Hi all, I would like to move.. house, country, job... the lot. If you could live independent of your work constraints where would you suggest? I currently live in the South of France(!) in the countryside (16 years here - had two boys).. the area has some spectacular positives and fairly huge negatives(!). Positives: Amazing countryside, roads, best motorcycling area I have experienced (I have lived in a fair few countries), sunshine, hiking. Negatives: People are really difficult, not open-minded at all, very little social life, work is political and stressful as hell, local town is really quite grim, minimum intellectual culture, it's far too hot in the summer (I leave for 2 months to escape) Some things that are important to me: Good open minded people, a little bit of bustle, but not city centre chaos. The ability to visit cultural places (big fan of art museums and design in general) A sense of community would be great, but maybe too idealistic? Motorcycling..(!) A life that is not constructed on purchasing and consumption - I have pretty much built everything I own. Also I do enjoy "coffee shop" culture...to read or write in a shared space. Anywhere in UK and Europe is possible...(dual nationality) I've thought about: Edinburgh - really like Scotland (from Newcastle originally) Berlin - great artistic feel, melting pot, cosmopolitan (no need to speak German) Bath - liked the feel, but maybe too conservative? Bristol - like the artistic feel, but seems run down and perhaps going downhill? Tried to go to Melbourne, but wife said too far..! Munich - great feel, people very warm, but worried by language barriers. Any areas that you have visited/live in that have had a really had a good impression on you? - I realise that it is utterly subjective, but ideas and suggestions will be researched! Cheers and have a great Sunday! Grant
Guy I work with lives on the edge of Lake Como, it looks amazing and it's just north of Milan. Other than that, Germany may be a good shout. If you're coming to England, Berkhamsted is great IMO.
I've not lived outside the UK but been to many places in Europe and one of my favs was Hungary, great people, good food and good culture. I live in Cheltenham so got the Cotswold on my door step.
I couldn’t really advise moving to Britain. It sounds like everything you have in France but worse to me here. Granted I’m in the south east which is essentially the epicentre of dickheads-ville. most people I speak to want to get out of the U.K. P.s. - Bristol is a shit hole
Arnhem, NL . Natives are friendly and no language problems. Roads not very good for motorcycle enjoyment . Lived in The Hague for 7 years but would recommend staying out of the Randstad triangle , Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Utrecht.
I second Hungary - also cheap to live - good standard of living for a foreigner - language is difficult. How about Ireland - west coast for quiet - east for town life - south for a bit of both?
I know you said UK/Europe, but I lived in Canada for a year and if I wasn't more tied to the UK, that would be close to the top of the list. Not sure what it's like for biking etc.
I did over 7 yrs in Scandinavia, just under a year in Copenhagen, the rest in southern Sweden. Loved it over there and the track/racing culture was great, though road riding buddies were harder to find. Never wanted to return to UK but life became awkward with the brexit uncertainties so we made the move back in 2019. I regret coming back to a degree, but have resettled well back in the North East, less than 10 mins from the house I originally left. I guess the big thing that you need to explore is your future rights to resettle since Brexit execution. It could be enough of a minefield that apart from relocating in France, that UK may be the only easy option. If thats the case, up north is still the place to be.
I have EU passport and UK passport, so in theory I can go where I please within the EU. Where did you end up exactly? my family (brothers/sisters) are in Newcastle area, and I grew up in the Tyne Valley.
How about Southern Germany but perhaps not Bavaria. Stuttgart area is culturally rich, very affluent with stunning countryside. They grow decent wine all around, people do speak English and are keen to improve their language skills. Cold Winters with lots of snow and warm summers. 1 hour drive to the black Forrest for skiing or 2 1/2 to the Alps.
I'm just west of Durham in a pit village called Bearpark. (originally from Whickham nr Gateshead as a kid). Easy 20-30 min commutes for most things yet straight into the twisty lanes for hours in less than 5 mins. I think the timing of my move back was a perfect storm of covid and brexit so I have spent a lot of time lamenting the decision, but as life is getting back to normal a little I have realised that I did miss the north. Was living in a 300 yr old house in a small village called Södra Åby in Sweden. It was a 2 bus per day sort of place, but Malmö was 35 mins and Copenhagen around 1 hr, so big town/cities close enough for night life/live music/proper shopping. Much more of a laid back lifestyle there, even though I was doing 150km per day commuting cross border to work north of Copenhagen.
990 Glen Bearpark !.... I’m from Brandon originally small world innit, Royal Maharaja, The last thing I would do is come back to the UK, it’s grim and getting worse imo, we get at least 5 months of winter now and it never seems to warm up lately! How about location somewhere else in France?..love the south of France but no idea how expensive it would be to live there, also I have a mate who lives in Luxembourg and he loves the place, have visited him once and it has a nice chilled out vibe about the place. For me, we are trying to retire in Australia with our only Daughter and two grandsons, she’s been there 9 years now and having visited for 3 months at a time, travelled about a bit, got to know the country and the people, the sunshine and the beaches, the chilled out “ no worries “ Aussie lifestyle,...when I come back home in March it’s just so depressing, we’re not living here by comparison. Good luck with your search
evia , mainland northern Greece , within an hours drive of Athens , fab food, friendly people, culture and history by the bucket load , great biking, beautiful nature.........
Some. I lived in the Scottish Highlands for five years and now live back in the south east which I much prefer as the people are much friendlier. I'll move again and I'm part way through the process you're contemplating as I can't afford a house locally. Edinburgh is expensive and a big tourist city much like Bath. If you're interested in design and engineering etc Glasgow is a much more interesting city with a great history and friendly people. It does rain a lot though, as it's near the west coast. Access to decent countryside is easy. Your description of the negatives of southern France exactly described my experience of the Highlands except for the weather! All I'd say is focus on what you like and dislike about France then decide what you couldn't live without. If I had the option of living in continental Europe (pretty limited post Brexit) my choice would be Andalucia in Spain. Great regional cities like Seville and Granada. Access to the mountains and sea. Great roads and friendly people (in my experience). Very hot at the height of summer and language could be an issue (not on the coast though) but you have to take a hit somewhere.
