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.

Your husband is a top 1% earner. How can you be so skint?

I can’t believe money is tight when you’re a top 1% family! How do you think the remaining 99% manage?
I wouldn’t go to NZ - I have been reading about how they’re in a massive economic downturn and everyone is leaving to go to Australia as it’s better. Having lived in both for a short while I tend to agree with them - NZ is boring AF - beautiful, but too small and parochial. At least Australia is a bit more buzzy (Sydney & Melbourne at least) If you’re fluent in German and French I’d stay in Europe personally if you can get the visas (do you have EU passports?) - so much more to do and easier to get to other countries for work/ holidays etc

Stop looking at social media and the news. Your "lot" will suddenly start feeling a lot better without 90% of the tory backed press telling you that you're living in a hell hole.

The UK is still one of the best countries on the planet to live in. Every country has its problems and the grass is not usually greener.

@Wheretogotonow I think you have to be realistic about this - work is a priority - does your h do anything’s that’s fantastically useful elsewhere and in short supply because it doesn’t sound like you could look at nomad visa/ self employed options - and believe me they come with complications too -
Certainly in the EU unless you have European citizenship your H won’t be a priority unless it’s ‘real’ shortage occupation - because they prioritise other EU citizens - far less hassle and often a ready supply

so I think what he does is a real biggie because the easiest way is location transfer and sponsorship

as you don’t work it is all going to be job dependent - same applies for most places you are likely to be interested in by the way, even if non EU

Let people leave if they want to. We still have freedom of movement, I think.
I have left and come back a few times.

Yes- we love this country but i think it’s also fine to say it’s not where we want to bring our children up and our monthly salary only covers so much. All I can think when I see people leave is that good decent people who contribute well into the tax system, seem to be leaving and maybe that’s why the sticky reply’s come from.

Have fun exploring the world, OP. Like most of us with overseas experience, you'll probably reach the conclusion in the end that there is no utopia - every country has its pros and cons.

I loved living abroad but ultimately chose to come back home and accept the UK with all its imperfections. I may or may not stay here in the longer term - still considering our options and waiting to see how things evolve.

What we have in common is that we are both in the incredibly privileged position of being able to choose. Most people don't have those choices.

What does your husband do where he earns so much but his job doesn't come with private health cover? I'd suggest your husband looks at working somewhere better as a starter.

If you want low taxes, to preserve the high income disparity that you’re on the right side of, and also want safe streets, you’ll need to look for somewhere with an authoritarian government and punitive legal system.

Otherwise read the spirit level and pick two of the three. You probably have a pretty good life here.

The people I've seen leaving are mostly the ones who feel hard done by because they object to paying tax. Their jobs have been filled easily enough when they've gone, so the tax is still getting paid. Just different people paying it.

You are 100% reliant on your husband’s job

So ball is firmly in his court re whether this is even a possibility

How is it "our monthly salary" when you don't work? When your husband gets a promotion do you say "we got promoted"?

I really do think you should look at getting a job and building your own financial security

How old are your children?

This seems a very broad question to ask OP, given that the factors that will influence the answers are very wide ranging and also highly personal and subjective.

Surely the starting point needs to be employment. How exactly are you approaching this? Is you DH planning on -

• an internal transfer with his existing employer,
• securing a local role prior to relocation,
• relocating first and then applying for a local role,
• working for his existing employer on a remote basis (e.g. a digital nomad arrangement), or
• something else?

The answer to this will determine what visa/s may be suitable and accessible for you in different counties. Until you have identified if there is a viable, realistic legal route to sustainable employment and secure residency they other factors are irrelevant.

After that I would consider education, healthcare and employment opportunities for you (again, you'll need to understand whether your visa allows this) - probably in that order.

Only then is it worthwhile looking at the lifestyle and COL considerations.

At the moment the job market is very competitive in the UK (I am not sure what you mean by "why the sticky reply's come from" but I think you're suggesting people are worried about a shortage of labour).

To reply to those asking- but I won’t continue after this other than helpful advice about emigrating as I feel like some messages are just attacking and we don’t need that.

DH works in medicine. And has transferable skills. I don’t work as my earnings are less than the childcare costs we would have so wouldn’t financially benefit at all.

We live where we do as the hospital we live by has a specialist area for the type of work he does. Mortgage is high due to this.

We are more than happy paying private health care as we use it regularly and value it in our life due to our individual needs. Same with school fees- more than happy to- our children have some additional needs so it’s brilliant for them and us.

I don’t think anyone could have predicted how much the cost of living as increased everyone’s cost- we made decisions before the cost of living , Covid , extra VAT, mortgage increases. Everything has shot up extraordinarily . our pets insurance has sky rocketed, food, school vat, our mortgage everything . We don’t have a magic pot.

safety- I can’t walk out in our area- someone was raped, kids in balaclavas fighting and this is a nice area . I’m happy to say I don’t feel safe - I did when I was a kid.

Those saying it’s a labour jab- I don’t vote conservative either . Not interested in this part- but it’s fine to say we can’t pay more it’s a fact.

thank you to those with helpful advice

Oh in that case you probably do have some options - doctors seem to be able to go to Australia reasonably easily? Is your DH also trilingual?

If in private school, there’ll be fabulous wrap around care. And yet still childcare costs are prohibitive?

Is the reform b team on today?

In that case OP I would have thought you'd be better seeking advice and ideas from a dedicated forum like

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UKDocsAbroad/

Also in top 1% here, we're lucky to live somewhere in England that isn't as badly affected by COL crisis. We can afford what we need and more but we're also noticing things getting worse and worse. Happy to pay tax, we voluntarily pay a lot of things we don't have to already so that's fine. The issue is that we have worked hard, DH works 8 days a week and things aren't going to get better, only worse.

Germany is on our list, we considered Finland but after a few visits it didn't work out for us. We are considering Albania, maybe Montenegro. DH can work from home or set up a business hiring locals, and can travel as and when needed.

Ignore the people who think you can only complain if you're in poverty. It's not a race to the bottom!

Many European countries are struggling politically with an increase in far right views and increasing racial tension.
If the aim is to hang on to as much of your husband’s earnings as possible, you should definitely consider Dubai.

As an aside, I don’t think it should be demonising to say that you’d like to keep as much of the money that you earn as possible. Surely, the whole point of studying longer or gaining promotion or starting a (hopefully) successful business is to increase your earning potential and your own standard of living.
I wonder at what point being successful morphs into being greedy and selfish . Whatever your income, I can’t see why not wanting to be hit by a tax rise is so wrong.

OP, what you're describing is more foreign to me than any other country, and I live in the UK. I understand that prices are high in the south east, but it's mindblowing that you, as a family, have a massive income and have no savings.
Lots of places within the UK are completely different to what you describe, lots of places that have active, warm communities and feel safe. Or do you not want to move within the UK because you don't want to pay tax?

Absolutely get it. The Tories screwed the country but you were happy with that on your £200K income. Now Labour want to try and reduce inequality so it’s time to scarper. Good luck, and do send a postcard (from your high tax or low service country).

I take it OP hasn't checked the inflation levels in Australia and New Zealand, or the cost of accommodation. They are having exactly the same issues as we are (including immigrantion)