I’m working on the outline of what to write about when travelling to a new place. This will be the information that you need to know, as a future expat, when considering if you want to move there or not.
Here are the things I could think of. Please look at it, and think about what you’d like to know.
How to get there
- Main airports
- Airlines to use, or avoid
- How to get from the airport to this location (if farther than a taxi ride)
Expat groups in the area
- When/where they meet
- How to contact
Where expats tend to gather
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Imported food grocery stores
Places to stay for a short time (hotels, hostels, and short-term apartments)
- Price
- Quality
- Neighborhood information
- Contact information
Local legal contacts
- For residency
- For business
Typical restaurants
- Type of food
- Quality
- Price
Expat websites and forums for the region
Real estate information
- Contact information for agents
- Typical rental prices
- Typical purchase prices
Visa requirements
- Tourist
- Permanent residency
General location information
- Weather
- Crime
- Pictures and videos
Cost of living
- Bus fare
- Electricity
- Internet
- Property taxes
- Typical lunch
- Big Mac
- Levi 501 jeans
Please leave a comment if there is any other information you would want to know about a region. Because that will let me write the most useful articles for you.
Thanks!
Scott
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
First, thanks for the info about your book, availibilty of hard copy. etc, we’ll just eventually download the internet one…would be nice to know about health care in the areas you visit, if there IS any if needed for some unexpected medical event. we’re still most interested in Panama, but not sure the cost of living is all they say it is(it’s starting to sound more expensive when reading expat forums)so will be interested in what you come up with in other areas, thank you, safe travels, Gayle…oh, & we’re curious how much Johnny Walker Red is in different areas(can’t give it all up)….
Hi Gayle,
I’ve added healthcare (types of facilities, quality, cost of health plans, etc.) to the checklist. I’ll be sure to add some of the luxuries of life to the cost of living section, too. There is more to life than just “getting by”.
Thanks!