, or get lost in the numerous beautiful museums in the capital city of Caracas, there is endless history and environmental splendor to keep a person busy and intrigued for a lifetime.

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Moving to Vietnam

by Dan on May 25, 2009

Individuals who wish to live among nature’s finest work should seriously consider moving to Vietnam. Located on the far eastern side of the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam is the sixteenth most biodiverse country on the planet. About forty percent of the country’s
area consists of mountains, with only twenty percent of level land in the whole country. This composition of rolling hills and lush green forests makes for astounding natural beauty and a diverse population of flora and fauna. The government has a put a lot of effort into preserving the country’s natural splendor, establishing 126 conservation areas and 28 national parks.

All of this natural beauty is a huge draw for tourism, which is one of the largest industries in Vietnam. The country also has a fair amount of natural resources as well. Vietnam exports a sizeable amount of coal and has reasonably sized deposits of phosphates, chromate, bauxite, and manganese. There is also a fair amount of oil and gas deposits offshore, making crude oil one of the countries biggest exports along with agricultural goods. Finding a job in the oil industry or manufacturing are the best bets for foreigners settling into the country. Agriculture employs the majority of the population so individuals who are interested in getting into that type of work also have plenty of opportunities. The United States is one of the countries main trading partners so if it is possible to be employed by a U.S. company that works with Vietnam, that would probably be the best arrangement.

Vietnam has a very interesting history, going all the way back to its independence from China to the Vietnam War, the country has experienced quite a bit. There are numerous museums and temples throughout the country that are spectacularly interesting, providing
vast amounts of information and interesting places to discover. One area of particular interest is Halong Bay which has been deemed a World Heritage Site due to its unique and mysterious natural beauty. The bay has more than 3,000 islands scattered throughout its
waters and the surrounding land is filled with limestone grottos and caves. Many legends have been inspired by this area due to the mysterious, almost eerie nature of the water and rock formations. Becoming a citizen of this beautiful country entails applying to government authorities. If a person has at least one parent who has Vietnamese citizenship, then they are considered by the government to also be a Vietnamese citizen.

Vietnam is a wonderful place to relocate to due to its abundant natural beauty, rich history, and rapidly growing economy. Now is a great time to move to Vietnam because in the past decade it has had some of the highest economic growth in the world. Becoming a part of this burgeoning country is a great idea.

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