HSBC Expat Explorer

I've been pretty much a no-show for the past few days because, quite frankly, last week's training was exhausting. Combine that with yard work and housecleaning over the weekend to get ready for Leïla's father arriving and I was simply too tired to write.

For a while now I've been paying attention to HSBC bank and their expat work. They actually have a large section of their Web site dedicated to expats, though much of it is aimed at British expats. With this year's Expat Explorer survey, they have a fantastic tool to help you pick which country to emigrate to:

Choose your criteria and get country suggestions

From three simple drop down, you check the things which are most important to you (anywhere from children's education to owning a yacht) and the tool will recommend which countries, from their survey, best fit your needs. As with any tool, you'll need to use your judgment. For example, these were my top five countries:

1. Singapore
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Qatar
4. Hong Kong
5. Canada

If I were to leave the Netherlands, I can't see myself moving to Qatar any time soon.  Also, the USA came in number nine on my list and I can't see myself moving back there, either.

If for nothing else, the tool might give you ideas you hadn't considered before. Try it out and post your results here. I'm curious to know what others get!