Bermuda’s expat list snub

Where do you think Bermuda might figure on a list of the 37 best places in the world to be an expatriate?

Top ten? Top three even? 

You might be surprised to learn Bermuda didn’t even make the list, after a recent HSBC survey.

Thailand topped the chart, with the Cayman Islands coming in at number four.

Asked about Bermuda being noticeably absent, a spokesman for HSBC told us yesterday: “Unfortunately, Bermuda didn’t receive the minimum amount of respondents to qualify for the league tables.

“Hopefully we will be able to increase the amount of respondents in 2014.”

A Wall Street Journal Southeast Asian blog breaks down the list with Bahrain, China and Australia rounding out the top five locations for expats.

The ranking, now in its sixth year, compiles surveys from among more than 7,000 expatriates from nearly 100 countries across the globe. 

The blog said as far as economics go, Thailand, Indonesia (6) and Singapore (9) ranked among the best places to live for expats.

Lower living costs and higher earnings potential, however, made Thailand the most cost-effective place for foreigners, while Vietnam and Indonesia ranked highly for presenting the best career opportunities.

Asia is home to the highest-paid expats in the world, according to the survey with the highest proportion of expats earning more than $250,000 located in Indonesia (22 per cent), Japan (13 per cent) and China (10 per cent).

The blog said Thailand topped the list for being a good place to make friends and enjoy an active social life.

Praising Thailand, Neil McCarthy — who relocated to Bangkok 12 years ago from the US, told the Wall Street Journal blog  said: “From Thailand’s countless tropical beaches and islands, to the world-class restaurants and modern infrastructure, the cultural attractions, and a still relatively attractive overall cost of living, it’s really hard for any country to top.

“I don’t regret for a second having made the decision to come here.”

Respondents said it was easy for them to embrace local food and culture, with 60 per cent saying life in Thailand allowed them a healthier diet.

For expats with children, Germany was ranked as the top place to raise children abroad, while Singapore was named the safest to do so.

France, Belgium and Spain also made the list for having a good mix of cost-efficient schooling and high-quality childcare. n