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Original poster

If you could emigrate......where would you go

130 replies

katymac · 18/09/2005 22:09

We would have an income of between £13k and £23K pa and a lump sum of about £30k

Where could we go?
Could we afford to buy?
DH is 53 and has a health problem - I am 37 and with intermittent health - DD is 7 so education is important

We don't speak any languages - but would learn

But have no idea where to go - don't have to make a quick decision, so any MN ideas?

OP posts:
weesaidie · 19/09/2005 10:30

I loved New Zealand but I am a home girl and it is just too far away from Scotland for me! I would miss my friends and family too much... and Scotland in general. I did feel kind of cut of when I was there.

I think I could manage a year or 2... but how I'll ever manage that I don't know.

I think I would like somewhere with cold snowy winters and hot summers, I like my extremes!

RTKangaMummy · 19/09/2005 10:41

Canada has the extremes esp around Toronto

RTKangaMummy · 19/09/2005 10:43

But NZ would be our 1st chice I think

weesaidie · 19/09/2005 10:46

lol. I know but my Uncle lives there and I am not a fan of him and his perfect family!

RTKangaMummy · 19/09/2005 10:47
Grin
Nightynight · 19/09/2005 11:53

katy, why did you rule France out on religious grounds?

ggglimpopo · 19/09/2005 12:03

Message withdrawn

Nightynight · 19/09/2005 12:17

yes, I saw, and I agree with what you put about religion not being a big deal in France. that's been my experience too.

having said that, an old lady was shocked once by the thought that we were going to be working on Sunday. And dd was the only one in her class to be down for citizenship instead of RE.

Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 12:30

I just worry that for the state to exclude religion (& symbols) from school, how will that progress

I my thoughts would that continue into daily life, is there significant intolerance there?

I may be way out of line and on the wrong track - but it causes me unease

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 19/09/2005 12:31

West Coast of Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, North Canada.

DaddyCool · 19/09/2005 13:57

'North Canada'? seriously? do you mean inuvet or whatever it's called? that's just baron tundra in the summer and ice in the winter. do you mean northern ontario or the other provinces like sask, manitoba and alberta?

just a tip btw - winnipeg is a sh*thole. excuse the 'french'

DaddyCool · 19/09/2005 14:06

... or possibly yukon? because thats supposed to be quite nice but you have to be pretty outdoorsey (is that even a word?)

Nightynight · 19/09/2005 19:17

katy,
all religions come equally under the same rules.
I can assure you that there is no more religious intolerance in France than in the UK.

Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 19:53

That's very positive, Nightynight - very reassuring (iyswim)

OP posts:
Nightynight · 19/09/2005 20:06

France is v nice and near enough to run home if you feel like it.

Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 20:09

tempt me then - with areas/property/schools

OP posts:
Nightynight · 19/09/2005 20:24

gosh.
well, the cheapest I believe (most house for your money) is the Pyrenees, but strictly if you dont need to find a job, cos there arent many around there.

Property is very affordable in most of France. The most expensive areas I believe are just near Paris (within 50 km or so) and south France of course. But even there, when you go away from the coast a bit it's cheaper. The SE region is called paca. (provence, alpes, cote azur)

Dordogne is gorgeous and chocablock with English people! ditto Brittany.

Lyon is France's second city, lots of culture and grapes.

try googling "immobilier france" and see what you turn up!

Nightynight · 19/09/2005 20:25

good schools are the rule rather than the exception, it is not the same ratrace that you get in the UK.

Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 20:32

Could I childmind?
Medical care?
Sailing?

I'm being demanding - sorry - just contemplating the possibilities

OP posts:
Nightynight · 19/09/2005 20:55

I dont know about any of those things!
I would have thought childminding would be a good possibility, especially if you offered to teach the little ones English in a family setting. I'm not sure how it works though. hang on while I google around for a bit.

Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 20:57

I'd have to learn french tho'

My mum always reckoned that having a french Great grandmother prevented me from learning french at school

OP posts:
Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 20:58

If I could sort out sailing - we'd be away

Are there any large lakes?

could we live on 23K a year......

OP posts:
Nightynight · 19/09/2005 21:10

found this on expatica about child-minding:

"There is also a system of qualified nannies, called assistantes maternelles, who are paid to either look after children on their own premises or can be employed to take care of your children at home. An assistante maternelle holds a state childcare diploma and they are regularly inspected. You can find a list of qualified nannies from your local mairie."

so, looks like you'd have to take a diploma first.

23K sterling, thats roughly 30 K euros, which would be OK I think if you've got no mortgage, because food is cheaper. child benefit is a little more generous than in the UK.

Lakes, I am not sure about, though I would guess towards the Alps. of course, there is lots of sailing on the coast.

Original poster
katymac · 19/09/2005 21:13

Thanks Nightynight - it looks like I have a lot of research to do.....

OP posts:
Nightynight · 19/09/2005 21:20

good luck.