Finally It's time to leave the UK

[Gould The Swimmer]

Canadian winters are a LOT better than UK ones mate. -20 is a lot more tolerable than the hovering around 0 we get, its wet and damp , which is nasty. Cold and dry , with clear skies, is pretty lovely.

Exactly this, the endless rain and dark clouds that seem to be no further than 100 feet overhead.

Wet weather is my kryptonite; I absolutely hate it.

[Gould The Swimmer]

I have a villa and vineyard in Bulgaria and a limited company for EU IT work. It's worth a visit and consideration.
Long hot summers going into September but unlike Spain it had lots of water and greenery
Short sharp winter
In easy reach of Turkey and Greece for summer holidays.
Cost of housing very cheap, (my council tax is £40 per year)
Cost of living cheap, no standing charge for water and power
Automatic work permit for Brits working in IT
Fast Internet
Limited company start-up cheap
10% flat rate tax
Car insurance very cheap
Many International companies have offices in Sofia.

What about the lingo?

[Paddy]

What about the lingo?

They speak Bulgarian; however, English is widely spoken especially by the young as it is a compulsory subject at school.
Major companies, English is the main language. Shopping online is in EN&BG. Taxes etc normally in Bulgarian and English, driving test in Bulgarian and English. Bank account in English, English speaking staff.
My neighbour's son in BG went to Ireland and started up a garage business. He pops back occasionally and obviously speaks good English. Village shop run by young chap who speaks English.

In neighbouring Romania, nearly everyone speaks English and it has great shopping and nightlife.

[GJABS]

I have been to Dubai, that's how I know I don't like it.

That wasn't me though. I can imagine a friend of mine who used to live and work there saying that but she wouldn't be so daft as to get caught for it.

True, you're more classy than that.
In that you'll use more classy swear words perhaps.

I went to Dubai in 2014. It's all "bling" and no substance isn't it. A rich tax-evader's/criminal's playground. I like the airport and the Emirates A380s though (cattle class), so would consider doing far-east trips via Dubai for that experience.

[jayn200]

Exactly this, the endless rain and dark clouds that seem to be no further than 100 feet overhead.

Wet weather is my kryptonite; I absolutely hate it.

Where do you live in UK? London barely hits 0 for a couple weeks a year and several major cities in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, probably a few others) have more rain than London in a year.

[vetran]

I don't think there's anywhere quite as miserable anywhere in the whole world as this country in January and February.

Last 3 years we've been in sunnier climes for those months, obviously hasn't happened this year.

There are many places in Latin America and the Carribbean that I have thought about making my home but I think realistically I'd plump for somewhere in Southern Europe - but not a Brits abroad type location. Maybe in a part of Andalucia that's not the Costa Del Sol or even the Canaries if there's somewhere not too oikish. Lovely climate there - would suit me down to the ground.

Not interested in NZ or Australia. Never been and never really wanted to. I guess I like a bit of olé in my travels.

Scotland & North wales? Until you have enjoyed their weather you haven't lived going for a walk in Ayr and coming back wetter than if you had gone swimming, having a wander in wales and coming back with hypothermia etc,

There is a reason everyone likes England and it not the food.

[ladymuck]

True, you're more classy than that.
In that you'll use more classy swear words perhaps.

I went to Dubai in 2014. It's all "bling" and no substance isn't it. A rich tax-evader's/criminal's playground. I like the airport and the Emirates A380s though (cattle class), so would consider doing far-east trips via Dubai for that experience.

I did Emirates biz class to Oz a couple of years back and, other than it being brilliant fun sitting in the bar having a cocktail while flying over Sri Lanka, the service wasn't all that great. HWMBO didn't get given his breakfast on one leg and they behaved like he was trying to scam them out of a second helping. On another leg the chap in front of me got four top ups of wine when I hadn't even been offered a first glass. When I asked if I could possibly have a glass of wine, to go with the meal I'd nearly finished, I was told I had to wait until it was my turn to be served.

Just as covid was kicking off, we were going to try out Qatar (there was an excellent deal flying out of Oslo) via Doha. I am still hoping to test that to see what that's like.

The A380 is massively falling out of favour with airlines now. I've only flown it on one trip in 2013 and it was so strange sitting on the top deck and thinking "this thing is not going fast enough to take off". It did, obviously!

[NotAllThere]

I flew cattle class to Oz via Dubai on Emirates. The service was friendly and attentive. This could have had something to do with my grandson (then just over one year old) wowing the cabin crew.

They were waving at him as they went through immigration in Australia.

[edison]

I don't think there's anywhere quite as miserable anywhere in the whole world as this country in January and February.

Last 3 years we've been in sunnier climes for those months, obviously hasn't happened this year.

There are many places in Latin America and the Carribbean that I have thought about making my home but I think realistically I'd plump for somewhere in Southern Europe - but not a Brits abroad type location. Maybe in a part of Andalucia that's not the Costa Del Sol or even the Canaries if there's somewhere not too oikish. Lovely climate there - would suit me down to the ground.

I've got friends from London who made their money in investment banking contracting in the 90s and eventually settled in Andalucia. They more or less retired by 40 and bought a few acres of land then built a large house for themselves and three holiday rental properties. They seem to spend most of their time hiking, cycling, dog walking etc and one of them still does a bit of coding for open source music software. Sounds idyllic but they live somewhere quite remote and off grid which would be a bit too much for me.