Why is Europe overlooked?
Discussion
I've been having thoughts about this recently, partly prompted by having just spent a few days in Switzerland/Austria. Also its quite interesting that the Clarkson article has been brought up, as some of that content may be relevant.
I hear so much talk these days of emigration. I know a few people that have done it, and many more than would like to. But they all want to move the the US, Canada, NZ and Aus.
Why is Europe overlooked so much? From personal experience, if you talk to a national from any of the English speaking places listed above - they cannot fathom why we dont explore so much of what is, to be fair - right on our doorstep?
I'm thinking that maybe I'd like to see more of Europe. I absolutely fall in love with the Alpine regions/countries whenever I am there.
Firstly - why do these places get overlooked? Is it the language barrier? It seems to offer so much, so much closer and so much easier than re-locating to the other side of the world.
Secondly - If I did want to seriously consider something like a year (initially) somewhere different - how on earth do you go about it?
I am relatively well qualified recent graduate - I can speak French enought to get by but no other European languages. How 'free' is travel within the EU these days? How does it affect being able to legally work?
I fancy an adventure. I've always wanted to live in the mountains aswell. I have a dream of working somewhere fantastic, with the great lakes out in front of my little wooden house, and the alps rising up behind - Long , snowy winters and warm, green, lush summers - and as much sailing, climbing, mountain biking as I can manage right on my doorstep.
I guess to me it seems that many of these places are very similar to a lot of Scotland, or Cumbria for instance - the difference being that in the alpine regions there is less distance between the Urban areas and the Mountains - and also the climate is much better.
I know that a whole bunch of pistonheaders now live in Europe - what do you think?
I hear so much talk these days of emigration. I know a few people that have done it, and many more than would like to. But they all want to move the the US, Canada, NZ and Aus.
Why is Europe overlooked so much? From personal experience, if you talk to a national from any of the English speaking places listed above - they cannot fathom why we dont explore so much of what is, to be fair - right on our doorstep?
I'm thinking that maybe I'd like to see more of Europe. I absolutely fall in love with the Alpine regions/countries whenever I am there.
Firstly - why do these places get overlooked? Is it the language barrier? It seems to offer so much, so much closer and so much easier than re-locating to the other side of the world.
Secondly - If I did want to seriously consider something like a year (initially) somewhere different - how on earth do you go about it?
I am relatively well qualified recent graduate - I can speak French enought to get by but no other European languages. How 'free' is travel within the EU these days? How does it affect being able to legally work?
I fancy an adventure. I've always wanted to live in the mountains aswell. I have a dream of working somewhere fantastic, with the great lakes out in front of my little wooden house, and the alps rising up behind - Long , snowy winters and warm, green, lush summers - and as much sailing, climbing, mountain biking as I can manage right on my doorstep.
I guess to me it seems that many of these places are very similar to a lot of Scotland, or Cumbria for instance - the difference being that in the alpine regions there is less distance between the Urban areas and the Mountains - and also the climate is much better.
I know that a whole bunch of pistonheaders now live in Europe - what do you think?
snotrag said:
I've been having thoughts about this recently, partly prompted by having just spent a few days in Switzerland/Austria. Also its quite interesting that the Clarkson article has been brought up, as some of that content may be relevant.
I hear so much talk these days of emigration. I know a few people that have done it, and many more than would like to. But they all want to move the the US, Canada, NZ and Aus.
Why is Europe overlooked so much? From personal experience, if you talk to a national from any of the English speaking places listed above - they cannot fathom why we dont explore so much of what is, to be fair - right on our doorstep?
I'm thinking that maybe I'd like to see more of Europe. I absolutely fall in love with the Alpine regions/countries whenever I am there.
Firstly - why do these places get overlooked? Is it the language barrier? It seems to offer so much, so much closer and so much easier than re-locating to the other side of the world.
Secondly - If I did want to seriously consider something like a year (initially) somewhere different - how on earth do you go about it?
I am relatively well qualified recent graduate - I can speak French enought to get by but no other European languages. How 'free' is travel within the EU these days? How does it affect being able to legally work?
I fancy an adventure. I've always wanted to live in the mountains aswell. I have a dream of working somewhere fantastic, with the great lakes out in front of my little wooden house, and the alps rising up behind - Long , snowy winters and warm, green, lush summers - and as much sailing, climbing, mountain biking as I can manage right on my doorstep.
I guess to me it seems that many of these places are very similar to a lot of Scotland, or Cumbria for instance - the difference being that in the alpine regions there is less distance between the Urban areas and the Mountains - and also the climate is much better.
I know that a whole bunch of pistonheaders now live in Europe - what do you think?
Because Brits generally don't like having to learn a foreign language. Hence the enormous expat colonies in cheap, Spanish resorts.I hear so much talk these days of emigration. I know a few people that have done it, and many more than would like to. But they all want to move the the US, Canada, NZ and Aus.
Why is Europe overlooked so much? From personal experience, if you talk to a national from any of the English speaking places listed above - they cannot fathom why we dont explore so much of what is, to be fair - right on our doorstep?
I'm thinking that maybe I'd like to see more of Europe. I absolutely fall in love with the Alpine regions/countries whenever I am there.
Firstly - why do these places get overlooked? Is it the language barrier? It seems to offer so much, so much closer and so much easier than re-locating to the other side of the world.
Secondly - If I did want to seriously consider something like a year (initially) somewhere different - how on earth do you go about it?
I am relatively well qualified recent graduate - I can speak French enought to get by but no other European languages. How 'free' is travel within the EU these days? How does it affect being able to legally work?
I fancy an adventure. I've always wanted to live in the mountains aswell. I have a dream of working somewhere fantastic, with the great lakes out in front of my little wooden house, and the alps rising up behind - Long , snowy winters and warm, green, lush summers - and as much sailing, climbing, mountain biking as I can manage right on my doorstep.
I guess to me it seems that many of these places are very similar to a lot of Scotland, or Cumbria for instance - the difference being that in the alpine regions there is less distance between the Urban areas and the Mountains - and also the climate is much better.
I know that a whole bunch of pistonheaders now live in Europe - what do you think?
Several friends lived in the south of France - slightly inland Provence.
Fabulous weather, alpine skiing within 2-3 hours drive (without the excessive resort accomodation prices), and Cote d'Azur within an hour's drive.
And wine from the local vinicole at 2.5FF/litre (still francs in those days) and you filled your 10-litre container with a hose like a petrol pump.
I'd go there... if i was allowed :thumb:
Fabulous weather, alpine skiing within 2-3 hours drive (without the excessive resort accomodation prices), and Cote d'Azur within an hour's drive.
And wine from the local vinicole at 2.5FF/litre (still francs in those days) and you filled your 10-litre container with a hose like a petrol pump.
I'd go there... if i was allowed :thumb:
Dave200 said:
Because Brits generally don't like having to learn a foreign language. Hence the enormous expat colonies in cheap, Spanish resorts.
You know you don't have to quote the OP when you are the first person to respond to the thread, its pretty obvious who you are replying to. 
Adenauer said:
Go for it, OP, I did 
Thanks, mind me asking some stuff!?How old were you when you moved? Is it just you, or do you have family?
How do you make a living? What industry are you involved with? How did this affect your move?
Did you speak German before moving? Do you now?
What made you move to that part of Germany?
Much obliged :Thumbup:
As for the language being a 'barrier'. Is it, really? I also dont believe that it is particularly hard tp pick up a language, at least to a certain level.
Millions of Europeans learn English to a very acceptable level - it is not out of reach for me to learn the other way. I dont see that as an issue really.
And as a barrier to earning - perhaps this depends on what you do and who you work for?
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 29th April 13:47
Friends of mine who live and work in Europe learn the local language for day-to-day life but find that most of their work is done in English. Of course, if you work for a small local company it'll probably be in the local language but if it's a big company that works across Europe then English is the common language.
One friend managed to live and work in Dordrecht (Netherlands) for over a year without needing to learn any Dutch at all, but I'd prefer to be able to speak the local language.
One friend managed to live and work in Dordrecht (Netherlands) for over a year without needing to learn any Dutch at all, but I'd prefer to be able to speak the local language.
Its not that people aren't actually capable of learning the local language that makes the language barrier an issue, its that most people can't be bothered and perceive it as being too difficult. If you've managed to learn Frenh at school you shouldn't have any more difficulty picking up Spanish, Italian or Romanian. If you've been able to learn German you should be able to pick up Dutch, Danish and Swedish in the same way. If you've never learnt a foreign language, the fact that you've been able to pick up English means there's no reason you couldn't learn any other language you wanted given a bit of effort.
And as far as I'm aware, free movement of workers means you can go and work anywhere in the EU you like. Whether you'd want to and whether you can get a job without the language are different matters though.
Meant to say, go for it whilst you can. I have lived in Germany and Russia and both have been interesting and worthwile experiences.
And as far as I'm aware, free movement of workers means you can go and work anywhere in the EU you like. Whether you'd want to and whether you can get a job without the language are different matters though.
Meant to say, go for it whilst you can. I have lived in Germany and Russia and both have been interesting and worthwile experiences.
Edited by Nevin on Thursday 29th April 14:10
For me, the language barrier.
I've never been good at picking up other languages and my french class grades were always F.
Also, I don't really see the point of learning another language nowadays. English is the official language of any international business.
Obviously it helps if you know your customers language, but generally they'll know English.
I've never been good at picking up other languages and my french class grades were always F.
Also, I don't really see the point of learning another language nowadays. English is the official language of any international business.
Obviously it helps if you know your customers language, but generally they'll know English.
snotrag said:
Adenauer said:
Go for it, OP, I did
Thanks, mind me asking some stuff!?How old were you when you moved? Is it just you, or do you have family?
How do you make a living? What industry are you involved with? How did this affect your move?
Did you speak German before moving? Do you now?
What made you move to that part of Germany?
Much obliged :Thumbup:
As for the language being a 'barrier'. Is it, really? I also dont believe that it is particularly hard tp pick up a language, at least to a certain level.
Millions of Europeans learn English to a very acceptable level - it is not out of reach for me to learn the other way. I dont see that as an issue really.
And as a barrier to earning - perhaps this depends on what you do and who you work for?
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 29th April 13:47
Plastics, brought the company with me
Yes, and yes
It's the centre of Europe, *cough* and 500 yards from the ring
I'm in NZ, and I really don't get why many of you want to move so far away from the UK.
It seems to me, that maybe, some of you don't fully appreciate what you have over there. You have so many countries within easy flying distance. And if you did move to one of these countries, you are just a short plane ride back to your friends and family. For me, that would be a good thing.
For what it's worth, I think it would be great to live in a nice village in the UK somewhere.
It seems to me, that maybe, some of you don't fully appreciate what you have over there. You have so many countries within easy flying distance. And if you did move to one of these countries, you are just a short plane ride back to your friends and family. For me, that would be a good thing.
For what it's worth, I think it would be great to live in a nice village in the UK somewhere.
GilbertGrape said:
I'm in NZ, and I really don't get why many of you want to move so far away from the UK.
It seems to me, that maybe, some of you don't fully appreciate what you have over there. You have so many countries within easy flying distance. And if you did move to one of these countries, you are just a short plane ride back to your friends and family. For me, that would be a good thing.
For what it's worth, I think it would be great to live in a nice village in the UK somewhere.
Grass is always greener. It seems to me, that maybe, some of you don't fully appreciate what you have over there. You have so many countries within easy flying distance. And if you did move to one of these countries, you are just a short plane ride back to your friends and family. For me, that would be a good thing.
For what it's worth, I think it would be great to live in a nice village in the UK somewhere.
Cotty said:
Dave200 said:
Because Brits generally don't like having to learn a foreign language. Hence the enormous expat colonies in cheap, Spanish resorts.
You know you don't have to quote the OP when you are the first person to respond to the thread, its pretty obvious who you are replying to. Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff