To leave UK due to weather and cost of living

While Europe may have better weather in the winter then us in the UK, what about the summer when it so much hotter then here.

But there isn’t some sort of EU legislated standard European weather..

It’s perfectly possible to find parts of Europe where there very definitely UK style seasons, it’s cool in winter (including snow) and not inevitably boiling hot for the whole summer.

The weather will never be better here or the prices would come down. This is considered mostly a rip off. Even before the crisis of 2008, Brexit or the inflation the cost and taxes have always been very high. However, you need to see what is more important for you. I know that safety and weather are my priorities so there are much better places than the U.K for retired people. However, you need to embrace the local culture and language to make it a successful move. It is worth it in my opinion.

While Europe may have better weather in the winter then us in the UK, what about the summer when it so much hotter then here.

Also have you not seen the recent news reports from various places in Europe where the locals are up in arms about how the locals are not able to afford to live in there towns because of all the Expats. They have the same issue as we have here where the locals can not afford to live in their towns, the cost of living is the same all around the world everything is much more expensive.

While the UK is not great at the moment, it no better then anywhere else in the world. Everywhere has it's own problems.

Not all British people obviously!

@nothingsforgotten yes, I agree with you about the insular attitude of the British.

I mean, do most people still live near their families in the U.K. ? Surely friends and family are spread out over the country?

They'd have had to move away for work etc and forge new networks in their new place. Perhaps people move several times within the U.K. over their lives, to different places, new people etc. They cope and even thrive.

It's the same as when you live abroad. You do it all over again. It's hard work. Of course it is. But people do it all the time, enjoy it and make good lives for themselves.

And if the shit hits the fan, well they can return to the U.K., or use support networks via technology same as they might if they were already in the U.K.

When you move to another country and become part of a community then those people are no longer "just a bunch of random strangers". What a strange attitude.

I find a lot of British people really odd about moving to another country, and rather insular. As I mentioned, people have been doing it for generations, and mostly seem happy enough. The majority of people I know who have moved here appear to have no intention of ever going back to where they came. A thousand miles away is nothing really, especially in this day and age.

I lived and worked in New Zealand during my 20s. I'd give anything to go back, but life is a little more complicated for us than it was 15 years ago unfortunately. Quality of life was fantastic, had a lot of crisp blue skies during the winter, the proportion of wages and living costs were much better.

It’s not the same at all. Just a bunch of random strangers in one place is not the same as a loving family, life long friends and kindly neighbours and community.

Its only when you are in real need do you realise being a thousand miles away from those that love you is not such a smart move after all.

I dream of living in Spain sometimes. I could easily move as I have a substantial pension income, but every time I seriously think about it, I then reject it because of my kids and grandchild.

I agree about the weather. Im currently in Florida and sunshine just makes me feel a million times better........but then again I like the seasons

Good luck with whatever you choose

And whose manifesto proposed this?

I'll save you the effort: no-one's.

But you cannot. Brexit rules stopped the free movement of people from
Uk to EU.

Go for it! That's our plan when we retire. Early 50s and with young DC still as older parents so need to be here for school etc. As soon as we can we want to move. Xx

Living in a country which has many immigrants, from all corner of the world, it seems to me that there are a lot of people who manage quite well being away from "home". They make a new home, as others have been doing for many, many, years.

You sound delightful. Hope your children and grandchildren forgive you - mine wouldn't!

Any other wonderful benefit/s of Brexit you could quote for us, perhaps?

Re the whole thread. I think some people think there's a perfect place, and there isn't. There are lovely places, but you can't afford to live there, or the rules stop you living there. No country is going to import elderly expensive burdensome residents, especially without a support network. A reminder that in most of southern Europe you wont eat in hospital unless your family bring you food.

life’s too short - find a way and make it happen !!! Still hundreds of very cheap properties in France . Good luck

Skimming through quickly, I saw only 1 short mention of Malta, which I think is a blindingly obvious possibility.

Pretty much the warmest place in southern Europe, southern Spain close, Turkey cooler.
English language, English electric plugs. English food, pubs widely present, but also great Maltese and European Cuisine.
Great scenery, history, art and some lovely beaches.
Non stop flights, many airlines Inc easyryan.
Last 2 February's, eating breakfast outside cafe at near 18 C whilst 0 C here.

Downside, I think you'd find it too hot in mid summer, best be in rainy U.K.

Mauritius was mentioned it certainly is a lovely island, but again think you'd find too hot in their summer. Tax is low, but property could be a problem as operate the Napoleon system. Can't leave to whom you wish.

But I think maybe you should just consider escaping for couple of months somewhere each mid winter. If you get an abnb or negotiate short term lease, and keeping yr U.K. property on frost free, could be financially viable.

We aren’t all the same though. I love warmth and sun and the Lakes for me are dramatic but cold, bleak and wet. This doesn’t help OP merely illustrating we like different things and I absolutely would leave the Uk.

I can't disagree with the motorhome option but a mechanically reliable comfortable version is not really cheap to buy. And fairly thirsty on fuel. Several friends have them and use their 90 days in the winter to avoid heating inefficient houses. But a close chum set off for a couple of months in France and Spain in mid-December and between bad. cold weather and mechanical issues was back in the UK before mid January, broke, to live in her less cramped dry home.

At one stage, we had a canal boat (shared ownership) in Southern France and we half-planned to spend the winters there and cruise north in summer. But there was then a big winter that froze everything right down to the Meditteranean coast. That deep freeze damaged hulls beyond repair. At which point there's only insurance. Luxury dreams, mostly.

Hire or buy a motor home and travel round Europe to get a feel for different places. Not exactly the same as living somewhere permanently if course, but if somewhere doesn't feel great - then move on sooner. I have a friend doing this right now :-)

Go on fb, there are loads of groups for ppl who feel like U do. I'm in a group and I just watch and learn how others are doing it. Good luck huh, the weather really gets me down too but there's a lot to consider with relocation but it's doable

I don’t think it’s case of grass is greener. Move to somewhere where there is better weather which in my eyes instantly means happiness and easier life quite frankly. Do it! X

You could perhaps go to a country such as Malta, which is pretty much like the U.K. but warmer! I loved it there.

Programmes about ‘doing up chateaux’ - as if anyone can, do make me wonder! A relative of dh has one, nothing like as big as some, but even several years ago he told me that the heating oil alone cost €50k a year. Chateaux are ‘cheap’ for a reason - there are an awful lot of them and you need exceedingly deep pockets.

This is great info. I agree with you, cost of living is terrible everywhere not just in the UK. I have friends and family in Mexico, USA and Canada and they all are in the same boat.