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?

• "learning a language" to the degree required for professional work means a massive time/money investment. It's not enough to do some DuoLingo. You need to be able to learn grammatical structures, work with tenses, irregular verbs, strange conventions etc in order to be able to work with the public/kids. You're both working now, so do you actually have enough time left over to be studying a language on top - whether here or there? Something to really think seriously about.

Drifting back towards the OP's questions and since teaching at International schools got a mention at some point, this is a C&P from the recruitment page (for teachers of all subjects) of the International School up the road from us here in France:

"Thank you for your interest in joining the International School of ......... Please note that, to be considered for a teaching position at IS.., candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and PGCE. Applicants should also have a minimum of two year’s classroom teaching experience, preferably in an IB World School. It is essential for all applicants to hold the nationality of one of the European Union countries, or valid French working papers.

If you wish to be considered for supply or cover work, please send a letter of application, full CV/résumé (including photo) and contact details of three referees to [email protected]. Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and PGCE or equivalent. It is essential for all applicants to hold the nationality of one of the European Union countries, or valid French working papers."

(My emphasis, both paras).

@notimagain That's how it was when I was in Denmark too- teaching is not a shortage occupation in most countries in the EU- and I don't mean there aren't shortages in some countries or areas but they can usually recruit from other EU countries as first port of call or non EU countries where candidates also have an EU country passport.

The only people I know teaching at international schools now (who were not already there pre Brexit) are in places like Saudi or Abu Dhabi or Kenya . Wouldn't be for me- but others may not mind that

I hate to suggest it, but if you are unhappy with your way of life, why not try to make small local changes (even move to another part of the UK) rather than attempting to move to another country. Make a list as a family of what is bringing you down and see what you can do to help.
In addition, for all the people whining about the state of the UK, it will never be fixed unless you attempt to fix it, that probably means not voting Conservative in the next election.

Following out of interest as we are becoming increasingly unhappy here too.

Similarly, we have decent wages and have, until now, always lived comfortably and within our means. No debt, meals out, adding to savings every month.

These days we seem to be living month to month. We are still topping up the savings in tiny amounts but other than that we’ve pretty much cut out all “unnecessary” spending.

My husband has been suggesting Dubai/UAE but it makes me so nervous to up and move. Mostly because I don’t want to be so far away from our families 😞

DH has done some limited research which suggests his telecoms skills would be quite sort after and we’d probably be able to comfortably live off his wage, leaving me to raise our kids which is what I long for. I despise leaving my 3yo at nursery/family to work but needs must. I feel I’m missing out on so much time with him 😭

Yes, with the loss of FoM you can’t just pitch up in another EU country and look for a job on a short term visa.

To move to France for example you now need a minimum income of 18k pa before tax.

And you can only visit the U.K. 90 days a year.

Absolutely. You need a long stay visa, a minimum income of 18k and you can only return to the U.K. for 90 days a year.

After 5 years you can apply for residency.

Apologies for repeating myself!

Despite the user name I’m a kiwi living in Europe. I’ve spent a lot of time in Nz since the borders reopened this year and the cost of living is ASTRONOMICAL. Groceries are incredibly expensive - even when you take into account currency differences, wage differences etc, you would be spending a massive proportion of your income just on food, compared to uk. The food tastes amazing but it’s often 3-4 x price of what you’d pay in UK (small quirks excepted).

The schools used to be great but the “modern learning environment” isn’t for everyone.

The health system is nominally free but overburdened and you’re often out of luck and have to travel if you have moderate - complex needs and you live outside akld/wgtn/Chch.

I could go on, and I love my home country, but it’s not what it was and it’s very tough if you’re not on a very high (multiple ‘000) income.

A few years ago I would have said Canada. But things have changed rapidly. The cost of housing in and around the cities has got out of control in recent years. One of the many reasons I reluctantly moved back to the UK recently.

I do very much miss the lifestyle and attitude towards life there. Life feels very dull and empty here.

FWIW the nested quote contains some truths but it also has the questionable comment about language requirements for residency

There was no language requirement for those of us in France who had to go through residency and the process to gain a TdS post Brexit , I'm not convinced there is any requirement been introduced since then for a TdS or a long stay visa but happy to be corrected.

Citizenship is another matter.

I agree with @WhiteCatmas. The grass isn't always greener. I've lived abroad in a fair few places and everywhere has its cons. You also realise how lucky we are in the UK really, dare I say it. I'm planning on moving to a totally different area of the UK in the next few years where I'll be able to afford to buy my own home, and will have all the outdoorsy activities I love on my doorstep.

I totally agree.

I used to live in a town in Worcestershire which I absolutely hated and was determined to leave as soon as I could. I genuinely thought life in the UK was the same everywhere!

I moved not too far away and wow, what a difference! So much more to do, better infrastructure, better health service (hospital where I lived was rated inadequate) & I genuinely do not see myself living anywhere else in the world despite being well travelled.

You could always look at something like the OECD's Better Life index to see what countries are better than the UK, and for what. See here

Sure you don’t need the language but the rest of it is true.

A few years ago I would have said Canada. But things have changed rapidly. The cost of housing in and around the cities has got out of control in recent years. One of the many reasons I reluctantly moved back to the UK recently.

People don't realise, when searching for the elusive "better quality of life", that many/most countries have the same issues. Canada is a popular destination for Brits but housing is eye watering, though we are already headed for a massive correction/crash. Inflation is similar. Groceries are much more expensive. The healthcare system has problems very similar to the UK: staff shortages, long wait times, thousands upon thousands of people don't have a GP, and you definitely won't have one as a new arrival.

If unhappy with life, it is so much easier and more sensible to move to a different area of the country that provides what you are looking for, rather than making an international move.

I moved to Thailand just over a year ago (in education, so fits with your family set up) - I love it. The cost of living is low, health care (private, paid by employer) is excellent, housing paid for by employer, food, travel, people - all wonderful. Private education covered in contract, offering DC an out of this world experience. Literally nothing I miss apart from the occasional meal or treat that you can't find here. Recruitment for expat teachers for 23/24 starts soon - go for it!

Luxembourg has extremely hugh quality of life