Now for the crazy answer.
We were visiting my cousin in the Republic of Ireland (our second visit) and whilst driving around we saw a bungalow being built. No one was around so we had a nose around (like you do) and somehow the next day we "happened" to be going along the same dead end lane and the builder was there. After 5 minutes we shook hands and the deal was done. A quick trip to the auctioneer (Irish Estate Agent) Solicitor and that was that.
We had tremendous support from our 3 children my 90 year old mum and most of the family (one of my wife's sisters didn't like the idea)
It took a year for our house to be sold in Ashford then the move was on. (I had decided that the day the house was sold would be the day I retired)
The move was 4 years ago. We have not looked back. Admittedly we had a little trepidation about being accepted, if we would like it, what about life without the NHS etc. There was no need to worry. All the other people in the lane came to visit us and extend a welcome (we were told that the entire lane goes out at Christmas and we were included!) we had told the kids that if we didn't like it we would sell up move into warden controlled flat and spend the money on holidays. As for the health service; well I was diagnosed with cancer on the 19 October had several tests and scans to determine the extent of it, told it would be a good idea to see the children for a few weeks before the surgery had chemo and radiotherapy (including being provided with accommodation for both my wife and myself, paid for by the Irish Cancer Society) and a 10 hour operation to remove part of my stomach and 27cm of oesophagus. The result is now an all clear.
All in all, the move, on a whim, has once again worked. A friend down the lane asked me the other day if I would ever return to live in England I didn't have to think of my answer - "no"
Modern day travel means that it takes less time for us to get to see my mum now than it did before we moved.
I have never regretted anything that I have done “on a whim” perhaps I have been lucky but my advice will always be – Go for it you may regret it if you don’t
Cross partyAsylum seekers in UK should have right to work after six months!