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Indeed we do, and I suggest the answer to your quandry is a more universalist welfare state rather than being too judgemental. Where all who need help can get it. But let's get back to the subject, you can always start a different thread if we should discuss such things. No hard feelings anyways sorry if I was harsh in my wording
There's something about Turkish culture I like were it not for the politics, the inflation and the language being so difficult.
I used to dream of living in Singapore until COVID made me value freedom more
I struggled severely to persuade anyone to employ me for the first couple of years after graduation. Even then after doing odd jobs for years only then did I land a stable job. But no, I matter less and should be condemned to poverty. And you know one of the things that hindered me getting a job? Scepticism towards those who don't have a job already was one of them.
Having seen first hand, the discrimination levied at my son over the years, I'm under no illusion at your achievement. My son has been taken on by a D&I empathetic org - I only wish more companies were as forward thinking
Should my life change significantly enough to warrant leaving Scotland/the UK altogether (would still retain UK citizenship though if possible), these would be my first options:
Republic of Ireland
Sweden
Austria
Outwith Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Eastern Seaboard of the US (New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC etc) would be in consideration.
I have no desire to live anywhere but U.K.
If UK did not exist, I would want somewhere that was not too hot in summer, nor too cold in winter. I would also want to avoid anywhere ruled by dictators or religious extrmemists. So - if I could afford - maybe parts of Ireland, Belgium, Austria or Germany.
Cyprus would be my first choice; a former workmate moved there - and stayed: I've holidayed on both Turkish and Greek sides, on numerous trips.
I love Larnaca and Kyrenia; I have many happy memories of clambering around largely-intact Roman remains at Kourion and at Salamis.
Note to self: don't drive up the stone surfaced, unprotected south side track to Mt Kantara summit, as a perfectly good tarmac'd road is on the north side.
Oh - and if you are on the Greek side, beware of a dish called "Goat in Paper". Twenty years ago, my curious self ordered it - and the waiter served up an eye watering lump of goat in a newspaper. I stuck to fish after that.
I have no desire to live anywhere but U.K.
If UK did not exist, I would want somewhere that was not too hot in summer, nor too cold in winter. I would also want to avoid anywhere ruled by dictators or religious extrmemists.
Well I already did and live in the USA - so that is my number 1. Number2 would be Ireland because my grandkids daughter an s-I-l all live there. Then probably Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Would now only do it if I won a serious bundle on the lottery but my choices would be between Netherlands, Germany & Switzerland. They're all places where I've felt perfectly comfortable despite not being fully fluent in the language. It helps that all have both decent public transport and a willingness to keep investing in it.
My wife unearthed worrying stats that, in our borough, more people live on benefits than work. More people take money out of the system, than contribute into it.
These same people wear their "career benefits" lifestyle as a badge of honour; openly mocking those of us who work and own a home.
My wife and I cannot accept a UK model where we are paying half our work income, to fund a majority which does not and has no intention of contributing to it.
Perhaps you should start a new thread if you want to rant about benefits culture. Then we'll be able to counter your claims without dragging the thread off-topic.
If money were no object I'd definitely want to settle somewhere like Spain, Italy or Greece. The quality and pace of life out there is so much different, and the food & wine is a different quality altogether. Its depressing going shopping after a holiday in the Med (I always go self-catering) and comparing some of the food that we get sold.
My wife unearthed worrying stats that, in our borough, more people live on benefits than work. More people take money out of the system, than contribute into it.
These same people wear their "career benefits" lifestyle as a badge of honour; openly mocking those of us who work and own a home.
My wife and I cannot accept a UK model where we are paying half our work income, to fund a majority which does not and has no intention of contributing to it.
In the country as a whole far more are net beneficiaries than contributors to the system and given the state pension is a benefit and large numbers of people in work also receive benefits it is highly likely that in many areas there are more people receiving benefits than working. However, as stated many people in receipt of benefits are also working.
I regarded the OP's question as simply hypothetical, and have no intention of moving away from the UK, which, despite its governmental issues (here in Scotland we have the pleasure of living under not one but two incompetent administrations) is still IMHO one of, if not the, best places in the world to live.
I regarded the OP's question as simply hypothetical, and have no intention of moving away from the UK, which, despite its governmental issues (here in Scotland we have the pleasure of living under not one but two incompetent administrations) is still IMHO one of, if not the, best places in the world to live.
I know that this is a sort of speculative thread but any country as experienced by holidaymakers is usually very different (both for better and for worse) than as it would be experienced by an ex-pat.
The hypocrisy in this kind of discussion has always stood out to me. What would posters say about such a survey in Eritrea, Syria or Afghanistan showing the UK as the number one "emigrant" destination from those countries?
The hypocrisy in this kind of discussion has always stood out to me. What would posters say about such a survey in Eritrea, Syria or Afghanistan showing the UK as the number one "emigrant" destination from those countries?
It wouldn't be - the US would be far out in front along with Canada. Not sure what the hypocrisy is with this discussion. I would be delighted with a survey that showed the UK was the most favoured location in the world to live. Despite our grumbles, we are very lucky to live here.
you cant see that European "emigration" and third world "immigration" are two sides of the same coin? Why is it ok for one group to move but not the other?
I think is supposed to be a relatively light hearted thread about your favourite places to live, given the choice. I therefore suggest we refrain from discussing things such as people on benefits, Brexit etc here - such discussions can be undertaken on other threads.
1. Ireland - if simply because of the various agreements in place which makes it easy and the fact it's still in the EU - have seriously considered this one were it not for the cost of housing on the rental market I may well have already lept.
2. Netherlands is the country I would most love to live in, but immigration from outside the EU appears tricky.
3. Germany is pretty cool and I've always liked it too.
I wouldn't really want to live in a country where I couldn't at least speak some of the language, but pick up bits of languages quickly. I speak a bit of Dutch and a little more German to the extent I'd probably cope 'everyday' though holding down a job might be trickier.
Really don't see the attraction of Aus/NZ/Canada in general, they're a bit far away, too culturally similar and too insular at the same time for my liking.
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Ironic given that the UK has a significantly less generous welfare state than most European countries, when we were in the EU for example I read that only Estonia provides a lower level of jobseekers allowance. Perhaps you should focus your ire more on the amount lost to tax evasion, which is far greater. And don't go the USA if you're worried about crime, much less anywhere in Africa or Asia barring perhaps Singapore. And of course your son needs care, maybe you should think about how he will cope as an adult - in particular as an adult when you're not there - before you bash the welfare state. Or is it the case that only poor people in his situation are leeches?
I'd personally emigrate to get away from people like you. As an autistic adult with mental health difficulties, I struggled severely to persuade anyone to employ me for the first couple of years after graduation. Even then after doing odd jobs for years only then did I land a stable job. But no, I matter less and should be condemned to poverty. And you know one of the things that hindered me getting a job? Scepticism towards those who don't have a job already was one of them. Maybe you should put down the Daily Mail (owned by rootless cosmopolitan elites) and talk to people in these situations, try to understand their hardships. There are those who game the system. But those who game other systems cost us more.
I dont know about the rental market here, but we paid £250k for a 4 bedroom detatched bungalow with a 4 car garage and around a quarter of an acre of land, it was a no brainer.
Someone suggested Chicago which is ok except in winter when the wind chill off the lake has to be experienced to be believed. I've always enjoyed Florida but I couldn't see a life there.
So for me it has to be Spain. Amazing countryside, great food and wine and a profound sense of vitality. There was a TV programme about Spain some years back which said thet if you arrive, sit outside a bar in the sun with a dodgy glass of red and feel at home, Spain is for you. I'm the man in the sun hat on his third glass.
Someone suggested Chicago which is ok except in winter when the wind chill off the lake has to be experienced to be believed. I've always enjoyed Florida but I couldn't see a life there.
So for me it has to be Spain. Amazing countryside, great food and wine and a profound sense of vitality. There was a TV programme about Spain some years back which said thet if you arrive, sit outside a bar in the sun with a dodgy glass of red and feel at home, Spain is for you. I'm the man in the sun hat on his third glass.
I'm unlikely to migrate anywhere in the foreseeable future, and I am quite happy living in the UK, but I wouldn't rule it out as a long term goal should things take a big enough turn for me. Personally my top three choices would be:
Switzerland - Beautiful landscape, high quality of life, incredible railway network, and I quite like a more introverted culture. I can definitely get on board with grumbling about neighbours making noise past 10pm.
Surprising that this country hasn't received numerous mentions, given it's idyllic scenery and as you mention great railways (although again, meals at restaurants and other costs are very high).
IIRC a requirement is that one must be able to speak German.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I think is supposed to be a relatively light hearted thread about your favourite places to live, given the choice. I therefore suggest we refrain from discussing things such as people on benefits, Brexit etc here - such discussions can be undertaken on other threads.
for me it has to be Spain. Amazing countryside, great food and wine and a profound sense of vitality. There was a TV programme about Spain some years back which said thet if you arrive, sit outside a bar in the sun with a dodgy glass of red and feel at home, Spain is for you. I'm the man in the sun hat on his third glass.
Someone suggested Chicago which is ok except in winter when the wind chill off the lake has to be experienced to be believed. I've always enjoyed Florida but I couldn't see a life there.
So for me it has to be Spain. Amazing countryside, great food and wine and a profound sense of vitality. There was a TV programme about Spain some years back which said thet if you arrive, sit outside a bar in the sun with a dodgy glass of red and feel at home, Spain is for you. I'm the man in the sun hat on his third glass.
So for me it has to be Spain. Amazing countryside, great food and wine and a profound sense of vitality. There was a TV programme about Spain some years back which said thet if you arrive, sit outside a bar in the sun with a dodgy glass of red and feel at home, Spain is for you. I'm the man in the sun hat on his third glass
Before I met my wife, she'd lived and worked a few years in Alicante. She still talks of it with much fondness; she openly admits that the sole driver for her return to the UK, was her being made redundant. From what she's described to me, I can see why many people are drawn to - and remain in - the area.
Hard to say really, Australia or NZ look good though i have never been so i can't say for sure. I used to want to live in HK but not now Beijing has ruined it. Jawa Timur has some really nice areas though Indonesia is not exactly stable.
But maybe the only place would be the Highlands, though might be a bit nippy in the Winter.
Sorrento
Netherlands - not sure where, but Rotterdam is a strong candidate.
Tokyo, although there's some degree of recency bias there as I've just come back from a trip where I had a fantastic time.
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