Mse Home or abroad - moving away for better quality of living on less money

tara747

SugarSpun wrote: »

I live in southern Germany - I was offered a job here and took it.

We have a great quality of life. It's more expensive than in other areas of Germany, but it's clean and beautiful, we're close to the Alps, to Austria, to Italy, crime is incredibly low and wages tend to be higher so the cost of living isn't too painful.

A working knowledge of the language is essential, as is the ability to be flexible and relaxed and to make the most of any opportunity. I only have three German friends, all the others are also expats living here - it's almost impossible to break into the German closed social circles.

It's not easy to emigrate, but the rewards can absolutely outweigh the negatives if you work at it. I know plenty of people who've turned up here and expected everything to fall into their laps. It doesn't work that way.

What do you do for a living, if that's not too nosy?

SugarSpun

tara747 wrote: »

What do you do for a living, if that's not too nosy?

I'm a researcher in mental health. Most of the other expats I know work in computers or engineering, with a fair number working at the European Patent Office and a few more specifically in aerospace engineering. There are also a few paralegals/legal secretaries, some freelance writers/media people and a smallish but significant number of musicians. And one Ann Summers organiser.

ChrisCobra

As long as you show willingness to learn the language to wherever you go you shouldnt have any problems.

I doubt anywhere will be cheaper if you consider all the angles but it might be better and less stressy.

It is for me so far , a lot less hotheads and i havent seen a chav yet.

seven-day-weekend

I agree with joshie about Spain.

When we first went to live there in 2004, it was no doubt much cheaper than the UK and you could live comfortably, albeit modestly, on a British State Pension.

However, the cost of living in Spain has increase dramatically in those five years and I would say now that all things being equal it is no cheaper than the UK. Although certain things (like Council Tax) are cheaper, other things such as telephony and internet are more expensive, so it's swings and roundabouts.

Also be aware that you may not be covered for free Healthccare in Spain and if you are resident in Spain (which you are automatically after living there for six months), then you will not be entitled to access the British NHS other than emergencies sustained whilst you are actually in the UK.

You can be covered for Spanish healthcare only if:

a) You work and pay into the Spanish system (jobs, even for Spaniards, are very hard to get, and virtually non-existent for anyone who does not speak Spanish).
b) You have worked in the UK in the last two years before you went to Spain and paid relevant NI contributions, the DWP will then cover you for a maximum of two years.
c) If you are on long-term Incapacity Benenfit from the UK you will be covered for free Healthcare in Spain for as long as you continue to fulfil the criteria (periodic medicals etc).
d) If you are a UK State Pensioner you will be completely and permanently covered for free Healthcare in Spain.

If none of these apply you will have to take out private Health Insurance.

Hope this helps..

grey_lady

Think I'm going to make a pro's and cons list for each place, language is obviously an issue in France / Spain maybe less so in touristy areas or places with an expat community. Language in Canada, US, NZ is the same but still a different culture to adapt to.

Work and money, well that would need thinking about - what do people tend to do when they move abroad? carrying on with the same line of work that we do in the UK seems sensible, for me there does appear to be suitable jobs in Spain that don't require Spanish (looking at job sites) but not for my other half, although he could possibly do some work from home for a UK company if the tax situation is ok.
For the people that have lived in Spain is the quality of life better e.g better houses for the same money?

I believe that Australlia and NZ are looking for people with certain skills, but they do seem a bit far compared to France / Spain which also have the advantage of being in the EU and we wouldnt need work permits.


Thanks for the replies.

seven-day-weekend

grey_lady wrote: »

Think I'm going to make a pro's and cons list for each place, language is obviously an issue in France / Spain maybe less so in touristy areas or places with an expat community. Language in Canada, US, NZ is the same but still a different culture to adapt to.

Work and money, well that would need thinking about - what do people tend to do when they move abroad? carrying on with the same line of work that we do in the UK seems sensible, for me there does appear to be suitable jobs in Spain that don't require Spanish (looking at job sites) but not for my other half, although he could possibly do some work from home for a UK company if the tax situation is ok.
For the people that have lived in Spain is the quality of life better e.g better houses for the same money?

I believe that Australlia and NZ are looking for people with certain skills, but they do seem a bit far compared to France / Spain which also have the advantage of being in the EU and we wouldnt need work permits.


Thanks for the replies.

My Spanish house was very cheap and quite old and is built of traditional local materials which bear no relationship to British methods.

The new places are not particularly cheap and are, imho, of inferior quality to those in the UK.

Jobs-wise, well we went there to retire, but neither my husband's teaching qualifications, nor my Town Planning ones, would have been the slightest use, because of a) the language barrier and b) in the case of Town Planning, totally different rules and legislation. Even for an ordinary office job you would need to speak Spanish. This may be different on the Costas where there are expat businesses, but don't forget there are other expats wanting the job too.

As regards teaching English as a Foreign Language, which might have been an option for my husband, this only works if you live in or near a major city, not in the sticks halfway up a mountain as we do.

If you can offer a service such as hairdressing or mechanic, you may fare better, but again unless you can speak Spanish you will only get other expats as clients.

jen_br

Im from canada moved here because my DH is UK. You have to think of immigration i looked into getting my DH into canada and able to work its expensive.. remember you will need working visas for those places outside of the EU

jen_br

PS USA is VERY hard to get into and frankly I don't think you would be able to they are very strict especially with the recession happening. Also NZ and OZ ive worked in both places OZ is beautiful... but dependingon the work you do is wether you will find a job again you willneed a visa

grey_lady

Hi Jen?

I think the points needed for a skilled worker visa in Canada would add up ok for us - it looks like a couple would need approx £7k in savings. Oz skilled visa looks ok as well but for some reason that doesnt appeal.

I agree that the US looks harder, the H-1B visa seems the best option and that seems to be dependent on getting a job offer, I doubt we'd be lucky enough to secure one in an area that we'd want to live either, quite worried about crime in America as well.

How are you finding the UK compared to Canada?

jen_br

Hi even with the points system this doesn't guarentee you entry. it justmeans you have enough to apply, the visa alone costs 2-3k as you will need a lawyer to do it for you (easiest option as one mistake and you will get denied) also with out a job offer it is hard to get into canada as welL!

UK is expensive but saying that canada is expensive for somethings too.. Sure we pay more in the UK for fuel (gas etc) and some clothing, cds and the rent is huge here... and over there it incls your bills so like if your rent is 800.00 it will incl heat, hydro etc. there is no council tax

but i love the uk despite how expensive it is to be here its a beautiful country and such a gateway to europe!

And a lot of the visas for the USA have been suspended due to the recession your best bet is if you fall into a "in demand job"