Those of us who’ve made the move to Canada may already know this, ngunit ang 2008 Expat Karanasan survey sa pamamagitan ng HSBC International Bank natagpuan na “Canada ay ang friendliest lokasyon para sa mga expat.”

Nearly all survey respondents reported that they were able to make friends easily in Canada. Following Canada as numbers 2 at 3 on the friendliness scale were Germany and Australia.

The survey also found that more than half of expats who move to Canada buy property doon, at 20 percent are committed enough to life in Canada that they eventually mag-aplay para sa Canadian pagkamamamayan.

What are some of the factors drawing expats to Canada? Ayon sa Forbes.com, there are many:

Para sa mga Amerikanong, traveling abroad to start over is becoming increasingly common. Ginamit Amerika na magkaroon ang lahat ng ito: mahusay na trabaho, booming economy, skyrocketing stock market and plentiful housing. What a difference a year can make. The boom has gone bust and people are now heading for the exits en masse–with an eye abroad.

It’s no wonder they likely find Canada so welcoming. It has an accessible language, diverse culture and low levels of government corruption, sabi ni Patricia Linderman, editor of Tales from a Small Planet, an online newsletter for expats.

Mayroon din itong iba pang mga expat. This is important, Linderman sabi, since even the most gracious locals already have busy, established lives and can be unwilling to put in the effort to befriend someone they know could leave within several years.

…Linderman says other expats are important because they share similar needs like making friends and adjusting to life in a new country. They also understand the frustrations daily life brings.

Photo by hot rod homepage (Flickr)