Other countries/islands that have a better lifestyle than the U.K.

[nellytheelephant1980]

Do these places exist?
I'm genuinely really unhappy in this country and we are looking to go elsewhere. We work to pay the bills and hardly get by. We are both professionals with no debt. Our professions could move elsewhere easily.

Is there anywhere in the world with lower costs of living and just a happier way of life? Is any country escaping these energy bills and petrol prices for example?

You're right - there's a bit more to it than that, he wouldn't need Citizenship but he would need to apply for a long term Visa which might be a ? depending on his financial status, whether he is working or not, umpteen other things....

As far as the OP is concerned I think it's fair to say any move to the EU countries for work purposes is now more difficult, for example if you are looking to be employed you (or more likely your employer) may need to show there is nobody available from within the EU available that can do the job you are applying for.

TBH even though it was simpler pre-Brexit even then it sometime wasn't that easy. Many professions were and still are protected to some degree by for example, strict language requirements (fluency in local language) and UK/EU qualification equivalency or lack thereof- not all UK quals carry across Border, you may have needed to requalify and be re-examined to the local standard before working.

Unless you have a really really niche profession/occupation or have money to throw at a solution I'm not sure it's as easy to move anywhere in the world as some might think.

I think the equivalent cost comparison is false, though. Its more a question of value. Sure the costs may be similar to the UK in other countries, but what value are you getting from what you are paying out? Are there clean and functioning social systems and healthcare in place, easily accessible and up to date leisure facilities, and larger homes? That is worth moving for rather than waiting for the pot to boil further here. And so what if the costs are higher if you are actually paid what you are worth and not taxed to the hilt?

And those of us in the higher tax bands - sometimes it feels like we are just the convenient piggy bank for the government to plunder. Oh another % here or there wont make a difference. It does to me, especially when I dont see the impact - better services or some sort of solution to major problems facing the country.

OP, don't be put off by those saying "oh well you have to find someone to take you". Sure, but if you want something badly enough, you will find a path. Maybe its retraining, maybe its considering a different line of work you wouldnt have before where you can transfer your skills, perhaps its an investment visa.

I used to live in Singapore and HK. The housing is much more expensive, as are cars, but you pay less tax and have a much better lifestyle. Same for when I lived in HK.

I also used to live in Spain and the lifestyle is better there too.

IMO, in the UK, you pay massive amounts of tax and receive very little state support, get very little support with your DC or elderly, work long hours and have massive commutes. Any kind of hobbie or entertainment costs a fortune. Overall, unless you are loaded, it’s a poor quality of life here.

I came back 5 years ago. When my DC finish Uni and fly the nest, I’ll look to move away again.

I moved to the Netherlands 2 years ago and have no regrets. Our lifestyle as a family is much better. Best of all is that we can get around without a car - saving an absolute fortune.

I live in a lovely town, the town I left in the UK had gotten increasingly grotty and horrible. Healthcare here is much better.

Genuinely interested to know what you mean by this. As part of Germany, Bavaria has excellent support for all members of society (universal health insurance, good pension, universal child benefit, unemployment insurance, etc etc). Far better and more 'socialist' than anything on offer in the UK. Or do you mean socially conservative/Catholic?

That's absolutely not the case, not sure who advised him!

Having just moved back from Copenhagen op this is complicated. We worked for ourselves however and this complicates it more. You will need sponsorship and a job anywhere in the world now to be able to stay and live and work- didn't used to be the case within EU- but of course it is now and within EU you have to be in a shortage occupation where they have proof they can't get another EU citizen. You 'may' be ok with your careers - but may well need to speak the lingo. Denmark for instance would have welcomed your OT status but most healthcare jobs need up to speak Danish - and many teaching jobs too.

Cost of living actually more- but so were wages - tax is high and standard of living higher than uk.

It's a balancing act- Aus and NZ and US don't have language issues , but Aus in particular has high property prices and it's a massive expensive fag for you to come to UK if you need to and reverse for anyone to visit you. US has better wages but can be a bit hire and fire and healthcare costs can be high - but may be included as part of a job- standard of living? Well that depends on what you decide is better.

Balancing it up I think Germany , France and Austria are good bets but are likely to need to speak reasonable German for jobs in health and teaching in Germany or Austria and same with France.

I think your first port of call is looking at jobs available elsewhere and the criteria- and then if necessary, are you prepared to learn the lingo -

We didn't move back by the way because UK is better- purely because of the fact it was getting very beauracratic to stay if not working for a Danish company and the costs of toing and froing to uk which we needed to do a lot have vastly increased. If it was down to lifestyle- then there was no competition

I missed off Spain by the way- which is a great choice if you can get a job and the lingo is quite easy!!

Look into teaching at an international school. Find out if your OT qualification will be recognized. Will there be a market for private practise in English? That way you can start working quickly. Rather than the time it takes to learn the local language and have your qualifications recognized there too.
Also schooling for your son. Some international schools offer free/reduced fees for children of teachers. Don’t underestimate the difficulties of a child learning in a language other than their mother tongue.
Switzerland is lovely. Not cheap but not so different from the Uk with prices at the moment 🫤 Lots of international schools around Zurich/Geneva.
If you can keep a house/flat in Uk and rent it out. Easier to come back if you decided living abroad isn’t for you and means you are still in the housing ladder and don’t get priced out if you come back to live in Uk

@Lavendersummer whilst I agree, certainly in some places it's not so straight forward- in Denmark for instance if you want to work for yourself you have to have £20k equivalent in the bank and no recourse to funds- it's also 6 months down on a flat or a house a lot of the time (same in Germany with 6 months down)

Sweden doesn't even have a 'self employed option' if non EU - without a mass of hoops and hurdles- so you can't just set up private practise.

Where do you live in the U.K.? You'll both be on national pay scales so your money could go much further in certain areas of the U.K.

Could you move somewhere cheaper? Somewhere where the climate is more stable so energy is less?

We live in Devon and haven't had a frost in 5 years, the weather is mild more often than not and we live in a new build with really high energy efficiency ratings so even in the depths of 'winter' our heating is on for 1 hour a day in the morning and the heat is retained. We live in a seaside town that is easy to walk around with lots to do outside for good quality of live and car use is reduced. I work at the local hospital and my husband at the local school so similar to you maybe. We have a nice life and I think anywhere abroad will have challenges same as here.

Yes I agree, it’s not so straightforward. Research is definitely needed.

@Crikeyalmighty for some reason it didn’t quote your post. I agee. Brexit has made things more tricky for Europe

Yes, sorry. I didn't really explain myself very well. I guess I meant more conservative (small c).

If we didn’t live in our neighbourhood we’d have left after the vote result in 2016. I don’t want to live in a small minded, closed border country. Luckily our micro geography is lovely but even so, staying positive about life here is getting harder.

we both have niche jobs, DH in particular could go anywhere.

we are now thinking we stay to get the youngest through education and if things are no better we jump then (about five years time)

i don’t blame you for looking for an exit strategy. Any one sensible would do the same

We live on the Northern Costa Blanca, it's beautiful and obviously the climate is wonderful but the thing that has struck me is I am less stressed - in fact I am never stressed here, the traffic (apart from the summer hols) is minimal, no aggressive people, i really noticed how angry many people seem to be in the UK when ive been back. My kids are safe, the go out with friends untill late and I am never worried . They are probably getting up to mischief down the beach but they are safe from knives & fighting
We spend so much time outside doing sports, hiking, Kyaking,

We run our online business from here and so far 3 years down the line everything is brilliant.

Luxembourg. Amazing quality of life but high housing costs

My friend met a Colombian lady and emigrated....he won 77k on a scratch card so set them up....large 3 bed house in complex...22k..with a pool...he bought a few taxis and teaches english 3 days a week...high demand as he has the uk accent / british english....very rare as most teachers are american etc...amazing food....low costs....dental and hospital are very good and cheap...you can get ins if you want but they dont bother...i have visited 3 times...had my teeth done over there also...and low crime...if you dont go to certain areas then nobody bothers you...same as uk really...they have an amazing life style....caribbean coast for holidays....west indies close by etc....i should join them....!!!

Australia and NZ have a much higher cost of living compared to the UK. Last time I visited family in NZ I was genuinely shocked at the price of food

Adds scratch card to shopping list.

Happy to stand corrected, but I don’t get the “can’t work in Europe” because of Brexit argument.

As mentioned upthread, I’ve worked in Spain, HK and Singapore. I’ve also worked in Greece and turned down opportunities to work in Australia and the Middle East. Spain and Greece were pre EU free movement. I didn’t need the EU to work there, my UK company sorted out my visas to work for them, over there.

Also, how many of us went to work in the EU during this time? I don’t think it’s loads. There are a lot of Brits in Spain but I bet a lot are pensioners. I hear s lot of my friends berating the loss of free movement, but now in their late 40’s/50’s not one of them went to work in Europe when they had the chance.

Personally, as an English speaking person, the opportunities for me are better in non EU countries.

We moved to Kuala Lumpur 7 years ago. I’m a teacher in an international school. We both get paid flights back to the UK once a year, excellent private healthcare (free with my job) two free places at my school for my children and the cost of living is so much cheaper. We live in a very big 5 bedroom apartment with a shared pool, gym, playground and library very close to the city but with jungle next to us. It’s beautiful. Always hot and sunny. No such thing as council tax and bills very cheap too. We have a full time nanny, cleaner and a driver ad it’s all very affordable on our wages. We can also save lots as well as have lots of lovely holidays. We go back to the Uk once or twice a year but Air Asia fly very cheaply all around Asia and we can get to Australia cheaply too. Almost everyone here speaks English and they even drive on the same side of the road as in England, and have the same plug sockets! Beautiful food and such a great mix of cultures. Loads of expats so we have made such a great group of friends who are be sociable so lots of days out swimming or picnics in parks, BBQs or group holidays. We can also afford lots of nights out for dinner and drinks. We can’t imagine going back with the way things are at the moment- what for? We see our family and friends when we go back and have quality time with them then and they also come and stay with us. Childcare here is also so much cheaper. Petrol is subsidised by the government here too so my large car costs about £40 to fill the tank.
we do rent out our house so if we wanted to move back at some point we could, but not while things are the way they are. Of your husband got a job abroad you could move very easily. I would do it if I were you. Thailand is also a great option. I doubt you will regret doing it, but you might regret not trying it. Most contracts are around 2 years so that’s not too long if you don’t like it. You would possibly not need to work immediately either as it’s so much cheaper.

I think you would struggle to find work in France with those professions TBH

Teaching is difficult without nationality and a very good level of French. OT (Occupational therapist?) I imagine would be even more difficult without fluent French.

If you were a Dr or a vet you might stand a chance.

Which is a shame because, better weather, 35 hour week, lower housing costs, electricity rises capped at 4%...

What about NE Scotland the way of life here is lovely. Money goes far too. £300k will buy you a nice 4 bed rural property with land and outbuildings or you could move to a town for a similar size house but in a town.

If your husband is a teacher, he could get a job in an international school in any country. Better pay, school fees covered for your son, relocation packages.... I work in an international school in Belgium (local hire tho so no fancy packages!) Love it. Belgium is not an easy place to live without any French /Dutch tho - possible but not easy. tax is crazily high here but excellent healthcare, cheap transport (often paid by employer 100%)