If you could live abroad where would you live? (Pragmatically as opposed to dream destination)

Liberty_Bear

Lads

Being priced out of it with the housing market, im in a place six years that is at least affordable (1300 for a two bed with me house mate)

Dipped the toes in the dating scene for a few years, hard to meet lads (bloke myself)

Ive a few things that keep me here and I can take a career break but the kicker is - if I leave its a pox trying to get a bleedin place to live if I come back.

Been thinking of a career break for a while and move abroad - UK (Birmingham, Liverpool) or France/Belgium (speak decent French). Could save for a housing depost more so and hope prices come down

And Im the milder end of the scale...!

kirk.

Back to London or Manchester where I grew up maybe

This country is annoying me a lot lately, too much creeping regulation and the church still influential and ubiquitous

cuttingtimber22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058247923/if-you-could-live-abroad-where-would-you-live-pragmatically-as-opposed-to-dream-destination

I would say keep a look at the job market in a few different spots. No idea what field of work you are in but see if options in places like Brussels. If you go abroad you will still need to be able to pay rent and have a good life - but the sense I have is that for many in Dublin life is now existing rather than living. Not good.

Liberty_Bear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130287#Comment_119130287

The national maternity hospital is evidence of that church grip

Liberty_Bear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130292#Comment_119130292

Civil servant myself

Ive a few transferable skills but I'll broaden my horizons

Princess Calla

I'd have zero interest in moving to the UK that's pretty much "next town over" that said Cornwall or the Lake District would be tempting.

I always liked the idea of living in Spain. A little villa with a pool. I'd prefer to be with the locals than in an English speaking ex pat village.

Once there's decent internet it would be a winner.

kirk.

I can't understand the attraction with Dublin anyhow . People should be actively choosing to live somewhere different

cuttingtimber22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130306#Comment_119130306

Brussels may well be an option? Look for opportunities and then take the career break. No point looking back in ten years and think you should have done something and didn’t.

banie01

I've already done 4+ yrs abroad in Spain/Canaries in my early 20s. I'm 42 now and in a good position despite the current state of economy. I am now a pensioner, retired albeit back at college to at least keep a routine of sorts.

I had always planned on returning to Spain but, Eastern Europe is catching my eye more and more lately. Somewhere on the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Romania or Turkey tho likely either of the former 1st. It'd mean learning another language I suppose so more to keep me busy.

I'd like to do a few years in Kyoto and Busan. Been to both places on short trips and rather liked what I saw. (both are viable for me, and I'm looking into moving to one of them within the next year or so)

Strumms

Spain, the Canaries. Weather, relaxation, easygoing pace of life. Not mega expensive…

always liked the South of France but it runs a road through you wallet, only real good value aspect is public transport.

socialising, shopping, property, insurance… practically every cost of living is high or extortionate. Pity really. From a life / quality of aspect I’d be there tomorrow if i could afford it.

Mad_maxx

Majorca Spain

cj maxx

I think I'd go to San Francisco. After living in New York, SF was a completely different and better experience. Only I couldn't drive at the time I'd still be there.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130469#Comment_119130469

What draws you to Busan? The underground shopping mall full of cheap stuff? Fish market?

I'd be up for going to any remote place. Preferably close to the sea. Iceland would be nice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119134698#Comment_119134698

TBH I liked Busan because of the easy access to the surrounding areas. Besides, the rather strong emphasis on spicy food.. which I got addicted to from living in China. Mostly though, I made friends there rather easily, and enjoyed the local cultures I encountered. I found other parts of Korea to be a bit standoffish, with a far heavier focus on wealth/status in determining friendships, whereas with Busan it was far more relaxed (and natural). It also helps that Busan has some lovely beaches nearby. I've lived too long in the centre of countries and I miss having the sea nearby.

Yup. Iceland has a certain appeal, although I love cities... Loved Tokyo but it's a mite too big. Even Xi'an was a bit too large in many respects. Would like a big but not too big city to live in. And I love the Asian city thing of being able to eat street food at any time of the night.. yum.

Canard

I've lived in a few different places, but the happiest I've ever been was in France. I also don't want to die without having lived in Madrid. I speak both languages and know what to expect in the countries, but I ended up back in Dublin and can't see how I'll easily get back out. Maybe someday... I love the parks and open plazas in places like Paris and Madrid. Existing feels a bit lighter!

Liberty_Bear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119141617#Comment_119141617

Doesnt it feel that if we leave Dublin we cannot get back into it again! I mean I would have to go back to my parents. What was finding accommodation in Paris like compared to Dublin?

Witchie

Have lived in Southeast Asia for 4 years or so and can't wait to get back. But, I moved to Albania in January and feckin' love it here. It's cheap, cheerful and warmer than home. Well, winter was colder than I had hoped but it's been consistently mid-20s since April with only 2 days of rain so am very happy.

I am in the small seaside city of Saranda with a lovely community of ex-pats/nomads and the locals are amazing too. Come visit and you will want to move here. Well, that's what happened me.

massdebater

Valencia ticks a lot of boxes for me. Similar size to Dublin, although far cheaper for everything. Lovely weather all year round, Mediterranean coast, loads of outdoorsy things to do, savage women (or men if you prefer), and the spanish themselves are good craic and seem welcoming there, not overrun with tourists either. Spanish seems to be one of the easier languages to learn too

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130302#Comment_119130302

You are probably better off staying where you are if a minor issue such as ownership of a site after 300 years is a problem for you, because there are a lot of thing that are going to upset you if you go abroad.

Firstly it would be somewhere in the EU for convenience of moving and easier / quicker to get home if needed. Assuming you still need to work, I'd look in general at the main industrial / producing nations, so in practice probably limited to UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and north Italy.

First choice would be Spain, specifically the Malaga area, 6th largest city, thriving IT sector, near mountains and coast. Plus Spanish is by far the easiest language to learn and its a laid back lifestyle. Valencia also worth a look.

After that, Brussels / Luxembourg for its central location and very large English speaking population plus a host of industries eg banking, EU, etc.

Would also think about Zurich (though German is not easy) and si tu parle, en France, peut-etre Lyon. Pas Paris.

GB ? No thanks, I don't think GBs future is going to be that bright post-Brexit, they will become more and more irrelevant and heading back to being the "sick man of Europe".

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168425#Comment_119168425

Yeah.. I'm well and truly hooked on SE Asia.

What kind of work are you doing in Albania?

Witchie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168653#Comment_119168653

I co-own a small content agency so can work anywhere. We actually registered the company here this year so I can stay and have a year-long residency and work permit. Will renew it again next year even though I intend spending winter in SEA and summers in the Balkans.

I see sheep

Somewhere warm and sunny.

Not Belgium.

Liberty_Bear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168580#Comment_119168580

I dont know, I kind of dont get upset at kids getting ridden by priests or stuffed down sewers all that much and what the future might hold..a cuppa and a digestive makes me feel better

Thanks Jim for the reassurance :) I may sleep well now ;)

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119171649#Comment_119171649

And you think that crap has not happened everywhere else! Like I said best stay at home.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119168636#Comment_119168636

Having worked in Zurich for 15 years and in Basle for 10, I’d go with Basle rather than Zürich, much friendlier and you can always cross the border for cheap shopping.

Fathom

New Zealand.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119134698#Comment_119134698

Busan is a great spot,all port cities are a bit mad but when you have the creeping modern society of Korea meeting the rougher old school side of the country it makes it interesting.Throw in the Russian influences and regular visits by US Air craft carriers and it makes for a fun place.Also cheap for a first world country and as a whitey with an Irish passport you'll walk straight into a teaching job if you want.

bnt

In purely pragmatic terms it would have to be the UK since I’m still a UK citizen (even after more than 22 years here) and would need to use the NHS regularly (don’t ask). So that means not being too far from a city, but there are some very nice places to live in the southwest of the UK. Somewhere in Devon or Cornwall on the coast, with a railway station so I can get to Bristol or even London as needed.

Timmyr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119175926#Comment_119175926

Moved to NZ 5 years ago, best choice I ever made

Fathom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119181456#Comment_119181456

Pragmatically, as the OP states, if NZ employment offer, will travel, after graduating.

A nice little town in the UK, for reason of language and quite a familiar shared culture. I’m not at all find of big crowds.

Slovenia is a real gem of a little country, I’d say it’s very easy to settle into. Friendly, beautiful, everyone can speak English. Coastal Croatia is lovely too.

I’m very fond of Norway, the western coastal area has a mild winter climate. Again everyone can speak English, and it’s scenically stunning.

Liberty_Bear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119172794#Comment_119172794

Would it not follow lad that if we lived with that amount of GUBU style stuff for years that we might just be immune!

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119185692#Comment_119185692

Well in your case that answer is apparently no, since you are the one dragging it up…

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119182999#Comment_119182999

Tourist English is fine while your a tourist, but not much use when you are resident and need to discuss the mold you found on your but cheek with a doctor who only has tourist English etc…

Richard Hillman

It's not really pragmatic but I love Slovenia. They have a proper winter and summer. Winter sports in the cold months and anything you want in the summer. Ljubljana is very peaceful for a European capital city..

Liberty_Bear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119186591#Comment_119186591

Which is symptomatic of the old style Irish attitude which the church preached to the abused, the women of Ireland that we should just put up and shut up....?

raxy

I did a round ghe world trip before. While in the islands in Thailand we were asked if we would run a bar. They wanted an Irish couple to run it, owner was English.

We said no because we'd paid for the rtw tickets & had our trip loosely planned. We also had plans to meet people in some places.

I still regret not staying. I loved Thailand & Malaysia.

Bobblehats

I’d like to believe that my dream destination is pragmatic. Talkin about a small settlement, atop a hill. Community centre, a school a store… tobacconist. Guilty pleasure, I must admit but to atone a Chapel; at the crossroads centre of town. Some may call it a backwater but it’s looking mighty fine to me?

maninasia

Spain in general ticks a lot of boxes.

Lower cost but good quality of life, climate and in EU and many choices of where to live. If i

I can swing the remote job we are on our way. Dublin has become quite an unattractive place to live

Count Dracula

I would love to be a Graffiti Artist in like somewhere totally cooooool, I would have a studio and loads of hangers on. James Cordon would think I am a groundbreaking street artist and I would make Ryan Tubriddiness awestruck, nervous and sweaty when I am home for Christmas . I would be constantly finding new cool edgy and influential things to create, like I would be totally **** hot. I would take on Dua Lipa as a lover and muse, we would hang out in a trendy urban open plan apartment like an international global couple. People would actually think we matter, They would watch us on the news and buy magazines with pictures of us on the front. She would write songs about how much she loves me, she would be so happy she would cry with emotion when singing it... and actually mean it.

Timmyr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119182941#Comment_119182941

You dont need an employment offer to come here and its really hard to get an offer if you are overseas. Get a working holiday visa and work **** jobs until you get the right offer.

I drove a forklift in a gas depot the first 6 months, now I'm finance manager for a mining company

olestoepoke

I think age and circumstances will determine a lot of answers. I emigrated to NYC when I was 21 and spent 16 years there. I would recommend that city to anyone young and looking for adventure, it has everything but at a fast pace. I'm touching 50 now and all I want is a modest apartment in Albuferia or outskirts, somewhere I can play golf 3 times a week and relax.

Fathom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119190843#Comment_119190843

Good advice.

AndyBoBandy

Lithuania.

Spent 18 months there about 10-11 years ago, met the OH while there, still go back most years for holidays and currently in the process of buying a holiday home there, which I can see ourselves retiring to.

Warm summers, cold winters, extremely friendly people.

When we retire, it'll be to there, leaving our son to stay here and have a house to live in/inherit (if he wants). We're also both home based, so I can see us driving over at teh start of school holidays, laptops in tow, and spending the entire summer there.

This is the main pedestrian walkway down the street to the beach in teh town close to where we are buying., with restaurants and shops everywhere, and ice cream...... ice cream stalls as far as the eye can see!! even in teh forrest between the streets and the beach!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsfdW_Rr3Oc

boardsie12

Malaysia or Thailand, great weather, cheap, great food and more my style, particularly Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, there's something special about the city

Sugar_Rush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119130292#Comment_119130292

Last sentence is a grim thought.

Witchie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119235594#Comment_119235594

Yup, it's a special place. Was living there until Nov 2020 when went to Ireland for Christmas and then couldn't get back in.

Am in Croatia for a few days (heading back to Albanja tomorrow) and was sitting in an Indian restaurant in Zagreb today when this couple sat at the next table. We got chatting and they were from literally across the road from my old apartment in KL. Was great to hear their accents and made me really homesick.

Hopefully going back in January with the plan of winters in Malaysia and SEA and summers in the Balkans.

HalloweenJack

Been living in Spain for nearly a decade now and would highly recommend it.

Once you get away from the likes of Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga/Costa del Sol, it is very affordable. Nice pace of life, work-life balance, great social life and outdoor living. Weather is very good.

Sure, it has its problems, everywhere does, but the quality of life is something else. You're unlikely to get rich but you wouldn't be likely to struggle either.

I also lived in Czechia (good beer, beautiful country but too cold and the people were too distant) and Brazil (brilliant place but a nightmare to work in legally).

Patlanta

The US for me, NY, Boston or California. I've been in Boston for work quite a few times and enjoyed the variety of things to do and see. Easy for me to find work there but the only downside is less annual leave and more stressful work conditions.