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?

@Fladdermus we love Sweden too and would have gone there rather than Denmark- problem was at the point we needed to move prior to end of withdrawal agreement you couldn't fly into Sweden due to covid rules, so we couldn't sort out housing!! We used to go to Malmo and Lund a lot though when we were in Copenhagen and Stockholm too for work things- all lovely!!!

Where do you live currently? What does your DH teach?

Wouldn't a move to lower cost of living area make a lot more sense? I'd agree that your other, easiest and best option is for your DH to get a job teaching at an international school.

I think that's a really hard question to answer in an objective way, since it depends on your life situation, and preferences at that time. I lived it the west coast US for a number of years, enjoyed it, had much more disposable income, but was happy to move back to England to be close to home (in Northern Ireland).

I also lived in Dublin for a few years, that was OK too, especially with respect to great work opportunities, and schools for kids.

I'm back "home" in NI now. It's a lovely scenic place, property prices so much better than England & Dublin, overall much less busy and relaxed lifestyle. However, lots of people would hate where I live due to risk of "troubles", rampant sectarianism (strong traditional unionist heartland), but it does not bother me on a day-to-day basis and I've no great interest in NI politics. I love it, because it is home, and I'm aware of the pros/cons having lived in a few different locations.

If you are super unhappy, there is nothing to stop you taking a risk and trying it! That's what we did! You might find something you like a lot more, and the distance might also appreciate some of the things you have today.

Can you now just move abroad post Brexit?

I think that's already been covered a few times in pps..short answer is that it might be possible for some but it might not be straightforward

TBH I think some TV programmes do rather ignore some of the administrative difficulties that can be associated with moving abroad.

No. They're desperate to get to the UK. That's not the same thing.

I think (as an ex-pat/immigrant myself), it's very easy to think about the push factors, and the pull factors.

What no-one ever seems to think of, or talk about, is the 'stay there factors'. Your knowledge and feeling of belonging within the societal and cultural framework, understanding the educational system, the things you take for granted because they're like oxygen - be they history, easily accessible overseas holidays, the meals and seasons you enjoy as being ubiquitous, being easily able to reach family when necessary, being able to navigate the healthcare and politics - and just how BLOODY MUCH it costs to shift! And once you do, well, sunken costs can mean it ain't no fallacy that you can't go back. We're living in unprecedented times. We can't take for granted any more the ability to move around the world as and when we want.

I'd just put these elements into the equation OP.

I think you are looking at some countries with rose tinted glasses. Some things might be better than in the UK but others will be worse. I don't blame you for wanting to move somewhere else but don't expect perfection!

I guess it depends on your social circles. I went to Italy straight out of uni with very little money and started to pick up work and eventually settled here. I had done the same in France before going to uni. I don't come from a rich family who could have financed a gap year, I needed to work and wanted to do that abroad rather than in Marks and Spencers! That is the sort of opportunity that has been removed for young people. Of course the well-off can still find opportunities! I know lots of people who did the same.

Also you say you went "pre-free movement". So you weren't actually competing with free movement candidates. Now you would be. For an employer it is much easier to take on someone who has free movement. Not the same at all, I'm afraid.

Italy is a good choice, certainly healthcare far superior to.uk.

@mbosnz and it's not a small thing to think about once you've acquired 'stuff' -- cost us £14k to move and then move back to Denmark- it's not small fry- it's not the same as being a 21 year old straight from Uni

I wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world except my little corner of the UK however Canada is the only place I’d consider moving to!

I definitely think a lot of places outside the U.K. have a better quality of lifestyle. Not necessarily cheaper but more bang for your buck

@DonnaHadDee I have a feeling we live in the same small town. Would it be famous for its lighthouse? With this gorgeous weather it’s absolutely perfect to live here but come winter it will be dreary and miserable.

I think it's incredible that £300k is considered reasonable for a 4 bed property in NE Scotland.

@Alfreddo83

We paid £320k in a village in NE Scotland

5 beds / 4 bathrooms and around 230sqM . Double garage and decent garden

I would class that as pretty reasonable for a property when I see people sharing houses in England on here

Had we bought a house on its own you could of thrown in 5- 10 acres and some out buildings for that also.

Canada???

I second the east coast of Scotland. Never had a problem with the NHS here. Loads of green space for the kids to run around in and a great community. I would weigh up potential risks of drought, wildfires etc when you are looking at places to move to..

I would live in Vancouver if I could.

@QueenB5 … I’m nearby to Port Devine :)

I'm in Spain. Lower cost of living vastly superior (public) healthcare.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis for reference so I have substantial experience of the provision here and it is much much better than would be in the UK.

@nellytheelephant1980

Have you thought about the Forest of Dean?

Advantages are that it uses the same currency as the UK, they drive on the left, your entitlement to the UK state pension is maintained and they have similar shops, supermarkets and customs as the UK.

The main disadvantage is the dating scene is not too good and things can be a bit in-bred.

yes i lived in catalunya and health care was really good...no waiting around...relatives and friends still live there but food costs have rocketed...higher than uk and electric is dearer than uk...gas cheaper as from algeria..petrol also dearer....some of their food items are double uk prices...even the basics....i was shocked when i looked at the Dia website....!!!

I moved from the UK to Switzerland 2 years ago for my husbands job. Our quality of life is so much better than the one we had in the UK. Now when I visit the UK I just feel like nothing works - NHS not fit for purpose, infrastructure/transport terrible, social welfare appalling. There are better systems out there.
Here our cost of living is higher but wages are much higher and we pay less tax, about 17%. A teacher salary would be about 80k. My friend who moved over from the UK and worked in finance doubled her salary - she also gets paid overtime which is normal. Work/life balance very important here.
You pay private healthcare insurance - ours is basic costs 1000chf per month for 2 adults and a baby. But the healthcare is exceptional and worth every penny. You don't wait at A&E or for a Dr's appointment - you are seen in person straight away. My son has a pediatrician, we can email or ring her any time to ask questions. Also get same day appointments. I had complications in ym pregnancy - consultant led care and had my consultants mobile could ring anytime, c sec delivery - 5 day hospital stay minimum, 1 to 1 midwife care, share a room with one other person, they even provide all the baby clothes (from petit bateau) and nappies/everything you need whilst you're at hospital. It's incredible.
The pension contributions are higher and you can use your pension pot towards purchasing property.
If you lose your job either because you quit or are fired and find yourself unemployed you can claim unemployment benefit for up to 2 years capped at 10000chf per month. If you're sick it is the same, you have protected pay whilst you recover.
Amazing place to bring up children - lots of wonderful parks all with huge play areas for kids with sandpits, Playgrounds, outdoor paddling pools and all maintained daily. No litter anywhere. Hardly any crime. They also have free play centres for kids with toy libraries where you can borrow every toy imaginable and in the summer they take the toy libraries to the parks - brilliant idea. Summer has felt like one long holiday.
Transport is great, efficient, everything just works. All new housing being built is energy efficient - solar panels, well insulated. Less dependency on fossil fuels.
Obviously there is no substitute for family & being overseas can be difficult but I can't imagine moving back, I know we've got it really good here. I never wanted to move but so glad I took the leap because there are better places to live. And if you don't like it you can always move back.