Moving and living abroad

[johnnyboy]

Would you ever consider it?

A couple of years ago, definitely not. Now, I'm thinking about it seriously.

The UK is horrendously expensive to live in, taxes are going up all the time and I'm quite frankly sick of Tony and the NuLabour nanny-state.

I've narrowed the possibilities down to four countries -

1) Switzerland - not a member of the EU, very low taxes, beautiful place, they speak (a form of) German there. Never been there and am a little worried it might be dull.

2) la France - I adore France and the French, I could quite happily live in Nice or anywhere coastal and reasonably big on the Provence coast, and of course the finest food in the world. Problems would be I don't speak French (although the bint does) and taxes are stupendously high there.

3) Cyprus - never been, apparently beautiful and a big expat community out there. Potential problems might be the heat and the language.

4) Germany - I love Germans (they have a kind of creepy 80s charm to them), and it is a beautiful country. I speak German very well. Problems might be the horrendously complex tax system and the fact that they can be as insular as the Swiss.

I love Britain and I love being English, but it doesn't really feel like the quirky but gentle country I grew up in.

Have you ever thought about moving abroad? And if so, where would you see yourself going?

[Not The Chef]

..

[chinajan]

As you know, JB, it has always been at the back of my mind and it remains a long term ambition. Spain or its islands for me though.

You're right to rule out hot climates - the heat doesn't suit you does it? In your place I would be looking at practicalities like work more than whether a place would be boring or otherwise though. You'd soon pick up French I'm sure.

Is there any reason why you are not considering, say, Australia, Canada, New Zealand? The distance perhaps?

Ironic, this, since there is a possibility I'll be moving back your way at some point. Only a possibility mind!

[Sput]

Is there some sort of Ultraviolet/JB subtext here that we're missing out on?

[Jenny]

I think it would be best to take over an island somewhere and declare independence. I've looked at places to emigrate to and frankly it looks like every single nation on the face of the earth is completely shit.

[Alarsne53]

I think it would be best to take over an island somewhere and declare independence. I've looked at places to emigrate to and frankly it looks like every single nation on the face of the earth is completely shit.

Your posts always exude such cheeriness Jenny.

[johnnyboy]

As you know, JB, it has always been at the back of my mind and it remains a long term ambition. Spain or its islands for me though.

I know it has, jan - ever since we first got to know each other, your love for Spain has been evident.

As you know, I went to Ibiza last month and I can see why you love the place.

You're right to rule out hot climates - the heat doesn't suit you does it? In your place I would be looking at practicalities like work more than whether a place would be boring or otherwise though. You'd soon pick up French I'm sure.

I got acclimatised to Ibiza within 2 or 3 days, which surprised me. Before then, I was a bit of a wreck!

The practicalities to consider for me are

1) I want it to be on a direct flight route to Newcastle so I can get back and see my friends and family. I would live in England for 90 or so days of the year. That's why Australia, New Zealand, etc are out for me.

2) Somewhere where there is a high degree of English spoken. I would make a real effort to learn the local language (I enjoy learning them) but I would need fluent English speakers if I wanted to employ people to sell back to the UK

3) Lenient and friendly tax laws (personal and business). It's getting to the stage now where you can not fart in England without being taxed or fined.

4) Somewhere where you can read a copy of a newspaper outside a government building or heckle a politician and not be considered a terrorist threat.

Ironic, this, since there is a possibility I'll be moving back your way at some point. Only a possibility mind!

I take it by that sentence things are still going rather well!

[rdobbie]

Can I suggest adding Belgium to your shortlist? I've often rather fancied the place. I've been there a few times and have been struck by the impeccable manners and behaviour of the natives.

Pros: Extremely high quality of life, low taxation, very cheap property prices compared to UK, close to UK for popping home to see friends/family
Cons: It seems a little boring

Oh, and most of them seem able and willing to speak English to you.

[johnnyboy]

Is there some sort of Ultraviolet/JB subtext here that we're missing out on?

It's not gone by you, Sputty.

I think you should be sectioned for your own safety.

[johnnyboy]

Can I suggest adding Belgium to your shortlist? I've often rather fancied the place. I've been there a few times and have been struck by the impeccable manners and behaviour of the natives.

Pros: Extremely high quality of life, low taxation, very cheap property prices compared to UK, close to UK for popping home to see friends/family
Cons: It seems a little boring

Oh, and most of them seem able and willing to speak English to you.

I understand where you're coming from, rdobbie.

It sounds like you might think of Belgium the way I think of Switzerland and the Swiss.

The boring thing might be a bit of an issue. Plus, and it's a very important plus for me, I would like to live somewhere that tolerated public drunkenness. Do you understand how I feel on that, or does it make me sound like some sort of chav?

[Nick Harvey]

Newfoundland is tempting.

They speak the English and a decent sized house works out at about twenty-five thousand of our British pounds.