Would you ever move abroad?

[Londonalf]

I'm just curious how many people would consider moving abroad, or how many actually do live abroad - I am always thinking (dreaming) about living in Thailand. We try to go once a year or every other year which I know is a huge privilege and feel lucky to be able to visit, but still feels a little sad knowing that we always have to return after such a short amount of time there when we love it so much.

Also aware that maybe living in a place isn't as exciting as visiting for a holiday (would be nice to live there half the year!!) but even so, the way of life really appeals, although not sure what jobs we could do out there.

Has anyone lived that far abroad and what was/is it like?

:)

I would love to love to Canada. We talk sometimes about moving to florida so we could go to disney world all the time, but we know florida wouldn't suit us really. We would maybe like to spend a few months a year there over winter in retirement though.

I'm American but I moved abroad to England to be with my English boyfriend and now husband. I lived there for nearly nine years. I really loved living there. It was such a change from my life in Texas. It was a novelty to have colder weather and navigating a different culture but it suited me. The one thing that was hard was that I had a great job back in Texas but it was non-existent in England. I found that there wasn't a lot of variety of work back then so I ended up in jobs that I wasn't suited to do. It turned out okay because I became a SAHM to our children.

We have been in the US now for 16 years. My husband has enjoyed the sunshine in Texas and he's had plenty of time to adapt to the different culture (he lived in Germany so he had experience of living abroad) but we are planning on returning to England in the next few years. We left in 2004 so when we do return we will be starting over in somewhere familiar but still so different. I hope it turns out okay.

I dream of living in an apartment overlooking Central Park.

Nothing too fancy but with a balcony and excellent built in storage.

Well, I did - I came here.

Once my DDs are done with their education and settled in jobs, preferably not in the UK (we are EU nationals) I am off. I don't like what the UK has become.

I lived in Australia for a year in my 20s. I would love to live abroad again, and but maybe just for a couple of years, I wouldn't want to do it long term. I fancy going to Canada or New Zealand or Singapore. Would also like to experience life in one of the Scandinavian countries but would need to learn a new language first.

I have very much the same life as I would have in the UK. I go to work, do the shopping, do the cleaning etc. I came here looking for sunshine and beaches which I have but general life gets in the way of really being able to make the most of it. One thing that I'm really grateful for is that nursery is a lot cheaper than in the UK so I can affort to work part time and spend more time with my son.

I'm loving reading all of these experiences! I am from the Channel Islands originally so maybe I am already living abroad... just not as tropical as i'd like!

I’ve lived overseas a few times (and just going into my 3rd year in present deliciously hot location). I love living in different places and has definitely broadened my outlook as well as my horizons!

I do have a house in London but am currently planning for retirement in Spain (still possible with sufficient funds - though harder now due to Brexit unfortunately).

Go for it!

It's not really for me, I'd miss my family too much and I'd hate for my parents to miss out on their granddaughter. I really like where Iive though, I love being close to London although I've moved further out. I absolutely love my holidays both in the UK and aborad and sometimes think 'what if', but I love having those favourite places as my happy places, I don't think I want them tarnished with the mundane realities of daily life.

abroad

For those of you who are British and planning to retire to Spain, France or elsewhere in the EU I'm curious to know how this will be possible after 31 Dec now we are no longer members or have I missed something?

*Absolutely. England is a horrible country. When this pandemic is over I can’t wait to get out and leave this country to fall in on itself through hate and division.

How soon can you go?

Yes, I've lived in Hong Kong, mainland China and Macao. Loved all of it! I was on my own for several moves as DP stayed in the UK with our children. It gives you masses amounts of cross-cultural experience, really enjoyed my time and there wasn't really any downsides.

makingmammaries You've evidently never tried to commute on the Brussels Ring or the E40. Far quicker to drive from Cornwall into Devon across the bridge and go through security at the dockyard.

The food was different, not always better. The bread, frites, steak and chocolate were excellent in Belgium, but the dairy offering was poor in comparison to the UK (I used to go and stand in Waitrose yoghurt aisle and drool when I was back), and lots of stuff was UHT. I am loving being back and being able to buy fresh cream, double and whipping. The food was also expensive, as were clothes, shoes, books and white goods.

Perhaps you skimmed my original post as I said The medical care was better and that the weather was much like the UK. What the UK got, we got in Belgium 24 hours later. Being inland though near Brussels, it got very hot at times, and 10 inches of snow one winter was more than I'd seen for a long while.

Tattooed yobs can be seen in Belgium regularly, and it's not just spitting on the ground you'll see in and around Brussels, but pissing up the side of any convenient car, or on the side of the road or the motorway. It's very unpleasant.

You'll also hear loud cursing in parts of the city, and even in the outskirts, and don't get me started on a Belgian behind the wheel of a car. The M25 is a beacon of exemplary driving (and they use indicators!) in comparison to Belgium, but I only lived there for 13 years, so what would I know? Vomit can be seen as well, in Leuven, Brussels, Antwerp, as can loads of dog shit. Picking up after your dog hasn't caught on there....

I am very glad to be home, as I understand how it all works here; I can go and buy a specific light fitting without traipsing round six different shops, and when we don't have a pandemic, shops are open most days, and don't shut at lunch time. A cappuccino here is what it says; you don't get black coffee with UHT whizzy cream on top!

I enjoyed Belgium, but was never going to stay for ever.

There are divisions in other European countries though. The gilets jaunes were out again in France last weekend; Belgium has massive divisions which can result in some very nationalist attitudes, especially with Vlaams Belaang; Spain is still trying to deal with Catalonia etc etc.

I moved abroad three years ago and will probably not move back.

No. I love the UK and have no desire to live abroad

Absolutely. England is a horrible country. When this pandemic is over I can’t wait to get out and leave this country to fall in on itself through hate and division.

Don't let us keep you. I'll pay the airfare if you fuck off now!

We are planning to move to Cyprus in approx 15 years when we can hopefully retire early.

I have lived abroad for most of my adult life. Can't see myself moving back to the UK. The weather and scenery is amazing and job opportunities have been fantastic.

@fussychica - it’s not difficult - lots of non EU nationals retire there. I have just been following the guidelines for ‘foreigners’ (you need evidence of income and health insurance cover) to get residency. I’ve got residency in other (Non-EU) countries and it’s no real hassle. We will also be buying a property as well which also helps. Income level needs to be around 400% of minimum wage though! As we can’t get to Spain atm and I’ve over a year to sort everything (on paper!) we have time to sort properly and legally.

I was considering getting a passport from another country - but realistically sufficient funds and a U.K. PPID works in most of the world currently.

Depends on what you mean by moving abroad.

I have lived in 3 different countries as an adult (and 2 as a child)

I would still go for a year or two. I love being there long enough to learn the language and settle in, make local friends etc.
But I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life there.

You do come to appreciate many of the things we have here when you don't have them
freedom of speech
NHS
postal service
etc

But also that you are really are an insider with regards to culture and language.

yes possibly. I'm getting itchy feet a little bit at the moment.

I lived abroad in Greece and Egypt for a number of years before coming v back to the UK. My parents also live abroad.
Id love to do it again but circumstances dictate otherwise

Depends where. If the opportunity arose, I would seriously consider moving to another Western European country with a warmer climate, but I wouldn’t move to the US, MIddle East, Asia. I will not live in a country where every other person owns a gun, or where women are second-class citizens.

I have been offered, and turned down, what many people would consider fantastic opportunities with major companies in the UAE, but there is absolutely no way I would ever want to live there.

What visa is required to live in Thailand ? or would you obtain the 30 day visa, exit & re enter each time ?