Moving abroad! Any advice?

It's time to take the plunge! I'm fed up with British weather and politics, disillusioned with rising house prices and disgusted by the breakdown of societal respect in this country. I'm going to move abroad.

This is a big decision and it's not something I'm going to jump head-first into - it'll probably be a couple of years in coming, and I want to make sure that I'm comfortable with where I'm going (and have a chance to learn the language). I haven't even thought about where I want to go, although I've got a good idea of what I'm looking for.

So I would really appreciate any advice you guys could give me about your native or neighbouring countries that might help me in my research. I'll be looking into places myself, of course, but nothing beats a bit of local knowledge from the locals themselves.

Examples of stuff I'm interested in finding out...
- What is the economy like? Is land / housing disproportionately expensive?
- Would I be permitted to enter the country as a job seeker or would I need employment already lined up?
- Is the language difficult to learn? I know this is subjective to everyone... being a native English speaker, I find things like the subjunctive tense (French) really difficult to grasp, for example.
- What's the social culture like? i.e. Is it frowned upon to talk informally to strangers? Is conversation conducted colloquially? Are young people respectful of society? Which is more important - family or friends? Do people do things in groups? Are mealtimes a social or private matter?
- What's the weather like, generally?
- Are there external influences on the ability to conduct one's life freely in the country, e.g. international treaties, control of movement, etc.?

Stuff like this is something that you can't really get from researching the internet or travel books. I'd appreciate anything you can give me. Thanks!

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The solution to all lifes problems



I realise this isn't helpful in anyway what-so-ever... but still

A friend of mine (18 years old) is moving to Finland to live. He has planned it for a while now, I am sure I coudl get him to endorse all aspect of Finland to you as one of many options.


Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it

I'm still waiting for funds to move to France!

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Go for it! I admire your balls (not literally obviously).
I mean theres no perfect country, but its easy to see that englands going downhill and if you can do it then why not

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I can only advice you one thing: don't go to the Netherlands (or you should have an extraordinary interest in legal drugs, prostitution, abortion and euthanasie).

The wetter is the same as the UK, the language is really worse than france, speaking about grammar and spelling, house-prizes are outrageous.

Finding a job might not be very difficult, nor entering the country as a European (or is the UK still too stiffheaded to really have entered the EU )

Politics in Holland are quite bad imo, bureaucratics rules.

But ofcourse, there are many good things; it really is a free country, almost everything you can imagine is legal, from really low age, soccer is a popular as in England (however the level is somewhat lower), the economy is ok, and relatively, there are a lot of beautiful women.

Also the Dutch are known for their ability to speak a lot of foreign languages (as Dutch is so difficult, no foreigner speaks it, and for dutchmen, every other language is easier than our own), so you might not having a hard time to make people understand you.

And last but not least; everything is flat and nearby

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And some say... he's so offensive he could get you into trouble...
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Felipe Massa, World Champion 15:34:11pm- 15:34:21pm.

Go to Portugal!

New Zealand!

The weather's great.
The language is the same.
Economy is booming.
House prices are astronomical, hopefully that'll change in the next couple of years.
Socially? Striking up a conversation with strangers is no biggie, we're really friendly!
Not sure about immigration rules to be honest!

All up, we're a really cruisy country with loads of beautiful scenery, lots of touristy stuff to do.

The one big problem is that we're MIIIIIIIILES away from anywhere else. Except Australia. But who here likes Aussies? :-P

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"Large skepticism leads to large understanding. Small skepticism leads to small understanding. No skepticism leads to no understanding."
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If you're planning on going from UK to USA (Like I did) MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PAPER WORK PLANNED OUT AND SORTED WAY IN ADVANCE!! Obviously after the whole 9/11 thing they don't let just anyone move here. Thankfully my Dad is American, and could 'sponsor' me. Which means he kinda takes responsibility for me, and basically says "Mikey won't go on the dole".

Theres a lot of paperwork though. Be aware.

Don't come here, there are much better places . Would you be looking outside of Europe?

Guimengo Wrote:
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> Don't come here, there are much better places .
> Would you be looking outside of Europe?

Now that he knows you live here, I don't think theres any chance of him moving here.

Sapo schreef:
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> And last but not least; everything is flat and
> nearby

I think that's about the only advantage of Holland over other countries

EDIT: And the BBC is broadcasted here, so you can still watch TopGear!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2007 07:59AM by Nickv.

ROFL, thanks everyone - keep it coming!

I'd prefer to stay in the EU but I've not ruled out a move abroad to places like Australia, USA and Brazil (It's a big country, I can run from Gui ). I've been looking into Estonia, but the problem I see there is that society is rather 'stiff' and formal, very difficult to integrate onseself unless you have relatives there or a family of your own (neither of which I have).

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K*bots UK, specialist providers of 'fun science' Curriculum Enhancement days for Primary and Secondary schools in Britain.
Please find us on [en.wikipedia.org] for more information.

hmm if you come to australia you'll have to put up with a nice climate all year round, beautiful beaches, a currently rock solid economy and a China-fuelled resource boom where they can't fill the quota of jobs required. But on the upside you can feel right at home since there's already so many bloody poms here as it is (my mum included, love ya mum)

I left England 4 years ago for Lanzarote. The only advise I would give you is it's very hard for the first couple of years. I would say that in the time i've been here 70% of the people who have moved out here long term have returned to the UK withing 6 months and probably 80% within a year. The main problems being

(a) Learning the language. Most the spannish people here work in tourist areas and are trying to learn/immprove there English, so If you try to speak to them in Spanish, they will reply in English. This makes it very difficult to learn and practise the language. A lot (english) people tend to think they don't need to learn Spanish because everyone speaks English, which is not true.

(b) Its not like it is on holiday. many people move here after being on holiday. After a couple of months the novalty wears off. Working takes up a lot of time and is a lot harder here. Spannish working hours are longer than englis hours. 08.00 - 12.30, 15.30-1900 for most places. Some places are starting open all day now so they work staight from 8am - 7pm. After working them sort of hours in boiling heat, the last you want to do is go partying with your mates.

(c)estate agents will tell you anything to sell you a house, Especially english ones. Many people trust what the estate agents tell them. Best thing to do is rent 5 or 6 properties in different areas before buying anywhere. spend 6 months in each area. That way you will know which area suits you best and which areas to avoid.

Finally, Don't fall into the ex-pat communities. Knowing people is vital, but try not mix with expat communties socially. It's better to try to mix with Spanish or french or wherever you move to. You will learn the language a lot quicker this way.

Good luck, Pm me if you want anymore advise.

paul..

G_Crawford Wrote:
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> New Zealand!
>
> The weather's great.
> The language is the same.
> Economy is booming.
> House prices are astronomical, hopefully that'll
> change in the next couple of years.
> Socially? Striking up a conversation with
> strangers is no biggie, we're really friendly!
> Not sure about immigration rules to be honest!
>
> All up, we're a really cruisy country with loads
> of beautiful scenery, lots of touristy stuff to
> do.
>
> The one big problem is that we're MIIIIIIIILES
> away from anywhere else. Except Australia. But
> who here likes Aussies? :-P

Whativer ya ricken cous!

MikaHalpinen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hmm if you come to australia you'll have to put up
> with a nice climate all year round, beautiful
> beaches, a currently rock solid economy and a
> China-fuelled resource boom where they can't fill
> the quota of jobs required. But on the upside you
> can feel right at home since there's already so
> many bloody poms here as it is (my mum included,
> love ya mum)


Do you have a spare room?

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for you dave you could have my room!

Locke Cole, you can go to Brazil, I live in the US (I actually advise you into looking for housing in the south of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Santa Catarina. All 3 are great states, not as pretty as Rio de Janeiro but MUCH more civilized).

While trying to find the video of a volleyball player in youtube, fate had it so I'd find you a reason to move to Holland instead. They hosted the World Poledance Championship

ONLY CLICK IF YOU ARE 18+



Mods: Warning posted, no need to delete it at will.

Why 18+ anyway? There is nothing to see. If this needs an 18+ warning, do all women on the beach need one too?