Cost of living needs to be a lot lower than england..I like sun. I enjoy beach (ideally within 1 hour), mixing with locals and expats, restaurants etc..there must be things to do in the town. I am happy to set up as self employed. I am currently living in leeds.
Any advice or experience of living abroad much appreciated!
I spent over 13 years living in Mirandola, Italy and loved it there. I can highly recommend Italy - beautiful art, architecture, scenery and music, interesting local festivals, great people and food. Beaches, mountains, lakes, the ocean, historic sites, world class museums and galleries and a lot of varied things to see and do. The best part is the wonderful Italian people. It's very easy to get out and explore Italy and further in Europe using the trains or budget flights.
It's hard to move to Europe or other places abroad especially now with high unemployment in many places. You can't just pack up, move to another country and look for a job.
It isn't easy to get a work visa in most countries right now. For example, European regulations require employers to advertise jobs and demonstrate that there are no viable European candidates for a job before they can offer a position to a non European. In the best of times non-Europeans have to have specialized skills, education and/or experience that cannot be easily duplicated by European job seekers.
Right now, the overall unemployment rate in Italy is around 12% and it's around 37% for young people. In Spain and Greece, the unemployment rate is 27% overall and much higher for young people. In Portugal, the unemployment rate is 18% and France is seeing record high numbers of unemployed people. In the UK, the unemployment rate is 7.8%, but at least the number of jobless fell in June. Sweden is a little higher. The lowest unemployment rates are in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Norway. Right now, the chances are not good, but it might get easier as the economy improves.
My direct experience is with Italy where I lived for the past 13+ years (working for a Swedish company); other countries here in Europe will have similar rules. It's not all that different anywhere else. The site for visas in Italy is: http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp . The site has links to the application, the additional information you need to supply in order to get the visa and where to apply. It also includes education visas which are somewhat easier to get than work visas. You can find similar information for other countries on their consulate websites.Visa information on the website of the French Consulate in New York is here: http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org/-Vis... . You can find other consulate websites with a fairly simple search. Note that you'll need to apply to the consulate that has jurisdiction over the state where you live, but you can find the necessary information on any of the consulate websites.
A work permit is separate - you cannot apply for that yourself in many countries. The company has to apply and they have to be able to demonstrate that there is not a viable EU candidate for the job. As a result, jobs for foreigners including Canadian or US citizens are pretty much restricted to people with special education, knowledge, or experience ... and you would have to be able to speak the local language. However, the level of English is high in Scandinavia and most adults speak it very well. You would be able to manage well while learning the language. Right now, as noted above, the best bet would probably be something in the health care field which is a fit for you. When I moved here, it was through a transfer of the job I was already doing in the US to the Italian office. Even so, it took 8 months to put all the paperwork in place to apply for a visa. If you already have a job offer, the company will provide you the information you need for your visa application and take care of things like work permits.
It's useful to check the expat sites for information about living and working in the places you might be interested in:
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/
http://www.escapeartist.com/
http://www.expatica.com/
You can find other sites by searching for "expat" and the name of your target country. These sites will tell you how to register your address, provide information about health care, banks, and so forth to ease you into daily life.
You need to be aware that if you are a US expat, you would need to file tax returns in the US as well as in your host country and that can get to be expensive.
The most beautiful place in the world - Bali. Thailand is sometimes called the land of smiles...it is not, I live there. Bali is the land of genuine smiles. I have travelled extensively and I have never found people as friendly and helpful as the Balinese. When you make a friend, they're a friend for life.
I would choose somewher in you EU, its less hassle&less imigration work to do. Cyprus maybe? You could get a job there&live in a beautiful house or rent a house if it wasnt a perminate stay you was looking for. Weathers great&there are many beaches,many towns have beaches in them, if you research on google you will see. Cyprus are spanish speaking too! And im sue the cost of living would be lower. Anyway goodluck&hope this helps!
Malaysia, with easy reach to Singapore. Singapore probably the best country I've ever visited, but expensive.
Tasha, there is one place I feel that covers what your asking, but then you added something and bombs you out.
That would have been Australia, IN MY OPINION>
If you love the beach, Jamaica is one.
