Cyprus-Forum.com

[Svetlana]

Expats really DO have the good life: It's safer, cheaper and schools are better abroad
By Becky Barrow
Families who have escaped Britain to live abroad have a better quality of life, according to a major survey of the ‘expat’ lifestyle.
The findings will strike a chord with millions of families in the UK struggling with soaring bills, sky-high house prices, pollution, traffic congestion and the battle to find a good school.
Those who have fled said they believed their children were enjoying ‘the good life’. Typically, the schools are better, children are safer and life is cheaper.
Expats supporting England at the Ashes Test match against Australia. The survey asked over 4,000 people in 100 countries about their lifestyles
And the best chance of a happy family life is to move to Belgium, which was ranked the top place to live by expats.
Britain was ranked at the bottom of the league by foreign families living in this country.
They said it is ‘one of the most expensive’ places to raise a child and they think their offspring are ‘less safe’ than in their ‘home’ country. These families also believe that their children live a ‘less active’ lifestyle, spending less time outdoors, playing less sport and spending more time watching television.
In one of the largest surveys of its kind, more than 4,100 people living in 100 countries were asked questions about their lifestyle.
Subjects ranged from the cost of childcare, the amount of junk food children ate and whether they missed their ‘home’ friends.
For each question in the three categories – childcare, health and wellbeing, and integration – parents were asked to compare their lifestyle in their ‘new’ country with their life in their ‘home’ country.
Based on their scores, a league table of 14 countries was drawn up where at least 30 families had responded. All other countries were excluded.
Family graphic
Overall, parents living in Britain said that they did not think their childrens’ quality of life had improved.
One expat living in Britain said: ‘I find everything in the UK quite expensive and the standard of education poor.
‘I’m lucky that my son is able to get into a private school with a scholarship, otherwise I would not be able to afford it.’
The expat added: ‘The food here is poor.’
By comparison, a family in Belgium described it as ‘great fun and not to be missed for anything in the world’.


The education is better than in their ‘home’ country, the childcare is cheaper and better and their children are learning a new language and find it easy to integrate with their new friends, the family said.
One expat said: ‘It has provided the opportunity to build a career and hence financial security for my family. It has been mind-opening and enjoyable.’

In many cases, the poll by banking giant HSBC International found, British expats have ‘a greater sense of community’ than they do in their ‘home’ country.
For many, this is because they live in secure expat communities, for example in Asia and the Middle East.
However, life is not always perfect for the estimated 1.1million retired Britons living overseas.
Campaigners yesterday complained that while those in some countries see their State pension raised every year, those in others do not.
About 500,000 British pensioners are thought to be affected by the ‘frozen’ pension problem in about 150 countries including Canada, Australia and South Africa.
However, life is not always perfect for the estimated 1.1million retired Britons living overseas.
Campaigners yesterday complained that while those in some countries see their State pension raised every year, those in others do not.
About 500,000 British pensioners are thought to be affected by the ‘frozen’ pension problem in about 150 countries including Canada, Australia and South Africa.

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Have you ever been to Belgium....!!!!!

[CBBB]

Must be all that Belgian beer!

[Milo]

No I have,nt, but as Ryanair now flying out of Larnaca to Charleoi (Brussels) for 56.98 euros return in January, I might. The airport is a distance from Brussels though about 12 or so km then to get to Bruges (where they make CHOKLIT ) is another hour by rail, which is,nt expensive and the metro I have heard is good. Might be nice for a Spring break.

I am surprised though that Belgium is tops as its apparently not cheap, must be a feelgood factor or something as the weather is also cold, it is though very pretty. And full of CHOCKLIT And the beer!! The Belgium Christmas markets are a good choice for next year on a short break as well.

By the same airline we can now get to Girona and then pop over to Barcelona, although a bit more expensive at 176 euros return.

I,m flying to Singapore next year, I thought it would be costly from Cyprus so was planning a UK trip and fly from there BUT I,m happy to say I found a flight from LCA Dubai Singapore for less than I anticipated, and of course less flying time, so am very pleased.

I live here but I like to travel and the destinations only a few short years ago were quite limited and very expensive, now I,m happy that has changed and maybe will change some more.

I will definitely use this flight sometime this year to Brussels/Belgium. As for living there, well I will check it out for future its on our list of places within the next ten years to check out, as is France. There is a bit of time left in us for one more adventure I hope.

[CBBB]

Nice place to visit, but too many paedophiles, so don't take the kids!

[vaughanwilliams]

Nice place to visit, but too many paedophiles, so don't take the kids!

You can say what you like about paedophiles but, unlike Cypriots, at least they don't speed past schools.

[CBBB]

Nice place to visit, but too many paedophiles, so don't take the kids!

You can say what you like about paedophiles but, unlike Cypriots, at least they don't speed past schools.

I am sure you slow down outside schools!

[vaughanwilliams]

Nice place to visit, but too many paedophiles, so don't take the kids!

You can say what you like about paedophiles but, unlike Cypriots, at least they don't speed past schools.

I am sure you slow down outside schools!

You're damn right I do. Perhaps if the Cypriots slowed down a bit, you'd have less carnage on the roads.

[CBBB]

Nice place to visit, but too many paedophiles, so don't take the kids!

You can say what you like about paedophiles but, unlike Cypriots, at least they don't speed past schools.

I am sure you slow down outside schools!

You're damn right I do. Perhaps if the Cypriots slowed down a bit, you'd have less carnage on the roads.

I have to assume you are talking about the occupied areas as you have no need to come to the RoC in order to observe this.

[vaughanwilliams]

Nice place to visit, but too many paedophiles, so don't take the kids!

You can say what you like about paedophiles but, unlike Cypriots, at least they don't speed past schools.

I am sure you slow down outside schools!

You're damn right I do. Perhaps if the Cypriots slowed down a bit, you'd have less carnage on the roads.

I have to assume you are talking about the occupied areas as you have no need to come to the RoC in order to observe this.

North or South, this is something Cypriots have in common - piss-poor driving skills.

[PushDaddy]

The areas would be occupied. There are Mums and Dads taking children to school. If they were not there then there would not be a problem. Bit obvious that CBBB.When schools are closed they are unoccupied but if there was a Parent-Teacher meeting then it would be semi-occupied.