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Renting property in Abu Dhabi - Do you really need to pay 12 months rent in advance?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Abu Dhabi
Hello I have been offered a job in Abu Dhabi and I'm trying to negotiate a relocation package.

From the research I've done (on this website and others, as well as talking to friends in Dubai) I understand that most landlords require 12 months rent paid in advance, so I'm trying to convince my new employer to write the option of an annual loan into my contract, to be paid off monthly.

Transport links in San Francisco and the best neighbourhoods for expat families

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: San Francisco, CA
Hi there,

I am busy planning a move to San Francisco and need some advice from other expats who have been in a similar position.

I will be moving with my husband and three children. So we are looking for a nice safe suburb of San Francisco with a good sense of community. We'd like our children to go to a good public school and mix with other local kids. Space will also be a priority for us.

Suburbs of Cape Town - Comments on Table View and Flamingo Vlei for expat family

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Cape Town
Good evening everyone,

I have been spending the last few weeks trying to get as much information as possible about the areas in Cape Town we would like to relocate to. Taking into consideration what I think my family needs (we have 3 boys) I am leaning towards the Table View and Flamingo Vlei area.

Advice on job offers and cost of living in Abu Dhabi

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Abu Dhabi
Hi to everyone, my name is Valentina, I'm Italian and my boyfriend Alessandro and I have just received a job offer in Abu Dhabi. Alessandro would work in a architecture studio for 8850 AED a month.

I can choose between revisioner of documents 5000 EUR a month, or Receptionist in a 5 stars Hotel (but I still don't know the retribution).

Do you think it's worth moving there with these kind of offers, or it would be difficult to survive at the end of the month?

Help with QROPS Charges in Spain?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Valencia
Hi,

My wife and I transferred or UK pensions to Guernsey QROPS in 2009/10 that has now been removed from HMRC approved list.

Our QROPS provider has in turn placed our fund management with Spearpoint/ Brooks Macdonald Asset Management. The charges are 0.4% per annum plus 0.25% charge per transaction.

These charges mount up and we are being charged best part of £10,000.00/ year.

My question is : is this fair and reasonable charge and is there anyway we can reduce this cost down???

Looking for work in Doha

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Doha

Hi All, I'm a 30 year old Muslim Brit with the following: * Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science * Variety of IT courses * Bilingual in English & Arabic * Immense communication skills(TV & Radio experience) * Great sense of humour * Current job @ an elite Telecom operator * Amazing personality (No exaggeration, seeing is believing :^) ) *

Information on moving to Poland?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Poland
Hi I'm coming to Krakow for my Project work and having hard time finding accomdatiion.Could someone please suggest some portals in english and let me know how approxmately how much expenses will be incurred?? Also let me know whether Work permit can be renewed. Hoping for a response. Regards Harish

Civil Engineering Jobs in Toronto

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Canada
i am a graduate Civil engineer from india with over 24 years of experience. I lived in Toronto for 4 years but unable to find a job. They said P.Eng licence is must to work theer as engineer.But now am again planning to migrate there. Is there a possibility that i can find a job anywhere in canada. Also i have done french to intermediate level.

Self Employment in Jakarta?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Jakarta
I will be an expat wife and would like to continue my work in Jakarta come september.

I am a mural artist with a unique style and would potentially employ local artists .

I would like to work commercially and privately. Whether I form a company( i have a small one here in london) or I go self employed, how can I go about this with permits, visas etc?

Looking forward to hearing some thoughts, websites to look at etc.

thank you

Do I pay income tax if I work out side Thailand?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Thailand
Hello,

Could you help me please? I am hoping to bring my family to Thailand and send my children to an international school.

My wife and children would stay in Thailand for 9 or 10 months of the year while I would fly in fly out to Australia for work.

I would spend less than 180 days in Thailand each year and would not be working at all in Thailand.  I would however like to give up my Australian Residency as I would only be in Australia for work purposes which my accountant tells me would exempt me from income taxes in Australia.

Sponsoring spouse/girlfriend for a visa for Dubai

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Dubai
Hi, I have a bit complicated situation here.

I am a Czech female living in UK. My British partner got a job in Dubai, moving there in March.

It is not very clear to me what to do regarding my relocation (plus my dog). We are planning to get married in Dubai but as I understand to get sponsor visa you have to be married.

I suppose I could arrive on tourist visa and sort things later? But wouldn't we have problems with the authorities when applying for marriage certificate?

What's the cost of living in Brazil like?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Brazil
Hey everyone, anyone got any insights about the cost of living in Brazil? I'm going to be there on a short assignment for six months. My salary will be $2,000 a month. Will this be enough to survive in Rio? My company will be providing an apartment and a driver for me. Any insights welcome!

Beauty salons in Jeddah - Facial threading for women

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Jeddah
Hello, We are planning a move to Jeddah by this summer 2013 and I would like to know if there are any beauty salons for women where I'll be able to get facial threading done, such as eyebrow threading etc. Can someone please let me know. If possible, give me some names of these beauty salons please. Thank you so much in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Huma.

Healthcare options for expats in the USA

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Chicago, IL
Hi,

I am planning a move with the family to Chicago later this year. My company is contributing to my health insurance but I am not sure if they will be making the contribution for my wife and child.

I am aware that healthcare is really expensive in the States. Are there any options for expats to use free public healthcare ? Can anyone recommend any good health insurers ?

Also what are the best hospitals in Chicago ?

Please do let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

How comprehensive is public transport in Chicago ?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Chicago, IL
Hi all,

I am planning a move to Chicago towards the middle of this year. I was wondering whether anyone could tell me how good transport is in the city ? Are buses and trains affordable or is it better to have a drive ?

Also which areas are the best served by public transport ? Are there any suburbs I should avoid.

Thanks so much.

Cooking in Centro Portugal

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Portugal
I wants to know how the situation is with cooking. Are there line for gase, or do you cook with electricity or having bottles which needs to be refilled. I saw on some picures those gas bottles and ask myself where to refill and much does it cost? What are the alternatives? Thanks Dalal

Are there decent hospitals in Buenos Aires?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Argentina
Are there decent hospitals in Buenos Aires? We're gonna be living in Argentina for the next six months, and just worried about the healthcare system there. Will most doctors be able to speak English? Should we opt for private healthcare, or are public hospitals in Argentina ok for dealing with general medical matters?

Schools and safety in Mexico?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Mexico
We're moving to Mexico City soon and apart from the dire security situation in the city, we're worried about our kids' education while there. We'll be living in Mexico for a year and as we are American I want our kids to continue with their home country curriculum. Are there any decent international or American schools in Mexico? 

Looking for South African expats living in Livingstone, Zambia

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Zambia
Hi there

I am looking to make contact with South Africans in Livingtone .

My husband needs to go on a business trip there and will feel more at ease if we know he have contact with fellow countyman in case of emergancy. I do not know the country well and do not know what to expect,

Is livingstone safe ?

Please contact me on anitapanaino@gmail.com

A question for expats with kids in Riyadh : Where can I find Aptamil or Nutrilon Pepti 2 baby milk ?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Riyadh
Dear Moms,

I am moving next month to Riyadh and I am concerned about finding my daughter´s milk, which is NUTRILON(or Aptamil) PEPTI 2.

Does anybody knows where can I find it? It must be the PEPTI 2.

Thank you.

Healthcare in Cyprus - Are prescriptions free for expats over 60 years ?

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Cyprus
My Wife and I are moving to Cyprus. We are retired .My wife is 60 years of age.

Can anyone tell me if she will recieve free prescriptions in Cyprus ? What options are available for expat healthcare ? Is the standard of hospitals in Cyprus good ?

Schools in Norway - Reviews of the International School of Bergen

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Destination: Norway
I am thinking about moving with my husband to Bergen, Norway next year.

I have nothing but awlful things about the Director os this school , the teachers and the building and the quality of instruction.
I have seen other blogs with pictures. Can it really be that bad ?

Has anyone been there and had any experience of this school ? What other schools can expats reccommend ?

Thanks

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