If you had chance....

Diz - can i change mine!!! I want to move but he doesn't.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by 600+

The way I look at these situations is;

- Find out how much you really need to live in said place. Speak to locals not ex-pats!

- See if the basic amenities are available and to what cost compared to here

If figures add up then see no reason for not doing it.

That's why I'm here and not in Greece!!

Well this is the thing, best mates been living over there for six years now, took a risk and although everythings not roses, she wouldn't move back if she was paid. She has all the relevant info I need for the area surrounding her. Now she may be an 'ex pat' but is an 'anti' one at that! She avoids em like the plague!! Only thing I have up on her at the moment is she couldn't speak a word when she went and had use her kids as translators, shes perfectly fluent now, but I speak more than what she did at first.

Originally Posted by Viney

If you were however, going to earn lots more and stuff like that then do it.

Ahhh now, you see big house and other buildings = long term investment for business, anyone fancy stopping by on a grand tour on their bike...a niche market, but one to seriously look at. For me personally its something different to earn money and something closer to home vs working 12 hr shifts in a chocolate factory, WHICH is a torturous affair!
It may all seem pie in the sky, but a serious look at any business opportunity is in process at the moment, weighing up pros and cons for alsorts..

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Quedos

i would go - desperately tryong to get garry to going to Oz with the work but he's not making enough noise about it so will probably get overlooked

I wouldn't move there, its a much much higher cost of living against wages over there. I know of people having to come back as they can't afford to live there.

Plans are afoot for me to retire to Malta eventually, so I'd say go ahead, do it and enjoy it while you can.

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

http://www.rc-fp.com/Properties/Cent...524_Centre.htm

Wow, what a cool site.
I can swap my estate house for a 5 bed farmhouse, 20 acres, 22 stables and many many farm buildings in Normandy and get some change too.

The grass is always greener on the other side?
Family
Friends[multiple]
Health care
Language
Weather.
Employment
Cost of Living.

There is a lot of difference between seeing someplace through rose tinted spectacles when on holiday or visiting to actually living there.

It would have to be a very convincing argument with very sound reasoning to persuade me that it would be for the better.

I have know several people who have regrets over giving up for a complete life style change but if you never try you would never know is the other side of the coin.

[maviczap]

Life aint so green on the other side, my sister been to Oz twice with her family and came back

Saw a news article on folk living in France, who were getting their groceries delivered from British supermarkets because the cost of living had gone up so much. A bag of shopping in France cost £50. The equivilant from the UK incl delivery £29.

Britain isn't great at the moment, but lots of other countries are or will be having just as bad a time soon.

But fortune favours the brave, so go for it if you think its right. Britain will still be here if you need it

Made this mistake when I was 18 and moved to the UK. Still stuck here, 12 years later, dreaming of going back to Canada.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

The grass is always greener on the other side?
Family
Friends[multiple]
Health care
Language
Weather.
Employment
Cost of Living.

There is a lot of difference between seeing someplace through rose tinted spectacles when on holiday or visiting to actually living there.

It would have to be a very convincing argument with very sound reasoning to persuade me that it would be for the better.

I have know several people who have regrets over giving up for a complete life style change but if you never try you would never know is the other side of the coin.

Its a perfectly acceptable thing to ask Mac. However it is a perfectly plausible thing to think about in our current situation, and one that hasn't just been born out of some half cut thought over a few cans of cider or something. Its one to consider over the next six months, as like it or lump it, we are moving away from this place, be it back towards you, which we can't afford(well we could, but Peg would be working til hes 80), or within a better place around here, and pay through the nose for. I am lucky I bought my house when I was 23 single, I am far from blonde when it comes to financial affairs, and have been very very shrewd with this house...and if its sold and pulled off with no massive drop in price...I'm absolutely laughing!
I have been told of one of those people you are talking about that regrets a move, but then I wouldn't move to Oz. However I have a friend in New Zealand, who moved there with no regrets. My best mate in France has had it exceptionally hard. Her husband has taken the best part of six years to find a French truck firm to work for, and now hes got one. Both of them and her children say they woudln't move back here if they were paid. They'd rather live in a tent at the bottom of one of her very large fields!
Family My mum and dad have told us to do it. My parents took a decision when we were kids to risk a lot and move, in which my father spent six years in Saudi Arabia, only seeing three young kids(one only just born) every six months for 10 days at a time. Where they lived was not deemed acceptable in the long run to bring up three children in the way they wished. They wanted, like us for their children to have a chance of a nice home, with room to grow with good influences around. Good job, as that old place is now one of the worst places in Halifax to live. It paid off and we have had a great upbringing, and learnt a lot about working hard to get what you wish to achieve in life.
Also my best mate is considered as family, shes much older than me, shes a bit like you and Peg are, family.
Friends[multiple] Well in Pegs case they are all down south, in my case apart from the YCs and one or two others their ain't many that show their friendship often in the area. I have more ont org I consider as friends, and I'm sure given the plan and serious thoughts they'd back us up anyway.
Sorry but I have always had the philosophy, that if you can't be assed with me, I won't be with you, and believe me, if my mates need me, I bend over backwards.
Health care Fully aware of the implications over there, I sit for hours listening to Jet moaning about it, but as she says, its not all that bad really.
Language I don't speak French here, as I'm English, but once over there, I speak French..when in Rome. Yes, slightly rusty, but within days it comes flooding, it would take a matter of weeks to flow at the right rate.
I refuse to be the archetypal Rost Beouf and not make an effort. Now if Peg asked me to move to Cyprus for instance, I'd feel intimidated, as obviously hes fluent, but I haven't a clue. Cyprus is all very nice as a holiday, but I couldn't live there.I had enough after a week in Feb. I never want to come back from France.
Weather. Foooking Marvellous in Charente Maritime(which is where we'd most likely end up). Its in a pocket of micro climate on par most of the year with the South of France. Can't remember the science behind it. But I have regular updates when I'm freezing my t1ts off here, and shes sat in a bleddy Tshirt! Cowbag!
Employment This is the one to take serious consideration over, one of which needs addressing currently anyway.
Cost of Living. At the moment its no different to here. Its no cheaper, I already know this. Good job I aren't scared of growing my own stuff, with the right location, I am lucky I have grown up in a family of gardeners and growers. We aren't some retired couple moaning to the BBC about the price of living as they haven't thought things out properly, once there. I have seen what Maviczap is on about, and yes, if you like all the perks and brands, don't know how to cook for a family properly, then you will find it expensive!

Now the purpose of this thread, was to ask people what they would do given the chance. To see if people from various walks would stay or go. I'm 33, with what will be two kids, and everything to possibly change for the better...or worse.

[yorkie_chris]

So would Pete be working here and 'commuting' over?

Someone I know is doing similar working away, and the decent money is soon spent in 2 sets of living costs. big trade off to make.