Anyone considering emigrating?

I’ve lived in Spain and still travel there regularly for somewhat extended periods of time.

Lovely country to visit, but living is a pain.

The weather is obviously fantastic but for me it didn’t outweigh the constant drain it is to get anything done out there, paired with the poor education system and lack of opportunity, unless you’re in a bigger city.



Personally I love the UK, though having lived in many parts, I think the South East offers the best quality of life if you’re willing to spend the extra.
 
Uther said:
Unfortunately not. A mate went over about 25 years ago, as a welder, he now works for a mining company as a maintenance manager and lives in a 5 bed detached with a swimming pool in Perth next to a golf club...
His brother had gone over as a bricklayer a few years before, and has now retired to Thailand.
Different world.
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Same world, just some of us are too risk averse.
 
If I could move to vancouver, I would do so in a heartbeat. Beautiful city, great place for outdoor activities. It also has a nice laid back vibe and great food. Unfortunately there is zero chance with my occupation as there is no shortage and I wouldn't get a visa.

We did seriously look at moving to NZ a few years ago. Kind of dropped the idea when it became impossible to fly there due to covid. I am planning to look into it again, though I think that as my kids are getting older it would be more difficult for them, and thus for us (currently aged 10&12).
 
Freefaller said:
I had a chance to work for a US company, but I have to say the bias I hold against American culture and work/life balance is pretty significant. I guess it's the European snob in me, but it just didn't seem worth it.
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Working for Yanks based in Europe was bad enough, I can’t imagine working for them in the USA on an H1B where you are basically their bitch for 5 years.
 
Germany. Everything just works, they make decisions that make sense and it's a wonderful country. Having visited (albeit briefly) maybe 3/4 times a year since 2017 (minus Covid) I adore the most things about it.

The amount of smoking is not good, though.
 
Not myself but my nephew is in love with a lady in Sweden that he met through online gaming.

He has gone over twice to stay and has plans to live and work there full time with her soon.

Good luck to him but i cant see it lasting long. They have their own way that will grind his gears after a while.
 
NooBish AbbZ said:
Germany. Everything just works, they make decisions that make sense and it's a wonderful country. Having visited (albeit briefly) maybe 3/4 times a year since 2017 (minus Covid) I adore the most things about it.

The amount of smoking is not good, though.
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Gas supply is looking a bit suspect....
 
Tephnos said:
A lot of you guys seem to love the sun. Where our coldbros at?
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Sweden or Canada, 4 ft of snow bring it on! Seriously though NZ is a bit like the UK thirty years ago and that'd do nicely. Aus is too hot. Realistically though I'll probably move somewhere oop north eventually cheaper house prices and they dont' have 30c heatwaves that go on for weeks like the SE.
 
Freefaller said:
I had a chance to work for a US company, but I have to say the bias I hold against American culture and work/life balance is pretty significant. I guess it's the European snob in me, but it just didn't seem worth it.
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More money, less vacation, have to pay for healthcare. Expected to be available at the drop of a hat.

There are downsides, but the money is good. Just find a company that didn't silo you.
 
I emigrated to Austria.

Like most countries, it has plus points and minus points.
It's clean, crime is low, public transport is excellent and cheap. Groceries are very expensive compared to the UK, and taxation is far higher. Counteracting this, childcare is incredibly cheap (not that I have kids), healthcare is excellent and waiting for any kind of medical or dental care is almost unheard of.

It's cold in the winter and it's hot in the summer.
The locals are not especially friendly.

I do miss certain things about the UK, but not enough to feel genuinely homesick.
 
Moved to Switzerland three years ago, still here now. I have no reason to move back to the UK, apart from a good curry. I miss nothing about it. Built up a nice network of friends here, native and non-native.

Still trying to get hold of learning German to a good level but I am slowly getting there.
 
Planning Spain in the next 3 years or so. Got a couple of mates out there already and the Denia area is favourite at the moment.
 
If I could afford it I'd move to Spain or Portugal tomorrow. The climate, the space, the laid back lifestyle and they love motorbikes. Hopefully it might be an option in 10 or 15 years time, though Brexit really threw a spanner in the works :mad:
 
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