Kind of moot, as I'm not currently in a position to entertain doing it. And I haven't lived elsewhere with or without an ex-pat community, so I don't know how vital/supportive that is.
I'd love to do a tour of these countries, but I definitely wouldn't be heading for ex-pat-ville. The quicker and more able I was to become integrated into the local area, the more I imagine I would like it.
The support and help of people who come from the places you do is huge in countries outside of Europe / USA etc.
When I say big community, there's probably only around 50 or so but it's still awesome to have for many reasons and doesn't stop you from emmersing into local society.