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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.

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.

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.

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

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

SueEH Thu 24-Apr-25 14:07:08

I’m going to Greece.

Sawsage2 Thu 24-Apr-25 14:26:16

Faroe island

Cath9 Thu 24-Apr-25 14:35:57

My first choice would be in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand as I have a son who lives there. My second choice would be in Spain, not too far from the mountains where the family have a choice of skiing and not far from my brother, I also and speak Spanish

Niochorio Thu 24-Apr-25 14:51:03

We have retired to Crete. Love everything about the Cretan lifestyle, the Cretan people and their attitude to life.

Lesley60 Thu 24-Apr-25 14:52:14

Definitely Australia, I went there about 20 years ago for a month traveling around and it was the only holiday I haven’t been ready to go home.
The people were so friendly and said it as it is which I like, they had a great sense of humour and Australia is is such a beautiful country, I would love to go back but I don’t know if I could stand the long flight again, but I wish I had emigrated there when my children were young.

Susieq62 Thu 24-Apr-25 14:57:14

Portugal for me! Love the people and the culture.
New Zealand is wonderful but just too remote. Australia has lost its appeal for me now, too expensive, too materialistic, not enough history and yes I have lived there plus visited many times due to my brother living there along with other family members. Even Australians say it is not “ god’s country “ anymore !
Canada is appealing but not sure of the winters. So I shall stay in dear old Blighty and soldier on!

Earthmother9 Thu 24-Apr-25 14:57:29

I would choose South Africa, the big game would be wonderful to see in a natural lanscape.

SparklyGrandma Thu 24-Apr-25 15:22:33

Italy or Crete.

EEJit Thu 24-Apr-25 16:20:13

Japan

Bazza Thu 24-Apr-25 16:56:30

Canada for me too. I was born there but came to the uk as a child and didn’t return until I was in my fifties and I loved it. I was born in Nova Scotia which has brutal winters but not all Canada is like that, Vancouver island for example has a climate very like ours. I wish I hadn’t given up my Canadian passport, which I only did because passport control was a pain as my children had British ones. Beautiful country and kind funny polite people. Yes I know, huge generalisation but that was my experience after several trips.

Cateq Thu 24-Apr-25 18:09:17

In the early 60’s my parents sold up ready to emigrate to Canada as my grans brother owned a large apple orchard and offered my dad a job there. Right up to the week we were due to leave, my mum then suddenly changed her mind. This left us homeless with no furniture as it had been sold. She later on regretted her decision as my father died in very unusual circumstances a couple of years later. She always wondered if things would’ve been different had we gone to Canada.

Chocolatelovinggran Thu 24-Apr-25 21:05:28

I have family in Norway and it is a wonderful place with so much to admire, but it is cold - and very wet!

nanny2507 Thu 24-Apr-25 21:23:29

Italy. It's so beautiful

Jannicans Thu 24-Apr-25 23:42:11

Think I'll stick with Australia. Some decent strong politicians would be good instead of the pitiful ones we have now. Otherwise it's a pretty good place.

DrWatson Sat 17-May-25 02:36:33

Goodness, what a question! SO MANY possible places, and you don't mention budget, and a possible language barrier?

If you want sun, well, Spain is very civilised, and the Portuguese actually still quite like us! So do the Dutch, but their weather is quite like ours, though the country is at least well-organised and sensible.

Italy has a lot going for it, if you can master a little of the language? If you have a very big budget, then Denmark perhaps, or one of the other Scandi countries, but the further north you go the winter daylight issue (or lack of it) becomes a problem?

Athrawes Sat 17-May-25 11:41:24

Australia. I'm partly Aussie from my father and I've been there to visit my dad's brother whom he never met sadly. I loved it there but as my own family is now well and truly established in the UK I'll stay in the UK

BlueSapphire Sat 17-May-25 12:00:12

DH and I always said Canada.

Grandma70s Sat 17-May-25 12:04:33

It would be France or Denmark if it wasn’t for the language problem. I do speak French but not well enough. Since my main interest is talking it would have to be an English-speaking country. Not Australia (I’ve been there twice), still less NZ. Definitely not USA. It would have to be Canada. I’ve never been there, but have Canadian friends.

Magenta8 Sat 17-May-25 12:08:59

Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada.(I have relatives in all these places)
Definitely not USA.

nanna8 Sat 17-May-25 13:53:12

I wonder if there is a big downturn on people wishing to live in or even visit the USA. It is certainly off our ‘to do’ list.

MayBee70 Sat 17-May-25 13:57:49

Niochorio

We have retired to Crete. Love everything about the Cretan lifestyle, the Cretan people and their attitude to life.

My favourite place too!

Taichinan Sat 17-May-25 15:10:08

DH was military, so we've had experience of living in the Far East, Middle East, Cornwall and Northern Scotland. We went back to Singapore, and visited Kuala Lumpur for our silver Wedding in 1992 and definitely fell in love again with that area. Sadly DH died just after that, but we had discussed the possibility of emigrating to Malaysia. It is so beautiful, the people are lovely, and English is spoken widely. But I don't know - I love where I am now in north-east Scotland and when it comes down to it, east west, home's best