Raising a family can be hard enough in your home country with family and friends nearby. Want to make it even more complicated? Try it as an expat in some foreign country without those helping hands.

One way to make your life much easier is hiring a nanny or au pair.  Unfortunately for many of us, this is prohibitively expensive. In Los Angeles, a full time nanny would cost upwards of $30,000 a year.

We wondered, what are childcare costs and where could we afford a full time nanny? To see what kinds of places it would be possible, we’ve pulled together a list of 12 cities around the world and a range of typical weekly costs for a full-time, live out nanny. A few of these cities offer extremely affordable childcare and may just motivate you to take the plunge to move overseas…or at least do some fun daydreaming.

So join us on a trip through the tropics, global cities, and the great white north as we explore what a full-time nanny costs around the world.

Read more…

Our blog post on Best Countries to Have a Baby In was so successful that we’ve made it bigger and better. We expanded it to 15 countries offering the most generous paid parental leave packages (and other goodies, like the famous Baby Box in Finland). So if you’re thinking about having a baby or just curious to learn which country gives the most lavish parental time off, then definitely read on.

Read more…

“Once the travel bug bites, there is no known antidote and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.” –Michael Palin

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog post I can only assume that you’re one of us: one of the many who have been bitten by the travel bug. Your travels will lead you far and wide, and amongst the journey you’re bound to find a favorite place or two. Perhaps you’ll stay a week, a month, or a year. Maybe this new place will become your forever home. When the idea of starting a family is upon you, you’ll be faced with the decision on where to have to have your baby.

And that’s why we ask,

Which countries are the best for having a baby in?

Photo Cred: Maternity and Infant

The benefits to having children abroad are plentiful. There’s the obvious: dual citizenship. Having more than one citizenship and/or passport opens the door of travel possibilities for your child. From education and employment opportunities, to basic ease and freedom to travel in certain nations, I certainly wish I had more than one passport to my name.

No matter where in the world you are, being a parent is hard work and we can all use a helping hand. So after a little research, we pulled together the 10 best countries you may want to consider having a baby in:

10. Australia

Listed for: the affordable healthcare system and the Paid Parental Leave scheme, where parents may receive up to 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage. Read more…