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

BOHtox · 05-03-2021 2:32am

Portugal for their lack of crypto tax

Fionn1952 · 05-03-2021 2:34am

As I'm lucky enough to be able to work remotely, I've spent ~12-18 month periods living beachfront in Benalmadena, in a small village in Gorges du Tarn in the south of France and a brief period of around 6 months in Switzerland. I spoke very little Spanish, but the local community in Benalmadena were very international and I spoke enough broken French and native English to get by in the others.

Mollydog123 · 05-03-2021 2:39am

Iceland or Norway for me. Been to both. Iceland has fantastic scenery and Im big into walking/hiking. Reykjavik is a nice small compact capital. Norway too has great scenery. Everything is expensive in both but Norway has high wages and a 200bn fund from their oil industry so no money worries at the moment.

Fionn1952 · 05-03-2021 2:49am

Mollydog123 wrote: »

Iceland or Norway for me. Been to both. Iceland has fantastic scenery and Im big into walking/hiking. Reykjavik is a nice small compact capital. Norway too has great scenery. Everything is expensive in both but Norway has high wages and a 200bn fund from their oil industry so no money worries at the moment.

I spent about a month in Oslo and didn't find the local wage increase sufficient to justify the massive increase in living costs. As much as I really enjoyed visiting, Norway will never be on my list of places I'll work from again. Very high taxation too.

05-03-2021 7:21am

KungPao wrote: »

Serious Q. As a gentleman of circa 2 score, what’s the deal with pensions and contributions and that lark if I just decide to feck off to another EU country or even outside?

You claim your Irish pension and live abroad or you can transfer to their system if you qualify for both.

Jeju · 05-03-2021 7:41am

murpho999 wrote: »

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.

What would be more annoying is if you brought your friend and got a job in one of them grocery supermarkets and while serving customers have a conversation with your buddy in English.

manonboard · 05-03-2021 7:53am

I moved to Finland a couple years ago. Im still here. I like it alot. Its a good society. Its positives outweigh the negatives. The cold is not bothersome, the society is adapted to it.

Estonia is a interesting place if you are able to keep your existing wages. It's super cheap and all the benefits of a 1st world place. You could definitely upgrade your life style if you manage that.

I'll be moving to portugal next year. I fancy trying the sun since i've tried the cold. After learning Portuguese, i might try a couple years in brazil after it.

(bachelor, no kids)

sammye333 · 05-03-2021 8:24am

I Lived in Holland for three years. I really liked the place.
I used to do a bit of cycling in Ireland and took it up again . Great cycle ways . Cyclist are No1 over there.

I'm currently living in Sweden. I only moved here late last year. My first impressions were cold, dark and miserable .
The weather has changed and now its beautiful again.
The swedes aren't really bothered with corona virus, so most places are still open. (9euro a pint keeps me out of pubs)
Most swedes (on my project) only work 3.5 days a week, so they have a great work life balance .
I'm really looking forward to the summer months

Jequ0n · 05-03-2021 8:26am

Back to France but then I’d be too close to what I tried to get away from

Real Life · 05-03-2021 10:13am

Id definitely consider Holland, Germany or Finland. Im basing that on what I hear from friends who live in those places. Theres probably a few other countries in Europe that I would be open to too if I had a chance to get to know them.

NeuralNetwork · 05-03-2021 10:17am

I speak fluent French but I’m just wondering how people have gotten on without initial language skills in other countries.

I lived in Spain (northern) and *really* struggled with it to get fluency in Spanish, despite really trying very hard with it. I could understand TV and radio, read the paper and all of that but I’d get totally lost when people were speaking to me. I held down a job, but it was 90% in English and it would be a little unusual to find anything similar again.

My hearing is a bit weird due to history of ear surgery, so when I’m in a bar (even in English) it’s often a bit of a mess as I can’t really grasp what’s being said if people are talking across each other, so I end up sitting there a bit baffled - that’s sort of why I’m a bit concerned about moving but at the same time I wouldn’t mind spending some time abroad again.

Maybe I didn’t give Spanish enough time but I thought after almost a year, not being able to strike up a conversation was really a dead end for me. It became very isolating.

I could go to France but it’s just not a new experience and while I like aspects of it, it’s not really for me. I lived in Belgium too but it’s again not that different and afaik Switzerland has complications around work permits?

I’d be keen to go though after Covid-19 calms to the point we can start travelling again. At the moment it still seems a bit of a mess.

murpho999 · 05-03-2021 10:58am

Jizique wrote: »

Depends where you are and what the job is - ECB in Frankfurt would be fine, some small engineering place in a village in Saxony not so much

If you to have a good experience it will be better with the language.

Germans, no matter how good their English is will always prefer to speak German.

A group of Germans will speak German together and you'll be excluded from that.

Your life there will be a lot better and enriched if you make attempts to learn the language.

I don't get this "would be fine" attitude, sounds lazy and ignorant to me.

Gregor Samsa · 05-03-2021 11:28am

I work for an American company with an office in Cologne. There's a large mix of nationalities in that office - Germans probably only make up half the staff. They use English as their day to day language in the office, so technically maybe you could "get away" with not speaking German - at least in your professional work. And you'll be able to get a taxi and order in a restaurant in English. And do your shopping.

But every single non-German I know in the office has begun learning, or improving, German within a year of moving there with formal lessons.

I knew someone else who moved to France (they had retired relatively young, so working wasn't an issue). They had a small bit of French, and used it and tried to improve it a bit, but really they were "getting away" with a very poor standard of the language, complemented with English and lots of pointing, and thought they were doing OK for the first few months.

But one day there was a problem with their electricity bill, and had to get on to the utility company. Even though the people they were talking to in there were actually helpful and tried to use a mix of English and simple French, my friend quickly realised that in in order to actually get through normal life there and deal with real-life problems (not just tourist life), you'd need a relatively good standard of French. For dealing with utilities, banks, local authorities, government departments, etc.

NeuralNetwork · 05-03-2021 5:19pm

That was the problem I had in Spain a few times, I wasn't able to deal with technical support with an ISP at all and even things like filling in forms for various state services needed someone to help me translate.

I'd have zero issue with any of that in French, but it becomes quite challenging in Spanish.

Belgium is almost too forgiving about not speaking Flemish or French and will default to English almost too easily to the point you can't practice your target language. I found the Netherlands similar too.

It does show though there's a major difference between the EU and US in terms of internal mobility. You can pack your bag and move to another part of the US, which is as far away as another European country, without any real complications at all.

ablelocks · 05-03-2021 5:28pm

Germany - Berlin or Dresden would have most appeal.

South of France - near to Montpellier as it is fairly central point for access to Toulon / Toulouse / Clermont

josip · 05-03-2021 5:33pm

NeuralNetwork wrote: »

...
Belgium is almost too forgiving about not speaking Flemish or French and will default to English almost too easily to the point you can't practice your target language. I found the Netherlands similar too.
...

Similar in Sweden.
I lived there for a year and made a big effort to learn Swedish before I went, "Forlat, ja pratar mycket liten Svenska"
But when I got there, everyone socially wanted to practice their English with me.
At work, all meetings were in English.
The lads at work suggested that the only way I was going to learn Swedish was to get a Swedish girlfriend.
Never one to ignore helpful advice, I duly got a Swedish girlfriend that weekend.
She was an English teacher.

SharpshooterTom · 05-03-2021 8:58pm

josip wrote: »

Similar in Sweden.
I lived there for a year and made a big effort to learn Swedish before I went, "Forlat, ja pratar mycket liten Svenska"
But when I got there, everyone socially wanted to practice their English with me.
At work, all meetings were in English.
The lads at work suggested that the only way I was going to learn Swedish was to get a Swedish girlfriend.
Never one to ignore helpful advice, I duly got a Swedish girlfriend that weekend.
She was an English teacher.

I was told by www.reddit.com/r/svenska and learners of other Scandinavian languages they will speak to you in their language if you politely ask or tell them you want to practise speaking Swedish etc.

05-03-2021 9:59pm

murpho999 wrote: »

If you to have a good experience it will be better with the language.

Germans, no matter how good their English is will always prefer to speak German.

A group of Germans will speak German together and you'll be excluded from that.

Your life there will be a lot better and enriched if you make attempts to learn the language.

I don't get this "would be fine" attitude, sounds lazy and ignorant to me.

I explained that to a friend who was living abroad. In a country with probably one of the easiest languages to learn coming from English. I told him the locals probably find him quite rude and ignorant "Nah sure they all speak English" he says. Couldn't understand why he couldn't get more than 2 dates with local girls. I tried explaining that it's probably because he doesn't speak their language. Are they want to go somewhere on a date where they have to do the talking to wait staff or whatever? Or if they're thinking down the line about hanging out with friends.
I'd be embarrassed to constantly be asking people serving me to repeat stuff in English after a few months let alone a few years.

Mad_maxx · 05-03-2021 10:24pm

Alaninwondeand wrote: »

If I was single id live in Lithuania.

Polands little brother

Mad_maxx · 05-03-2021 10:25pm

blueskys wrote: »

Portugal all day long..

+ 1

i adored Lisbon , Portugese people are lovely

LimeFruitGum · 05-03-2021 10:28pm

I'd be open to it - France, Germany or Austria as I studied French & German at 3rd level. They're a bit rusty, but I would prefer to ramp up
French or German than learn a new language from scratch. I do like the idea of spending a year or two in Vienna.

I don't want to be out in the sticks, I don't see the point in moving to the French equivalent of Carlow (don't @ me) or wherever. I would want to be in or near a decent-sized city where there are good connections for travelling, and doesn't have a massive Anglophone ex-pat scene.

05-03-2021 10:32pm

Switzerland.

darragh o meara · 05-03-2021 10:38pm

Would love to live in France for at least a few years of my life. We go there as a family most years and I love the way of life over there. My French is OK and I can get by in most situations that I’ve encountered so far, but overly willing and as me to improve my skills which is easy when your around it all the time. A few years ago I was speaking with a native and he was impressed that I had some French but kept laughing when I spoke, eventually he told me that the French I had learned in school was actually an old way of speaking akin to us speaking Shakespearean English.

LimeFruitGum · 05-03-2021 10:39pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Are they want to go somewhere on a date where they have to do the talking to wait staff or whatever? Or if they're thinking down the line about hanging out with friends.
I'd be embarrassed to constantly be asking people serving me to repeat stuff in English after a few months let alone a few years.

Oh same here! I knew plenty of Irish people when I lived in Munich who had feck-all intention of learning German beyond "ein Bier bitte", and who had lived there long enough that there was no good excuse.

It's all very well handling the orders when you're on holiday, but to do it all the time when you're in their country is going to get seriously annoying. That's a lot to ask of a non-native English speaker every day, on top of the romantic relationship.

Yurt2 · 05-03-2021 10:56pm

SharpshooterTom wrote: »

I was told by www.reddit.com/r/svenska and learners of other Scandinavian languages they will speak to you in their language if you politely ask or tell them you want to practise speaking Swedish etc.

The classic language battle. When you're an improver in the language but not quite there yet and the native speaker won't budge from speaking English.

This is a weird one and something a lot of language learners run into, particularly in certain countries.

In my experience politeness doesn't even work the only option is to double-down and get really good at your target language to stop this happening. Be it through talking to your cat in the language and particularly getting everyday patter and slang smooth. Eventually you'll hit a breakthrough where natives will stop trying to shoehorn English in there (even if they think they're being helpful or flexing on you).

Fatnacho · 05-03-2021 11:06pm

Copenhagen is a great city. Scandinavian but with some strong Germanic influences. Stylish restaurants/bars, strong infrastructure, lots of English speakers, nice historic centre and the locals love a beer. Expensive but manageable if you do a bit of research.

05-03-2021 11:13pm

LimeFruitGum wrote: »

Oh same here! I knew plenty of Irish people when I lived in Munich who had feck-all intention of learning German beyond "ein Bier bitte", and who had lived there long enough that there was no good excuse.

It's all very well handling the orders when you're on holiday, but to do it all the time when you're in their country is going to get seriously annoying. That's a lot to ask of a non-native English speaker every day, on top of the romantic relationship.

Yeah I always find on holidays in Europe if I try to speak the language they'll usually respond in English, they're happy to help and I'm sure they appreciate the practice. Except in French-speaking areas. **** those people. :P
But if I'm going to spend more than a week or two somewhere I'll do some proper prep and I'll make a proper effort while there.

Hermy · 05-03-2021 11:26pm

murpho999 wrote: »

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

Why so? No beer?

branie2 · 06-03-2021 1:37am

If I did, it might be Spain

ILoveYourVibes · 06-03-2021 1:41am

Hell yes

Spain or Italy maybe south of france .

Rodin · 06-03-2021 1:44am

Id spend winters somewhere nicer, drier and brighter. So Southern Europe.

completedit · 06-03-2021 2:16am

Rodin wrote: »

Id spend winters somewhere nicer, drier and brighter. So Southern Europe.

I spent 2 months in Malaga back a couple of years ago. Honestly maybe I just love long roasting summer days too much but it was pretty grim. I had been there the previous summer and the vibes were amazing. When I returned everyone had returned to Madrid and it was windswept and isolated. Do miss the place though. Have a weird fondness for the drunken donuts stall near the port.

It's crazy how cold Europe gets even as far south as Bulgaria and Greece. My friend is from Sofia and the weather there fluctuates so much. Can be 17 and then - 12 a few days later.

feargale · 06-03-2021 2:45am

Hamachi wrote: »

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.

I've never met anyone from the Ruhr area that I would go out of my way to meet again. On the other hand, anyone I've ever met from the north-west, Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck, Schleswig-Holstein in general couldn't be nicer.

Theman343 · 06-03-2021 2:48am

Hallstatt in Austria amazing place.

feargale · 06-03-2021 2:53am

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.

Interesting city, but I hope you're a teetotaller.

06-03-2021 2:58am

I would love the experience of living somewhere on continental Europe; the main obstacle for me comes in terms of securing employment with a language barrier. I've travelled to a few countries and there isn't anywhere I'd immediately rule out, though ideally I would love a move to Germany as I've become a bit of a Germanophile over the past few years (which has really made me regret my decision to do French in secondary school rather than German).

I've visited a few places in Spain and really liked the way of life over there; my Spanish is not particularly good, however.

feargale · 06-03-2021 2:58am

Yurt! wrote: »

I've found Oslo to be a seriously boring place for a capital city. Most meh capital in Europe for my money. And the price of things is bonkers.

Only stuff that is accompanied by service, e.g. food, drink and accomodation. Other items are no more expensive than Ireland,

06-03-2021 3:01am

Yurt! wrote: »

I've found Oslo to be a seriously boring place for a capital city. Most meh capital in Europe for my money. And the price of things is bonkers.

Never been to Norway but I've heard that about Oslo. I've heard Bergen is meant to be really nice, though. Ultimately Norway probably isn't a country you go to for a city break, it's all about the breathtaking scenery.

Strumms · 06-03-2021 3:11am

I’ve lived and worked in France and spent a lot of time there subsequently both holidays (yearly) plus the odd work trip...

I’d go back, I love it, although it’s expensive, especially Paris and Nice where I was so you’d need a well paying job, 55 grand a year minimum to obtain a ‘quality’ and enjoyable lifestyle while saving some and paying rent / mortgage, food, clothing, utility bills.

I had a job with the OECD in Paris, I was asked to stay there after my contract expired but the wages were cack although the work was easy... piss easy..

Apart from one boss ( who was Irish ) I was treated brilliantly, by management, colleagues, contractors...

BorneTobyWilde · 06-03-2021 3:14am

Would have to be coastal, maybe along the Med. Some small hidden gems there.

McGiver · 06-03-2021 3:15am

Fatnacho wrote:

Copenhagen is a great city. Scandinavian but with some strong Germanic influences. Stylish restaurants/bars, strong infrastructure, lots of English speakers, nice historic centre and the locals love a beer. Expensive but manageable if you do a bit of research.

Been there, didn't live there though. Found the Danes a bit grumpy and arrogant. Some overlap with the Germans and even the English in some of the negative aspects, let's say.

Know and work with Swedes, all lovely polite people, especially if you talk Swedish. What I'm hearing here from people who live(d) there confirms that.

Not sure about the Norwegians. They're supposed to be more shy and more rural, there's only one city there basically, few smaller towns and the wilderness.

feargale · 06-03-2021 3:21am

Yurt! wrote: »

The classic language battle. When you're an improver in the language but not quite there yet and the native speaker won't budge from speaking English.

This is a weird one and something a lot of language learners run into, particularly in certain countries.

In my experience politeness doesn't even work the only option is to double-down and get really good at your target language to stop this happening. Be it through talking to your cat in the language and particularly getting everyday patter and slang smooth. Eventually you'll hit a breakthrough where natives will stop trying to shoehorn English in there (even if they think they're being helpful or flexing on you).

The last thing anyone should attempt to learn of a foreign language is slang. A minor mistake can get you into huge trouble. Learn the basics and everything else first.

spurious · 06-03-2021 3:27am

Poland, in the Gdansk area, or the Costa del Sol.

Itssoeasy · 06-03-2021 3:32am

As I voted If I could live anywhere outside Ireland it’d be the Czech Republic. I was there four times over two years five years ago and just fell in love with the place. Once this COVID ****e is over I hope to go back there I’ve family living there so maybe that helped but I found Prague to be a beautiful place and I also visited the Pilsen region which is definitely euro millions living territory. I know that won’t happen but I found the Czechs go be nice people.

06-03-2021 7:56am

feargale wrote: »

Interesting city, but I hope you're a teetotaller.

Why would you have to be teetotal?

BrenMar · 06-03-2021 8:13am

SharpshooterTom wrote: »

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

No love for Switzerland though?

Too expensive.

everlast75 · 06-03-2021 9:04am

4Ad wrote: »

Lisbon
Seville
Berlin
(not for Winters though)
Eastern Portugal, cheap, warm and plenty of hills to run around.
Slovenia would be nice, bit boring though...

Everybody talk about..
Pop Music

Jim2007 · 06-03-2021 9:10am

Jizique wrote: »

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

Only if you’re a tourist, you’ll probably survive, but it will be very uncomfortable.

Brian? · 06-03-2021 9:13am

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

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.

What field are you in? I live in Eindhoven and speak very little Dutch.

Jim2007 · 06-03-2021 9:17am

Fatnacho wrote: »

Copenhagen is a great city. Scandinavian but with some strong Germanic influences. Stylish restaurants/bars, strong infrastructure, lots of English speakers, nice historic centre and the locals love a beer. Expensive but manageable if you do a bit of research.

Nice in the summer, but try it in late December, when it is still dark until 9:00 am and it starts closing in again at around 3:30pm.

Anyone who hates an Irish winter, should definitely not move further north!

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

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