Cannot escape poverty, what's the cheapest place in the world for me to move to?

[despair1234]

I can't cope and getting depressed again. I can't earn enough money. Had a real go with lots of tries at being freelance, because my health problems make it extremely hard to keep a normal job. Time off for hospital appointments etc.

I'm on my own in the UK and just done. I have a partner is another country but don't have a visa.

Need to move somewhere it's really cheap to have housing and food, I can't cope here anymore. Everyday is a massive struggle worrying how to pay the bills once my savings totally run out. No money is coming in. Not entitled to any benefits apart from Jobseeker's Allowance maybe which I don't bother with because I can't stand the effect it has on my mental health.

I just can't cope. It's too expensive just being alive. I have no family I can go to stay with, there is literally nowhere to go to relax.

It's like being in a nightmare except I never wake up. Constant, constant stress of money I can never overcome. Yeah I can borrow money but have no way of paying it back if I can't earn.

Where can I go??? Where can I find somewhere to rest???? I need to calm down and can't calm down, I'm having nightmares when I'm asleep, I'm not depressed but the impossible financial reality is making me depressed...because... where can it go from here?

It will never get better? Just breathing and eating and sleeping somewhere safe costs too much money? Let alone upkeep of clothes for interviews, reliable computer to try to find jobs, even small fees for retraining???

I just want to go away and escape, I need to escape.

Your best bet is to get a live in job in the uk. It takes a certain personality type though to cope well with live in jobs (quiet, introvert, tidy & very patient) and its stressful in that if you lose your job you also lose your home and some employers of live in staff take advantage of that.

But it would allow you to cut living expenses and save

I'm really sorry that you're in this situation op, it sounds incredibly stressful. Do you have a local food bank that you can use? Also, could you speak to jobseekers about the affect it has on your mental health to see if there's any support offered? In my nearest job centre they have a private room that you can sit in if being in the main room makes you feel anxious.

I wasn't clear on which partner needs a visa, can you go and spend some time staying with your partner and let them support you?
maybe some time off in someone else's house would help you to feel calmer and less stressed, would this help your health condition? Stress exacerbates most things.
I am sorry you feel this way and I send you a big hug. Subsequent posters please be kind even though this is AIBU.

Depending on the extent of your disability, could you be a live in carer? They tend to do one week on, one week off, and the pay isn't bad. Carers don't generally need formal qualifications.

OP you need to claim JSA. I know it is shit, but you need money to survive.

What country is your partner in? What can't you get a visa? Can't he come here?

I would say with health issues the uk is the best option. Especially if you are self employed. Many companies in Europe provide 50% of an employees health insurance and then the employee contributes the other half. If you are self employed then there are schemes for workers but they are bloody expensive. So expensive that taking out BUPA insurance in the uk was cheaper for my DB than one of the German schemes. Now he is in his 60s his annual cover costs him €12,000. In non EU countries health care is also mega expensive and sometimes hard to access depending on location. There’s language difficulties too and relocation red tape and cost. There’s just so many potential costs and difficulties that as hard as it is, it’s probab better to stay here. I know the feeling of needing to escape and go elsewhere, but often the idea is very different to the reality.

I'm sorry I feel so defeated. I'm sorry, I've been dicked about by a possible new contract over the last few weeks after getting hopes up. It's like it's the last straw.

I have no idea how everyone else copes with shit health and the cost of living.

i would work out ways of making more money.

Could you do a short course in Web design? Manicure?

I work from home making and selling crafts items and earn a good profit.

Would you still need access to a free to use healthcare system?

Despair, if you have marketing and events experience and want part time work universities and colleges are often a good bet and in northern cities cost of living is often cheaper. Relocating could be possible with a cheap Airbnb maybe?

What is your health condition? Did you complete the pip form yourself without assistance?

Cab in my experience are crap!

What income are you using at the moment? Roughly where are you?

My own personal experience is its best to not even attempt to fill in the forms yourself. Get assistance from your local welfare support office or charity related to your condition.

I can maybe advise further with more info. Feel free to pm.

If you need a break look on Facebook or google for a place called The Women’s Holiday Centre. It’s a charity run place.

Good Luck

If you have skills in marketing and events co-ordination, then you have admin and people skills. Perhaps a change in career direction, is there something else you could do?

I can't get a visa because I'm too old for the types of work visas commonly held by younger workers. My skills aren't in demand, so can't get a visa for that.

Could you do a teaching English as a Foreign or Additional Language qualification? (TEFL or TESOL or similar)

You can find employment all over the world with a good TESOL - I know people who have worked in Eastern Europe, South East Asia, and South America. They don't earn much but have a better standard of living than someone on a low income in this country.

And as for age - a friend of mine in his 60s recently qualified with a TESOL and is now living in Cambodia, with a work visa.

But can't you go there on an extended tourist visa and look for work there and apply to stay longer later? Is there any chance of getting married?

How long have you been together? Do you actually meet and see this man or is he an internet 'partner'?

Kibutz ?
www.ivolunteer.org.il/Eng/Index.asp?ArticleID=339&CategoryID=131

Thanks I am reading thread and noting all suggestions.

To a pp no I don't need a food bank referral, I've been paid for freelance work I did after Christmas so ok for this month.

Jobs are reasonably plentiful in the big northern cities. Rents can be manageable if you don't mind not livening in the best area. Perhaps a steady income would reduce your anxiety and allow you to regroup?

An entry level civil service job in Manchester brings for home £1350 a month. You can rent a room for £350 outside the immeadiate city centre leaving you with a grand for bills and fun. My DCs have mates who do it.

So when I left uni, and couldn't get a job, I went to work in the lake district as 'housekeeping' i.e. a cleaner.
(It was here www.brathay.org.uk/join-our-team but I don't know if they offer the same live-in roles as they did back in the nineties.)

However I'm just using that as an example. My qualifications were not required for the role, I had somewhere to live, and I had money to spend. Not much. But I had no money troubles. I don't know what your health issues are, and whether you would be able to cope with manual work such as cleaning and changing beds, but they were quite flexible about shifts as long as there was someone else available to cover. Maybe something like that is worth looking into?

What country is your partner in? Why can't you get a visa to live with him/her?
If you are serious about this then I imagine Greece would be your best bet within the EU. Outside the EU there are lots of very cheap countries to live in, but would they admit you entry?

Could you have Have 2 jobs, waitress/pub in the evening ? or any sales job that has a secure weekly wage ?

OP.

These are worrying times and i'm sure that you're not the only person who feels this way. I hope you find a solution.