Latvia and Its Low Cost of Living
Many expats are turning to the beautiful Latvia for a living and working destination. The newly free Latvia is expanding day by day and can offer its newcomers low costs of living and a high quality of life. Bordered by the Baltic it is also a very intriguing area for foreigners looking for a new life. An expat Latvia can live very well on the area prices if their income is from a country that is worth substantially more.
As for the weather in Latvia, you can expect to see a very comfortable and mild summer with increasingly cold temperatures in the winter months. If you are used to a northern or Midwestern climate, you will have no problem accommodating into Latvia. In the summertime, you can expect to see the temperature in the sixties. In the wintertime, you can see temperatures near freezing levels that drop down into the lower digits. Rainfall and snow are common during these times as well.
Latvia’s government is parliamentary democracy and has stability as well as security. You can gain your visa fairly easy to live in Latvia by managing to get a work permit or making an investment in the country in some way. Lats is the local currency, but some areas will accept Euros and pounds. The language found in Latvia is usually Latish and Lithuanian. However, you will easily find people who speak English, Russian, and German.
As for taxes, Latvia has an income tax at a level rate of twenty-five percent, both for citizens whether you are a local or an expat. As for the corporate tax, it is much lower at fifteen percent. There are also value added taxes and real estate taxes. Seeing these taxes, many believe it is a wonderful place to start businesses.
The cost of living in Latvia is fairly cheap which makes living there quite comfortable. Apartments, depending on the area you choose to live in, can be anywhere from extremely affordable to moderate. The average rent payment per month can be only a couple hundred of dollars, or even cheaper if you decide to room with roommates.
The medical care found in Latvia is acceptable most of the time, however, in some rural areas medical care can sometimes be difficult to find and obtain, especially if you are suffering from a serious injury or illness. Most of the doctors you will come into contact with will speak at least moderate English. There are some clinics that the majority they serve are foreigners.
Most people decide to return to their home countries for medical car on serious illnesses and injuries. Expats should be able to pay for their care with cash, or have health insurance provided by their employers. For expats who are in good health moving and living in Latvia should be no problem.
An expat Latvia won’t have great shopping choices because it isn’t known for its shopping centers, but the big city of Riga offers street markets, specialty boutiques, and shopping centers as well as fine restaurants, bars, and plenty of dance clubs. Many expats enjoy the nightlife found in this city. If you are looking for a slower pace, consider the less populated towns of Latvia where life is slow and quaint.
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