Why not move abroad?

[Bluto Bites]

3 minutes ago, PeanutButter said:

I imagine it's a very different feeling being the richest person in a town, and having a different skin colour. If you're not embedded with a local family, why wouldn't people try to rip you off at every turn?

Honestly, you're better off applying to work in some godforsaken town in the Aussie dessert. You won't have servants but you'll probably be comparatively wealthy and not stick out like a sore thumb.

I would always encourage learning the local lingo to people moving abroad. Dramatically reduces the chances of getting ripped off. "No" is a very powerful word also, as is asking the price up front in taxis, haggling at market stalls, not getting taken advantage of basically. All of which are helped by having knowledge of the language.

[kingofmanlets]

6 hours ago, Bluto Bites said:

Just putting it out there.... people end up working all their lives to pay off their mortgage. Why not just move to a safe developing country, buy a house there and remote work/ do casual work? 

So many people live from day to day on credit here, I'm seriously considering moving to Latin America or Asia for an easier life 

Why does it need to be a developing country? Plenty of lovely places around Europe that are significantly cheaper and offer a better quality of life. 

[PeanutButter]

14 minutes ago, Lagarde's Drift said:

Hah u think a Pom in an Oz desert town would not stick out either? Lol.

And stuff in Oz deserts are expensive. The price of cheese alone would stop me considering it. 

 

...cheese is important, I agree. Also pork pies. 

 

But here's the scenario I was talking about: 

a) UK person (typically white) moves to developing country that has a different language and culture in order to live more comfortably (have servants, buy a house cheaply)

b) UK person (white) moves to undesirable part of Australia (a country where most people are also white) that has the same language and very similar culture in order to live more comfortably (no servants unless in major city for Asian cleaner/nanny, buy a house cheaply)

Now, go ahead and tell us which is LIKELY to be easier in terms of fitting in and living an easier life. 

I'll take the risk of death by kangaroo over 'falling' from a Thai balcony any day. That said, the UK is better than both.

[Bluto Bites]

14 minutes ago, kingofmanlets said:

Why does it need to be a developing country? Plenty of lovely places around Europe that are significantly cheaper and offer a better quality of life. 

Doesn't need to be. Was just thinking you would get more bang for your buck in developing countries. But I would include all low cost of living countries in my point. 

My main point is why work your ass off for 30 years to own a home here when you can do that in 5 years in a cheaper country with better weather, food, more community.  (Depending on if you have saved up already, have a good chunk of cash from a house sale here).

 

I feel UK has lost its way in terms of community spirit, in a way a lot of poorer (economically) countries have not. A lot of people are locked in a trap of debt and consumer spending here. I'm not saying that poorer countries are not completely like this but there seems to be more cooperation, sharing and happiness in poorer countries. Maybe more traditional way of lives....I guess I'm a traditionalist at heart.

[reddog]

35 minutes ago, Bluto Bites said:

Doesn't need to be. Was just thinking you would get more bang for your buck in developing countries. But I would include all low cost of living countries in my point. 

My main point is why work your ass off for 30 years to own a home here when you can do that in 5 years in a cheaper country with better weather, food, more community.  (Depending on if you have saved up already, have a good chunk of cash from a house sale here).

 

I feel UK has lost its way in terms of community spirit, in a way a lot of poorer (economically) countries have not. A lot of people are locked in a trap of debt and consumer spending here. I'm not saying that poorer countries are not completely like this but there seems to be more cooperation, sharing and happiness in poorer countries. Maybe more traditional way of lives....I guess I'm a traditionalist at heart.

I wouldn't recommend the developing country.

 

I know someone who bought some land on the Philippines (his wife is Filipino), I suggested he has paid a bit much.  He said he could go cheaper, but that would be further away from the town, and more chance of getting kidnapped.  I thought F that, I would rather live in one of the cheapest parts of the UK.

 

 

[MARTINX9]

1 hour ago, PeanutButter said:

...cheese is important, I agree. Also pork pies. 

 

But here's the scenario I was talking about: 

a) UK person (typically white) moves to developing country that has a different language and culture in order to live more comfortably (have servants, buy a house cheaply)

b) UK person (white) moves to undesirable part of Australia (a country where most people are also white) that has the same language and very similar culture in order to live more comfortably (no servants unless in major city for Asian cleaner/nanny, buy a house cheaply)

Now, go ahead and tell us which is LIKELY to be easier in terms of fitting in and living an easier life. 

I'll take the risk of death by kangaroo over 'falling' from a Thai balcony any day. That said, the UK is better than both.

Of course unless you are highly skilled it’s probably going to be a lot easier to get a permanent residency or retirement visa in a developing nation than it is in Australia.  
 

For most people Australia - even the less desirable areas such as the outback or Tasmania - isn’t an option precisely because lots of people want to live there from across the globe and they can afford to be choosy. It’s not the 1960s when the Brits and Irish had priority and could just roll up. Same for Canada or NZ or the US

So while it may be a preferred option for many/most it won’t be an option. 

Which is possibly why people say choose Thailand or the Philippines or south/Central America if not Europe - as its possible? And if you are going to learn a language then Spanish probably gives you most options.

Edited October 30, 2022 by MARTINX9

[17 Year Veteran]

2 hours ago, PeanutButter said:

...cheese is important, I agree. Also pork pies. 

 

But here's the scenario I was talking about: 

a) UK person (typically white) moves to developing country that has a different language and culture in order to live more comfortably (have servants, buy a house cheaply)

b) UK person (white) moves to undesirable part of Australia (a country where most people are also white) that has the same language and very similar culture in order to live more comfortably (no servants unless in major city for Asian cleaner/nanny, buy a house cheaply)

Now, go ahead and tell us which is LIKELY to be easier in terms of fitting in and living an easier life. 

I'll take the risk of death by kangaroo over 'falling' from a Thai balcony any day. That said, the UK is better than both.

This is all true. 

An Anglo Brit would be less noticeable in RARA Australia than in metro Sydney. 

Can still buy a house for cheap out there too.

Other poster was correct about visas. Very hard to get one if you are not young. 

cheers

aussieboy
 

[canbuywontbuy]

This is one of those threads where a whole bunch of prescriptive advice gets thrown around as if we all have the same backgrounds, personalities, goals, personal circumstances.

5 hours ago, Bluto Bites said:

I feel UK has lost its way in terms of community spirit, in a way a lot of poorer (economically) countries have not. A lot of people are locked in a trap of debt and consumer spending here. I'm not saying that poorer countries are not completely like this but there seems to be more cooperation, sharing and happiness in poorer countries. Maybe more traditional way of lives....I guess I'm a traditionalist at heart.

I've worked remotely in Thailand on and off since 2006, solidly since 2016.  I couldn't agree with you more about the above.  I couldn't speak the language when I first came, now can spend all day with Thais just speaking Thai.  I just like the attitudes, simpler way of life, friendliness.  I actually feel more at home here than the UK.  The weather means I can cycle all year round.  The food's great (for my tastes), I just love the general atmosphere of the society here. Thailand can be expensive if you don't care, but it can be dirt cheap if you're on a budget.

As mentioned at the top of this comment, we're all different. What works for me will be another person's idea of hell.  And so it goes.  

[winkie]

Could it be increase in energy prices, quality of life, lower prices, and open to all countries of the EU especially popular with Northern Europeans but also many more Americans and Chinese taking an interest?

https://www.thelocal.es/20221018/foreigners-are-paying-more-than-ever-for-property-in-spain/?tpcc=newsletter_subscriber&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=spains_most_liveable_city_do_i_pay_tax_if_i_earn_below_minimum_wage_and_uk_benefits&utm_term=2022-10-18

[Gurgle]

10 hours ago, kingofmanlets said:

Why does it need to be a developing country? Plenty of lovely places around Europe that are significantly cheaper and offer a better quality of life. 

Good luck with that post-brexit.  How exactly are you proposing to get a visa to live & work in the EU?  Unless of course you have family links

[winkie]

5 minutes ago, Gurgle said:

Good luck with that post-brexit.  How exactly are you proposing to get a visa to live & work in the EU?  Unless of course you have family links

Could say that about every country of the world.....on our own now, that is what we voted for.

[Gurgle]

Just now, winkie said:

Could say that about every country of the world.....on our own now, that is what we voted for.

Definitely not what I voted for.  However, I think the reason people are mentioning emerging markets / developing countries is that its much easier to get residency in those countries due to you being better off than the locals.

[winkie]

1 minute ago, Gurgle said:

Definitely not what I voted for.  However, I think the reason people are mentioning emerging markets / developing countries is that its much easier to get residency in those countries due to you being better off than the locals.

Whoever voted to leave removed many of the freedoms and choices they once had........I suppose if determined can live abroad but it has been made more expensive and more complicated, redtape and berucracy....

Being better off than locals is not ideal either.....is it not better to be the poorest in the rich street than richest in the poor street?

 

[NoHPCinTheUK]

Actually, a mass exodus might be in the cards right now. If hundreds of thousands of Brits were to move somewhere nice they might take control of the local government and install a friendly government which replicates the UK system in a generation or two. It wouldn’t be the first time either. Places with weak governments and land with a small population might do the trick. The Med islands, south of Spain or Portugal, Ukraine etc you don’t really need to look too far. 

Edited October 31, 2022 by NoHPCinTheUK

[Gurgle]

36 minutes ago, winkie said:

Whoever voted to leave removed many of the freedoms and choices they once had........I suppose if determined can live abroad but it has been made more expensive and more complicated, redtape and berucracy....

Being better off than locals is not ideal either.....is it not better to be the poorest in the rich street than richest in the poor street?

 

Maybe, but authorities don't care if they think you're bringing investment into the country and employment for people

[winkie]

14 minutes ago, Gurgle said:

Maybe, but authorities don't care if they think you're bringing investment into the country and employment for people

........people who move will take their money and any income  with them and spend it outside the country where they earned it, if they don't have money they will work and pay local income taxes. I would suggest most will not invest in making more money and creating new jobs......they can do that at home, or have done that at home.

[Bob8]

13 hours ago, kingofmanlets said:

Why does it need to be a developing country? Plenty of lovely places around Europe that are significantly cheaper and offer a better quality of life. 

Perhaps, but Slovenia, Czech etc are becoming less dramatically cheaper and still have a decent cultural shift. It ends up being better to find a cheap place up North ir in Wales @Sausages

13 hours ago, PeanutButter said:

...cheese is important, I agree. Also pork pies.

But here's the scenario I was talking about: 

a) UK person (typically white) moves to developing country that has a different language and culture in order to live more comfortably (have servants, buy a house cheaply)

b) UK person (white) moves to undesirable part of Australia (a country where most people are also white) that has the same language and very similar culture in order to live more comfortably (no servants unless in major city for Asian cleaner/nanny, buy a house cheaply)

Now, go ahead and tell us which is LIKELY to be easier in terms of fitting in and living an easier life. 

I'll take the risk of death by kangaroo over 'falling' from a Thai balcony any day. That said, the UK is better than both.

True.

[Flopsy]

We did try living in Australia. Problem was the lack of work and high prices. The locals liked Australian citizens for jobs. Brits were tolerated in some companies but with constant complaining and racism.

Flooding is a problem in many areas. Tap water was foul. Food expensive and often poor quality. Never seem so much rotten fruit and vegetables in supermarkets.

Foreigners are the first to be laid off, employers were happy to break the laws knowing how hard it was to get redress. It was obvious from reading the judgements at their employment tribunals that foreigner's were not afforded the protection Australian residents were.

Finding work could be hard if not in a city with very high rental and house prices.

Didn't work for us. The days of moving to Aust and NZ are over due to high house prices. Even the recent falls in NZ aren't enough.

There used to be a TV program (forget the name) about moving to these countries and I noticed over time that the housing being considered was moving further out of the cities and forcing immigrants into what would be very long commutes. The infrastructure isn't there to support this.

 

[scottbeard]

14 hours ago, Bluto Bites said:

Doesn't need to be. Was just thinking you would get more bang for your buck in developing countries. But I would include all low cost of living countries in my point. 

My main point is why work your ass off for 30 years to own a home here when you can do that in 5 years in a cheaper country with better weather, food, more community.  (Depending on if you have saved up already, have a good chunk of cash from a house sale here).

 

I feel UK has lost its way in terms of community spirit, in a way a lot of poorer (economically) countries have not. A lot of people are locked in a trap of debt and consumer spending here. I'm not saying that poorer countries are not completely like this but there seems to be more cooperation, sharing and happiness in poorer countries. Maybe more traditional way of lives....I guess I'm a traditionalist at heart.

I feel like you are confusing helping each other due to the necessity of grinding poverty with some kind of jolly community spirit.

Yes in a country where only two people in a the village own a vehicle there is community spirit and sharing but:

- that’s because they HAVE to not because they WANT to, and

- are they going to feel the same about the foreigner who has just moved in or are they going to milk / steal from you for all you’re worth?

Like I said, if that’s your vision of a better life good luck.  It’s a long way from mine. 

[Bluto Bites]

21 minutes ago, scottbeard said:

I feel like you are confusing helping each other due to the necessity of grinding poverty with some kind of jolly community spirit.

Yes in a country where only two people in a the village own a vehicle there is community spirit and sharing but:

- that’s because they HAVE to not because they WANT to, and

- are they going to feel the same about the foreigner who has just moved in or are they going to milk / steal from you for all you’re worth?

Like I said, if that’s your vision of a better life good luck.  It’s a long way from mine. 

I'm not confusing anything. I stand by assertion that most of UK has lost its community spirit. Most people don't chat to their neighbours, let alone invite them in for a chat, meal etc. I say most because there are always exceptions.

In Ireland there is more community spirit from my experience there (perhaps due to parish structures/GAA sports in each town) but even that is on the wane due to it becoming more secular, richer and due to mass immigration recently.

People who have the basics in life are not running non-stop in a hamster wheel trying to chase a bigger car, house or keep up with the Jones's. Family and friends are more valued in poorer countries than in UK at the moment.

[Bluto Bites]

9 hours ago, canbuywontbuy said:

This is one of those threads where a whole bunch of prescriptive advice gets thrown around as if we all have the same backgrounds, personalities, goals, personal circumstances.

I've worked remotely in Thailand on and off since 2006, solidly since 2016.  I couldn't agree with you more about the above.  I couldn't speak the language when I first came, now can spend all day with Thais just speaking Thai.  I just like the attitudes, simpler way of life, friendliness.  I actually feel more at home here than the UK.  The weather means I can cycle all year round.  The food's great (for my tastes), I just love the general atmosphere of the society here. Thailand can be expensive if you don't care, but it can be dirt cheap if you're on a budget.

As mentioned at the top of this comment, we're all different. What works for me will be another person's idea of hell.  And so it goes.  

Amen. Sounds like a great life over there. I would be of the same mindset as you I think but as you say, everyone is different. I appreciate my suggestion to people to move abroad is more suited to people with no strings in UK, i.e, no kids, mortgage, carer commitments etc.

 

On your point about the weather. I have always said that it plays a huge part in the social fabric of a society. If it pisses down most of the year, it's no wonder you won't see elderly people out in parks socialising and playing chess or other board games like they do in Greece, Spain etc. The life of an elderly person in UK is much more isolated than one in a European country with a warmer climate.

[anonguest]

22 hours ago, Bluto Bites said:

Just putting it out there.... people end up working all their lives to pay off their mortgage. Why not just move to a safe developing country, buy a house there and remote work/ do casual work? 

So many people live from day to day on credit here, I'm seriously considering moving to Latin America or Asia for an easier life 

I'm told Uruguay is reasonably nice - and somewhat underrated.

Edited October 31, 2022 by anonguest

[winkie]

41 minutes ago, Bluto Bites said:

I'm not confusing anything. I stand by assertion that most of UK has lost its community spirit. Most people don't chat to their neighbours, let alone invite them in for a chat, meal etc. I say most because there are always exceptions.

In Ireland there is more community spirit from my experience there (perhaps due to parish structures/GAA sports in each town) but even that is on the wane due to it becoming more secular, richer and due to mass immigration recently.

People who have the basics in life are not running non-stop in a hamster wheel trying to chase a bigger car, house or keep up with the Jones's. Family and friends are more valued in poorer countries than in UK at the moment.

 

31 minutes ago, Bluto Bites said:

Amen. Sounds like a great life over there. I would be of the same mindset as you I think but as you say, everyone is different. I appreciate my suggestion to people to move abroad is more suited to people with no strings in UK, i.e, no kids, mortgage, carer commitments etc.

 

On your point about the weather. I have always said that it plays a huge part in the social fabric of a society. If it pisses down most of the year, it's no wonder you won't see elderly people out in parks socialising and playing chess or other board games like they do in Greece, Spain etc. The life of an elderly person in UK is much more isolated than one in a European country with a warmer climate.

You make some good points, social cohesion is declining in large parts........many children depending on circumstances are more stressed and unhappy, very isolating for the elderly who live alone and sometimes don't speak to another person for days.....family around or a community that cares will help...... it helps when the sun shining and town hall money is spent wisely to improve social communal areas around where people live, brilliant parks and open spaces, yoga, fitness and walking, community swimming pools, when feel safe to walk both during the day and night......low violence and low crime..police can see walking about the community, means a lot......there is no perfect place or country.......but every place has room for improvement.

[leafysurrey]

Children are stressed?

Yes because they are mollycoddled.

I moved to another part of the uk for a while with work.

Made fr4iejnds easily who I have kept years later.

I do not subscribe to the UL people are not friendly mantra 

If you make an effort to talk to people 99% will respond

It is human nature to be sociable

 

 

[shlomo]

21 hours ago, PeanutButter said:

...cheese is important, I agree. Also pork pies. 

 

But here's the scenario I was talking about: 

a) UK person (typically white) moves to developing country that has a different language and culture in order to live more comfortably (have servants, buy a house cheaply)

b) UK person (white) moves to undesirable part of Australia (a country where most people are also white) that has the same language and very similar culture in order to live more comfortably (no servants unless in major city for Asian cleaner/nanny, buy a house cheaply)

Now, go ahead and tell us which is LIKELY to be easier in terms of fitting in and living an easier life. 

I'll take the risk of death by kangaroo over 'falling' from a Thai balcony any day. That said, the UK is better than both.

This is why Brits move to Thailand