Safe Spaces

7 Mar

As humans, and probably as mammals, we all need a place where we feel safe.

On a very localised level, for most of us, the old adage ‘My home is my castle’ applies, and home is a place where we can feel free, comfortable and not have to worry about what is going on, outside our own walls.

On a more general level, we can have places in our local environment or around the world, that inspire tranquillity, a feeling of security and / or a release of endorphins.

Some might say a favourite bookshop or coffee house, a yoga / meditation class, or a retreat somewhere quiet and secluded.

Secluded retreat, palm trees, sand and beach loungers — Secluded retreat

Not that you asked, however, mine include (but are not limited to);

An evening in a local pub with my nearest and dearest mates
A cocktail on the beach in Mykonos
A hammock with a view looking out over Thailand
Any dancefloor / podium with happy people dancing to house music and all having the time of their lives. (Although I am a little long in the tooth these days for this one. Haha. Special occasions only nowadays)

What are yours? Please share in the comments below.

Rick by the pool and the sea in Mykonos — Rick in Mykonos

Rick dancing with friends in Mykonos — Rick on the dancefloor with friends in Mykonos

In these times where many people are feeling that their happy place has been compromised, or worse, literally invaded – I thought it would be good for us to talk about locations around the world where one has a good chance of feeling safe and secure.

Looking at various online resources – their answers are picked based on various factors – political stability is clearly a big one at the moment, but places are also rated on things like standards of health and economic prosperity.

These lists include such wonderful places as Icelan d, Portugal, and New Zealand. With beautiful outside spaces and histories that – at least in recent times – have been war-free, these are great places to consider when you think of your future expat life.

Northern lights in Iceland — Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Iceland

I am basing mine on my experiences of helping people relocate, and the feedback I get from them once they are in situ in their new home.

Canada – Now Trump has left office (at least for the time being), the worry that was niggling at Canadians has been put to sleep, and Canada, with its beautiful wildernesses, high quality of life, excellent job market, and lovely population – has always attracted (and welcomed!) international talent to bring their skills to the Canadian market. You can live the ‘Big City Life’ in Toronto, have the ski slopes on your doorstep in Calgary and Vancouver, or immerse yourself in the French environs of Montreal. All this comes with the knowledge that if you love your new (safe) life, it is relatively easy to work through the Permanent Residency stage and on to becoming a national and Canadian passport holder.

Switzerland – A history of not taking any sides in times of conflict has stood this Central European nation well in the history books. Constantly rated one of the best places in the world for remaining conflict-free, and with amazing spaces such as Lake Geneva and the Matterhorn vista, it is a paradise for those who love winter sports. Switzerland offers expats generous salaries, amazing quality of living and low crime, all of which, combined with its history, can leave one feeling blissfully at home and safe.

Australia – I was unsure whether to include Australia in this list. Whilst I have had first-hand experience of making a home there – and always felt very safe politically and socially, there are the creepy crawlies to contend with! 😊 But that is for another blog. Life in Australia’s cities is pretty darned amazing – and with no invasions in the last 200 years, it is high on the list of places one can escape the madness of the rest of the world. Sydney and Melbourne both offer culture and beaches and lovely people and places. And great work exposure! Also, it is relatively easy with work sponsorship to get in and stay in. Life’s a beach in Australia!

If there is anything we can do to help you find your happy place, please get in touch! Happy to talk to you about how you can get into these countries via a work visa.

Our specialisation is M&A Consulting positions so anyone in this space (Transaction Services, Post Merger Integration / Carve Out, IT M&A, HR M&A Operations Consulting, Deals Strategy, etc) – who wants to move anywhere in the world, please get in touch!