Two years near Dubai and one year in China (during covid). As a family we wish we stayed in the UAE. If visas didn’t become a problem we would be in China now. Looking for anything to get away again, Malaysia, Thailand or Singapore ideally. Money, standard of living, opportunities, culture abroad make it such an attractive thing to do. I’m a teacher and the difference is absolutely huge. Go for it if you get the chance.
Have you ever lived or considered living abroad?
- Thread starter Scrug
- Start date
BaronSmoggie
Well-known member
Was a Saudi and Dubai kid and then did 3 years in Qatar as a working adult during the financial crisis. As much as the UK appears to be turning into a **** show, I can't imagine now wanting to live anywhere else, this is home.
American_Mary
Well-known member
2 years in Monaco, 18 months in Denmark, 18 months in Dublin, and a year each in Aix-En-Provence and Paris, would go back to any of them in a heartbeat, some brilliant life experiences that I never imagined I would ever have and I think it certainly developed me as a person and challenged and changed my views on a lot of things.
The only advice I can offer is if you go embrace it until the pips squeak, make the very most of every opportunity to see and do things and approach it all with an open, inquisitive mind.
I travelled extensively from all of those places because they made possibly so many things I'd always dreamed of but never expect to see and other things I'd never heard but still dream about, so many experiences that cost nothing but will live with me forever.
Apart from getting wed and having kids, the best thing I ever did in my life, for me as a person, was living abroad.
The only advice I can offer is if you go embrace it until the pips squeak, make the very most of every opportunity to see and do things and approach it all with an open, inquisitive mind.
I travelled extensively from all of those places because they made possibly so many things I'd always dreamed of but never expect to see and other things I'd never heard but still dream about, so many experiences that cost nothing but will live with me forever.
Apart from getting wed and having kids, the best thing I ever did in my life, for me as a person, was living abroad.
ErimusExpat
New member
If you get the chance or want to chase new opportunities, then MOVE, regardless of how difficult you think it will be, it's worth it.
22 years in the US, apartment in Dubai, and travel extensively for work. Will always be proud to come from Teesside, but will never move back.
22 years in the US, apartment in Dubai, and travel extensively for work. Will always be proud to come from Teesside, but will never move back.
Redwurzel
Well-known member
I guess it depends what people are interested too.
No disprespect to some overseas places but I think I would find them a cultural desert.
To me the UK for its geographic size has the greatest variety of things to do and visit in the World. Where in the World would you find a major Salvador Dali and El Greco paintings in a place like Bishop Auckland?
Just look at the football leagues - is there anything quite the same in the World looking at the number of professional clubs and the depth of competitiveness. All overseas managers comment on it when they come the England in particular.
I am surprised posters think the UK is oppressive, to me there is great freedom here that you can say almost what you like and London must be the most cosmopolitan city in the World.
When the Aussie Government had the £10 Pom scheme running - around one third of Brits came back to live even though they had to pay their own expensive fare back.
I would not put people off trying it and of course many on here have benefitted from moving away from Teesside because of the greater employment opportunities overseas and elsewhere in the UK.
No disprespect to some overseas places but I think I would find them a cultural desert.
To me the UK for its geographic size has the greatest variety of things to do and visit in the World. Where in the World would you find a major Salvador Dali and El Greco paintings in a place like Bishop Auckland?
Just look at the football leagues - is there anything quite the same in the World looking at the number of professional clubs and the depth of competitiveness. All overseas managers comment on it when they come the England in particular.
I am surprised posters think the UK is oppressive, to me there is great freedom here that you can say almost what you like and London must be the most cosmopolitan city in the World.
When the Aussie Government had the £10 Pom scheme running - around one third of Brits came back to live even though they had to pay their own expensive fare back.
I would not put people off trying it and of course many on here have benefitted from moving away from Teesside because of the greater employment opportunities overseas and elsewhere in the UK.
Last edited:
Expat Smoggie
Well-known member
I lived in South Korea for over a year and loved the people but the food just didn’t agree with me. Also getting about is quite difficult as the infrastructure is compromised due to poor management. Trains are always packed although Incheon airport is fairly well managed.Where did you live in Korea Lowmoor??? And when? What an amazing place!
Smoggle
Well-known member
Lived in Kazakhstan for 5 years, Brunei for 2 years and Moscow for a year and a half. Recently moved to Thailand.
Absolutely love living abroad, getting to see new places and cultures. There are of course things from the UK I miss but I don’t want to return anytime soon and I’ve enjoyed every country I’ve been in. Even though Moscow got a bit hairy at the end I don’t regret going there and I had a fantastic time.
Absolutely love living abroad, getting to see new places and cultures. There are of course things from the UK I miss but I don’t want to return anytime soon and I’ve enjoyed every country I’ve been in. Even though Moscow got a bit hairy at the end I don’t regret going there and I had a fantastic time.
Colgates_shaving_foam
Well-known member
It doesn't feel like my country anymore, since the tories came in and turned it into a brexity 'hostile environment'.
I'm definitely looking for a life boat.
I'm definitely looking for a life boat.
BillyGoat95
Member
Long dreamt of it, especially when I'd go to visit family in Norway and Germany - but now I'm married and have a young child being close to family is especially important to my wife so can't see it tbh. Unless work ever presented the opportunity.
There's a lot of great things about living in the UK/Teesside, but this government and where we are as a society doesn't really sit right. Would love to feel like I live somewhere that reflects my values a bit more but we can all dream!
Like hearing where everyone else has lived, really interesting
There's a lot of great things about living in the UK/Teesside, but this government and where we are as a society doesn't really sit right. Would love to feel like I live somewhere that reflects my values a bit more but we can all dream!
Like hearing where everyone else has lived, really interesting
alanmoodysdog
Well-known member
last 3 years in Thailand in the rural North West .... remote homestead on 2 acres , growing mangos, bananas, papya ... love it , only bill is electric, water from a bore well, house owned and paid for ... 2 big loyal dogs and a modern city 40 mins drive away .... 65 now and can see me ending my mortal coil there... been over to UK for 15 days now and amazed how the prices have shot up and everything is contactless payment which was just starting when I left .... honestly cant wait to get back to Thailand to the weather and the chilled lifestyle
Big_Nothing
Well-known member
In Hà Nội, have been for most of the last 5 years.
Spent a few months living in Budapest and a few months in Florence but neither of them quite had the same impression on me as Hà Nội.
The city just seems to fit me. There's a great balance of Vietnamese and other cultures here in terms of food and people. I can eat a local meal for 1-2 quid.
I go to see live football although the standard isn't great.
Beer is anywhere from 30-40p a glass up to a fiver for imported craft or Belgian beer.
I've a nice apartment with a city view from the bath and balcony.
I enjoy nothing more than driving my Royal Enfield to work on a morning or out of the city at the weekend.
Earn a damn sight more than I would be if I stayed in the UK and I get to save more of it, it's a no brainer.
The biggest thing I would say is that my last 5 years in the UK seemed to go by in the blink of an eye.
I've spent 5 years here and it feels like its been a decade, so much has happened and I don't feel like my life is disappearing in front of me.
Hopefully I'll get to throw in some adventures and spend a month or two living in different cities around the world each year.
That said, I miss home hugely, the cost is that my life before here is going on without me. My friends are getting married and having kids and I can't be there to celebrate it. My parents get older. I miss the feeling of being at the Riverside or in The Golden Smog with a pint of ale, good company and dry wit.
It's a hell of a trade off. There's no right or wrong way.
Spent a few months living in Budapest and a few months in Florence but neither of them quite had the same impression on me as Hà Nội.
The city just seems to fit me. There's a great balance of Vietnamese and other cultures here in terms of food and people. I can eat a local meal for 1-2 quid.
I go to see live football although the standard isn't great.
Beer is anywhere from 30-40p a glass up to a fiver for imported craft or Belgian beer.
I've a nice apartment with a city view from the bath and balcony.
I enjoy nothing more than driving my Royal Enfield to work on a morning or out of the city at the weekend.
Earn a damn sight more than I would be if I stayed in the UK and I get to save more of it, it's a no brainer.
The biggest thing I would say is that my last 5 years in the UK seemed to go by in the blink of an eye.
I've spent 5 years here and it feels like its been a decade, so much has happened and I don't feel like my life is disappearing in front of me.
Hopefully I'll get to throw in some adventures and spend a month or two living in different cities around the world each year.
That said, I miss home hugely, the cost is that my life before here is going on without me. My friends are getting married and having kids and I can't be there to celebrate it. My parents get older. I miss the feeling of being at the Riverside or in The Golden Smog with a pint of ale, good company and dry wit.
It's a hell of a trade off. There's no right or wrong way.
BillyGoat95
Member
Hanoi is the best city I've ever visited, great post to read. What do you do for work, if you don't mind me asking?
Germany for a few years when in the army. Lived off barracks so got some experience of living. It’s a great country but quite vast. We never got the chance to best the far south or east. Don’t know anything about the work opportunities or tax laws.
Travelled Netherlands extensively and love it there but again, no idea on what it would be like to live there.
For me the uk is great, it’s given me a safe environment to have a family and work opportunities. Plenty of great places to see and visit.
I’d agree with poster above, squeeze every pip because there is plenty out there.
Travelled Netherlands extensively and love it there but again, no idea on what it would be like to live there.
For me the uk is great, it’s given me a safe environment to have a family and work opportunities. Plenty of great places to see and visit.
I’d agree with poster above, squeeze every pip because there is plenty out there.
Big_Nothing
Well-known member
Primarily involved in education. It's been a good journey.
SmallTown
Well-known member
This would be my plan too. Sadly the other half isn't up for it or I'd be out there tomorrow
MolteniArcore
Well-known member
I'd love to move abroad. Sadly I don't work in an industry where I could get a job out there so it isn't an option atm. Hoping to change career soon though and once I have a bit of experience we will consider it.
Never thought about moving abroad until Brexit. This country changed for the worse then sadly.
Never thought about moving abroad until Brexit. This country changed for the worse then sadly.
Malaguena
Well-known member
Do it and embrace it fully. Loved our time in Malaga. To make the most of it though, make an effort at least to learn the local language - as well as not looking like a typical British expat, you'll be surprised how far it gets you and how much easier it will be to integrate
changingman
Well-known member
Not yet, but am trying to leave daily. Probably somewhere Nordic but if we have to play the longer game re EU passport then so be it. Ireland looks like a sensible first step perhaps.