Thursday, March 22, 2007

Best Place to Live ?

Just recently I've given a lot of thought to whether some time in the future I'd like to try living in another country, but the question is where ?

My reasons, I reckon the standard of living in my country (which I love) is declinning due to many factors including, weak government, high crime rates, over crowding, failing industry, yob culture, failing infrastruture, etc. Ok I paint a grim picture and it isn't too bad yet but I'm sure these things are in decline.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions I am certainly not rich so the place chosen would need to have the same or lower cost of living than where I live now then maybe its a real possibility.
Anyway does the place exist that fits these following points :-
1. Similar or lower cost of living than the UK.
2. Friendly People that would make me feel welcome.
3. Good Climate (not silly hot in summer or stupid cold in winter).
4. Similar Foods as the UK (I'm a traditional meat eater and not in to fancy food).
5. English Speaking (I'm not one for learning new languages)
6. Good Sports Facilities.
7. Good Social Scene.
8. Low Crime Rate.
9. Property Costs lower than UK (Sell up, buy, make profit, get the jest).
10. No health issues with the area.

Suggestions ?

Tell me about your tips, include both advantages & disadvantages, sell it to me.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

How about Ireland? You could revel in their cricketing glory. And when you lose you can just say you're not interested in these foreign sports. Lot of Man U fans tho. Did you see the picture of the guy outside Croke Park protesting against foreign sports while wearing a Celtic shirt?

New Zealand is the other obvious location - bit of a trek though!

Meow Meow said...

I like the Ireland bit as well. It was such a beautiful place when I visited it yrs ago.

The state have choices, but for weather reasons you ought to consider somewhere in the middle. Tennessee? Kentucky? The furter south you get you have tons of humid air and the further north you get , lots of SNOW.

I'd love to spend a year in England. I could sight see and make new friends. WHat are yout thoughts on Parliment. I do like Tony Blair from what I've read about him.

I personally want to visit Italy and Australia. I reckon, I better get plans together if I plan on doing this before I kick the bucket.

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

have you thought about a Mediteranian Island such as Malta.
Fits everything you say except maybe sports facilities are not up to UK standard.
Ok it gets hot in the summer but not with the humidity with it only been a small island. It doesn't get cold in the winter.
They even drive on the Left side of the road.

Mick & Cathy said...

Graeme,
Nice to hear from you hope things are going well.
A lot of people like Ireland but can you really see me living in a country full of red vermin supporters.
New Zealand never been there but I reckon that could be good, maybe I'll plan a vacation there to see if I like it.

Rebecca,
Never been to Kentucky but been to both Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee. As for living there Memphis is great fun but I reckon Nashville would be the better choice to actually live.
If you ever do get around to visiting England don't just do London get up North thats where the real people are.
Italy I wasn't impressed when I visited but I'd love to go to Australia, in fact I plan to one day.
As for Tony Blair I think the same about him as the rest of our polititions, they are in it for themselves and are screwing the country.

Paul,
I've been to Malta and it has a lot going for it. I reckon a great place to retire but I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a sedate lifestyle. Nightlife is not so great but it would take some beating for climate and cost of living. Life expectancy is high in Med countries.

airliebird58 said...

Australia, there's rugby league there. No pubs though apparently, well not like we have them anyway. How about Holland? Everyone speaks English there!
Rebecca, believe me Blair is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Mind you, I have a bit of an irrational loathing of him always have had!

Jenny said...

Well that's a tough one. Of course I know how the US is and I know that down south east US(like Virginia, the Carolinas and further down--although that is hotter) are generally cheaper than the northeast and anywhere on the west coast. They have a nice temperate climate, speak english (well, our english anyway!) good property values and standard of living.

Outside the US, I am afraid I am just not too aware of their costs...

Anonymous said...

i am a player too but it doesn't pay like umpiring :-)

come to Australia, QLD sounds perfect for you.
x

Rachel said...

I thought Australia has an age cut-off of 42 if you want to come in and stay? Is that right? Don't know why I think that, though.

Well, of course, I'm right there voting on the USA because if you pick a spot, don't like, it's easy to move about. The South is mostly what you want except the summers are freaking ASS hot but you know? That's what they make ICE COLD brewskies for, my friend!!

Besides, you could be my British consultant for the tea line!:)

celtic_girl said...

I think Sydney,Australia fits most of your list.QLD is to humid for my liking, I can tolerate heat but not humidity.The only downside would be the property prices, though not sure how they compare with the UK.

TitanThirteen said...

I'm with San and Celtic Girl of course!
And QLD would definatly be too hot and Sydney is definatly too expensive!
You need to be close to where i am [Bathurst/Orange NSW]
The weather here is perfect.I don't like it too hot or cold either. It's always just right here, according to the season - all 4. The cost of living is good [dunno what to compare it to] except the rediculous price of petrol that yo-yos more than my diet!
We are not too far from Sydney if you need some city action. And mostly everything is close enough to be convenient. Crime is as bad as the area you are living in. Some parts here are good, and others are bad.
I love it here. It's pretty & It's close to everything but far enough away to have a lower cost of living :o)

Other than that, i'm with Graeme, New Zealand has all that. I've lived in NZ and i like where we are so much, mostly because it reminds me of there.

Mick & Cathy said...

Airliebird,
I'd like to visit Aus one day soon just to see what its like. I always find Aussies good for a laugh. You was kidding about the Pubs right ?
Holland, I've never really taken to Dutch people I've met don't know why, can't put my finger on it.

Jenny,
Once when checking out info when planning a trip to the US I looked up both Virginia & Carolina's and they certainly look to be a nice part of the world.

San,
As I replied to Airliebird one day I hope to visit Aus, I reckon I'll like it.

Rach,
If you ever need a English consultant I'm your man.

Celtic,
I with you on the humidity don't like it. Say that Rachel's ICE COLD Brewskies would help a lot.

Cactus,
You describe your area well, it sounds a possibility to consider.
I know a couple of people who have been to New Zealand and I get good feedback.