Which Country Could Provide Your Ideal Lifestyle?

If you’re considering moving abroad, you’ve probably heard that expat life will have a huge impact on your lifestyle, but what does this mean? From the average number of annual vacation days, to the travel opportunities on offer, ‘lifestyle’ is an umbrella term which includes a huge variety of different aspects which affect a person’s everyday life.

If you’re unsure about how moving abroad will impact you and your loved ones , or if you’re still deciding on which country will offer you the best everyday routine, take a look at the following descriptions to see which destinations have it all when it comes to the perfect day-to-day life.

Chill Out in Australia

Flexible working hours in Australia mean that people can make the most of the gorgeous climate. Aussies often head to work during the chillier hours of the morning so that they can finish by early afternoon and head to the ocean for a swim, or the beach for a barbecue. Furthermore, the majority of Australian families have their own beach houses, meaning it’s always easy to escape the hustle and bustle of city life at the weekend to enjoy the relaxing sound of waves crashing upon the shore with your loved ones.

If the beach isn’t for you, Australia also offers a huge array of festivals, such as kite and chocolate festivals. These are laidback, cultural events, to which you can turn up without much forward planning. Many events, such as symphony performances, are also free meaning you don’t even need to buy a ticket to enjoy some beautiful melodies. If you like culinary experiences, the country is also full of pubs and cafés, where you can spend your Sundays catching up with friends at a pace that suits you, while enjoying some local craft beer or some smashed avocado on toast.

Family First in Mexico

Mexicans value family over everything! "Family" is a broad term that includes distant relatives, such as cousins, as well as family friends or neighbors, who are often referred to as "aunts" and "uncles", despite not actually being blood relatives. Many generations of the same family live under the same roof, or at least in the same neighborhood, and are in daily contact with each other.

In the rare case that families live further apart, they still find an excuse to talk and meet up on a regular basis. Families (including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc.) tend to eat lunch together at least once a week and often take annual vacations together. If one family member moves much further afield, or even abroad, regular phone calls are an absolute must so that everyone is in the loop and up-to-date with family life.

Never on Time? Head to Brazil

While it’s unacceptable to turn up late to a business meeting, people are almost never on time when meeting up with friends and family in Brazil. If you receive an invitation to a party that starts at 20:00, be sure to turn up a few hours late to avoid being the first guests to arrive. The reason behind Brazilians’ lack of punctuality can vary. Sometimes traffic in the congested cities can genuinely cause delays; however, it’s usually the case that people leave things to the last minute and don’t plan for the possibility of busy streets or delayed public transport! It’s also not uncommon for Brazilians to only start getting ready at the time that an event is supposed to start, meaning they don’t leave the house until an hour or so after the suggest start time of a party.

If you struggle to be on time for your 19:00 dinner dates, you’ll probably enjoy the eating culture in Brazil. It’s very rare to eat your evening meal until around 21:00, when people tuck into a large, heavy dinner with friends or family. Meal times often last a few hours and are filled with conversation and laughter, so don’t expect your dinner to finish until the very late hours of the night or the early hours of the morning — perfect if you’re more of a night owl than an early bird!

Get Outdoors in Germany

Germans simply love fresh air! The first thing they will do in the morning is open the window to rid the room of its stuffiness — even if it’s freezing cold. They are also a huge fan of al fresco dining. It doesn’t matter if there’s snow on the ground, or if it’s been raining all morning — as soon as the sun comes out, Germans refuse to sit inside at restaurants or cafés. They will just wrap up in plenty of layers (and blankets often provided by restaurants to accommodate for Germans’ love of outdoor dining) and enjoy their meal in front of their favorite eatery.

People in Germany also enjoy being active outside. The wonderful cycling infrastructure in most towns and cities means that it’s easy for people to ride their bicycles to work, instead of being stuck on the busy metro system. Since most cities have clear, designated bike lanes, cycling is also very safe, meaning that even young children cycle to school — sometimes unaccompanied! Furthermore, Germans love a good hike. Whether they head to the Alps or just their nearest lake, they enjoy spending their weekends surrounded by nature and burning calories at the same time.

Russians Love to Learn

Russians are far more aware of their own culture and heritage than people in other countries. This is probably because they’re always looking for ways to learn! Books are both popular and affordable — nearly everyone can afford to buy at least 5–10 a month without breaking the bank. Families will often have their own supply of both old and new books, which are passed down through generations. This means that famous writers, composers and historians are household names and many famous lines from literature and poetry are sayings that even small children are aware of.

Ballet performances are also a very popular way to learn about the country’s history. Most shows tell a story about a historic event and so many people attend the performances to learn about their heritage, to express their national pride and to celebrate historic heroes. Russians have high expectations when it comes to ballet, since Russian ballet has become one of the most popular and highly-respected dance styles around the world. Audiences will cheer and clap very loudly and will often interrupt a performance to commend the dancing or make a comment about the storyline.