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Would you ever consider moving to continental Europe? And if so where?

SharpshooterTom

Usually when Irish people think about moving abroad, they immediately think of English speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia, NZ even the UK) but I'm wondering if you would consider moving to continental Europe, and if so, where would you choose?

I've always liked Scandinavia and definitely would be open to moving there (any of the countries), low crime, low unemployment, good wages, good education system, although taxes are through the roof. Germany likewise. Being fluent in German means gives you access to countries totaling 100 million people (Swiss German is quite different though). I've not been as keen on southern Europe largely because most of the countries seem to be forever dogged with high unemployment (France was close to 10% even before the pandemic), wages are a bit lower.

I've put a poll up (multiple choice) and grouped them into regions since I can't obviously list every country.

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Zebra3

SharpshooterTom wrote: »

I've always liked Scandinavia and definitely would be open to moving there (any of the countries), low crime, low employment, good wages, good education system, although taxes are through the roof.

:pac:

SharpshooterTom

Zebra3 wrote: »

:pac:

Haha typo. Now edited, thanks for spotting.

Alaninwondeand

If I was single id live in Lithuania.

Simi

Iceland, the Nordic countries, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium would all appeal to me. Only problem is my complete inability to learn another language

Yurt2

Slovenia always appealed to me.

Alpine living, high quality of life, lowish (for now) cost of living, Very nicely located in Europe bang in the middle of things and strong Austo-Hungarian Empire vibes. One of Europe's lesser spoken of gems.

No idea what I'd do there as my current career is not one that will ever go fully remote and I'm not going to be learning Slovenian any time soon.

Feisar

Not Belgium

Jizique

Simi wrote: »

Iceland, the Nordic countries, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium would all appeal to me. Only problem is my complete inability to learn another language

You only need English in all of them; local helps in some places, esp out in sticks, but not necessary

Day Lewin

Italy.

For the sunshine, the warm sea, the culture, and the food.

Also, I speak Italian.

Wish I was there this minute!

Gregor Samsa

Not continental Europe, but if I was going to move anywhere, it would be Iceland

Yurt2

Jizique wrote: »

You only need English in all of them; local helps in some places, esp out in sticks, but not necessary

I wouldn't recommend settling in Germany for an extended period of time and embarking on a serious career there without learning German. You'll get by on the ausländer pass for a year or two, but you will be judged negatively beyond that. And honestly, who can blame them?

[Deleted User]

Lived in the Balkans for 18 months, really enjoyed it, travelled a lot.
Very cheap, hot summers and cold winters.
I would live there again.

Ex was Finnish so spent a lot of time in Finland, first visited when it wasn't quite thawed out and wasn't mad about the place, but it grew on me! Loved it, would actually really love to live there, but only for 5 months of the year, a visit during winter is enough. The weather didn't bother me it is just too dark all the time.

Think I would like to live in Slovenia for a while.
Maybe Georgia or the Ukraine

Oh and fyi, Finland is not Scandinavian

[Deleted User]

Back to France, toying with the idea of retiring their.

blueskys

Portugal all day long..

murpho999

Jizique wrote: »

You only need English in all of them; local helps in some places, esp out in sticks, but not necessary

This is a really bad attitude.

If you want to have a more pleasant experience and maybe make local friends then you should try to learn the language.

It will enrich the stay, earn respect from people and if you manage it then it makes everything more enjoyable.

triggermortis

Lived in Holland and worked in Belgium for a while - best time ever.
Lived in Switzerland - good if you like rules.
Don't speak any German, French, Flemish, Dutch. Didn't starve but didn't assimilate. Glad to be home!!

ancapailldorcha

I could see myself relocating to the continent in a year or so when my contract here in the UK expires. Most jobs I see demand fluency in the local language so it probably won't happen. Think I'd enjoy the Netherlands, France, Germany or Sweden.

murpho999

If I didn't have to work then I'd try Spain or Italy . Think I'd prefer Italy.

Lived in Netherlands for 7 years. Enjoyed it, Dutch are friendly but pretty dull, mostly entertaining each other in houses.

My first Dutch birthday "party" was a big cultural shock.

I wouldn't want to go back but can be a very different experience if you go there as ex pat and live that life.

angel eyes 2012

Portugal, for the sun and the health system.

murpho999

SharpshooterTom wrote: »

I've always liked Scandinavia and definitely would be open to moving there (any of the countries), low crime, low unemployment, good wages, good education system, although taxes are through the roof. Germany likewise.

.

Same as Ireland.

[Deleted User]

First choice for city life would either be London or Madrid. For everything else I’d have to pick Spain.

[Deleted User]

Yurt! wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend settling in Germany for an extended period of time and embarking on a serious career there without learning German. You'll get by on the ausländer pass for a year or two, but you will be judged negatively beyond that?

Very true. Two years is really pushing the bounds of credibility. Work colleagues will expect you to be reasonably functional after a year.

Can’t speak for other countries, but Germans are generally quite distant initially, but are really terrific friends when you pierce the outer shell. You’re never going to be accepted, unless you show commitment to the country by learning the language.

completedit

Hard without the language tbh. But I am looking for jobs at the moment in Central Europe(Czechia) and Brussels. Its tough though. Would consider the Balkans, I should have done a year down there when I was in my 20s and career didn't matter.

Have already lived around Europe

completedit

Fozzie Bear

Day Lewin wrote: »

Italy.

For the sunshine, the warm sea, the culture, and the food.

Also, I speak Italian.

Wish I was there this minute!

Ya Italy for me too. Got married in Italy, been there countless times on holidays.
All of the above reasons and I have always found the Italian people to be very warm and welcoming. Absolutely love it there

RobertKK

The Romance language countries would be nice: Spain, Portugal, Italy, France or Romania.
All have good summers, beaches, mountains, EU members and I have found people from these countries very friendly and welcoming.

SharpshooterTom

Interesting poll results so far, the Iberian peninsula the most popular.

No love for Switzerland though?

[Deleted User]

Lived in Spain for a few years as an adult. Germany as a teenager.

Will probably retire to Spain considering the missus is from there and would like to go back however I always fancied south africa or the caribbean myself

mrasgar

Istanbul, Turkey could be a good option as well to live for a while.

Turkish is easy to pick up, people are very friendly, cost of living really low. The downside is wages are low as well in most jobs, so not such a good place to make money but more for the quality of life.

Thelonious Monk

mrasgar wrote: »

Istanbul, Turkey could be a good option as well to live for a while.

Turkish is easy to pick up, people are very friendly, cost of living really low. The downside is wages are low as well in most jobs, so not such a good place to make money but more for the quality of life.

There are millions of cats everywhere too, that would be a big draw for me lol.
There's a good film about the cats of Istanbul called Kedi, lovely film.

Spain or Portugal for me, one day, I just love warm weather and sunshine so much.

poisonated

I would like to live in Paris for a year.