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.

www.theguardian.com/careers

You will be eligible for ESA with depression. So not technically disability allowance but more jobseekers without the hassle of signing on etc. My husband has just come of it as he had depression - it's not much but it is better than nothing

Dowser- how on earth can you say there are no jobs in the north? Such a sweeping statement. There may be areas where there are fewer jobs but are you seriously suggesting there are no jobs in Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington, Chester, Preston, Wigan etc?

Go to a charity and ask them to help you claim either ESA, JSA, HB or UC . It is not in your best interest not to claim anything, because you feel you have to support yourself, are too proud, or feel is shameful to claim support . You need to do this now before You run out of savings. Don't take away the little stability you have, you have a roof over your head and food, your basic needs covered, you decide not to claim what you are entitle too and become homeless , and you will be entitle to no help because it was your choice and making yourself intentionally homeless is just not a good idea really because you can get out of that situation as nobody will help you.

Sort out your finances , claim what you are entitle to first so you have certain stability and a home , then you can search for courses in colleges, etc and find a way to improve your situation and get out of the benefits. You have advanced learner loans for level 3 courses in accounting, office work, web design, etc , legal or medical audio typing, natural therapy, nail, or other things , or you could do an access to uni course and then go to Uni once you feel you have found something flexible enough as a career. But the most important goal at the moment is to secure your basic needs first, housing, food, medical care,etc .... and if you need to claim benefits to do so ....so be it .... you will be trying to improve your life in a difficult situation and not taking advantage of anybody but doing the right thing.

South West Scotland. Somewhere rural but within commuting distance to a big city. I live in such a place. A lovely quiet and super friendly village an hour from Glasgow and 40 mins to another large town. House prices are real cheap. You get a three bed semi with drive and dining room for under £350pcm. You can buy one the same for £70K.

DH is on just under £40K and we're very comfortable. Our outgoings almost match out income but that's down to paying back debts that weren't mine (family member screwed me over getting me to sign as a guarantor then never making a single payment)

I lived in a dreary town with no prospects, struggled for money and I was going nowhere. It was downright depressing. A big move can make all the difference. As they say, a change is as good as a rest. Good luck OP.

Hi OP. I work in benefits advice.
You are working but you have a condition that makes it difficult to maintain a steady wage.
I think you do need some kind of reliable benefits income in

I am living in cardiff in a house of multiple occupancy. Rent is 350 pcm all bills and council tax included. Is that cheaper than you are playing? It’s just a room, but it’s a roof over my head? Look at spareroom.com

Sorry posted too soon by mistake:
You need some kind of steady benefits income which you can top up with your freelancing.

There are two routes to this (assuming your not in a Universal Credit area)

1. Claim PIP. This will count as a "qualifying benefit" which will allow you to claim working tax credit as a disabled worker. You would need to work 16 hours per week to qualify.

1. Claim ESA and take advantage of the permitted work rules to freelance. You would need to work less than 16 hours for this one.

You can do this permitted work for one year. After this point- you can slightly increase your hours to just over 16 per week and claim Working Tax Credit as the history of claiming ESA will count as a qualifying benefit and passport you to the disabled worker premium.

I know you have said that you won't be entitled to anything and you couldn't cope with the process. But your description of your mental health right now does sound to me like something that would lend itself to ESA, especially with some clever benefits advice.

You need to find someone who specialises in benefits to guide you through the process and support you.

(I just looked at spareroom and there’s some rooms for £250 bills inc. maybe even cheaper in other cities. You may get cheaper rurally, but fewer job opportunities.
fwiw I am a mature student on a career break, this is how I have been living for past 2 years and have been comfortable and happy with nice housemates.) Good luck op x

Op I feels your pain, the future terrifies me too. You need money to breathe and its a gruelling country to live in with little cash.

It's miserable.

I once spoke to a girl at work, both on temp contracts who had given up her own pr company to open a ski chalet. She said she never looked back and although on less money she said she only felt that back here

Just wanted to drop by and lend support. The problem with cheap countries with easy visas is their healthcare and infrastructure is pants and it sounds like you need some health support.

Its an odd thing, people almost demanding you take meds to deal with externally caused stress and depression, the control of the masses continues apace and they guzzle it down.

Check the country you are interested in rules for Tefl requirements. Should help you budget.

Keep kicking good lady

A pp asked why the op isn't claiming jsa - have you any idea how stressful it is claiming benefits even if you're clearly entitled to them? Especially if you need time off for medical appointments as op stated.

Claiming esa for mh and physical problems beastly finished me off - I felt even worse after the whole procedure and I didn't think that was possible. It was the most stressful thing I've done - and I've got divorced, moved house many times and lost a parent.

Sorry op I haven't much to add. I too have worked from home self employed and unless you're experienced in something sought after it's hard to make enough money. I found typing for letting agencies not too bad. I used to also do some cleaning, delivered catalogues, took in ironing. Could you teach anything like a foreign language? Delivering Yellow Pages?

I would love to move somewhere else too, but I'd worry about health care.

There are areas up north that are cheap, in areas that are a bit rough - maybe look on rightmove. Could be ok if you work from home and can be based anywhere. E.g. this one in Halifax £82 per week

found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: [[http://www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/64365868]]

nearly finished me off not beastly! Stupid auto correct

Link fail sorry
... search for Dean court copley village Halifax.

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/64365868

Oh good, this one: £180 pcm

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/41845818

Or this one at £200 com

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/71587832

Sorry ill stop now .. can't believe how cheap it is though.

OP sounds like she is at the end of her tether. She is not being aggressive for the sake of it, she is in despair. Some good advice on here.

The only things I can think of are Proofreading or becoming a virtual PA.

Are you trying to insinuate that I'm thick as well as poor and disabled? That my thickness is the reason I'm in such a bad situation?
*
Does that make you feel better or something? Maybe more secure, because you're so smart this could never happen to you?*

Calm down dear, if that's how you talk to people then you have good idea of why you struggle to get work

Is it a serious question? I'm not sure how you think that would work.....you have no money, no visa, and no job, how would you move to another country and what would you do there?

There are THOUSANDS of people living like OP in the UK. A sort of half-life.

No money, no way out. It's fucking shocking....people can't earn a decent wage and if you don't have children but are a single adult, then life is HARD.

If you're not a professional that is....no qualifications, no kids...you're on your own.

And TURNIP you calm down dear. The sickos on here having a little pop at OP are PATHETIC. It's really filthy to come on threads like this where OP is at the end of their tether and wind them up and get all aerated when the OP doesn't immediately say "Oh brilliant idea!" at the nineteenth suggestion of applying for PIP.

It is really hard for single people with chronic illnesses. You are not entitled to disability benefits - and PIP is for people who can't cook a meal, dress, get around, etc. - but struggle to hold down a job. ESA is the only route. For most people that is £73.10 a week. And you will be in a support group and expected to work towards being able to apply for a job.
There is no other support for most people and it is hard.
OP I am so sorry that there are so many people who have commented on this thread with unhelpful suggestions who haven't a clue what they are talking about. If I was you I would apply for ESA.

Would you be interested in teaching English as a second language? Some countries in Asia will provide food and board on top of wages for TEFL teachers.

Minx How would she pay for the training?