MarylandNed

Maybe - for some people at least. I know some people who have moved because the opportunity was so good career-wise and/or financially that they felt they had to take it no matter what. Of course, some of them had no intention of remaining beyond a certain period of time so the fact that the geography/climate/lifestyle wasn't a good fit didn't particularly bother them because they were on a fixed timeline before moving on.

Novocastrian

There's another aspect to this discussion which I think needs airing: simple practicality.

The first international move we made (from Cambridge to near Los Angeles) was in 1977 (20-odd years pre internet), so online research tools weren't available. The move was made by someone (myself) earning 3600 pounds gross a year and my wife earning about half that amount. A recce was impossible for us in our financial circumstances.

Indeed the last work-related relocation I made was in 1993, admittedly post internet but not by much. Before google maps and web forums by a long way.

However by then I'd gained enough seniority to have the prospective employer offer to pay for recce trips for both of us, in addition to paying travel costs & living expenses for me to present a research lecture ahead of the offer.

These conditions don't apply to many.

I've been lucky.

Siouxie

That takes me back to when my (then) husband and I moved to Hong Kong to take up a teaching post in 1979, the salary was around £3800 a year and there was no chance of doing a recce - we literally had 48 hours to decide if he wanted the job or not. Our shipping allowance consisted of the equivalent of 8 tea chests and we packed all our worldly belongings and off we went. Arriving in mid-summer, to temperatures in the high 30's and 97% humidity (and no central air) we did wonder what on earth we had let ourselves in for! We had been allocated housing (which we paid a percentage of salary for) on the far south coast of HK island but his job was by the Kowloon tunnel to the NT's (more than 2 hours by public transport, at that time) - we did manage to renegotiate the living arrangements, but it was a stressful time. Had a wonderful few years though...

Novocastrian

£3800 a year? Bourgeois pigs!

Shirtback

I sometimes wonder about this too, reading some of the posts on this forum

But then, I never moved countries to *get away* from the UK. I moved (UK-France-UK-Hong Kong-brief stint in Oz-HK-UK-France-Canada), in the spirit of adventure, new horizons, some interesting jobs along the way, and once as a trailing spouse.

Along the way, I ended up in Qc, with young children in tow, & rightly or wrongly, although I really had a hard time settling, I stayed because I didn't want to uproot them again.

Canada/Qc was never on my list of places to visit (see trailing spouse comment above ), but it did "tick the boxes" of my necessary criteria *at the time*. I did a lot of (pre-internet) research; 2 (winter) recce trips, & agreed to move.

I've survived, prospered for a while, struggled sometimes, divorced, & still heartily hate the winters!!

SB

Novocastrian

Yes, that certainly is important as well. I think one of you should start a new thread about Travelling the World While Living in a Bean Can. Memories of a Forgotten Era.

MrFloyd

"Anywhere" is an odd choice indeed. I can't imagine anyone that would say that would have done any actual research beyond some pictures and a holiday show on TV (do they still do those any more? ).

But then just travelling there with a brief idea of wanting to stay is a bit odd. Kinda depends on where you're coming from and what you'll be happy to leave behind.

Maybe even just giving yourself the change it so desperately needs.

Novocastrian

I briefly looked, but have you decided yet where you'll be living?

Gozit

Well "Anywhere in Malta" isn't really a category. Malta is all the same because its so small
If Malta doesn't work out I might emigrate to the UK, Oz or NZ so that's not necessarily true either. Malta is just my first choice.

Novocastrian

Good to know. ABC eh?

Shirtback

Huh? Have I been whooshed?

You calling me old?? ! !

SB

Novocastrian

Madame! As my sig line used to say, "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now".

Whooshed?

Shirtback

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=whoosh

(My use of the term very probably dates me; I learnt it on Usenet...)

(I was wondering about the "... Living in a Bean Can" reference?)



SB

Novocastrian

Oh, I see. Sorry. the reference was to a Peter Cook and Dudley Moore TV programme from, err, a long time ago.

If I know BristolUK he'll provide the youtube link presently.

Shirtback

Oh Crikey. I now feel officially old. But no longer whooshed, I just hadn't thought back far enough ... I "get" the Pete & Dud reference ...

SB