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.

They deserve to be bashed.

The cost of food in Europe is no cheaper than here, in Europe over the summer a basic Lidl shop cost well over 90 Euros (only for me and my DD). If you genuinely want a cheaper cost of living you’ll need to look at Eastern Europe or the far East. Housing costs are expensive in many countries as are school fees.
You’ll find Australia and New Zealand very expensive.
You could save money by not paying private school fees or for private health care and this would give you extra cash.
Or you could get a job and increase the household income.

Cayman islands?

Switzerland?

Isreal?

Good luck

OP doesn't want solutions, she wants destinations.

OP, we felt like you in the Cameron austerity years, especially as we knew full well what that was doing to the NHS. My dh is also a medic. We went to NZ for a 6 month trial, dh took a sabbatical from the hospital here and did a locum job there, your dh could try that? It will give you a taster of whether you could live there long term - we realised it was a bit too boring for us, and too far away from anywhere. Australia might be better though - in terms of things to do.

‘and have nice children’

lol

I‘m moving to Germany in a few months.
That said, I have a European passport (though lived in the UK for most of my adult life), my boyfriend is German and I work away from home as self employed so it doesn’t matter as much where I live.
No dependants yet but we do want to get married and start a family and we both prefer to do that in Germany rather than UK.

Channel islands?

There's no society on the planet where women are 100% safe from sexual violence though - anywhere there's men (including the rich ones) there's rape.

To be totally safe you might need to join some sort of convent or radical female cult - your wealth & privilege might go against you though.

Your first choice, of anywhere in the world (which it sounds like you think you'll be able to move to, as you've happily mentioned Europe and NZ/Aus) is to move to Dubai??

And I say that as someone who has moved out of the UK in the past 5 years

Canada
Singapore
Luxembourg
Channel Islands
Isle of Man

Yes that’s what made me think 🤔

Good luck OP, ignore the negative posts, there is a bit of helpful advice too.

Germany or Portugal! Denmark, Finland or the Netherlands would be my top choice for safety and bringing up children however the cost of living is high.

Some people just really hate paying tax, I guess.

It’s quite personal but in your situation I’d be looking at either Switzerland or north Germany, like Hamburg or Bremen. I know a couple of people from that area who live here now, and it always sounds like a great place. That’s because I would want to be able to come back for family.

I know several people who have moved to Switzerland and ground through the years it takes to get citizenship. It’s not easy but if it’s a route that’s open to you, which it might be with a doctor on offer, it’s a great country. I have a spa habit so absolutely love a Swiss spa. Again, very easy to get back here.

New Zealand is not the utopia it once was with mass emigration of the young. They’re having real problems there.

There’s a housing crisis in Australia, especially in the rental sector.

Was that before or after Brexit?

I suppose my question would be where can you go that your DH can still earn a lot of money?

I don't understand the private healthcare really, does DH not get that through his job?
Also, what are your childcare costs, surely the private school time would give you enough time to work?

I'd love to leave (for a different reason to you, I fear that Reform will get in and make life unpleasant for many more people).

How about the US? There are very affordable places there, although I am not sure how you would feel about safety.

Luxembourg.

Nowhere abroad is going to be the same as when you were children - by definition.

We are in the exact same position. We have friends in Belgium and Luxembourg who have a much better quality of life for themselves and their children (in my humble opinion). I would earn more in Germany however would have to learn German so we are still considering it though it's lower down the list.

If the decision was purely financial we would move to the US. His take home pay would literally double if we did that but safety and lifestyle are hugely important so it's not an option.

Without being too specific I have older children who live abroad. One lives in Aus but has a niche job and earns big dollars and one lives in Middle East (but is married to a national and as a result gets preferential loan/ wages/ education etc) They both like the heat although both return when it gets ‘peak’ and can afford too. Both have holiday homes.

I would trial things. Moving is very personal. And countries vastly different (I feel like I am pointing out the obvious)

I immigrated to the UK from the states almost 20 years ago and don't regret it. So it would be silly for me to judge you for looking to make a similar move.

A lot of my friends are international in different ways and I'd say it's worth spending some time in a place before committing - rent for 6 months, see if your husband can do a locum role, etc. It's really jarring to move and it might not be as good as it is on paper. And definitely stay away from the states - salaries are high but they get every penny's worth from you.

I had a few friends try Australia and come back but we considered melbourne for a while, sounded fun. I wouldn't go anywhere near Dubai as a woman with a daughter but it might suit you. Since your family is trilingual and you have an Irish passport that opens up a lot for you.

Honestly I'd have your husband just apply for jobs wherever he finds something as it sounds quite niche and then research it once you have an actual offer. That's how we ended up in Scotland - my husband applied for jobs in English speaking cities across the world and we took the first offer that sounded interesting. Very different context back then as visas weren't as tricky, but you have more freedom of movement as European citizens anyway.

Just on the school run but I will read through all the replies- thanks so much for helping.