To leave UK due to weather and cost of living

[Blossompink]

We are absolutely fed up of this constant cold, wet and dreary weather and are seriously thinking it's time to leave the UK. It's not just the weather which is making us miserable but also the cost of living is just ridiculous simply trying to keep the house warm and do simple tasks like drying clothes outside.

We are late 50's, no mortgage, have some savings, but would probably need to have an holiday let type set up to bring some money in or a small business.

AIBU to have had enough of life in the UK and want to move elsewhere?

You remarked that we were not able to leave post Brexit.

That was a stupid remark to "throw around" as you call it. Pointing out that your remark was stupid is absolutely not malicious, just factual.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER I totally agree on the wisdom of keeping a property in the UK, at least for the first few years! I don't regret emigrating, but in my case it was a necessity because I was priced out of buying in the UK, and about to be priced out of renting.

No it isn’t. It’s a bit more paperwork but otherwise fine for most people. No one that is very poor is going to thrive overseas given the cost of living and healthcare anyway.

Most people that want to live overseas can and will.

Why should we care that it’s harder for you? Or for anyone leaving? Our priority is our own country, and our future. I don’t know how you have the audacity to imagine we should be prioritising the convenience of people like you wishing to leave over the security and future of our country!

Our democracy and future is more important than your irritation with the EU bureaucracy and inconvenience - let me be crystal clear about that - your entitlement is astounding.

The sun is shining gloriously today in middle England and one is surrounded by budding flowers, butterflies and the sound of the song thrush high up in the neighbour's tree.

What are some people going to moan about if we have a lovely summer in the UK? What if the lovely summer causes even more droughts in Spain? Will the doomers moan about that?

No doubt op is soaking in the weather and forecasted to be 22c next week. Can’t wait 😎🍉

I left the uk in December and despite the COL crisis feel so much better off in every way. As high rate tax payers I was so sick of putting it all in and getting nothing back.

This is great info. I agree with you, cost of living is terrible everywhere not just in the UK. I have friends and family in Mexico, USA and Canada and they all are in the same boat.

Programmes about ‘doing up chateaux’ - as if anyone can, do make me wonder! A relative of dh has one, nothing like as big as some, but even several years ago he told me that the heating oil alone cost €50k a year. Chateaux are ‘cheap’ for a reason - there are an awful lot of them and you need exceedingly deep pockets.

You could perhaps go to a country such as Malta, which is pretty much like the U.K. but warmer! I loved it there.

I don’t think it’s case of grass is greener. Move to somewhere where there is better weather which in my eyes instantly means happiness and easier life quite frankly. Do it! X

Go on fb, there are loads of groups for ppl who feel like U do. I'm in a group and I just watch and learn how others are doing it. Good luck huh, the weather really gets me down too but there's a lot to consider with relocation but it's doable

Hire or buy a motor home and travel round Europe to get a feel for different places. Not exactly the same as living somewhere permanently if course, but if somewhere doesn't feel great - then move on sooner. I have a friend doing this right now :-)

I can't disagree with the motorhome option but a mechanically reliable comfortable version is not really cheap to buy. And fairly thirsty on fuel. Several friends have them and use their 90 days in the winter to avoid heating inefficient houses. But a close chum set off for a couple of months in France and Spain in mid-December and between bad. cold weather and mechanical issues was back in the UK before mid January, broke, to live in her less cramped dry home.

At one stage, we had a canal boat (shared ownership) in Southern France and we half-planned to spend the winters there and cruise north in summer. But there was then a big winter that froze everything right down to the Meditteranean coast. That deep freeze damaged hulls beyond repair. At which point there's only insurance. Luxury dreams, mostly.

We aren’t all the same though. I love warmth and sun and the Lakes for me are dramatic but cold, bleak and wet. This doesn’t help OP merely illustrating we like different things and I absolutely would leave the Uk.

Skimming through quickly, I saw only 1 short mention of Malta, which I think is a blindingly obvious possibility.

Pretty much the warmest place in southern Europe, southern Spain close, Turkey cooler.
English language, English electric plugs. English food, pubs widely present, but also great Maltese and European Cuisine.
Great scenery, history, art and some lovely beaches.
Non stop flights, many airlines Inc easyryan.
Last 2 February's, eating breakfast outside cafe at near 18 C whilst 0 C here.

Downside, I think you'd find it too hot in mid summer, best be in rainy U.K.

Mauritius was mentioned it certainly is a lovely island, but again think you'd find too hot in their summer. Tax is low, but property could be a problem as operate the Napoleon system. Can't leave to whom you wish.

But I think maybe you should just consider escaping for couple of months somewhere each mid winter. If you get an abnb or negotiate short term lease, and keeping yr U.K. property on frost free, could be financially viable.

life’s too short - find a way and make it happen !!! Still hundreds of very cheap properties in France . Good luck

Re the whole thread. I think some people think there's a perfect place, and there isn't. There are lovely places, but you can't afford to live there, or the rules stop you living there. No country is going to import elderly expensive burdensome residents, especially without a support network. A reminder that in most of southern Europe you wont eat in hospital unless your family bring you food.

You sound delightful. Hope your children and grandchildren forgive you - mine wouldn't!

Any other wonderful benefit/s of Brexit you could quote for us, perhaps?

Living in a country which has many immigrants, from all corner of the world, it seems to me that there are a lot of people who manage quite well being away from "home". They make a new home, as others have been doing for many, many, years.

Go for it! That's our plan when we retire. Early 50s and with young DC still as older parents so need to be here for school etc. As soon as we can we want to move. Xx

But you cannot. Brexit rules stopped the free movement of people from
Uk to EU.

And whose manifesto proposed this?

I'll save you the effort: no-one's.

I dream of living in Spain sometimes. I could easily move as I have a substantial pension income, but every time I seriously think about it, I then reject it because of my kids and grandchild.

I agree about the weather. Im currently in Florida and sunshine just makes me feel a million times better........but then again I like the seasons

Good luck with whatever you choose

It’s not the same at all. Just a bunch of random strangers in one place is not the same as a loving family, life long friends and kindly neighbours and community.

Its only when you are in real need do you realise being a thousand miles away from those that love you is not such a smart move after all.

I lived and worked in New Zealand during my 20s. I'd give anything to go back, but life is a little more complicated for us than it was 15 years ago unfortunately. Quality of life was fantastic, had a lot of crisp blue skies during the winter, the proportion of wages and living costs were much better.