Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

If you could emigrate, where would you go?

133 replies

Dinoswearunderpants · 31/07/2024 13:43

Just curious if you could, or if you have, where would/did you go?

I feel like the UK is becoming so unsafe and I wonder if it's a 'grass is greener' but I'd love to move abroad. Just no idea where.

OP posts:
nopenotplaying · 31/07/2024 16:03

Corfu, but only if it looks like it does in The Durrells 😂

KreedKafer · 31/07/2024 16:07

If language wasn't an issue, I would happily live in France, Germany, the Netherlands or any of the Nordic countries. Nothing to do with safety, I'm not bothered about that and in fact I'm pretty France is statistically less safe than Britain, but those are the places I'd happily live.

I love Italy too but I don't like hot weather so all the Mediterranean countries would be ruled out for me. Canada's lovely but I wouldn't want to live outside Europe, really.

I definitely think a lot of the people who say they'd love to live in Scandinavia would actually be extremely miserable there when winter came around, by the way. I wouldn't, as I much prefer winter to summer, but I think a lot of people don't really understand the dark realities of a winter in Finland. There's a reason Finland has very high rates of suicide and alcoholism! In fact all the Scandi countries have higher suicide rates than we do and most of them are pretty high in the alcoholism rankings as well (despite alcohol being much, much more expensive there).

I also think any of the Nordic countries would be hard work for someone who was a sociable extrovert - a lot of people who move to Scandinavian countries find it extremely hard to make friends.

Worth considering that safety very much depends on who you are. There are some countries that are ranked above the UK in terms of safety because of their relatively low crime rates, but it's worth bearing in mind that in some countries you are much more likely to be a victim if crime if you are an immigrant (or gay, or disabled, or a woman, or black).

And some countries have low reported crime rates but are incredibly corrupt, or simply do not consider certain acts of violence as crimes (especially against women or children).

It also depends on where you live. You would, in fact, be safer living on any of the Scottish islands in the UK than you would in, eg, Oslo, Copenhagen or Helsinki, and pretty much any rural area in the UK is safer than Toronto or Vancouver.

KreedKafer · 31/07/2024 16:09

Easipeelerie · 31/07/2024 16:03

Why do you feel the UK unsafe? What’s unsafe about it? I’ve never thought of our country in this way. I’m in Manchester, have lived in London and always felt absolutely fine.

Same - from London originally and now live in Manchester. I don't feel unsafe.

RogueFemale · 31/07/2024 16:10

Ireland.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 31/07/2024 16:12

Canada or somewhere in Scandinavia.

WmFnKdSg1234 · 31/07/2024 16:19

I think Portugal, Italy, Madeira, Greece, maybe Turkey.

In truth though the UK is home, and I would rather stay and ride out the econmic difficulties etc that will be our lot for the next 20 years, than be anywhere else.

Wox · 31/07/2024 16:32

That’s a tough one - I think you’d find ‘the grass is greener’ in lots of places.

I would never move away from the UK, I’d miss my family too much…but I quite like the idea of running a little coffee/ice cream shop in Greece, one of the Islands, probably Crete. Lovely people, great climate and I always feel ‘at home’ there.

I also love Vancouver. Dh & I went for 3 weeks & it was truly beautiful, lots to do, friendly & such good vibes. A family member lives there, hoping to go back and visit with the kids in 2/3 years time.

OkapiSandwichAndARoastEgg · 31/07/2024 16:37

Greece. I'd go tomorrow but DH is ill.

OnlyYellowRoses · 31/07/2024 16:38

Caribbean, somewhere like the Dominican Republic.
Or Aus
Or Texas
Can you tell I like it hot?

RoseUnder · 31/07/2024 16:46

Switzerland although it’s hard to integrate. You’re largely destined to be friends with other Brits - unless you work for an international organisation in which case you might hang out with expats of other nationalities.

Integration is hard in many countries. A family friend moved to a beautiful Greek island. Her husband sadly passed away and now she finds that the Greek men are banned from chatting to her, even small talk, by their wives in case she tempts them away. It’s ok in the summer when there are are passing tourists and seasonal workers to chat and hang out with but she is lonely in the autumn, winter and spring months. These places are still very conservative and inward looking at heart.

Puffinshop · 31/07/2024 16:48

DreamyCyanFinch · 31/07/2024 13:57

An Island, like Iceland or Greenland. Somewhere remote, away from riots and stabbings.

I emigrated to Iceland in 2011 and there are a few stabbings, but it is still extremely safe which is one of the best things about it.

The weather is mostly shit, though!

Greenland would be a very tough choice I think.

ElleintheWoods · 31/07/2024 17:07

Chypre · 31/07/2024 14:58

I moved to The UK, and still believe it to be the best decision of my life. Now, buckle up - I love the weather/climate (I hate snow and long dark winters), love nature (there is nothing better in the whole world than the glorious British spring bloom!), I love the food (I genuinely love British pub comforts as well as the widespread availability of any cuisine/trend/fad/quirk under the sun). Also the institute of individual liberty, ability (and right!) to believe and act freely, and still be respected. In many countries (also European countries....) people are expected to heavily conform and all be the same, with zero respect regardless.

Yes I agree, I actually can’t think of another country I’d rather live. While we have our problems in the UK, many European countries and Australia/US/Can are really socially conservative, especially for women. I’d say Britain outside the big 3 cities is safer, too.

Scandinavian countries are ok and safer but not enough going on, too quiet.

If you don’t have children and like to work/ push yourself, Britain is a great place to be. If you have a family and are more home-life focused then yes, many other countries are probably a better fit.

If I would be able to find equivalent employment, I’d choose Latin America, somewhere with beautiful nature. Realistically if I had to choose, it would be Germany. But again, it’s not safer.

Namechangejust · 31/07/2024 17:08

DaftyLass · 31/07/2024 15:17

Well, I live on Vancouver Island, so I don't want to move anywhere, but I'd love to move out family here, it is so hard being so far away.
Sadly, Island life is pricey

Absolutely love Vancouver Island. I was there last week…absolutely beautiful. You are sooooo lucky !

gingercat02 · 31/07/2024 17:11

Canada, mainly because they have proper seasons. And skiing.

C0rdeliaChase · 31/07/2024 17:20

Australia or Canada.

ClaudiaWankleman · 31/07/2024 17:25

This tiny village called Luzech in France.

DecusCulinae · 31/07/2024 17:36

I would come back home to Switzerland. But taxes are killing me emotionally. Love the low crime and low migration rates though. Love the no-fuss approach, miss it here in the UK. But taxes and prices are murder…

BrigadierEtienneGerard · 31/07/2024 17:44

I really don't want to leave the UK but, if I had to, Norway or maybe Iceland.

Frith2013 · 31/07/2024 17:44

Of places I've already been to - Switzerland.

A place that always sounds great - Denmark.

muddyford · 31/07/2024 18:05

Finland, Italy or Australia.

Thighdentitycrisis · 31/07/2024 19:21

I like Spain

Papyrophile · 31/07/2024 20:36

I like NZ, DH likes Singapore, we both love France, but right now, I'd pick semi rural NW Spain. Great food, beaches to die for, history and culture as thick and deep as it comes. But a slightly warmer version of a temperate Atlantic climate, so high rainfall. I can deal with that; I grew up in Cornwall!

tizalinatuna · 31/07/2024 20:44

Japan...though I think learning language and customs at my age would be quite hard.

Useruserdoubleuser · 31/07/2024 20:51

Sri Lanka.
Have been a couple of times. I have friends who moved to UK but will retire back there and I am jealous!
It is a realistic retirement option for many brits.

PermanentTemporary · 31/07/2024 20:56

I love where I live in the UK, am a homebody, will never leave unless I have to.

I cam imagine having a wonderful life in quite a lot of the world though. Kind of drawn to the American Midwest.