TIME TO MOVE BUT WHERE

GDB2222

ProDave said:

We made this sort of decision 20 years ago and moved to Highland Scotland.  So much nicer scenery and people, much more sensible population density, a lot cheaper than many other parts of the Uk.  Don't regret it one bit, lovely place to live.

The West coast is pretty damp, and I don’t think I could cope very well with the long winter nights. I’m sure the people are lovely though.

BikingBud

trailingspouse said:

Some parts of the UK are cheaper than others. Where are you at the moment?

What languages do you speak? Do you have skills that are in demand in the countries you would like to live? Have you factored in things like there being no NHS, so you would need to have health insurance. Would you be planning on coming back to the UK on retirement (in which case you need to have investments in place to cover the cost of buying when the time comes). And add in the cost of return trips to the UK for holidays and/or family occasions such as weddings and funerals.

Interesting how many deride the NHS and pensions yet continue to consider it part of the most attractive elements of coming to/ remaining in the UK.

Thumbs_Up

Some of the comments on here are lamentable. How did a nation go from once proud lions to clapping circus seals. I got news for you, whoever gets in power next, Guaranteed we will still be led By Donkeys.

ka7e

My son has recently moved from Texas to Massachusetts.Texas is often insanely hot in summer (35-45C) and days are spent moving in air-conditioned cars between air-conditioned spaces. He has dogs that could only be allowed outside for 15 minutes at a time and could not be walked during the daytime. In winter, the last 2 years have seen ice storms and snow. The houses are not built to retain heat and pipework is in cavities that are not insulated. His last 2 apartment blocks had been evacuated due to burst pipes on upper floors and maintenance teams and firefighters were overwhelmed. The low taxes means there is no investment in infrastructure. On a gated estate you might get good facilities and daily trash pick-ups, but rental prices are quite high and decent areas have relatively high sale prices.

Many people WFH but a lot jobs that attracted higher wages have been outsourced to Asia. Paid Time Off is often "nil" or 10 day pa. Jobs with medical insurance co-pay schemes are in demand!

Also, if it bothers you, the politics of most of Texas is extremely right-wing, fundamental Christian with extremely lax gun laws.

He has moved to just outside Boston where house prices and the cost of living are 43% higher than Texas, but the climate and quality of life are measurably better. He's now doing hybrid working (WFH and in the office) and commuter costs are subsidised by his employer. Taxes are higher, but so are wages.

zagubov

I've read comparisons about living in the US as taking a pill that gets you a 50% increase in salary compared with the UK but coupled with a doubling/100% increase in your risk of death every single day.

Plus no (or very little) holidays, job security, healthcare security but highest educational debt in the world.

Murphybear

MultiFuelBurner said:

spoovy said:

Moneyking67 said:

With high inflation rates, high mortgage rates ongoing increasing on a daily basis, cost of living is spiralling out of control, even rail fares are going up so with that said the UK is the most expensive place to live and with that in mind its time to jump ship and move somewhere on this planet more affordable but were

were on this expensive earth, what country would you recommend to live if given the choice to move, were is the most cheapest/affordable place to live.

  
For the best salary/cost of living/quality of life balance you can't do much better than the USA IMO, particularly one of the low/no tax states. I have colleagues in Texas who earn just shy of double what I do for doing the exact same job. They pay around 20% in federal tax (up to $250k PA IIRC!) and zero in state taxes, so less than half what I pay here in tax. They live in houses that are generally over twice the size of mine, and pay about 60% what I paid for mine (in Oxfordshire). Bills are all far cheaper and even cars are significantly less than in Europe. It's truly amazing how well off they are.

I heard holidays (vacation) were shocking maybe 1 week a year for the first year in some sectors maxing out at 10-12 days a year?

How does that factor in the work life balance?

I was on holiday in the USA some years ago.  I was with a friend and we were there for 3.5 weeks.  A number of people asked how we could take so much time off and we said it’s annual leave.  I got nearly 6 weeks as I was working at a University.  They were gobsmacked as they had a maximum of 2.  

Edi81

Well we did have options as British citizens until 7 years ago! Hope you have an EU passport!

Gavin83

There’s no such thing as the perfect place to live. Most countries have their positives and negatives and it’s really down to what you value in life, your skills and your own circumstances.

Decide what’s important to you and then research that place.

ayupmeduck

MultiFuelBurner said:

spoovy said:

Moneyking67 said:

With high inflation rates, high mortgage rates ongoing increasing on a daily basis, cost of living is spiralling out of control, even rail fares are going up so with that said the UK is the most expensive place to live and with that in mind its time to jump ship and move somewhere on this planet more affordable but were

were on this expensive earth, what country would you recommend to live if given the choice to move, were is the most cheapest/affordable place to live.

  
For the best salary/cost of living/quality of life balance you can't do much better than the USA IMO, particularly one of the low/no tax states. I have colleagues in Texas who earn just shy of double what I do for doing the exact same job. They pay around 20% in federal tax (up to $250k PA IIRC!) and zero in state taxes, so less than half what I pay here in tax. They live in houses that are generally over twice the size of mine, and pay about 60% what I paid for mine (in Oxfordshire). Bills are all far cheaper and even cars are significantly less than in Europe. It's truly amazing how well off they are.

I heard holidays (vacation) were shocking maybe 1 week a year for the first year in some sectors maxing out at 10-12 days a year?

How does that factor in the work life balance?

I think it's 10 days holiday but they have more public/bank holidays than us. You can also leave a job with one week notice. Pay is much better than here. I wouldn't say it's the best place to live though I wouldn't say no.

sammyjammy

spoovy said:

Moneyking67 said:

With high inflation rates, high mortgage rates ongoing increasing on a daily basis, cost of living is spiralling out of control, even rail fares are going up so with that said the UK is the most expensive place to live and with that in mind its time to jump ship and move somewhere on this planet more affordable but were

were on this expensive earth, what country would you recommend to live if given the choice to move, were is the most cheapest/affordable place to live.

  
For the best salary/cost of living/quality of life balance you can't do much better than the USA IMO, particularly one of the low/no tax states. I have colleagues in Texas who earn just shy of double what I do for doing the exact same job. They pay around 20% in federal tax (up to $250k PA IIRC!) and zero in state taxes, so less than half what I pay here in tax. They live in houses that are generally over twice the size of mine, and pay about 60% what I paid for mine (in Oxfordshire). Bills are all far cheaper and even cars are significantly less than in Europe. It's truly amazing how well off they are.

only problem is you have to live in the US!