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

Jim2007 · 06-03-2021 9:28am

Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpshooterTom View Post
Interesting poll results so far, the Iberian peninsula the most popular.

No love for Switzerland though?

BrenMar wrote: »

Too expensive.

Not when you earn a Swiss salary, I’ve been here 30+ years!

Jim2007 · 06-03-2021 9:37am

feargale wrote: »

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.

And hear I am speaking a Swiss German dialect that does not even have a written form! I was always terrible at languages at school, but it is amazing what you can do when you don’t have a choice.

AckwelFoley · 06-03-2021 9:41am

I have lived in Denmark for a short while and if I had to move anywhere in mainland Europe it would be there.

As a self professed stallion it is a nation rich with cracking looking women

It's a nice country too with a very high standard of living

Chances of ever moving there instead of an English speaking country? About 2%. Perhaps less

Gruffalux · 06-03-2021 9:43am

I like the vibe in eastern Europe. Earthy. Independant. Survivors. Real winters with deep snow and hot summers with endless blue sky. Hungary. Bulgaria. Croatia. Small village on the black sea for country life. Budapest, Sofia or Bucharest for city visits and museums, theatres, little Jewish cafes, old beautiful architecture. But really I want 6 months a year in an old creaky farmhouse with tiled floors, winding stairs and high wooden ceilings on Gozo with a small pool in the garden and lush plants all round it that thrive in the sun and I want to win the lotto. I would tootle around in a little car taking trips to walk regularly around the citadel or the Temple complexes and I would swim almost everyday in the sea. Wish I was rich right now.

zerosugarbuzz · 06-03-2021 9:54am

Jim2007 wrote: »

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!

Only an hour or two different to ireland

AndyBoBandy · 06-03-2021 9:56am

Alaninwondeand wrote: »

If I was single id live in Lithuania.

I lived there for about 18 months, and will retire there when the time comes.

Great summers, great winters, great beer, stunning women (OH is Lithuanian), and still relatively cheap compared to Ireland.

Oh and the car is insured, not the person, and it’s not a rip off.

Montage of Feck · 06-03-2021 10:00am

I'm far too lazy and procrastinary to learn a foreign, or for that matter a native, language that I'm stuck on this damp rock in the Atlantic ocean until I die.

gandalf · 06-03-2021 10:06am

Well we're definitely considering retiring to France. Either the Loire Valley, Bordeaux area or French/Spanish Basque region. That's a number of years away but the wife is french so I think it is definitely a runner.

ilovesmybrick · 06-03-2021 10:08am

Theman343 wrote: »

Hallstatt in Austria amazing place.

It's a beautiful town, but I know someone living there and it's an absolute nightmare with tourists. I couldn't be dealing with the thousands of them being bused in from Salzburg every single day!

daheff · 06-03-2021 10:10am

I'd find out where Aongus von Bismarck lives and move next door

06-03-2021 10:12am

Maybe Barcelona but crime is rampant there.

Feria40 · 06-03-2021 10:21am

completedit wrote: »

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.

Just curious, when you say Malaga do you mean the city or one of the various towns along the coast/inland?

Have been to Malaga often in Winter and always find it so vibrant.

P.s. as for the Poll, south of Spain all the way. Need that vitamin D!!!!!!

Fatnacho · 06-03-2021 10:25am

Jim2007 wrote: »

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!

Copenhagen is pretty much the same latitude as Edinburgh but has much better summers. They also invented Hygge to combat the cold winters.
2nd most happy/content country in the world according to the UN in 2020 so they must be doing something right.

pgj2015 · 06-03-2021 10:39am

feargale wrote: »

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.

This kind of thing sticks out to me. Along with stuff like learn the language or the locals wont like you. Are continentals so sensitive and uptight that they are offended by mistakes and people just not being good at learning a language?

oh don't even mention Hitler while in Germany. why? it happened. its not like I would be making jokes about what he did or anything. Jesus lighten up like.

I like visiting countries like Germany but I don't think I could live there. They are too different to our culture, I would find them annoying and dry.

gazzer · 06-03-2021 11:41am

Lisbon or Madrid for me

Brian? · 06-03-2021 11:50am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Maybe Barcelona but crime is rampant there.

Petty theft is, pickpocketing and so on. But it’s a generally safe place.

I try to visit Barcelona once a year at least and have never had any problems. My favourite city in Europe.

06-03-2021 11:57am

Brian? wrote: »

Petty theft is, pickpocketing and so on. But it’s a generally safe place.

I try to visit Barcelona once a year at least and have never had any problems. My favourite city in Europe.

I've witnessed it myself, two lads manhandling another man to get his watch. I wouldn't dismiss it as casually as you do.

Heckler · 06-03-2021 12:10pm

I've never lived abroad but after so many trips to France I could see myself settling there. Also love Germany. People have this notion of Germans as dry balls. Couldn't be further from the truth in my experience.

06-03-2021 12:13pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've witnessed it myself, two lads manhandling another man to get his watch. I wouldn't dismiss it as casually as you do.

Did you help him?

06-03-2021 12:13pm

Heckler wrote: »

I've never lived abroad but after so many trips to France I could see myself settling there. Also love Germany. People have this notion of Germans as dry balls. Couldn't be further from the truth in my experience.

They have a dry sense of humour, I find. It doesn't mean they're not funny.

06-03-2021 12:14pm

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

Did you help him?

Did I put my life at risk over a watch?

Yyhhuuu · 06-03-2021 12:34pm

London is my favourite city. So much to see and do there. Fantastic architecture. Friendly people.

Brian? · 06-03-2021 12:37pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've witnessed it myself, two lads manhandling another man to get his watch. I wouldn't dismiss it as casually as you do.

I'm not casually dismissing it. I acknowledged it exists, it just wouldn't put me off living there.

I've been the Barca about 15 times and I've never seen any incidents. You saw one incident. We are both probably guilty of confirmation bias

ancapailldorcha · 06-03-2021 12:38pm

Yyhhuuu wrote: »

London is my favourite city. So much to see and do there. Fantastic architecture. Friendly people.

Friendly people? What?

Brian? · 06-03-2021 12:42pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Friendly people? What?

Depends where you are in London. I find the 2nd and third generation immigrants very friendly compared to other Londoners. The cockneys aren't friendly.

A walk down through Brixton on a Saturday is brilliant. Great markets, friendly people and great places to eat. I hate around Oxford circus etc. .

Hamachi · 06-03-2021 12:55pm

Brian? wrote: »

Depends where you are in London. I find the 2nd and third generation immigrants very friendly compared to other Londoners. The cockneys aren't friendly.

Have you been to London lately? There are hardly any Cockneys left. They all lives in places like Romford and further out in Essex these days.

Brian? · 06-03-2021 1:04pm

Hamachi wrote: »

Have you been to London lately? There are hardly any Cockneys left. They all lives in places like Romford and further out in Essex these days.

I know.

Hamachi · 06-03-2021 1:08pm

Brian? wrote: »

I know.

So why make the point then?

First time anybody has ever described Londoners as overtly friendly. You’ve clearly never lived there.

biko · 06-03-2021 1:10pm

I'd live anywhere in Tuscany. San Gimignano, Volterra are great but also Lecce down south in Puglia.

Yurt2 · 06-03-2021 1:17pm

feargale wrote: »

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.

Fully disagree.

You need to find your voice in a language as soon as possible. For the most part, what you get in a book, classroom setting is the framework to learn the language. You need to start filling out the cultural context yourself.

I've had the best time trying to speak local dialect of some languages. And it actually serves to make your competency in the 'standard language' stronger.

sebdavis · 06-03-2021 1:19pm

Lived & worked in Netherlands for 12 months. Absolutely loved it. Really nice people and a beautiful country. To be honest I spent maybe 2 weekends in Amtersdam. Far better cities all around the country. Plus hop on train to Germany/France etc

Brian? · 06-03-2021 3:43pm

Hamachi wrote: »

So why make the point then?

First time anybody has ever described Londoners as overtly friendly. You’ve clearly never lived there.

I made the point because I was relaying my experience in London. It was hardly a complex debate.

ShatterAlan · 06-03-2021 4:24pm

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.

Lighten up FFS.

I think the poster was pointing out that you don't need to speak the local language to move to those countries. You can get settled in comfortably just speaking English and then learn the language as you go along.

ShatterAlan · 06-03-2021 4:42pm

Ubbquittious wrote: »

I only spent a few days in Switzerland. Great scenery, posh cars and sh1t kebabs that cost 10 CHF

Wouldn't move to mainland anything. Id have to be on an island of some sort

Ibiza?

jester77 · 06-03-2021 5:05pm

Brian? wrote: »

I'm not casually dismissing it. I acknowledged it exists, it just wouldn't put me off living there.

I've been the Barca about 15 times and I've never seen any incidents. You saw one incident. We are both probably guilty of confirmation bias

Watch closer next time, especially on trains, buses and at pedestrian crossings. It is very obvious, someone will stand on front of the target, others will surround them and they go for the back packs. Or in the evenings they will come up pretending to be drunk and wrap their arm around you and go for the wallet.

06-03-2021 5:20pm

jester77 wrote: »

Watch closer next time, especially on trains, buses and at pedestrian crossings. It is very obvious, someone will stand on front of the target, others will surround them and they go for the back packs. Or in the evenings they will come up pretending to be drunk and wrap their arm around you and go for the wallet.

You mean like happens daily in Dublin city centre? Or London? Or Madrid, Paris, Milan, Kiev........... I was in Kiev, stopped 2 pickpockets myself but that doesnt equate to Kiev being any worse than Dublin. I could go again and not encounter a single event.

Deleted User wrote: »

Did I put my life at risk over a watch?

Yes because when someone is committing theft, they murder their victims and witnesses. Just see the line of corpses on O'Connell Street between Gardai, security guards and victims :rolleyes:

Brian? · 06-03-2021 5:34pm

jester77 wrote: »

Watch closer next time, especially on trains, buses and at pedestrian crossings. It is very obvious, someone will stand on front of the target, others will surround them and they go for the back packs. Or in the evenings they will come up pretending to be drunk and wrap their arm around you and go for the wallet.

I do watch closely because I've heard it happens. But it happens in every major city. Barcelona is not dangerous, pick pocketing isn't violent.

yagan · 06-03-2021 6:09pm

Having moved for work a few times over the decades to a few of the usual old haunts like UK, Australia and the USA I definitely wouldn't mind an opportunity to try somewhere in Europe. Having lived in really hot places already I've zero in interest in the med but north Spain/Portugal has peaked my interest.

Italy is my favorite country to visit but I think I happy to leave it at visits.

Having already spent many years abroad I reckon my interest in moving again would only ever be temporary, maybe half a year, do local language classes etc. I'm just at an age now where I give zero shítes about starting a new career.

I'm actually more interested in building up banks of time so I could cycle across the EU via the eurovelo routes, maybe eurorail on the return etc.

LimeFruitGum · 06-03-2021 6:30pm

Yurt! wrote: »

Fully disagree.

You need to find your voice in a language as soon as possible. For the most part, what you get in a book, classroom setting is the framework to learn the language. You need to start filling out the cultural context yourself.

I've had the best time trying to speak local dialect of some languages. And it actually serves to make your competency in the 'standard language' stronger.

Exactly...my German colleagues think it's cool (or funny ha ha, who knows) that I still remember some Bavarian and Austrian dialect. I wouldn't know them well enough to attempt slang, but it feels like they're very invested in helping me improve my German. They really don't have to, but it is a nice thing to do.

Most of my colleagues here in Dublin don't speak German, so I'd often chit chat auf Deutsch with my German colleague(s) until everyone else joins the call. It is all fine with me - I welcome the opportunity to practice.

Rodin · 06-03-2021 6:32pm

Brian? wrote: »

Petty theft is, pickpocketing and so on. But it’s a generally safe place.

I try to visit Barcelona once a year at least and have never had any problems. My favourite city in Europe.

No excuse for it in Las Ramblas. Any body with a pair of eyes can see the thieves. Need undercover snatch squads... not a place Id hurry back to

Captain Havoc · 06-03-2021 6:52pm

I've lived in Switzerland twice and also in France when I was younger. I think it is a wonderful experience for a young person and if you are thinking about doing it, just go and do it. There are so many reasons why you shouldn't do it, language barrier, living away from home, no friends, cost etc..... but if you can overcome these obstacles, it will make you stronger as a person. It will also introduce you to a new language and culture. My first year abroad was a work experience year from college in Shannon and I still believe it was the most life-changing experience of my life. One piece of advice, if you do move to a foreign country, do from day one take a language course.

ulster · 06-03-2021 6:57pm

The Algarve in Portugal is where I'd go.

Kivaro · 06-03-2021 7:09pm

Great thread.

Be right back · 06-03-2021 7:17pm

Krakow would be for me. Second Edinburgh. I like London but don't think I could live there, or afford it even!

feargale · 06-03-2021 7:28pm

bubblypop wrote: »

Why would you have to be teetotal?

Have you tried in recent years to buy a drink in Istanbul outside of your hotel or a few restaurants? And not all hotels have bars either.

06-03-2021 7:34pm

Rodin wrote: »

No excuse for it in Las Ramblas. Any body with a pair of eyes can see the thieves. Need undercover snatch squads... not a place Id hurry back to

They have undercover police all over Spain but you cant lock people up because they were thinking of committing theft. The police get in trouble for profiling as it is. Then consider that the Spanish legal system is often considered one of the most complex, slow and lenient in EUROPE

THeres Spanish versions of the US / UK cop shows that follow them. Cant remember the name but youtube will probable have em

Day Lewin · 06-03-2021 7:34pm

Brian? wrote: »

I'm not casually dismissing it. I acknowledged it exists, it just wouldn't put me off living there.

I've been the Barca about 15 times and I've never seen any incidents. You saw one incident. We are both probably guilty of confirmation bias

I've been the victim of the same in Barca - surrounded by a jostling group who got the zips on our bags open but luckily nothing taken.

Fended off another approach on the same trip, then I began to watch - you can spot them.

Barcelona is an excellent city, but it is also the street crime capital of Europe - keep your eyes peeled and your valuables out of sight and reach.

Rodin · 06-03-2021 8:10pm

Niner leprauchan wrote: »

They have undercover police all over Spain but you cant lock people up because they were thinking of committing theft. The police get in trouble for profiling as it is. Then consider that the Spanish legal system is often considered one of the most complex, slow and lenient in EUROPE

THeres Spanish versions of the US / UK cop shows that follow them. Cant remember the name but youtube will probable have em

Never heard of conspiracy to commit theft?
Don't have to profile them. Anyone can see who they are...

06-03-2021 8:11pm

feargale wrote: »

Have you tried in recent years to buy a drink in Istanbul outside of your hotel or a few restaurants? And not all hotels have bars either.

Well I've been in Istanbul plenty of times over the last few years, but other than restaurants or hotel I wouldn't be drinking anywhere else?
Oh, apart from nightclubs, got plenty of alcohol there also......
So, not enough 'pubs' is it?

Sky King · 06-03-2021 8:43pm

Why are Italy and Greece lumped in together?

Very different places. I love them both but the Greek Islands wins for me, I've been on loads of them, they're effin great for nice food, laid back livin and seas and skies of the deepest, purest blue.

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

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