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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want to move somewhere totally different?

67 replies

JamaicaGeisha · 30/08/2011 17:04

DP and I are fed up of the materialistic culture and the complicated nature of living in this country. Do you think we are totally mad for wanting to live somewhere TOTALLY different, in a totally different culture, out of the west altogether?

If anyone has any experience of living somewhere in the world less developed? Obviously we will be restricted in where we can move due to immigration etc but still would like to hear experiences if poss.

Thanks

OP posts:

usingapseudonym · 31/08/2011 17:21

I wondered if you were in London - I suspect that is half the problem. HAve you both ever lived outside of london?

London is SO materialistic compared to outside of london. I've never been particulary money orientated but became so in the few years we were in London. Basically if you are very wealthy London is great, but there is still pressure to go to the "right" private school/ live in the "right" area etc. If you are earning an average wage (even a wage that would buy a nice 3 bed house elsewhere) you can be struggling to survive financially. This also breeds a desire for more income/etc. I read earlier about someone who wanted to stop anyone on the tube who owned a house and ask "HOW?!" and I can completely relate to that.

I honestly think that outside of the ratrace of London life is quite different. Even without going to rural wales/scotland. Try Manchester if you want a big metropolitan city, or Sheffield etc...

dreamingbohemian · 31/08/2011 17:29

OP I live in Nantes, it's only been a few months but I really love it, it's just so relaxing. Slower paced and there's more emphasis on the basic things in life like food, family, outdoors stuff, but it still has a lively old city and all the modern conveniences.

What do you think about training to teach english as a second language? That would open a lot of doors for you perhaps...

HerHissyness · 31/08/2011 19:54

usingapsuedonym, I wondered the same when I heard about OP living in London.

London DOES get to you like that, I lived there for 12 years, now I bloody wouldn't for all the tea in Tescos!

and for the love of GOD, not Morocco OP...

HerHissyness · 31/08/2011 19:59

When I was in Egypt there were a fair few total brainwashed expats that bought the whole West = EVIL thing that just thrives in some places.

BUT, when it came to how they were treated as muslims, or people from other cultures coming to the UK, not one of them said they were badly treated, not one of them said they felt AS marginalised as they did in other countries.

I think you are fed up with London, fed up with the ratrace, I don't think you need go too far to find your peace of mind... seriously!

Have you thought about moving slightly out and commuting in? or perhaps finding similar work outside london and getting off the metorpolitan treadmill?

I did and I may not be earning the big bucks I was, but I'm getting back on my feet, and am loving life, DS has good schools, facilities, parks, stuff to do.

notlettingthefearshow · 31/08/2011 20:09

I am guessing jobs for you and your partner are the top priority so your choice may be narrowed by that.

Are you thinking of somewhere rural? If so, a developed country is probably a must to ensure you are near decent education and healthcare.

I have lived in China, Japan and Hong Kong, and loved all of them - but have to say the people are materialistic, some much more so than here. It bothered me less because the ones I related to - the westerners - tended to be much less materialistic than British people. China is generally a poor country, for example, but it is becoming quite capitalist and that is quite hard to see. You may love to see a family living in a little hut playing card games, but THEY would love to be in a swanky new skyscraper eating KFC and watching Friends wearing designer trainers - and they will do that as soon as possible!

What a fascinating thread!

CheerfulYank · 31/08/2011 20:27

Oooh, Goodynuff I love hockey. Minnesotans take it quite seriously as well. :)

breaktime73 · 31/08/2011 20:35

Eassaouria in Morocco was one of the nicest most laid back (and cheap) places I've ever been Hissy...lots of westerners moving in. so there :)

Goodynuff · 31/08/2011 20:39

I really love hockey too...

I get teary eyed sometimes

Feminine · 31/08/2011 21:26

I second hanging out on britishexpats.com I am an active poster there...its very helpful helping you decide if you even want to leave the UK
There are forums for Ireland too. ,if thats a place you are interested in:)

My DH has heard fantastic things about Panama recently ...maybe google a bit! Good luck.

deliakate · 31/08/2011 21:43

OP - I have studied anthropology and archaeology, and it is clear that mankind are a materialistic kind of species. Evidence of this is one of the things that marks the dates of our evolving from apes/early humans.

Its going to be very hard to get away from - unless you join a proper commune or something, and all agree to renounce stuff. There are places where there is less emphasis on owning things, but in general, that's because the places are so poor.

FigsAndWine · 31/08/2011 21:59

Very interesting thread.

spanishbint · 31/08/2011 22:57

i moved to alicante7 years ago but am still homesick no home in good ole blighty but would like to go home now had enough of the heat i am english you cantake the girl out of essex but not the essex out of the girl lol rent somewhere first for 6 months but still keep ur house ;(

Pendeen · 01/09/2011 13:12

JamaicaGeisha

Fair enough, I understand your reasoning however......

I just wanted to make it clear that you would still look like an obvious outsider (especially in view of your aim to live a quieter and simpler life i.e. away from cities) as Wales - in particular mid and north wales - are very much like here (Cornwall): overwhelmingly white.

manyhands · 01/09/2011 13:28

Well, I've lived in Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia all of which are exceedingly materialistic and maybe understandably so as your access to money in all those countries influences your health, education, status and experiences of the justice system. Thailand is very gay friendly but sadly very racist towards black people in particular. Cambodia is noticeably less racist and as clothes are only really available at markets everyone pretty much wears the same. In Taiwan you would certainly have a private life as people very much keep themselves to themselves.

cardibach · 01/09/2011 13:34

Pendeen I live in rural South West Wales and, as you say, it is almost completely white. However, the integration and acceptance of those from other races is excellent. I'm a a teacher and rarely hear racist sentiments expressed at all, almost never about actual people - when I lived in the West Midlands ther was far less acceptance despite larger numbers.
JamaicaGeisha why won't your husband consider Wales? THere is a strong commmune/hippy tradition where I am which makes everything feel more laid back, and having to drive 45 mins to get to anything resembling a shopping centre limits everyone's materialism!

Original poster

JamaicaGeisha · 01/09/2011 14:53

cardi DP doesn't want to move to Wales because there aren't many black people as Pendeen says, however, when I went there I found there to be a few, and was not stared at and didn't feel prejudged or anything.

Where in Wales are you?

OP posts:

Pendeen · 01/09/2011 16:55

cardibach

Sounds very much like here (esp the commune/hippy bit)! :)

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