You know that feeling when you go on holiday somewhere and you have the most amazing time, you’re so relaxed, loving the food and the hospitality and you could just picture yourself staying forever? Well, it’s not an entirely unheard-of concept, emigrating to another country is a rather popular and wholly possible notion. According to the latest figures by the House of Commons, over 400,000 people emigrated from the UK in the year ending March 2019, meaning many of those people have followed their dreams and opted to take their lives to another country.
Of course, there are some very important aspects to take into account before taking the leap, such as how the move will affect your family – those coming with you and those left behind. In addition to this, consider how you will cope without your support system and friends; do you have unfinished business that is best resolved before you leave? You need to plan very well for this and ensure your goals are realistic. If all of the above have been met with positive outcome, then it is time to take the leap.
There are differing ways of measuring the best countries to live in and they take into account quality of life, personal freedom, economic growth, healthcare, education, wealth, personal well-being, governance, social, cultural and physical activities readily available, political stability and more. If you fancy following your dream and you’re looking for a good place to start, then we’ve rounded up our top six countries to emigrate to.
Switzerland
With truly breath-taking landscapes rivalling something from a fairy tale, Switzerland is a great choice in terms of quality of life, but that’s not the only reason to move here. This fairly small, landlocked country (with gorgeous lakes and magnificent mountains) has a high-tech economy with a much higher average salary than the global average. This is somewhat offset by the cost of living, but with this you benefit from excellent healthcare, top-quality education system and an overall clean and safe country.
New Zealand
You don’t need to be a fan of The Lord of The Rings movies to appreciate the beauty of this country as anyone who has ever visited will be sure to tell you themselves. With an enviable quality of life promoting a healthy lifestyle, encouraged by access to quality and affordable housing, food, decent education and healthcare, it’s no wonder that the average expat stays for over 20 years – more than any other country. With a positive view on economic opportunities, governance, individual liberties and more, it comes as no surprise that Brits will travel to the other side of the world for this kind of life.
Canada
The second largest country in the world by area with almost 10 million square km of space, you could easily choose between a variety of landscapes to reside in, from lively cities to small town living to a completely remote lifestyle. The welcoming nature of the country is renowned and those who have moved there highly rate the balance in life they have regained. With excellent healthcare, many job prospects with an increase in earnings, political stability, a high degree of individual freedom and quality of life, there is no doubt that Canada would make it onto the list.
Norway
Norway makes a regular appearance on many best countries to live in and happiest countries lists, not least because of the high quality of life that Norwegians experience, but the strong infrastructure of social services too. One of the world’s wealthiest and least corrupt countries, Norway offers top level education, freedom, healthcare and governance and has stunning natural surroundings in which to reside.
Singapore
With a top-notch schooling system, recognised personal safety with minimal crime and excellent job prospects this a winning choice, especially for families. Though the cost of living can be high, Singapore stands out in terms of its employment with a business-friendly environment, talented workforce, much higher average salary than other expat countries and high acceptance on work permits. The country also benefits from low tax rates and travel within, and outside of Singapore is easy as it is a hub for international travel.
Iceland
Last but not least, the bewitching island of Iceland. It helps if you like the cold, as the average temperature is between 1°C and 7°C, but the dramatic landscapes will certainly draw you in. From volcanoes to glaciers, fjords and waterfalls, lava fields to hot springs and geysers, as well as the enchanting Northern Lights, Iceland’s magical beauty will draw you in. Aside from this, expect free education and healthcare, high living standards if you like the finer things, plenty of job prospects, a low crime rate, affordable housing and the highest life expectancy in Europe.
