Want a reason to become an expat – how about 100?
Believe it or not, there is a list of 100 reasons why you should become an expat. It was written by the author of Live the Charmed Life and I have to say this list is very impressive. I’m already an expat and it gave me more reasons to want to become one all over again 
I’ve italicized the reasons that resonated with me…which ones make you want to hop on the next flight to ___________ (you fill in the blank)?
1. You want to be a Friday night regular at your local taverna in Greece
2. You enjoy figuring new things out for yourself
3. You’re addicted to world history
4. You want to speak Portuguese like a native
5. You still have things to learn
6. You want life to be an adventure
7. You want to really understand other types of government
8. You’ve always wanted to run away to a Banana Republic, and write a novel about it
9. You’ve never felt that you truly belonged in the country in which you were born
10. You love to travel, but you want to experience another country as a local
11. You want to prove your belief that people everywhere are more alike than they are different
12. You want to learn how to make the perfect cup of tea in the UK
13. You want to become an expert on the Moscow subway system, especially the ornate architecture of its stations
14. You want to write a book on Barbaresco wine
15. You’ve longed to live the French way of life
16. You love cricket, and you’re an American
17. You want to live in beach hut, and own nothing but swimsuits and sarongs
18. You want to slow down
19. You want to speed up
20. You need a change
21. You want to study Buddhism in Kathmandu
22. You believe absence makes the heart grow fonder
23. You want to volunteer in a country that needs your expertise
24. You want to become an expert on authentic Thai cuisine
25. You want to take advantage of exchange rates to make your money stretch further
26. You want to study the Amazon rain forest
27. You want to be a gaucho on the Pampas
28. You want to be a chocolatier in Belgium
29. You believe working remotely must have more advantages than just working in your pajamas in your bedroom
30. You want to raise global children
31. You intend to write the seminal work on German beer
32. You believe we really are one world and one people
33. You want to prove to yourself that you can
34. Because job opportunities don’t match your skills in your country of birth
35. You’re certain you’ll be the next champion Samba dancer in Brazil
36. You’ve always known that you were meant to live in Barcelona
37. You’ve fallen in love with another country
38. You’ve fallen in love with someone who lives in another country
39. Because time stands still for you in Acqui Terme, Italy
40. You want to hike the Scottish Highlands, over and over again
41. You want to watch the South African wine industry evolve from a front row seat
42. You want to understand why Denmark has the happiest citizens in the world
43. You don’t believe your country of birth does everything best, and you’d like to learn what other countries do better
44. You’ve longed to know the tides off Australia’s coasts as only someone who surfs them everyday can
45. You want to be a shopping guide at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
46. You want to write a book of poetry in a cottage on the Irish Coast
47. You want to learn to paint with the glorious light in St Ives
48. You want to be a fisherman in a tiny Mexican village on the sea
49. You want the simple life
50. You’d like to watch the sunset every night in Barbados
51. You really love a challenge
52. One word…Provence.
53. You want a fresh perspective
54. You’d like to go to the Saturday morning market every weekend in Saumur, France
55. Because you can
56. Because change is good
57. You’ve run out of reasons not to
58. Because sometimes the grass is greener
59. Because you need to learn how to take life a bit less seriously
60. You’ve grown tired of knowing your life “like the back of your hand”
61. You want to appreciate what you have
62. You want to learn about all that you don’t have
63. You want to see the world through someone else’s eyes
64. You want to cross off number 5 on your “Top 10 Things I Want to Do in My Life” list
65. You want more sunshine
66. You want more snow
67. Because life is more fun when you take a risk or two
68. You want to live in the unspoiled natural beauty of Finland
69. You can’t imagine not living in the warmth of Costa Rica
70. You want to become a karaoke star in Tokyo
71. For the lower cost of living
72. For the higher quality of life
73. You want to study abroad
74. You want to bring what you’ve learned back home
75. You want to be able to say that you did
76. You want to make new friends
77. You want to find the love of your life
78. Because you’re a free spirit
79. You want to jump start your creativity
80. You want your retirement to be more than rocking chairs and “Wheel of Fortune”
81. You want greater economic opportunities
82. You want to be a dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet
83. Because your current plan is to runaway from home when the last kid goes away to college
84. You want to escape urban congestion and traffic
85. You want to make corporate life a distant memory
86. Because there’s a whole, big world out there to explore
87. You want to open up the world to your grandchildren
88. Because you know that you can change your mind and return to your own country if you’re homesick
89. Because you’re more likely to regret the things you don’t do
90. Because it will force you out of your comfort zone
91. Because you can afford to buy your first home in many other countries
92. Because people are friendlier, and take the time to know their neighbours in many other countries
93. Because you want to live in a country that cares about global issues, like New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance
94. Because there are obvious places to live to pursue your hobbies (Belize for scuba diving, for example)
95. You enjoy the feeling of being so immersed in another culture that you’re almost disoriented
96. You’re looking for a way to get the children and grandchildren to visit more often
97. You can’t imagine a conventional life
98. You want to face your fears
99. You want to create lifelong memories and experiences
100. For reasons only you understand
Tags: 100 Reasons to Become an Expat, Expat, Expat Families, Expatriates, Haitian-American in Venezuela, Live the Charmed Life, Moving Abroad
Great list. Made me think again of exactly why I became an expat. Almost 10 years in Asia, and counting.
Nancie´s last [type] ..Wanderfood Wednesday &8212 Delicious Ramen in Fukuoka
I thought the list was great, too. Anyone who’s ever thought about living abroad can relate to these reasons. Thanks for stopping by!
Ah… So many! There can be no excuses after seeing this list.
Viajera´s last [type] ..Some more folks