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Hey tribe!
That’s me at my favourite beach on Koh Phangan this morning, doing my new Friday morning beach yoga routine. I love it!!
Such a great way to ease into the weekend.
Today we’ve got an upgraded version of the Ledger for you: you’ll notice some new helpful sections — we’ve scoured the web to find some great remote jobs and living abroad opportunities for those of you looking for a new career or place to call home. We’ve also added custom images for each section. More upgrades are on the way!
In this issue, you can look forward to finding out the top places to live around the world in 2024 (the worst ones too), which Emirate is transforming into a cultural capital, the eco-friendly condo you’d never have imagined, your next medical tourism destination (hint: it’s probably not where you think), hot workplace trends in 2024 according to the just-released Zoom survey, and the 2 most popular posts from the last month, and we’ll round it all out by letting you in on our top finds of late.
Let’s do it!
Quote:
“I love my Guncles.”
— Child whose parents made sure she had strong concentric circles of care.
Explain.
Building a village of support while living abroad can be an absolute lifeline — especially for women raising kids far from home. Studies highlight how children thrive with the care of non-parental adults, like “Guncles” (gay uncles), who step in as vital figures. For women abroad, fostering these meaningful connections with friends and neighbors creates that all-important support system. It’s all about building bonds that help kids feel loved and parents feel grounded in their new world. Because let’s be real, a solid community is just as important as sunscreen in this life!
Top Story: Where to Pack Your Bags (and Where to Avoid) in 2024
Internations just dropped their 11th annual 2024 Expat Survey, and wow, the results are juicy! They asked 12,500 people living and working abroad about their experiences, and the insights are gold.
Who snagged the top spot?
Panama! With rave reviews about its affordability, excellent work-life balance, and super welcoming community, Panama is where it’s at for 2024.
Runners-Up:
Mexico and Indonesia also wowed the crowd, scoring high for ease of settling in and overall happiness. 🌞
Biggest loser?
Sorry, Kuwait. You landed last place, with people citing challenges like a tough social life, extreme climate, and a bureaucratic maze.
Anything else to know?
Central and South America took over the “Ease of Settling In” category, with Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia coming out on top. Spain led in both healthcare and leisure (no surprise there). Panama was the finance favorite, while Finland and Türkiye struggled. Saudi Arabia? Crushing it with career opportunities and a booming economy. Looks like the world is full of surprises this year!
Rise of Expat Hubs in the UAE — Why Abu Dhabi’s Becoming the New ‘It’ Place
What’s going on in Abu Dhabi? Well, besides the stunning desert backdrop, the city’s undergoing a massive cultural and architectural transformation. The new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be 12 times the size of the New York original, and it’s joining the Louvre Abu Dhabi as part of a $10 billion investment in tourism and the arts. And it doesn’t stop there! Think luxury developments, insane new infrastructure, and seaside villas that’ll make you swoon.
What it means:
This isn’t just about flaunting fabulous art (though, let’s be real, that’s a big draw). Abu Dhabi’s leaders are working hard to diversify the economy beyond oil — making this city a global cultural hub for expats and tourists alike. With all these changes, could this female-friendly emirate become your next home?
Cruise Ships: The Surprisingly Eco-Friendly New Global Lifestyle
You’ve heard of living on a boat, but what about living on a cruise ship? Turns out, those enormous floating cities — even the "cruize-zillas" — are becoming shockingly eco-friendly. Advances in technology are making modern cruise ships far more efficient than you might think.
What it means:
If you’re dreaming of an eco-conscious lifestyle while exploring the world, a cruise ship could be your next home base. And with these ships accounting for only 0.2% of maritime traffic (vs. 3% for cargo ships), your carbon footprint might be smaller than you expect. So... would you trade in your apartment for a condo at sea?
Medical Tourism in Africa Is Heating Up
Africa’s healthcare scene is booming, and it’s not just about snagging a budget facelift! While North Africa is leading the charge, countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are quickly catching up. From heart transplants to cosmetic surgery, international patients are heading to Africa for high-quality care — with a side of adventure.
What it means:
Private hospitals are raking in international clients, but the catch is a two-tiered system where the rich get top treatment, and the public healthcare struggles. The solution? Expanding health insurance to make sure everyone benefits. So, whether you’re there for a medical procedure or just tagging along, Africa’s becoming more than just a safari destination.
In Case You Missed It (top posts from last month)
Mitra Sabeti tells all about what life is really like on Koh Phangan and it’s not what you’d expect! You don’t want to miss this.
And join the convo about encounters with expat blackmail on our Tuesday Thread.
Jobs Abroad: September Edition
We’re scouring the web for the best job roles for women wanting to live abroad. Whether you’re looking for remote, hybrid, or dreamy location-dependent gigs, we’ve got you covered. Here’s this month’s lineup:
💼 Title: Engagement Manager
📍 Location: Fully Remote (Hiring across the Americas)
🌍 Company: Aleph — revolutionizing Financial Planning & Analysis software.
✅ What you’ll do: As an Engagement Manager, you’ll build trust-based partnerships with customers, guiding them through the implementation and optimization of Aleph’s FP&A solutions. Collaborate with clients and product teams to create a seamless customer experience.
💰 Salary: $98,000 - $143,000 USD + competitive equity packages.
🎁 Perks: Fully remote, equity options, and a fast-growing team.
❤️ Why we love it: Great pay, flexible location, and startup vibes. Who wouldn’t want to work here?
✍️ Apply Now: Head over here.
💼 Title: Product Manager - Fiat Funding
📍 Location: Fully Remote (US, UK, EUR)
🌍 Company: Kraken — on a mission to accelerate global crypto adoption.
✅ What you’ll do: Lead teams, manage product timelines, and ensure project success for Kraken’s crypto platform.
💰 Salary: $117,000 - $176,000 USD
🎁 Perks: Wellness allowance, bonus programs, and flexible work.
❤️ Why we love it: High pay, remote work, and a company that values diversity and transparency.
✍️ Apply Now: Check out the application page.
💼 Title: Scrum Master
📍 Location: Remote-first, with optional meetups at global hubs
🌍 Company: Creatio — a no-code platform for automating workflows.
✅ What you’ll do: Lead the R&D team and keep product development moving forward while maintaining high motivation.
💰 Salary: Competitive
🎁 Perks: Vibrant company culture, sports competitions, and paid leave.
❤️ Why we love it: Mostly remote, but if you love a good in-person meetup, you can swing by one of their hubs!
✍️ Apply Now: Visit Creatio’s Careers page.
COOL LOCATION-DEPENDENT OPPORTUNITY
📍 Where? Extremadura, Spain
🏡 What? Grants for digital nomads to live in rural villages
🤔 Why? Attract remote workers to boost local economies
💰 How much? €8,000–€15,000 (depending on location and stay duration)
✍️ How to apply? Apply through Extremadura’s General Electronic Access Point.
ANYTHING ELSE?
New Verbiage
Oh, there’s a new buzzword in town: Office Peacocking.
This trend is all about companies trying to lure remote workers back into the office by making it irresistible. Think plush lounge areas, designer lamps, Instagrammable corners, and natural light galore. It's less about cubicles and more about creating a place to be seen — peacock feathers and all.
Will it work? TBD. But if there’s free cappuccinos and cozy corners, it might be worth considering.
Zoom Survey on Workplace Trends
The latest global workplace trends report is out, and it’s all about hybrid work and AI.
The Highlights:
📊 Hybrid Work Wins: 83% of employees say they’re more productive with a hybrid model.
🤖 AI Boosts Productivity: 94% of leaders are already using AI to streamline work, with 64% of employees saying it makes their jobs easier.
🌍 Global Trends: Western Europe loves hybrid work, but APAC is pushing for better remote tools.
📈 The Future is Flexible: 82% of leaders plan to make work styles even more flexible in the next two years.
Our Top GGTLA Finds from August:
Magic Eraser for Face: This trend went viral on TikTok for a reason! I don’t know the science behind it, but mix castor oil, frankincense and baking soda into a paste, and put it on your sunspots and under eye circles.
Bonus points for putting medical tape overtop. It has seriously lightened my melasma!Vegan Sunscreen: For those of us who live somewhere the sun shines daily, sunscreen is important so we don’t look 102 by 40. But there’s so many toxins in normal off-the-shelf sunscreen that it begs the question: what’s worse — the toxins or the sun? Luckily we don’t have to pick one anymore since vegan sunscreens manage to protect without the harmful substances.
My fav? Akins body sunscreen. I use it daily. Warning: I’m not a terribly sweaty person. My husband tried it and sweated it off within an hour. Same with my son. They’re sweaty boys.Rhodiola Rosea Root: If you haven’t heard about this little gem, let me introduce you. Rhodiola Rosea is like the brain’s natural espresso shot. It’s a powerful adaptogen (fancy word for stress buster) that helps boost focus and mental clarity. How? It supports your brain by reducing fatigue and improving your body’s resilience to stress.
Basically, it’s a brain pick-me-up without the caffeine jitters. People have been using it for centuries, and now it’s a fave for keeping you sharp and steady during long workdays or when life’s stress feels like it’s piling up. 🌱💡
That’s all for this edition guys! Thanks for sticking around to the end. I wish you a beautiful Friday and a wonderful weekend.
KKxx
Wow, this addition was particlarly packed with great information! One item that peaked my interest the most was about Rhodiola Rosea Root and all it's benefits. I researched it further and found that there is some evidence that it inhibits the growth of some cancer cells!