The HSBC Bank International Expat Explorer Survey 2008, was conducted by independent research companies. They surveyed 2,155 expats in 48 countries, spanning four continents between February and April 2008.

Countries with less than 30 respondents were deemed statistically insignificant. The remaining 14 countries were ranked in four categories: ability to befriend locals, number that joined a community group, number that learned the language and percentage that bought property.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/09/relocate-world-countries-forbeslife-cx_ds_1210friendly_slide_2.html