Pros and Cons of Living in Latvia
Last updated on Apr 24, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Latvia include its beautiful natural scenery, its vibrant culture, and its low cost of living. Latvia also offers excellent educational opportunities and a high quality of life. On the other hand, the cons of living in Latvia include its cold climate, its language barrier, and its limited job opportunities. Additionally, the country has a high rate of poverty and a lack of economic development.
What are the pros and cons of living in Latvia?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Latvia responded:
"Expats and digital nomads in Latvia appreciate the country's low cost of living, which allows them to stretch their budget further. They also enjoy the country's natural beauty, with its forests, lakes, and rivers. Additionally, they appreciate the fact that Latvia is a safe and secure country with a low crime rate. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier to be a challenge, as Latvian is not widely spoken outside of the country. Additionally, the winter months can be quite cold and dark, which can be difficult to adjust to," wrote one expat in Latvia.
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What do expats in Latvia appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expats in Latvia appreciate the country's rich cultural heritage, which includes a variety of traditional music, art, and literature. They also enjoy the country's stunning natural beauty, with its forests, lakes, and rivers. Additionally, expats appreciate the friendly and welcoming attitude of the locals, who are always willing to help out and share their culture with newcomers. Finally, expats enjoy the vibrant nightlife and the variety of restaurants and cafes that offer a range of international cuisines," explained one expat.
"The people can be a bit sour, but considering their history, I can't blame them. That said, the country itself with its nature and scenery should be promoted more by their government because it's really special," said one person in Riga.
SJB-Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model. Our clients benefit from their country’s most favorable tax environment by utilizing the efficient investment vehicles we offer. Our commitment to quality service is reflected in our stellar reviews, with over 300 testimonials boasting 95% five-star ratings.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
SJB-Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model. Our clients benefit from their country’s most favorable tax environment by utilizing the efficient investment vehicles we offer. Our commitment to quality service is reflected in our stellar reviews, with over 300 testimonials boasting 95% five-star ratings.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What do expats find most challenging?
"The most challenging thing here is the language - if you learn it. I only speak English here and have never once had a problem. Latvians have been more than happy to accommodate. Also, being from a place that doesn't get much bad weather, I found it very difficult in winter. The temps and snow were fine, but often times the weather goes from snowy and below freezing to just above freezing and rainy. This makes walking around slippery and scary," replied an expat in Latvia.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.