6 Ways to Settle into a City

tmcadmin General, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer

Moving to a new city comes with a great package; it can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The idea of experiencing a new culture, meeting new people and expanding your professional network is thrilling.

However, moving to a new city is similar to moving to a foreign country. From finding a place to live to navigating the local transportation system, there are many moving struggles that one has to deal with.

There are plenty of settling tips online, and here we have picked some of the best ways to get comfortable in a new city. Let us talk about six ways to settle into a new town.

1.     Take a Walking Tour

A walking tour is a great way to understand your locality that also comes with a wide range of possibilities which will lead you to all your commercial needs. As you walk around, you will discover various landmarks, streets, routes, local transportation, etc.; it will help you adjust to your new environment and create a comfortable atmosphere.

Walking tours are very informative and an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers and make new friends. Not only will you get to know the city’s rich history, but you’ll also gain insight into the local culture and traditions. Knowing your local area will help you understand where to go in time of need.

2.   Join a Local Group or Club

Joining a local group or club will help you meet new people with similar interests. It can be a great way to connect with locals and deeply understand your new area. It will also help you make new professional connections if you have moved in with a business motive.

For students who moved out of their homes to student accommodation, local groups and clubs make it easy for you to get involved with the locals, and you never know; you might find someone from your hometown. These groups and clubs often help you find a great roommate to share student housing with so you can have a homely environment even when you are far from home.

3.   Explore the Local Cuisine

Exploring the local cuisine is also a great way to settle into a new city. Your new surroundings may seem foreign initially, but local food will drive you to like the recent changes you will face in a new town. As an adult or even a student who is moving to a new city, it is imperative to understand the culture and experience new things.

To create great memories, you better taste fine quality food to remember it for the rest of your life. Food is a comforting language; wherever you go, in any part of the world, food improves everything.

4.   Get to Know Your Neighbours

Being a good neighbour and having a good neighbour at the same time will improve life and ensure a healthy lifestyle in the neighbourhood. Building a solid relationship with your community is an efficient way of building and living an excellent standard lifestyle.

It is also a good way to balance your safety and well-being since your neighbours can help you in your time of need. Take time to introduce yourself and share meals with your neighbours; it will help you make your new city feel more like home.

5.   Stay Patient and Positive

Remember, your new city has a lot to offer, and it is normal to feel anxious. It is essential to stay positive and patient throughout the whole process. Ensure you are mentally prepared for all the lonely and homesick days, for it is normal to feel that way. Nevertheless, it is one way to find new friends and make great memories.

Focus on what you like about your new city and, most importantly, why you moved in the first place. It keeps you on track and your mental health in peace.

6.  Give it Time

Give yourself time to adapt to your new environment. Your unique experiences will bring opportunities for growth and positive changes in your life. Even for long-term life experiences, being patient with your surroundings and yourself is necessary.

Getting acclimated and walking at your own pace to settle is normal. To save up your mental and physical energy, try developing a tendency to seek out valuable opportunities wherever possible. Time is very delicate, but so is your mental peace. Give it time to live comfortably and welcome a lively future that awaits you.

Conclusion

Tips that help you comfort yourself and feel like it is okay to feel anxious need to be considered. The above pointers are a few to give you confidence and the direction you might need while moving to a new city. Hope it finds you well!

About AmberStudent – Amber Student is one of the leading student accommodation platforms put in place in 2016 and has served over 80 million students globally. Amber Student is your one-stop destination for all your housing needs, fully assisted by amber experts and secure housing far from your home. Do check out our social platforms on Instagram and Facebook and stay connected!

Author’s Bio – Bobby Sinha is a storyteller; she enjoys watching Japanese indie movies and knows various ways of using a chopstick. A graduate in business, working as a writer, and someday aspiring to become a Filmmaker proves how versatile she is.

3 Best Credit Cards For Picking Up Free Air Miles

tmcadmin Breaking News, consumer protection, Credit Cards, Doing Business Overseas, General, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Payments, Personal Finance, Trade & Industry, Travel

If you are a frequent flier, and a fan of using plastic over hard cash, then doubtless you will be aware that you can collect points for spending with your credit card that can be used to subsidise your air miles.

Air miles and credit cards seem to enjoy a fruitful relationship, and have done so for a matter of decades; and yet so few of us take advantage of the options available to us. Read more “3 Best Credit Cards For Picking Up Free Air Miles”

3 Overseas Credit Cards To Use Abroad

tmcadmin Breaking News, consumer protection, Credit Cards, Doing Business Overseas, lifestyle and fashion, Payments, Personal Finance, Travel

Before you pull out and flourish your credit card to pay for your goods and services whilst travelling overseas, think twice – then think again!

Withdrawing money using a credit card is a costly move even in your own country – credit card companies penalise cash withdrawers heavily with a host of associated charges – and the same applies overseas – don’t think the same rules do not apply. Read more “3 Overseas Credit Cards To Use Abroad”

Singapore Claims Top Spot In HSBC Expat Explorer Survey For Second Year Running

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Doing Business Overseas, Fintech, lifestyle and fashion, Moving Abroad, Trade & Industry

We are big fans of the “Lion” City State Singapore here at The Money Cloud. Ever since spending a fortnight there in the summer of 2017, we’ve been blogging about its history, business environment, culture, and smorgasbord of activities and entertainments the city teems with.

It’s also a haven for the world’s rich and wealthy; the “made-it” or “making-it” class who find Singapore’s always-on, hard working and uber-disciplined business culture very much to their tastes (as well as the super stylish malls, country clubs and man made Sentosa beach – the most Southerly tip of Asia). It is rumoured that roughly one in every three Singaporean citizens is a millionaire.

In all respects, Singapore is a state that punches above its weight, so perhaps it’s hardly surprising that The Lion State has retained its spot at the top of HSBC’s rankings, in the 2018 version of its 2018 Expat Explorer survey.

Reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the survey, New Zealand places 2nd this year, and Germany third. Three contrasting countries, each with different strengths and weaknesses; it just goes to show that expats relocate for all kinds of reasons; work, family, romance, adventure, escape; and what suits one type of expat explorer may not suit another.

Canada and Bahrain take spots 4 and 5 on the list. Both are traditionally popular destinations for expats, and again for contrasting reasons. Bahrain ranked number 1 in Internations’ comprehensive analysis of all things expat related, thanks to its friendly environment, high quality infrastructure and job security, whilst Canada offers first-world living in beautiful surroundings, plus an eclectic culture and stable political environment.

Completing HSBC’s Top 10 are Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Before we take a deep dive into selected countries next week, let’s examine what makes Singapore the outstanding expat destination in HSBC’s eyes.

The split of male to female amongst Singapore expats is 60/40, and the vast majority (56%) are aged between 36-54. On average, expats earn in the region of $221,500 SGD, which works out at approximately $160,000 USD – one of the healthiest wage packages on offer for expats anywhere in the world.

Although Singapore boasts outstanding cultural, social and family life, inevitably, when it comes to the reasons why expats make the move there, career progression comes first. Singapore rewards hard work and dedication and its entire culture is designed to give individuals the greatest chance of personal success.

Living and working in Singapore is in every sense a challenge, that expats must embrace. Finance, consulting, trade, and hi-tech are the dominant industries, but Singapore is also embracing start-up culture, and most notably fintech, with the Monetary Authority Singapore (MAS) having built bridges with countries and cities all over the world, from London, to Sydney, to the Caribbean.

This content is sourced and brought to you by The Money Cloud – comparing the best rates for sending money overseas offered by hand-picked, regulated brokers and money transfer agencies.

Overseas Weddings: Thinking Of Getting Hitched Abroad? Here’s How Much You May Have To Pay

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Events, lifestyle and fashion, Moving Abroad, Personal Finance, Travel

There is a hopeless romantic inside every one of us, and if ever there is a perfect time to give it free rein, it’s your wedding day. How much will a dream overseas wedding set you back? At The Money Cloud we have carried out some research on your behalf, to make sure you have the “perfect figure” in mind for your big day. Read more “Overseas Weddings: Thinking Of Getting Hitched Abroad? Here’s How Much You May Have To Pay”

Starting An International Online Business? Try Canada or UK, New Study Says

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Doing Business Overseas, General, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Payments, Personal Finance, Trade & Industry

The dream of becoming the next Amazon-affiliated drop-shipping millionaire is one that most of us have had at some point in our careers, usually after a bad day at the office or a long holiday. But can it be done? Read more “Starting An International Online Business? Try Canada or UK, New Study Says”

Cannes It Be? Don’t Expect Your Pounds To Go Further Than The Euro On Cote D’Azur

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, economy, lifestyle and fashion, Travel

Whilst enjoying some late season sun in Cannes, France, I’ve noticed that my pounds and my euros are virtually interchangable.

Let’s start at the beginning. Flights to the Cote D’Azur with the likes of Ryanair are, in our humble opinion, currently Europe’s biggest travel bargain. Tourists love the South coast of France, and France loves having them here – provided they are not too rowdy and don’t jump in the fountains – that is, after all, what the sea is for. Read more “Cannes It Be? Don’t Expect Your Pounds To Go Further Than The Euro On Cote D’Azur”

Fast Internet, Cashless Payments & Social Media Spying: The World’s Digital Havens Uncovered

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Doing Business Overseas, General, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Travel

This week at The Money Cloud we are taking stock of the latest Internations Annual expat survey. Yesterday we explored the global networking and event company’s overall country ratings, which saw Bahrain emerge for the second year running, as the top rated destination for expats, with Taiwan a close second, Ecuador third, and reality checks for the likes of the UK, India and Saudi Arabia.

But how do the world’s countries rank for all things digital? From always-on South Korea, to the cashless Nordics, to Estonia, the digital nomads paradise, let’s examine Internations findings more closely. Read more “Fast Internet, Cashless Payments & Social Media Spying: The World’s Digital Havens Uncovered”

This Gulf State Has Just Been Voted Best Expat Destination For The Second Year Running

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Doing Business Overseas, lifestyle and fashion, Travel

Anybody considering life as an expat should pay special attention to Internation’s latest Expat Insider survey. The international networking and events group for people living overseas questioned more than 18,000 people to compile its annual list of the best and worst destinations for expats, based on factors such as Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Family Life, and Personal Finance. Read more “This Gulf State Has Just Been Voted Best Expat Destination For The Second Year Running”

Breaking Down The World’s Wealthy: How They Live, What They Buy, And Where They Hang Out?

tmcadmin Breaking News, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Travel

If you are one of the world’s 15.8 million high net worth individuals, then you may well dream of becoming one of its 584,000 multi-millionaires, or even one of just 2,252 billionaires that exist in the world today. Read more “Breaking Down The World’s Wealthy: How They Live, What They Buy, And Where They Hang Out?”

Where Do All The Millionaire Migrants Go? New Report Reveals All, Including UK’s Abandonment Issues

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Doing Business Overseas, economy, lifestyle and fashion, Moving Abroad

When things starts to go wrong for a country, economically, politically, or socially, its wealthiest citizens are usually the first to know, and also the first to jump ship and migrate somewhere else, research from AfrAsia reveals.

The bank recently published its Global Wealth Migration Review for 2018,  in which it argues that a trend of departing millionaires, billionaires, and mass affluents, is nearly always a sign that a country fortunes could be in decline. According to the reports authors:

“If a country is losing a large number of HNWIs to migration, it is probably due to serious problems in that country (i.e. crime, lack of business opportunities, religious tensions etc.). Conversely, countries that attract HNWIs tend to be very healthy and normally have low crime rates, good schools and good business opportunities. “

Unlike ordinary immigrants, who can be perceived by some sections of society as taking a toll on public services and claiming benefits without contributing enough to a country’s infrastructure and society in return, wealthy immigrants are generally welcome as they very rarely take jobs from locals, and almost never claim benefits, preferring to educate their children privately, use private healthcare, and pay for their own housing.

The report goes on to suggest that “in our view, the only possible negative of taking in a wealthy person is that they can push property prices up to levels that locals cannot afford.” Some might take issue with this statement, arguing that a wealthy immigrant could have the power to upset social norms, influence local politics, or deny locals access to public land by buying it up; such circumstances have pushed New Zealand, for example, to introduce a law preventing foreigners from buying property in the country (but not before some notable Silicon Valley billionaires bought huge estates in the country and even claimed citizenship).

Of the world’s 15 million High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), AfrAsia calculates that some 95,000 migrated in 2017. Their preferred destination? Australia, which attracted 10,000 HNWIs, followed by the US, 9,000, Canada, 5,000, and the United Arab Emirates, 5,000. The Caribbean, Israel, Switzerland, New Zealand and Singapore all attracted more than 1,000 wealthy immigrants.

In terms of net outflows, more wealthy Chinese left their country of birth than any other, although given China’s vast population of more than 2 billion, this represents a tiny percentage of the population, and may not reveal much about the state of the country’s economy, although it is worth remembering that the Chinese government has recently imposed strict controls on Chinese moving money overseas, which may have prompted some HNWI’s to skip town altogether.

Australia represents a convenient location for Asian HNWI’s as it puts them near to the original source of their wealth, has low inheritance tax, is safe, and provides a high standard of living. Compared to the US, AfrAsia notes, wealth has grown 83%, versus 20%. That said, the US is described as a “steady performer” when it comes to attracting the world’s wealthiest immigrants, and Australia is sometimes regarded as being too much of a “nanny state”, with complex rules and regulations, by some HNWIs.

In the UK, traditionally an attractive destination for incoming HNWIs, the country experienced its first ever net outflow in 2017, with some 5,000 wealthy citizens leaving, and only 1,000 HNWIs arriving. Factors that have affected this trend reversal may include the introduction of new taxes for non-doms, high inheritance taxes, rising crime, and, of course, the threat of Brexit.

AfrAsia cited the main reasons for HNWIs decision to migrate to be schooling, financial problems, lifestyle, safety, work and business opportunities, taxes, healthcare, religious tensions and overall standard of living.

This content is sourced and brought to you by The Money Cloud – comparing the best rates for sending money overseas offered by hand-picked, regulated brokers and money transfer agencies.

From The Highest & Mightiest, To The Humblest “Unbanked”, Everybody Makes International Money Transfers!

tmcadmin Breaking News, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Payments

It’s often said that “money makes the world go round”, but in today’s connected world, it may be more true to conclude that, in fact, the world makes money go round.

A Buzzfeed expose this week focused on the now famous – for all the wrong reasons – meeting at Trump Tower on June 9th 2016, between a publicist named Goldstone, a lawyer named Kaveladze, Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, the now President’s son-in-law, and at least two other attendees, including the now disgraced Trump aide Paul Manafort. Read more “From The Highest & Mightiest, To The Humblest “Unbanked”, Everybody Makes International Money Transfers!”

3 Expat Friendly Destinations To Consider Now That Winter Is Here

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, General, lifestyle and fashion, Moving Abroad, Property Purchase, Travel

Now that the light is starting to fade and the temperature is dropping across the UK and Europe, it may be as good a time as any to reimagine those dreams of emigrating abroad.

Many of us have thought about, or perhaps been given the opportunity to relocate abroad. Whilst there are many good reasons; children at school, family at hand, the language barrier; to name a few, not to take the plunge, there are just as many persuasive reasons why 2019 might be the perfect year to seize the opportunity for a new and revitalising life experience.

To get you started, let’s look at 3 destinations that contain an enticing blend of culture, opportunity, and life-learning. Read more “3 Expat Friendly Destinations To Consider Now That Winter Is Here”

Who Is Winning The Battle For India’s 1 Trillion Dollar Payments Market

tmcadmin Breaking News, consumer protection, Country Guides, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Remittance, Trade & Industry

At The Money Cloud we have kept a close eye on the Indian micro-payments market. It is fascinating for a number of reasons: firstly, it showcases some of the most advanced fintech being developed anywhere in the world; secondly, it is a model that it is likely to have a transformative effect on the way people pay for things, not just in India, but all over the world. Thirdly, it is a place where social media giants embrace finance, and lastly, it is an open field and nobody knows who will emerge triumphant from this fragmented and highly competitive market.

In the past, we have looked at Google payments app Tez, Paytm, WhatsApp Pay, and a range of services for sending money overseas, such as TerraPay, Instarem, Ria Money Transfer and more.

This week, an article in Bloomberg revealed that Warren Buffett had invested into Paytm, which demonstrates just how influential and lucrative the payments market in India looks set to become. According to Credit Suisse, the market will soon (by 2023) reach $1 trillion dollars, and stands at $200 billion today. But this volume accounts for just 30% of all payments, with the rest being made in cash. Compared with a market like China, where the mobile payments market is already worth $5 Trillion.

According to journalists Suritha Rai ad Anto Anthony, the major difference between the Chinese and Indian payments markets is that China is a closed shop to foreigners, whilst India’s government is welcoming international players to launch their services in the country. Hence, the world is looking on to see the future of the payments industry being incubated. India’s government is keen to move towards a cashless society, and has provided an enviable payments infrastructure to facilitate digital wallets, and domestic and international payments.

Looking at the numbers, however, it is Indian born services that are leading the way. Flipkart has generated more than 133m downloads, whilst Paytm leads the way with more than 150m. Google Tez apparently has 50m users, whilst another Indian firm, BHIM, has pulled in 32m customers.

What the Silicon Valley tech giants do have, however, is a colossal number of users who may well be tempted to switch their payments habits if the likes of Facebook, Google, and Apple can make their payments options more visible, effective, and a good cultural fit. In this regard, WhatsApp, which is phenomenally popular in India, is one to watch, but is yet to progress beyond the beta testing phase.

Google Tez has changed tack, and is now known as Google Pay, launching with a range of new services including splitting bill payments, and tap-tap-go style functionality that makes pinging rupees around as easy as messaging a friend.

And then there is Ant Financial, the Chinese fintech giant that commands huge volumes of transactions in the East, and is determined to break into markets including Africa, India, and the US, have narrowly missed out on the acquisition of MoneyGram last year.

Finally, could blockchain based payments apps make an impact on the market? Again, here, foreign players are on the charge, with Singapore based LaLa World has been making headlines, whilst online startup mag Inc42 lists no fewer than 13 new entrants, all with ambitions to be the everyday Indians preferred payments choice.

Warren Buffet et al should not expect to have things easy, but as things stand, it seems the Sage of Omaha has backed the right horse.

This content is sourced and brought to you by The Money Cloud – comparing the best rates for sending money overseas offered by hand-picked, regulated brokers and money transfer agencies.

Are Brexit Woes Boosting Britain’s Luxury Goods Market?

tmcadmin Breaking News, Doing Business Overseas, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Trade & Industry

This week the pound has hit new lows for the year against both the Dollar and the Euro. Upbeat trade news from the US coupled with rising inflation rates in the UK has seen the pound drop as low as $1.27 against the dollar, whilst weak retail sales figures and the looming threat of a no-deal Brexit caused a drop against the euro to €1.12. Read more “Are Brexit Woes Boosting Britain’s Luxury Goods Market?”

New Zealand Takes Surprising Step To Ban Foreigners From Buying Property In The Country

tmcadmin Breaking News, General, lifestyle and fashion, Property Purchase

In a bid to calm an explosive domestic property market and create affordable housing for local residents, the New Zealand government has taken the unprecedented step of banning the sale of the country’s existing homes to foreign buyers. Read more “New Zealand Takes Surprising Step To Ban Foreigners From Buying Property In The Country”

$60bn Medical Tourism Industry Is Thriving; But Watch Out For Exchange Rate Fluctuations

tmcadmin Breaking News, General, lifestyle and fashion, Trade & Industry, Travel

Have you ever considered getting your medical treatment abroad? This increasingly popular industry caters for a variety of treatments, from dentistry, to fertility treatment, to cosmetic surgery, to orthopaedics, and is driven by a surprising disparity in the costs of the same treatments in different parts of the world, and the quicker availability of treatments in some countries as opposed to others. Read more “$60bn Medical Tourism Industry Is Thriving; But Watch Out For Exchange Rate Fluctuations”

Seen A Spanish Property You Love & Hoping To Make An Offer? First Add 15% To The Price. Here’s Why

tmcadmin Breaking News, Country Guides, Doing Business Overseas, General, lifestyle and fashion, Moving Abroad, Property Purchase, Travel

The spike in temperature here in the UK will provide food for thought for anybody who has been considering relocating, or acquiring a property in Spain. There are two ways to look at it. Read more “Seen A Spanish Property You Love & Hoping To Make An Offer? First Add 15% To The Price. Here’s Why”

Google Is Cleaning Up It’s Payments Act, Merging Apps & Offering Enhanced Services; Could International Money Transfer Be Next?

tmcadmin Breaking News, consumer protection, Fintech, lifestyle and fashion, money transfer, Payments, Personal Finance, Remittance

This month, Google announced some sweeping changes to its payment services, which had become a little confused, and confusing. Read more “Google Is Cleaning Up It’s Payments Act, Merging Apps & Offering Enhanced Services; Could International Money Transfer Be Next?”