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If you were going to emigrate, which country would you choose ?

(104 Posts)
nanna8 Fri 18-Apr-25 13:11:38

Of course most wouldn’t want to and it may not be possible but where would you go ?
I was thinking New Zealand or Canada. New Zealand because they are 10 years back in the way they live compared with here ( better ) and Canada for its beauty and the people seem to be very similar in attitude.

essjay Thu 24-Apr-25 14:01:15

new zealand, loved being there when i went many moons ago.

Romola Thu 24-Apr-25 13:56:06

I've never wanted to emigrate, but here is my idea.
I know it's impossible as immigration is so limited, and extremely expensive, but the French part of Switzerland would be my dream.

Witzend Thu 24-Apr-25 13:52:34

Allira

Blossoming

Norway.

When we went to Cyprus in late winter/very early spring one year we met Norwegian people who went to Cyprus for months to avoid the Norwegian winter.

Similar to my Swedish friend who escapes from Stockholm to Majorca for a few months every year.

Gfplux Thu 24-Apr-25 13:46:44

I have emigrated to Luxembourg.
A wonderful, clean and safe country with great modern infrastructure and an excellent health service.

We even have free public transport. Yes free Bus, tram and trains,

Mojack26 Thu 24-Apr-25 13:46:33

Australia or Canada

TheWeirdoAgain1 Thu 24-Apr-25 09:07:59

I never want to emigrate but if I did it would either be Siberia or Iceland as I love cold and winters and thick snow!

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 23-Apr-25 15:12:00

Allira

^bug not poisonous thank goidness^
But affected my ability to spell.

Chuckling away here Allira! 😁

Allira Wed 23-Apr-25 14:53:33

Blossoming

Norway.

When we went to Cyprus in late winter/very early spring one year we met Norwegian people who went to Cyprus for months to avoid the Norwegian winter.

Allira Wed 23-Apr-25 14:51:12

bug not poisonous thank goidness
But affected my ability to spell.

Allira Wed 23-Apr-25 14:50:03

nanna8

Yes- you have to have a lot of money these days - a real lot. I have to say beasties and snakes etc are a non- issue. You rarely see snakes and are quite safe so long as you are not daft enough to walk barefoot through very long grass. They are scared of humans unless you tread on them or something. You wouldn’t touch a spider but who would do that anyway?

You wouldn’t touch a spider but who would do that anyway?

Me. In my defence, I didn't see it, it was on a plant pot I picked up in the garden. It was very painful indeed (bug not poisonous thank goidness).

Blossoming Wed 23-Apr-25 14:34:56

Norway.

Labradora Wed 23-Apr-25 13:37:48

Canada.
I live in France at the moment but it doesn't feel like emigration.
We'll either stay here or return to the UK.
We're too old to emigrate now. OH is 80 I am 71.

David49 Wed 23-Apr-25 13:10:27

Quite correct ten pound poms have long gone but that applies to most countries you have the have a skill they need.

Unless

You have money and can afford to buy your way in

nanna8 Wed 23-Apr-25 12:48:39

It was better, more innocent then. Almost everywhere but that’s another topic I suppose.

NotSpaghetti Wed 23-Apr-25 12:36:08

If I were doing this it would be Italy or Southern Ireland.
The places I'd have gone to though (say) 20 years ago are not the same anymore with too much (for me) development and more tourists.

Of course, 20 years ago the world was a different place I think.

NotSpaghetti Wed 23-Apr-25 12:27:22

Nanato3

Spain. Though I've never been abroad in my life grin

That's so interesting!
Why Spain then?

nanna8 Wed 23-Apr-25 12:22:40

Yes- you have to have a lot of money these days - a real lot. I have to say beasties and snakes etc are a non- issue. You rarely see snakes and are quite safe so long as you are not daft enough to walk barefoot through very long grass. They are scared of humans unless you tread on them or something. You wouldn’t touch a spider but who would do that anyway?

Allira Wed 23-Apr-25 12:02:36

If you are retired and wish to emigrate to Australia you have to prove that you have a certain amount in assets before you can do so. Your British State Pension will remain static at the amount it was when you left the UK too. A limited number of Parental Visas are available.
Of course, you would have to be able to fund your own healthcare too.

Allira Wed 23-Apr-25 11:57:30

David49

Australia still has a lot to offer, if you’re young and willing to work hard you will be made very welcome a have a very good lifestyle whatever your skills. If you’re retired and have family there there are lovely small towns with a comfortable feel to them. I have family in Queensland and Victoria either would suit us fine.

It really is not true that you can emigrate there whatever your skills or just because you are a hard worker.

henetha Wed 23-Apr-25 11:06:26

Australia is great and I have friends there. But my brother lives in Canada so I would love to be near him..
Therefore Canada.

David49 Wed 23-Apr-25 07:11:46

Australia still has a lot to offer, if you’re young and willing to work hard you will be made very welcome a have a very good lifestyle whatever your skills. If you’re retired and have family there there are lovely small towns with a comfortable feel to them. I have family in Queensland and Victoria either would suit us fine.

nanna8 Wed 23-Apr-25 02:23:38

My nephew lives in Spain, married to a Spanish girl. I wonder if that gives him permanent residence? I don’t believe he intends to return to the UK.
Interesting that no one would choose to live in the USA just now!

Catterygirl Wed 23-Apr-25 00:11:45

Had a house in Spain for twenty years and was employed by a local newspaper and ran a business same time. Miss Spain and little hope of returning due to Brexit.

Curlywhirly Tue 22-Apr-25 22:54:49

Being half Italian, not surprisingly, my choice would be Italy. I feel so at home there, love the culture, food and family values. It would have to be northern Italy (where my Mum came from) as recently (after years of being a sun-worshipper) I prefer the slightly cooler northern climate.

Skydancer Tue 22-Apr-25 17:58:05

This is an interesting thread. I’m going to start a new one asking who has emigrated, if so why and did they come back and if so why.