If you had to live in another country for the rest of your life where would you go and why?

[ukgone2pot]

Just for fun. Would love to just hear people's thoughts and reasons behind this one.

Mountainous bit of south-west France or northern Italy, Somewhere rural-ish so I could afford a smallholding. Would happily see out my days growing veg, making cheese and doing lots of hiking.

Same, wussed out after my year out (having already done a year as part of my degree) and came home.

Our current plan is to retire in a few years to the country and what we want would be a 3rd of the price in France. Sadly, my DH doesn’t speak a word of French and refuses to go!

Singapore if I had the money to

I've just got back from the Netherlands, where I have family, and I wouldn't mind living there. The cost of living is high, as are the taxes, but there is a better work/life balance, lots of green projects and higher state pensions. I like all the waterways, which might offset the flatness of the countryside.

I also like France, the lifestyle and countryside. It helps that I used to live on the south coast and go there often, and that I can speak very basic French.

I like Canada, except for the cold, but as I am not a keen flyer, it would make visiting the UK and seeing family and friends more difficult.
Maybe I wouldn't want to, it depends why I can't live in the UK - fugitive? war?Political exile? Financial migrant? Zombie apocalypse?

We looked (very briefly!) at Canada, ‘proper’ seasons, but yes, a lot of snow and I doubt I’d cope with it, I know I could be warm indoors, obviously, could have made a fortune breeding cobs, they seem crazy popular over there. Both our jobs would have transferred, they were actively recruiting for my DH’s job at the time. He wouldn’t leave because of his mum, who lived round the corner from his very involved brother and his dc. Can’t live your life regretting stuff, but I wish we’d given it at least a go.

I've always wanted to live in Italy. Southern, preferably Campagnia region. Or Rome.

I love that Sophie Grigson has done it - I've visited the bit of Puglia where she lives and it's lovely!

Germany - a medium sized town in the south or Black Forest. Lovely places, and feels very familiar too. Although I struggle with German more than French!

Now I'd probably say Scotland, ideally Sutherland, but when I was young (kid, 20's, 30's) I would have said Norway. Weirdly, I only discovered in my early 50's that we do have Scottish/Orcadian and Norwegian connections on my Mum's side so I guess the north is in my blood.

Italy for me too although I kind of fancy Canada, specifically Quebec.

Scotland for the summer and France , probably somewhere like Limousin or Provence for the rest of the year.

House in southern France and flat in Netherlands, probably Utrecht. Married a Dutchie and this is our current 1 year plan.

The only reason I didn't move to New Zealand after I visited was because of the distance from home.

But it you're FORCING me to move somewhere else, I'd choose there.

Edit: Sorry - missed the "why"!

When I was there, I know I was doing touristy stuff, but the whole lifestyle outside of work just seemed so different. More outdoorsy and into nature, whether it's in the mountains or on the coast.

Scenery wise, it's actually quite a lot like Norway and Scotland, but I just loved the laid back nature of the place.

Back then (20+ years ago) property was cheap but cars were expensive. For the price of my 1 bedroom flat in London I could have got a waterfront bungalow in the Bay of Islands... bliss!

100% Ireland! For the great conversations, butter, and taytos in that order.

Holland. Love the directness of people, good education system, I speak enough Dutch to get by. A flat overlooking a canal pls, somewhere other than Amsterdam.

Back to Prague, Czech Republic.
Alas, not for some time yet.

Canada for me. Of all the countries I've been to this is the only one I could happily live in. Don't think they would want me though but yes its a lovely thought.

I went for 2 weeks on a road-trip from Nova Scotia through to Ontario. I just loved it. Beautiful, fresh, clean, quaint and fabulous.

Italy for me, specifically the Cilento in Campania. I lived just outside of Naples for around 7 years when I was younger, so I speak the lingo (and the dialect) and I just love everything about it. The food, the people, Naples for shopping, the colour of the sea, the olive groves. Also, as a historian, where better to be than Italy which is one big glorious museum and art gallery.

Spain, we have quite a number of very good friends there already because DH has lived there on and off (about 10 years out of 20).

We even know which road in which town we’d have. So it would be easy enough to settle in. The issue is that my Spanish is never going to be good enough to work and I love my UK job, otherwise we’d move.

We will probably get a holiday home though one day.

I’ve lived in France and Italy. Currently in Switzerland making plans to move to Ireland in December.

For all of the reasons above.

Scotland , the culture, the books the newspapers, the humour, the food, the politics, the beautiful environments both natural and built.
I'm a keen indoor pool swimmer and they even have an indoor pool culture.
Like in that Shrek movie song " it's the perfect place". I am still working on my partner she is susceptible to urban wildlife and I might be able to win her over with the extra mammals and birds that inhabit Scotland, not to mention the dolphins.

Either France or Italy for food, culture and countryside or Denmark for general way of life. You may pay high taxes, but the country is so well ordered.

nooo dont do it haha

Sweden or Switzerland. I love them both.

New Zealand! It's so varied, has skiing and stunning beaches. Most houses have a lot of space and it has a fantastic coffee culture.

Sweden.
I love their open spaces and outlook on life. It's beautiful, not too hot, and a mature society.