Emigrating/moving abroad. Anyone done it?
Discussion
This is something I’m sure most people dream of, or love the idea and think of doing it, but how many people have done it and what it’s really like.
Is the grass really greener and the sun any hotter?
I understand people moving abroad to Greece Spain etc when they are retired and don’t have to think about a job etc,
But what about younger people, I’m 25 and seriously considering something abroad, my company is global so I could transfer, but I’m more likely to want a nice simple job, hotel maintenance of similar.
I’m thinking either moving somewhere just warmer like California or Australia, but will life just be like British life but with better weather?
I would ideally like to do the Spain or Greece thing, nice simple job then relaxing on the beach the rest of the time. But it nags me is it even possible to do this with a few k ( house deposit) in savings?
I know that the natives tend to have to work the season and miss the summer but that’s not
Something I would want to do.
have any PHers moved for the simple life? And did it work out?
Is the grass really greener and the sun any hotter?
I understand people moving abroad to Greece Spain etc when they are retired and don’t have to think about a job etc,
But what about younger people, I’m 25 and seriously considering something abroad, my company is global so I could transfer, but I’m more likely to want a nice simple job, hotel maintenance of similar.
I’m thinking either moving somewhere just warmer like California or Australia, but will life just be like British life but with better weather?
I would ideally like to do the Spain or Greece thing, nice simple job then relaxing on the beach the rest of the time. But it nags me is it even possible to do this with a few k ( house deposit) in savings?
I know that the natives tend to have to work the season and miss the summer but that’s not
Something I would want to do.
have any PHers moved for the simple life? And did it work out?
putonghua73 said:
First of all, what is driving you? Experience of living in another culture, weather, etc? Work out your motivation first and foremost.
Second, as others have suggested, take a trip to potential destinations because you have to decide whether or the country will meet your expectations.
Third, you really, really need to perform job market research and immigration policies because a large number of countries will not allow you to work without a work visa, and there generally has to be demand for that role that a local cannot do (especially Australia). Given that you want a "simple" job, this will be your sticking point.
It sounds as though you want to be the Lilt Man i.e. selling cans of Lilt on a beach, and living an idyllic life. Which is great if (a) you can afford to do so - wealthy, (b) retired with sufficient savings. However, the reality is that most people need to work, hence the visa situation.
You can live in an expat bubble in most countries, however life can be whatever you want it to be, but it depends on how much effort you put in.You really do need to think about your motivations. If there are opportunities abroad with your present company, then put the work in to find out what qualifications and experience is required to successfully apply for those roles. Much, much better than trying to find a job in the target country.
I would say the driving factor is the weather and the desire to not live in the UK with its obsession with money and spending money. I’m not really the type to want a big house or flash cars, more looking for a relaxing time with the sun on your skin doing something I enjoy.Second, as others have suggested, take a trip to potential destinations because you have to decide whether or the country will meet your expectations.
Third, you really, really need to perform job market research and immigration policies because a large number of countries will not allow you to work without a work visa, and there generally has to be demand for that role that a local cannot do (especially Australia). Given that you want a "simple" job, this will be your sticking point.
It sounds as though you want to be the Lilt Man i.e. selling cans of Lilt on a beach, and living an idyllic life. Which is great if (a) you can afford to do so - wealthy, (b) retired with sufficient savings. However, the reality is that most people need to work, hence the visa situation.
You can live in an expat bubble in most countries, however life can be whatever you want it to be, but it depends on how much effort you put in.You really do need to think about your motivations. If there are opportunities abroad with your present company, then put the work in to find out what qualifications and experience is required to successfully apply for those roles. Much, much better than trying to find a job in the target country.
I’m a fire protection And detection tech and have seen/ been told that this would be skilled enough to get into a country like Australia. The Australia thing would be a second choice as o guess it would be like living in the UK, still working full time but with better weather.
I would prefer the Greek or other sunny climate where I could do exactly the lilt man thing, where money isn’t the be all and end all of everything. Where getting by is enjoyable because not everything is centred around cash.
I’ve found in the UK, everything you want to do costs money, shopping is all you can do in winter cause it’s always raining or cold, all fun activities cost money and the only
Other things to do are country houses.
Basically I want to live life on holiday. With enough money to live.
davek_964 said:
You want to live like you're on holiday, in the sunshine without worrying about money?
As somebody else said, if it was that simple we'd all be doing it. Believe it or not, stuff costs money in Greece etc too. Typically, if cost of living is less, so is relative income.
While I understand that and I know you still have to make money, it just seems that in somewhere like Greece, especially an island like kos etc, while of course you still have to pay rent etc you can still enjoy life without spending a fortune.As somebody else said, if it was that simple we'd all be doing it. Believe it or not, stuff costs money in Greece etc too. Typically, if cost of living is less, so is relative income.
In this country, I earn a very good wage. Above national average, money buys me a very nice life, with good food, nice holidays and trips away, could buy a BMW if I really wanted, but stuff isn’t what I want. I like the sun and that’s what we don’t get here.
I know that the British people have one of the best quality of lives thanks to high wage, long life etc but
I feel we compensate for being a bit miserable
In this country because there’s very little to do when you look at it, by spending money on cars and big houses, but that’s not what life is about.
Thanks for all the replies so far, it seems most of you that have done it have gone to other very similar places like America and follow a similar life style to here but with perks and of course some draw backs. Not sure I fancy wearing uniform in 40 degrees!
Interesting to hear a few of you have gone to the Philippines that’s a lovely part of the world, I have done a few trips already into Asia. Beautiful place but maybe a little too removed from here, also very humid from what I remember!
lockhart flawse said:
Nickbrapp said:
I’ve found in the UK, everything you want to do costs money, shopping is all you can do in winter cause it’s always raining or cold, all fun activities cost money and the only
Other things to do are country houses.
This is complete bOther things to do are country houses.
ks of course but might be the root of your dissatisfaction: you're bored because you do f... all. Shopping is all you can do in winter - really?Living in South Wales it’s all fields, mines, country houses and the sea side
RegularDegular said:
A question for those those who have moved aboard - Did you continue to work in a similar field that you had experience and qualifications in from the UK, or did you manage to find employment and a subsequent career aboard by doing something completely different?
If I did move, if it was to another country similar to the UK like Australia or the US. I would continue to work my trade, however if it was to Greece I would give it up. I don’t really like it and only so it because it’s what I did a apprentiship in and now don’t want to take a at least £10k paycut to do seomething else in this country. I’m back to update, as of yet we haven’t decided but have decided we will visit these places over the next 2 years, with a view to seeing what life is really like, we’re just buying a house here so we will always have somewhere to come back too if we want.
This is a 5 year plan, il be 30 at the end of that which is still young enough I think, to then make a informed decision
This is a 5 year plan, il be 30 at the end of that which is still young enough I think, to then make a informed decision
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