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Travel

Best countries to live in

(113 Posts)
GagaJo Wed 13-Nov-19 17:46:36

I'm applying for international teaching jobs worldwide and wondered where you think the best country in the world to live in, is.

I've lived in:
USA (will NEVER go there again - dreadful place)
UK
Spain
China

I'm applying in China, Indonesia, Switzerland, China, South Korea but am open to other places too. The main criteria has to be that they will pay me a high wage. After that, I'm open to ideas.

WHERE would / have you lived? And why do you recommend it?

lemongrove Fri 15-Nov-19 12:47:05

Instead of going to China or Korea etc try and get a job in a private school here in the UK.Better paid than state school if you need the money for your retirement and more discipline in the schools, which aids a teacher’s life.

Conni7 Fri 15-Nov-19 12:46:33

Loved Switzerland when I worked there years ago.

Annaram1 Fri 15-Nov-19 12:36:46

I don't know about the pay but I have visited South America and Ecuador seems a lovely place and the food and medical care seems great. Medical care is very reasonably priced. Housing is cheap. either to buy or rent.
Also loved Brazil, especially Rio, but there is quite a lot of crime there.
Disadvantage - both those countries are not good at speaking English, so you would have to learn either Spanish or Portuguese. Good luck.

Suerussell Fri 15-Nov-19 12:18:37

My sister is teaching in Brunei at the moment. She is 57 and has had issues with getting teaching jobs abroad due to her age. Many countries stipulate 55 as maximum age for applicants.

Therefore I would choose wisely for your next job and hope it will be a long contract.

schnackie Fri 15-Nov-19 12:17:18

I lived in Zurich for 3 years in the late 90's and absolutely loved it! It is expensive but salaries are also high.

sarahellenwhitney Fri 15-Nov-19 12:09:48

GagaJo
Best to who? as in 'Being in the eye of the Beholder'.?
I have travelled far with work in my younger days and what a colleague saw as wow I did not.

Rufus2 Fri 15-Nov-19 11:53:40

Wales (Atlantic College)
You may have to learn a foreign language
Callistemon; Great minds think alike, again! grin
Wales was to be my second suggestion, after AUSTRALIA of course, where the only other language you need is "Strine", which is easier to learn than Welsh! hmm, and you don't have to pitch your tent in flood zones, fire zones or hob-knob with snakes or crocs.! Sweet Dreams!

jura2 Fri 15-Nov-19 11:52:34

Lancslass - about Switzerland being expensive. As in the UK, just depends where you live. Some parts of Switzerland, like Geneva and Zurich, are hugely expensive- BUT with salaries to match. However, there are parts of Switzerland which are much much cheaper (as where I live) - and the good news is, that the salary for a teacher would be the same whether in expensive, or cheaper area. Can't compare living in London or most of the Midlands, and for sure the NE- re prices for rents, etc.

WendyBT Fri 15-Nov-19 11:45:40

New Zealand. No question.

Grannycool52 Fri 15-Nov-19 11:35:04

GagaJo, I do hope that you find the job that you want and need.
Every Gransnet post seems to attract a couple of nasty posters who think it's clever to make cruel sarcastic remarks, but most of us wish you well.
All the best x.

Lancslass1 Fri 15-Nov-19 11:05:39

Switzerland may be lovely but is very expensive.

polnan Fri 15-Nov-19 11:03:59

I am a little Englander, never want to be anywhere else

but admire anyone who travels etc.

I guess even the USA has good spots/places

Fernbergien Fri 15-Nov-19 10:54:44

Loved New Zealand Canada and Norway. Disliked USA but only went to LA area. Yuk. Hope your search goes well.

HettyMaud Fri 15-Nov-19 10:37:56

Why not try India? My neighbour worked there for many years and said he loved it so much he'd consider retiring there. I've never been though but did watch the TV programmes about celebrities giving it a try and they all loved it. Certainly very different.

Callistemon Fri 15-Nov-19 10:36:19

gillyknits that must be frightening

We'd hoped to go this autumn but decided against it

Shazmo24 Fri 15-Nov-19 10:32:53

Japan

gillyknits Fri 15-Nov-19 10:28:51

Wouldn’t recommend Hong Kong at the moment. I have a friend living there and she is terrified. The schools are closed most days because the pupils can’t get there . She is stuck there until June and can’t wait to come home.

FC61 Fri 15-Nov-19 10:28:51

My daughter teaches at Singapore university and she loves it ! She always looks healthy , sleek, and full of energy, unlike when she is at home in USA. She gets paid a fortune and from Singapore she has explored Bali Brunei Malaysia Borneo Vietnam Etc. My SIL lives in Australia but her house is under fire threat. Hamburg Germany is lovely to live in ! I lived years there. Love beautiful istria but not well paid. My BF lived in China but hated it , filthy , etc

4allweknow Fri 15-Nov-19 10:28:00

Japan, Thailand. A lot depends on what you are looking for other than money. Sure you will appreciate most countries will be good in some places and awful in others.

flamenco Fri 15-Nov-19 10:23:34

I would recommend Switzerland, I lived outside Zurich for 5years and loved it. So easy to travel to other countries bordering Switzerland, great train service. It is expensive and you would need a very good salary. Good luck.

jura2 Fri 15-Nov-19 10:22:01

Lindsay, sorry ot hear that. Even the Swiss themselves don't like Zurich, for the same reasons.

jura2 Fri 15-Nov-19 10:21:03

Poppyred ''Too good for the U.K. eh GagaJo?''

what a silly comment- have you read Gagajo's post?

For teachers, nurses, doctors, and so many more- it is also about working conditions. Here we have classes of 15-20 max- which is equal to some of the best and most expensive UK private schools. There are no queues of trolleys in A&E, and nurses are usually asigned to one or two patients, and have access to the best equipment and medicines without constraints. Midwives would only look after one woman in labour at a time. They would have a much much higher salary too, and not be faced with attacks, be they verbal or physical, on a daily basis.

Lindsay10 Fri 15-Nov-19 10:20:56

I lived in Switzerland for five years - near Zurich. Really disliked the conformity, smuggery and general 'I'm all right, Jack'-ness.

Callistemon Fri 15-Nov-19 10:17:19

Yes M0nica precisely

Just which is the best country in the world to live!

jenni123 Fri 15-Nov-19 10:13:27

i have visited many countries but lived in Egypt for 13 years and loved it. It did change after the last revolution but it is still close to my heart.