Recommended apps for newly arrived expats in unfamiliar cities

For would-be expats about to move overseas, one important issue is finding the best, most efficient and easiest way to stay in touch with friends and family in the home country.

In addition to staying connected to loved ones and long-term friends once relocation takes place, expats also need straightforward ways to learn the language of their new country and transfer money across borders. These days, apps are the answer, provided they’re reliable and their services are inexpensive. As regards language apps, expats transferring to European countries are well served by Duolingo, available in Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese as well as in English. Unfortunately, for those travelling further afield to countries where the new language also has a new alphabet, finding a language app which isn’t simply an online translator is a tough task.

Expats of all colours and creeds love WhatsApp, with the service now being used by over a billion people all over the world. If you’ve an acceptable wi-fi connection, staying in touch with home is free and video calls and messages make keeping up with your nearest and dearest on a daily basis an absolute pleasure as well as a proven cure for homesickness.

For strangers to their new city, Wi-Fi Finder is the answer, with this clever app leading new arrivals to free wi-fi hotspots in coffee shops, internet cafes and other providers. The app is expanded and updated regularly, and users can share their favourites almost anywhere, as the app works in some 50.000 world cities. News apps are essential for those desperate to keep up with what’s going on in the home country,. CNN is a favourite, along with the New York Times, ABC News, and the BBC.

For recent arrivals who love exploring new places, the UNESCO app featuring 1,073 World Heritage Sites is a must and brings tourism to new heights of rarity and beauty. For newbies to the expat game who’re determined to succeed in business, the Business Culture and Etiquette app is essential, especially in far-flung destinations with unique cultural norms. Sadly, it’s only available for 10 countries, but the list does include China, perhaps the most tricky cultural destination on the planet.

The Docteralia app is a must, especially for expats relocating with their families, as it gives essential information on medical facilities and doctors in 20 countries and is still expanding to cover other destinations. Nearby surgeries, patient feedback and the spoken language of the medical practitioner are all given, and India is especially well covered.

If you’re an expat who can easily get lost in a five square metre area, CityMaps2Go is a blessing. Well-designed and up to date maps with photos cover 60,000 destinations in 150 countries and include public transport information. Finally, the Western Union money transfer app makes sending money home a breeze.