Where in the world would be a lovely place to live for a year?

[BadAtMaths2]

We are likely to retire at 60 and are idly thinking of living abroad for a year. Somewhere with a comfortable climate, not too hot, but sunshine and dry. Somewhere we could travel a bit. See some culture, where it’s not too hard to fit in.

where would you go for a year?

I’d choose Northern Italy, West Coast of France, Northern California or New Zealand.

California fits the bill weatherwise. Loads of scenic and interesting places nearby

Mauritius

Italy

I'd go to the Cap d'Antibes in the south of France, or to Rome or Florence.

Canada

Vancouver, you can be on the beach in the morning and in the mountains in the afternoon.

I would travel around the Greek islands

I've been thinking along these lines for a summer not a full year so following with interest!

greek islands sound great, but not in winter I think. Vancouver is fabulous.

Do you have EU citizenship? Without it I'm not sure how you could stay a year in France or Italy.

But it's cold and miserable 90% of the year lately (where I live, and was born and raised). It's June now and it's been 60 days of rain with temperatures hovering around 12-14C. I wouldn't recommend it, especially not year round. And the cost of living is through the roof.

Singapore for the food and travel opportunities in SE Asia.

Toronto April-Oct. Then move somewhere else for winter (or don’t, personally I love Canadian winters, but if you don’t like the cold that might not be great for you).

Or if I ever have another sabbatical, I plan to live in an Austrian valley for six months. Glorious in summer, snowy and Christmassy in winter.

South Africa, we’ve lived here 15 years and never go abroad for holidays as we have everything we need here - beach, bush, mountains, desert etc

Any financial restraints?

I'd probably live in France for a year

We are also thinking of doing this once the kids have left. Spending a year in a city to see the season and discover a city like a local.
Tope 3 are
Amsterdam on a house boat
New York loft living
Buenos Aires
We live in a beautiful part of Spain so hoping we could do a house swap . Has anyone done that ?

Unfortunately, after Brexit, you cannot just turn up in Europe for a year. You will need to find some sort of visa to cover this stay which is not going to be easy (even if possible). Otherwise you are limited to the new rules. If, however, you have non UK passports, then you should be fine.

I haven't but it's something I would definitely consider. If you fancy a swap with an apartment in Italy, dm me in ten years' time!

Costa Rica
New Zealand
Thailand

There’s loads of countries I’d love to explore, but those are the top three for me if I had a whole year to spend in one country.