ChatterBank1 min ago
Ideas for moving abroad please !
Hi, I am considering moving abroad, am early 40's and well travelled but I am fed up living in England with high taxes and thieving politicians. I would be interested in anyones ideas on where to live abroad, especially because I get the impression some of you already live abroad, so would be interested in the benefits and negatives, for where you live. I don't have any transferable skills so Australia is likely to be out of the question, I think.
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Australia`s damned expensive. You get more for your money propertywise (in some areas) but day to day living isn`t cheap. When I go there with work I`m only there for one night but I get through 100+ odd dollars just eating out and paying for a taxi one way. Their currency is stronger against the pound now so you don`t get much for your money.
I found the back roads in rural Spain were in better condition than those in UK when I was cycling there three years ago. There are potholes in the road outside my house here in UK that are positively dangerous and unlikely to be fixed anytime soon. But then the CEO of my local authority is on nearly £300k p.a.
It should be remembered that most people think nowhere is better than their country (they love it for intensely personal reasons, those of kinship, memories and much besides), as good maybe but not better. In all countries there are some people who think theirs is the world's best, but I rather suspect there is no such place as the best. What matters is where your main priorities are met, so if to the exclusion of much else you are particularly fond of rats you will feel content living just outside Bikaner in India. If for you the most important aspect of Britain is a UK style health service (never mind the down sides of the place) then that is where you should stay. If you want sun (but don't mind if water is a scarce resource or that skin cancer is a risk) then you will seek places with a high annual sunshine statistic, etc., etc. And if you fail to recognise biased opinion then you will point out that you live in your country because it is the best rather than your country is where you happen to come from - it is best for you but not at all necessarily for others (billions live elsewere without for a moment considering moving to your country, whichever that may be). There really are those who consciously reject your country as unattractive, second class, backward even. Some such people are of your own, "traitors".
If you truly want to leave your home for somewhere else then start with deciding what your priorities are, then draw up a list of places to consider. If any country on that list offers you the right to permanet residence together with the opportunity to support yourself (not just one of the two), then go for a "trial marriage" without cutting all ties to home. After a few years you will now if it is working. If it is not then go for Plan B - always have a Plan B.
If you truly want to leave your home for somewhere else then start with deciding what your priorities are, then draw up a list of places to consider. If any country on that list offers you the right to permanet residence together with the opportunity to support yourself (not just one of the two), then go for a "trial marriage" without cutting all ties to home. After a few years you will now if it is working. If it is not then go for Plan B - always have a Plan B.
USA does not have a lower cost of living - food is now very similar. house/car/fuel is cheaper but wait til you see their local taxes and rates along with insurance and health care. That will wipe any smile of your face and plenty off your bank account + unemployment is high (in most areas)..........
Hi LDC134..I think that I may be one of the ABers that Dris referred to earlier. To live comfortably in France you will need an income. The average income in rural SW. France is quite low but people manage because it is possible to save money on housing and fuel bills.The French health system if you can get into it (you will need a UK state retirement pension or a job of some sort in France) is very good and efficient. You pay health bills up front to the doctor/clinic and if you have a French health card (carte vitale) 2 thirds is immediately reimbursed electronically to your bank account. You can buy health insurance to make up the difference if you think you may need it. If you live in France you have to pay your taxes in France, this is a good deal because the free allowance is higher.
Generally the people that say that holidaying in a country is no preparation are correct. There are all sorts of subtle cultural differences and irritating ways that you only discover after the initial adjustments. It is important to choose an area where the climate is to your liking and where the people are welcoming. Some villages can be very narrow minded and unfriendly. I think it is true to say that the further you move from your home country the more pronounced these differences are. Learn the language ASAP, Preferably before you go.I know of a couple of English expats in France who have been here for 20 years and speak almost no French, They struggle but survive thanks to those that have taken the trouble to learn French. If we hadn't chosen France it would have been Spain or Portugal, both better overall than Britain in my opinion and they are civilised!
Generally the people that say that holidaying in a country is no preparation are correct. There are all sorts of subtle cultural differences and irritating ways that you only discover after the initial adjustments. It is important to choose an area where the climate is to your liking and where the people are welcoming. Some villages can be very narrow minded and unfriendly. I think it is true to say that the further you move from your home country the more pronounced these differences are. Learn the language ASAP, Preferably before you go.I know of a couple of English expats in France who have been here for 20 years and speak almost no French, They struggle but survive thanks to those that have taken the trouble to learn French. If we hadn't chosen France it would have been Spain or Portugal, both better overall than Britain in my opinion and they are civilised!
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