Expat life in Australia -how does it compare?

People move overseas for many different reasons.  An opportunity to explore the world, a chance to learn new skills, a great career opportunity, more money, better weather and sometimes for love.

But how do the expectations match the reality?  And is there a way we can find out if our hopes and dreams will be met? 

One source of expat feedback is the HSBC expat explorer survey results.  In these results you can see expats' perceptions of life in their new locations and how it measures up on a range of measures.  From raising children to economic data, to experiences such as social life and, yes, even the weather; you can play with the data to see how a country you may be considering as a new location compares.

Australia, as you can see if you explore the data, compared well, with an overall rating at number 5 out of all the countries in the survey.  It was lower on the economics rating but 65% of expats were satisfied with their life in Australia and many chose to stay and retire in Australia. 

Comparisons are helpful but the big picture is often more than the sum of individual factors. And sometimes some factors will outweigh others.  Being with someone you love can make all other factors unimportant.

Knowing yourself is important here.  What is important to you?  What do you really want your expat life to be like?  Taking some time to reflect will help you to make an active decision and give you stronger foundations for your time ahead.

What is important for you?