Where would you move to if you could live anywhere in the world?

[Booboostwo]

We are looking for a new country to move to before DD starts secondary school in 3.5 years time. We are open to suggestions!

Criteria:

• near a decent international school. DCs speak English and French so it would be good if they could continue their education in either of these two languages plus the country’s language. For us a decent school is one that fosters a love of learning rather than pushing to meet targets and ace exams.

• rural living. We enjoy living in the countryside and are used to the limitations.

• preferably a country with a horsey culture, as I ride and compete and would like to continue to do so.

We have lived in three European countries so far so Greece, the U.K. and France are put. DH is very keen on a move to Asia, I think I would prefer to stay in Europe. We don’t want to move to Trump’s US.

Oh, a warmer country would be preferable to a colder one.

Practicalities aside, Boulder Colorado.

The Netherlands. It's not rural in the same way as France, but there are lots of small towns on the edge of the national parks, good quality of life, strong horsey culture. International schools in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, the Hague. DH doesn't quite understand my love for it, but I'd move to Utrecht in a split second if I could.

Spain for warmer climate and horsey culture. Your DC would pick up Spanish easily if they have some French already. However the Spanish economy has not completely recovered from the financial crisis.

I can’t face Trump’s US.

The Netherlands is very attractive. It’s one of my top choices but DH feels that if we head to Northern Europe we might as well go to Germany - he is half German so it makes some sense to get the kids more accustomed to German culture.

I don’t know why we snub Spain. I suppose that Spain and Italy are a bit too similar to Greece and we run away from there!

Canada.

Southern Germany? Near the Black Forest and the Swiss/Austrian border? I was so impressed with the countryside round there and had a great holiday. So close to other amazing countries too.

I am interested as to why you have ruled out France as your DCs already speak the language. It is a big country and what put you off might be regional.

I can't imagine ever moving away from the Vendée. We have everything we could want here, including sunshine. The horses like it too!

I recently moved to Canada and whilst I absolutely love it, it fails on the 'warm climate' front. We've had heavy snow and temperatures down to -10/-14 since the end of September and this is south Alberta, not the northern reaches of the Yukon. I don't mind the cold though; I'm getting pretty handy with the snow shovel

Canada would be a good option if it wasn’t so cold!

We have family near the Black Forrest so that is appealing.

Well, I don’t want to upset anyone who enjoys France but for us the educational system isn’t working out and it’s not even horsey enough!

Fair enough if the education in France doesn't suit, (personnally think it is great and has done my DCs proud) but not horsey enough is definitely area dependent!

Belgium? There's a German speaking area. Luxembourg? Denmark?

Ireland?

California- no one likes trump here. We are an island. Great weather and Trump will come and go.

I'm not sure what you mean about Italy being like Greece! Also after Brexit surely it is not yet clear whether you will be able to move within Europe?

Based on your criteria, Canada seems like the obvious choice. Friends who love the outdoor life moved there and stayed.

Canada would be a good option if it wasn’t so cold!

Canada's a big place with hugely varying climates. Take a look at the Okanagan - places like Kelowna. Bonus of awesome wine, too.

Yes, where I live in northern BC is incredibly cold in the winter, but the south of BC is really hot in the summer and as mild in the winter as the UK.

France (too many lovely places to mention. I'd take any of them).
Victoria, BC, Canada
Czech Republic (countryside)

I'd move to Maastricht or Lisbon but it has nothing to do with the education systems or horse activity so they might not be what you're after!

Oh! No to France. Sorry, hadn't seen that.

Horsey... you need to go to Ventura County, California and above.

Ojai, California is awesome. My hometown. Smoking hot in summer but gorgeous and worth the heat. The beaches in Ventura are a good escape in summertime.

Or else Canada. Victoria on Vancouver Island!

BC has a temperate climate near the border but Alberta is horsey. And can snow there in July. ❄️

I think Greece, Italy and Spain are incredibly different in many ways.

Argentina?

I'm intrigued to know how you're able to just pick a country and live there? What about visas / residency permits?

Luxembourg is underappreciated.

Also, if you were able to move to Canada (which would largely depend on your careers, education and health) then the fluency in French would be a great asset for many jobs.

"a decent school is one that fosters a love of learning rather than pushing to meet targets and ace exams." Again, I'd say that describes the Canadian education system perfectly, or at least it is our first hand experience of schooling in our particular region of BC. (People we know with kids in school in other provinces have described the same, but I'm sure there are exceptions.)