Best countries to live in

You say 'USA - never again'. Did you live in every state or are you basing the 'never again' just on the area you lived and visited?

I have lived in the USA for over 30 years. We always thought we would retire back in the UK, but life’s too good here to leave.

GagaJo I responded as I did because you did sound rather mercenary in your OP stating the main criteria has to be that they will pay me a high wage

I thought there to be many more criteria for moving to another country for a job rather than primarily pay, but now that you have elucidated I think it more understandable, and wish you well in finding your ideal situation.

Sadly teaching jobs in this country, even if available, do not seem very appealing because of the pressure and long hours, and teachers are leaving in droves. Unfortunately similar to other public service jobs in the present climate.

I do think however that many McD workers would be quite pleased to be on the same pay scale as new teachers!

Do you thin McDo workers have spent 6 years training and a whole lifetime of getting relevant experience?

But I agree, that there is a lot lot more to the satisfaction of teaching which are not related to wage. I started late, and quickly climbed the steps. But in the end, I chose to go back to main scale- because it was the only way to make the move I wanted to make (be 6th Form specialist) and I did not want to teach in private schools. I was lucky that I could afford to do that, for sure.

No need for sarcasm, Tigertooth. I have an MA, am International Baccalaureate trained as a teacher, thesis supervisor and examiner, have management training (NOT that I'm interested in management - I want to be in the classroom with students) and am an examiner for two Cambridge qualifications. So while I have no illusions about being a super teacher, am able to expect a salary that reflects all of that. AND at my age, I have limited earning power ahead so need to box clever.

Paperbackwriter, I couldn't agree more, re: free movement. I am of the mind that it should be available to anyone that needs it. When I lived in Spain I knew of expats there who had voted FOR Brexit. Bl**dy idiots.

I have lived in a number of countries and all have pros and cons.

I loved Germany and the Netherlands. Kenya was interesting but i'm not sure I would want to live there permanently.

Its a shame you have ruled out the US . I love it and have travelled there for business often. Minnesota is a place I like, very clean , lots of space and outdoor activities ( downside is they do have mozzies the size of small ponies lol)

I wouldn't rule out the US until you had experienced a number of states.

I'm not sure why you don't fancy Australia, but there are dozens of schools there which participate in the IB, state and private.

I've lived in New Mexico, Maryland and Washington DC. I actually have a green card but I don't anticipate using it again. Particularly now Trump's in power. My family are multi ethnic and we left last time because I didn't want my daughter (dual nationality, UK & US) growing up in a racist area. Now I wouldn't want that for my grandson.

Are your DD and DGS going to be living with you?

It depends where I go. They will come but DD will hopefully get a job there too and then they will live independently. BUT I wouldn't go abroad and live my DGS behind. He's the best part of my life and I'd miss him too much.

Japan! Haven’t lived there but their culture is peaceful. The country is clean. People polite etc.

I lived in spain for 15 years . It was a great place to bring up my children and loved every minute . Although I wouldn't mind giving Canada to .

This might interest you, GagaJo:

www.theguardian.com/education/2019/nov/13/why-british-teachers-fleeing-overseas-international-schools

DD3 has taught in various places so I asked her opinion.
For country? Italy
For the job? Thailand
Home life? Nigeria
UAE was 'ok' but didn't approve of it's politics!

Now with two young children , and living in England, she teaches English on line to Chinese children which fits in with her domestic arrangements.

Hi tigertooth welcome back on the forum ( I thought that I recognised that sarcastic style of writing.)?

Some if not all of the countries you are applying to have a retirement age of 60 for teachers (do check). You might be even less likely to secure a job if you have to come back to UK at 60.

China I can teach up to 60 and possibly beyond if I'm counted as a foreign expert, which I was last time. South Korea later. Switzerland, no limit.

I only intend to work up to 60 anyway so hopefully shouldn't be a problem. I don't have the pick of jobs I would have 10 years ago though unfortunately. Probably due to age.

Then again, she hasn't met you
*Callistemon^; Now what mischief are you up to?
With all due respect to Gaga, I'm not too sure I wish to meet her either; faced with all that talent and with me being a shy, unassuming chap, I'd soon be reduced to a gibbering mess of inferiority complex! Unless, of course, I can entice a suitable chaperone! Any takers?
OoRoo

No need to worry Rufus2, my bloke could act as chaperone. He'd talk your ear off, leaving no fear of unwanted, incoming, ingress from a bossy teacher.

Rufus I meant that Gagajo may find Australia more appealing if she comes and meets you.

He'd talk your ear off, leaving no fear of unwanted, incoming, ingress from a bossy teacher
GagaJo Phew! At first glance I thought you said your "bloke*, (!?) would take my ear off! Must check with Specsavers! Very nice to 'meet' you; where do you hail from? And who's the bossy teacher?
Whatever, there's no such thing as "unwanted, incoming ingress"regardless of its source, so please keep on ingressing.
Cheers! OoRoo
Btw; Please put the chaperone bit on hold for now!

You'd find very few snakes or crocs but the spiders may find you
Callistemon; I'm being run ragged here trying to support our tourist trade; we don't mention spiders here in VIC., especially redbacks; a bit of a turn-off for prospective visitors, although we still have the time-honoured defensive weapon; namely a stick in the pan to be rattled around before squatting. Especially useful in unlit latrines at night.
As they say, once bitten, twice shy!
Worse than sitting on a hedgehog I'd imagine, but we don't have them. OoRoo

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Yes, once bitten, always careful.

As N America and Australia are continents, they will vary tremendously depending on where you choose to live, Gagajo

In Switzerland, you could not teach in a State school- but only in private schools. Unless you can get them to accept your qualification and experience, which is rare - and you speak the local language to C1 level.