Time to move to the NORCs*? - Travel - Stylist Magazine

I think we’re all in agreement: this summer has been disappointing. It’s been the coolest for 18 years, with the average temperature a meek 13.6°C. With that and the general economic misery, it’s not surprising if your thoughts are turning to pastures new. But if the view you’re imagining from your new dream balcony is the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Opera House you could be missing a trick.

If you really want to be part of a thriving economy, with forward-thinking governments and a superior quality of life, adjust your mindset to snowy mountain fjords and stunning sunsets. Because right now, the countries that have been coined the NORCs (Northern Rim Countries) – that’s the northern United States, Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Russian Federation – are the most exciting countries to live in.

Although climate change could have a devastating impact on the rest of the world, its effects mean that these countries are set to become economic powerhouses in the next 40 years, according to research by Professor Laurence C Smith in his book The New North: The World In 2050. His work looked at the future of key factors such as population demographics and climate change and found that the NORCs came out on top.

Traditional industries like mining and fishing are being overtaken by media, tourism, food and law, meaning a new wave of exciting jobs are arising. And an emphasis on work/life balance make these territories particularly appealing to women – the top three countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report are NORCS, and most offer ground-breaking maternity packages.

From the Canadian foodie scene to the world’s most progressive childcare in Iceland, the NORCs have the good life covered. Stylist tries out four northern powerhouses for size.

Finland

Population: 5,338,395

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Quality-Of-Life Index placed Finland 12th in the world. There’s a good subsidised healthcare system, a liberal coalition government and it’s a pioneer country on gender equality, rating third in the world on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.

Then there are all the things you’d expect – clean air, stunning lake scenery, snow (winter temperatures can reach –20ºC November-March) – and some you probably wouldn’t. Summers are warm (25-30ºC), the country’s capital Helsinki has been named World Design Capital for 2012 and has a booming Design District, thriving creative industries and a vibrant nightlife.

In summer, the bicycle is the preferred mode of transport, and there’s also a tram system. Property is reasonable, with family homes starting at £260,000 just outside the city centre. The city of Tampere in the south is famous for its rock bands and fringe theatre, while the medieval city of Turku has great vintage shopping. Families get good, state-subsidised childcare, based on the expectation of dual-earner working hours and there is an 11-month paid maternity leave at 80% salary rate.

What would it do for my career?

If you work in the boom sectors of eco technologies (specifically wind power) or travel and tourism (with a focus on well-being and nature tourism), it would be a great move. Design and creative industries are in good health too, in particular industrial and graphic design. If you’re entrepreneurial, independent retail businesses thrive on the high street. Salaries are good, at around £2,150-£3,870 (€2,500-€4,500) per month with directors earning £4,300 (€5,000) and income taxation varies from 6.5% to 30% on a sliding scale (you’d be earning over £57,000 to be in the 30% bracket). In the UK, it’s 20% for salaries of £35,000 and under, 40% for over £35,000. There is a good work-life balance, with an average of 37.5 hours a week and 5-8 weeks holiday year.

Take a Holiday

Just three hours from the UK, Helsinki is perfect for a weekend break. Spend a day of culture taking in the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and the National Gallery, Finland’s largest museum. For a less high-minded 24 hours, the Design District is packed with independent boutiques, then taste delicious organically sourced Finnish-style tapas at Juuri.

Visit in October for the Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair, when the Old Market Square is packed with fishermen selling their catch. Stay at the recently renovated 19th century Klaus K hotel (rooms from £160 per night).

Iceland

Population: 319,062

Move to Iceland and you’d have clean air and water, an amazing natural landscape and a close-knit community to hang out with. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Quality-Of-Life Index ranked it 7th in the world. It’s a liberal country too.

The female prime minister Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir is openly gay and 42% of parliament representatives are female. The recent crash has made property more affordable, with a one-bedroom flat in the popular 101 area of Reykjavik coming in at under £100,000 (family homes cost £260,000 plus).

There is excellent medical care in major cities and state playschools for children under the age of six, with only 30% of the fees covered by parents. Iceland has a groundbreaking attitude to maternity leave, offering 270 days, with 90 days at 80% of salary rate for each parent and 90 days to be distributed between them. You may have to cope with some dark days though – December has just four hours of sun a day. But in summer expect 21 hours of sunlight every day.

What would it do for my career?

Tourism, creative industries (arts, fashion design and computer game development) and banking are the sectors you should be looking at. There’s also a shortage of lawyers and computer programmers.

The country’s average gross salary is £3,317 (608,702 ISK) a month, for 42.2 hours a week, and companies often offer a free gym membership. Income tax is high at an average of 35.75% of salary.

Take a Holiday

The Icelandic Krona is stronger than ever, so it’s the perfect time to go. Stay in sleek 101 Hotel, Iceland’s original boutique bolthole, right in the heart of the city (from £165 per night for a double room); eat in some of the world’s best seafood restaurants – try Sjávarkjallarinn and shop for local fashion and interiors in the design district.

To see the great outdoors, book a whale-watching boat tour from Reykjavik or take a daytrip to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa set in jagged lava fields which are 40 minutes’ drive from the city. See Iceland’s volcanoes from a helicopter and go hiking at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site with volcanic lakes.

Greenland

Population: 56,061

Living in Greenland, you’ll probably be based in Nuuk, the capital. A brilliant spot if you’re a fan of the great outdoors, with kayaking, hiking, heliskiing, whale-watching and sailing all on your doorstep. The indigenous Inuit still constitute 80% of the population so you’ll be one of the few expats here and you’re likely to witness some big changes in coming years

Previously 90% state-owned, the tiny Greenland housing market was recently liberalised although people still choose to long-lease houses rather than buy, with three-beds coming in at around £600 a month. A cabin in Rodebay, an 18th-century whaling village, will cost you £5,000.

Greenland has been a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979. Yet, Denmark maintains control of Greenland’s foreign affairs, defence matters and provides medical care. There is a limited daycare system.

What would it do for my career?

You’d certainly be a pioneer, and the salaries and relocation packages currently being offered to medical professionals reflect this. There is a burgeoning tourism sector too and its attendant industries, such as PR and adventure sport are on the rise.

The low cost of living is reflected in the median income of £1,000 (8,528 DKK) a month, and there is no statutory holiday allowance – you have to negotiate individually with your employer. Taxation is high, at 42%, and channelled to the Danish government. There are 14 weeks of paid maternity leave.

Take a Holiday

Nature doesn’t come on a bigger scale than this and one of the best ways to see it all is from a ship. The Arctic Umiaq Line has a service that sails 2,500km from south to north, calling at 11 towns en route. It’s basically the railway of Greenland, so local passengers hop on and off and sleep in bunks overnight, but there are also private en-suite cabins.

It’s generally better to book an organised tour as distances can be large and travel hard – most of these run out of Copenhagen. Greenland Travel offers an eight-day winter break which includes musk ox safari, a trip to an ice cap, a Northern Lights excursion and a trip on a dog sled. Flights from Heathrow to Copenhagen with British Airways cost £57 one way. Flights from Copenhagen to Nuuk with Air Greenland from £230 one way.

Canada

Population: 33,739,900

It’s regularly voted the number one place to live in the world, and moving here you’d have all the perks of North America, but without many of the social downsides such as expensive medical care. The progressive Conservative party has been in power since 2006 and it has maintained one of the world’s best publicly funded healthcare systems.

There is subsidised daycare for children under school age and maternity leave is 35 weeks at 55% of salary rate. There are blossoming arts districts in Vancouver and Toronto, with quirky independent boutiques, flea markets and a trailblazing regeneration of former city industrial sites, such as Toronto’s Evergreen Brickworks and Distillery District. Unfussy fine dining is the foodie focus, made with locally sourced ingredients.

A one-bed flat in Vancouver will set you back around £174,000 ($271,974), something similar in Toronto costs £200,000 ($312,614), while family homes cost from £500,000 ($781,426) in the upmarket Toronto suburbs of Bloor West Village and Roncesvalles.

Second-tier cities such as Calgary, with world-class culture and easy access to the great nature of the Rockies, are booming too. There’s a reason Canada looks set for 30% population growth in the next decade.

What would it do for my career?

The green economy, including tidal, solar and wind powers are the key areas for growth. It’s a creative hub too – Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are major English-language film production centres (in fact, Vancouver is second only to Los Angeles).

For a median income of £2,300 ($3592.76) per month, you’ll be working 40 hours a week – the downside is that they have American-style holidays with only a standard two weeks of paid vacation accumulated every 12 months. There are, however, very good retirement benefits and life insurance packages. Taxation is 15% on the first £25,500 of taxable income and 22% on the next £25,500.

Take a Holiday

For a weekend break, head to Toronto from Heathrow for £422 return and stay at The Drake Hotel, adorned with vintage furniture and quirky art. Get a breathtaking view of the city from the top of the CN Tower before taking a walking tour of the city’s historical highlights.

Shop in Hazelton Lanes for designer buys, or Kensington Market for unique vintage finds, and an array of restaurants. Don’t miss the Frank Gehry-designed Art Gallery of Ontario and make sure you take the 135km trip to http://www.niagarafallshotels.com/index.php.

Words by Sally Howard

Tags: lifestyle