Thank you, you make an interesting point, so I googled it and got this reply
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I think it all depends if you are rich or not. These days for most places you need to be well off to live there and/or have any good quality of life.
Moving somewhere with a more favourable exchange rate is a moral issue for me. You end up just doing what many people hate here, rich people buying up property that drives prices up for locals.
Money no issue then Vancouver and Singapore are high up there. Scandinavia appeals a lot but the winters (both cold and darkness) makes me wary. Ive also had a random attraction to Scotland even though ive never been lol
Moving somewhere with a more favourable exchange rate is a moral issue for me. You end up just doing what many people hate here, rich people buying up property that drives prices up for locals.
Money no issue then Vancouver and Singapore are high up there. Scandinavia appeals a lot but the winters (both cold and darkness) makes me wary. Ive also had a random attraction to Scotland even though ive never been lol
Definitely not rich, but have a private pension….
Oh that's really interesting!
I got this:
Malta's cost of living is considered moderate to expensive, especially compared to average local salaries, with housing and utilities being major expenses. While some aspects like transportation and groceries can be affordable if you shop wisely, rent in popular areas like Sliema or St. Julian's is high. For a single person, monthly costs are estimated to be around €1,500 to €1,800, including rent, food, and utilities, which is higher than the median salary of €2,000.
Housing
- Rent: A one-bedroom apartment can range from €782 to €944 per month outside to inside the city center, respectively. Two-bedroom apartments in sought-after areas like Valletta, Sliema, or St. Julian's can cost between €1,000 and €2,500 per month or even higher for luxury options.
- Utilities: Electricity, water, and internet typically cost between €80 and €150 per month, depending on usage.
Transportation
- Public Transport: A single bus trip costs around €2, while a monthly pass is more affordable, costing about €15 to €50.
- Car: Used cars are available at a wide range of prices, but registration and insurance add to the overall cost.
Daily expenses
- Groceries: A couple can expect to spend around €300 to €500 per month on groceries, especially if they shop at local markets and purchase locally sourced products.
- Dining Out: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost around €15, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two can cost between €30 and €70.
Other costs
- Healthcare: Private health insurance can cost €100 to €200 per month.
- Gym: A monthly gym membership is approximately €50.
- Internet and mobile: Monthly costs for internet and mobile plans are around €35 to €40.
If I ever left the UK, I would try to move to somewhere a little more obscure than the standard Anglo locations or Spain, Dubai, etc. I have long been a fan of African countries, especially East and Southern Africa, so somewhere like Namibia, Botswana, somewhere like that. I also read that Georgia is a decent country to live.
If money or health were no object, I'd like to live rural somewhere away from people. I've kind of had enough of society, have never really been into it, I'd be happier on the outskirts and being self sufficiant as much as is realistically possible.
In rural Japan they are practically giving away houses because there's just nothing there for people due to a dying/ageing population but Japan's not a place I've ever wanted to live unfortunately.
In rural Japan they are practically giving away houses because there's just nothing there for people due to a dying/ageing population but Japan's not a place I've ever wanted to live unfortunately.
Very hard to get a retirement visa for Southern Africa these days. Namibia, it will help if you speak German.
Georgia? Pretty but that's about it.
Some of the most dangerous roads I have ever encountered.
I found this also. Tbilisi and Batumi were mental.
As long as you are really good at learning a language completely different to your own, with a different alphabet and pronunciations you'll be fine! I moved to Spain eight years ago to a rural village near the top of a mountain and the change in culture is what I value (coming here from south London). I have seen people pull up outside a tabac and leave their key in the ignition whilst they pop in. The driving is so easy, everyone has lane discipline on the motorway and outside lane hogging is illegal. The healthcare is far superior to the NHS too!
We just did just under a year in California. My husband is American and we have a place there and, to be completely honest, we thought we were going to stay - the draw of the weather, closer to family etc, but we very quickly realised that it wasn't a long term relocation for us especially with Trump and the deportations it just didn't feel safe.
We've come back to London and it was definitely the right choice for us.
We've come back to London and it was definitely the right choice for us.
I can certainly understand the appeal of southern California. Almost ideal annual weather, hiking trails, beaches, forests. The state certainly does have a lot going for it.
I’m not naive enough to think that if I moved out of the UK my life would be better. I think there will be many things that I never knew about or hadn’t considered. The grass isn’t greener; it’s just different grass.
I can only really pick somewhere based on where I’ve been on holiday, which I instantly different to living somewhere full time. I would pick Norway or Japan. Japan would be a huge challenge due to the language and cultural barriers, but it does appeal hugely to me. I’ve loved Norway every time I’ve been; from the people, the surroundings, the culture, the history. Close enough to the UK if I ever needed to get back.
I can only really pick somewhere based on where I’ve been on holiday, which I instantly different to living somewhere full time. I would pick Norway or Japan. Japan would be a huge challenge due to the language and cultural barriers, but it does appeal hugely to me. I’ve loved Norway every time I’ve been; from the people, the surroundings, the culture, the history. Close enough to the UK if I ever needed to get back.
It is absolutely beautiful and we will definitely be keeping our house for nice long holidays and I’ll never say that we won’t try again, but it definitely won’t be for a few years.
I'll admit that one of the things about the USA that has massive appeal is the options of the different places to live or travel to. The diversity of the terrain is fantastic. I've always liked the look of states like Montana, Colorado, North and South Dakota, and Utah, simply because the landscapes look incredible. I'm sure living there would be vastly different, but you can't help but admire the landscape and nature of the U.S.
We are in the US and are seriously considering taking an offer from my husband's company to relocate to the UK for a few years, where we both have a lot of family.
We moved from the west coast to the east coast and I hate it - I miss California and being a lot closer to a lot more STUFF. I don't miss LA traffic though.
We moved from the west coast to the east coast and I hate it - I miss California and being a lot closer to a lot more STUFF. I don't miss LA traffic though.
I lived and worked in NY for a while. I loved it but would have been totally unaffordable if my company weren't paying for my accommodation and providing a good health care package. Was quite a few years ago when the cost of living wasn't as high as now but, even then, rents were crazily expensive compared to London (which was hardly cheap.)
I was able to transfer with my UK work conditions attached. Just as well, otherwise I'd have been looking at 2 weeks annual leave. An 8am start seemed to be the norm (even though, contractually, nobody was required to be in at that time) and there seemed like there was a real sense of people wanting to be seen to be the first in and the last to leave, which I put down to US workers not having the same employment protections we do here. One time I told one of my team to go home and he was stunned because it was only 3pm. But I pointed out he had done all his work, so take the early cut - he'd earned it. But he was far too anxious to leave as he believed it would 'look bad.'
I was able to transfer with my UK work conditions attached. Just as well, otherwise I'd have been looking at 2 weeks annual leave. An 8am start seemed to be the norm (even though, contractually, nobody was required to be in at that time) and there seemed like there was a real sense of people wanting to be seen to be the first in and the last to leave, which I put down to US workers not having the same employment protections we do here. One time I told one of my team to go home and he was stunned because it was only 3pm. But I pointed out he had done all his work, so take the early cut - he'd earned it. But he was far too anxious to leave as he believed it would 'look bad.'
If I moved anywhere in America it would be new York
Not now as way too expensive but I could also have been happy in Chicago, Boston and Washington DC but LA? No way...hideous place
I wouldn't want to live in LA
Ive heard quite a lot about how hard Norway is to move to as its not especially open/hard to integrate, hard to make friends and join new groups etc.