To ask where would be an option to move to?

[Wheretogotonow]

We’re starting to look into moving abroad for a better lifestyle and improved safety, and I’d really appreciate any advice from those who have already moved or are considering it.

Our situation:

• My husband is a top 1% earner.
• I don’t currently work (child care around school) but I have a master’s degree so can look to go back into work.
• We own a 3-bed semi-detached house with a mortgage, in an expensive area due to my husband’s job we need this location.
• We pay privately for healthcare and for our children’s schooling.
• We don’t receive benefits (or receive reduced child benefit).
• We consider ourselves community-focused—we volunteer, are involved locally, and have nice children.

Despite all of this, we’re being priced out. Food costs have increased, VAT is being added to school fees, and with Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget, it looks like we’ll be taxed even more.

We also don’t feel as safe anymore. There was a stabbing of a teenager at the end of our road—not something you expect in what’s meant to be a nice area. It’s getting worse and I’m fine to say I don’t feel safe walking the dog on my own anymore.

So, for those who have relocated or are planning to—where did you go, and why? What should we consider?
We won’t be a burden to any country we move to—our intention is to continue paying for schooling and healthcare privately and to contribute positively to the community.

No need for negative comments- we love England and are both born and bred here but it’s not the same as when we were children and I just don’t want this for our children. We know it’s time to go.

Do you speak any other languages? Do you have any contacts in any other countries? Does the weather bother you?

Well I like the look of Portugal and was looking this up yesterday:

nomadsembassy.com/digital-nomad-visas-that-lead-to-permanent-residency/

I would find out where is hiring your professions/which skill shortage lists you are on first before just picking a country. You will need a work or investor visa to move abroad. And the investor visa for most countries is serious ££££ so if you’re struggling with col in the uk you’re probably not in the right income bracket for that. Personally we’ve gone to East Asia for the time being because COL is much cheaper and jobs in our field are abundant. But you have to prepare for the culture shock especially for kids, and the language barrier, and generally in non-English speaking countries you need to account for school fees per child as international schools are never cheap.

French and German fluently. And happy to learn anything and will go with good language level.

Despite all of this, we’re being priced out.

Priced out of what, exactly?

Food costs have increased, VAT is being added to school fees and with Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget, it looks like we’ll be taxed even more.

I'm sorry to hear that you feel you need to keep even more of your wealth, so you can afford all the discretionary services you feel you're entitled to, inexorably, forever.

Sincerely, another fellow "1% top earner" who doesn't have an issue with paying tax.

Being a top 1% earner but you need to live where you do for your husbands job- how easy will it be for him to get a new job? At anything like his current salary ? That should be your starting point

do you have basic maths skills? It might be that you can make your money go a lot further if you brushed up on some basic skills

most of Europe have fewer very high paying jobs as they have - less income inequality and obviously the states is a much less safe place to live

Well to work in London means big mortgage and probably also commuting time and costs

Food bills , day to day life. We cant afford to keep paying out more . We dont have an unlimited pot. We use all our money each month. It’s not a way to live.

also your comment - we feel we need to keep more of our wealth- what wealth? We don’t have equity . We earn and pay each month - we don’t have a savings pot or magic inheritance money. We earn and it goes out.

It’s fine we want to move - if the lifestyle doesn’t suit us we can leave I don’t need a lecture on being happy to pay more and more! I’m not interested in that.

We’re wondering new Zealand or Australia - though is very far to come back. But he can do his job there with no problems transferring

A thinly disguised Labour bashing thread. All the hits. High tax, tax on private education, feeling unsafe, etc

Oh yes I can’t stand labour- please don’t think it’s a thinly bash- it’s a massive bash .

we want to go and I’m after people who have actually left and where to? Why would we keep working for a shit lifestyle in this country. And shit safety for our children. We have the means to leave and can

Then go.

But may I just advise that you get your own job, relying on your husband is risky. You might not be married forever, try to have your own money and income.

Take a look at the housing prices in near the economic areas in Australia or New Zealand and then take a good look at the cost of groceries etc... and it might not work out as much as an economic win as you think.

Are you under 40? Does your DH have an in demand profession, a company may sponsor him, but getting the whole family over is another matter entirely.

Middle east is probably your best bet depending on age, sector, medical history as it's a bit easier to grab a visa, but whether it's better is entirely personal opinion.

If he can work in Australia then off you pop

although why he can’t live in a cheaper house in the uk but can do the same job for the same wages in Australia is beyond me

Yes and I started this thread asking where. There will be people on here who have left and im interested in them. Our friends in similar positions have gone to Holland but I would like other options .

• My husband is a top 1% earner.

Earns over about £185K

• I don’t currently work (child care around school) but I have a master’s degree so can look to go back into work.

Go back to work then.

• We own a 3-bed semi-detached house with a mortgage, in an expensive area due to my husband’s job we need this location.

Can't do much with that as I don't know what 'an expensive area' means or where he works.

• We pay privately for healthcare and for our children’s schooling.

Why?

• We don’t receive benefits (or receive reduced child benefit).

Try the food bank.

• We consider ourselves community-focused—we volunteer, are involved locally, and have nice children.

Most people think they have nice children.

Im not asking for help to stay here thank you though- I’m asking where to go.

In case anyone cares , whenever tax increases are considered the impact of people moving away to hang onto cash is always considered so that the net effect should be positive

its fascinating that there are towns on the Scottish border , less than a mile from English towns , yet higher paying tax people live in the Scottish town - not everyone is motivated by greed and selfishness I guess . Not everyone is happy that people freeze and die of mould in one of the richest countries in the world

Dubai

How do your children feel about moving? I know mine would hate to leave their friends and grandparents but everyone is different.
We are considering moving to Ireland where DH is from. Lower taxes but higher costs so will be fairly even economically. But the sense of commuinity, safety, values feels much better than where we are now.
New Zealand would be my other option if not so far away. Tolerant of others, beautiful landscapes, outdoor living. Have you been there for an extended period to get a feel for it

They’re happy to/ eldest very interested in politics and travel and often comments we should move. We haven’t considered Ireland but I have an Irish passport so it may be easier. I’m asking AI and it’s given Portugal as an option. And new Zealand. And thank you for your reply- very useful

Germany as you speak German? I know a couple of people who have moved there and love it. They both work in tech with a large phone company.

DH worked there for 5 years- said it’s a bit hot day to day. Or it would have been our first choice.

Yes we both speak fluent German- thank you for the suggestion- and insight. That might be a good option and they have international schools

Because you don't think Australia is experiencing price inflation too?

You seem to approach this in a reacting manner rather than a proactive logical way. It's not just about escaping but also where you can build your life what will give you a better lifestyle for your family. Money is only one aspect.

Like many, you might realise life is not so bad in Britain after all...