Firstly, apologies for this going to several boards here but the same issues apply to different countries and the responses will likely be different. Not all residents of these countries may visit all the forums so it's a case of needs must

I have recently retired at 52 after working 33+ years in the UK and 3 years overseas in the UAE. For a LOOOONG time I have fancied the idea of living abroad and often felt that France would be my end point. I like the language, food, country and the people so it had quite a few ticks in boxes. Of late though a few things have changed. Firstly there is the 'inactifs' issue (the need to have private medical cover now if below state retirement age), then there is the position with the Euro and also on the personal front, I now have some different considerations following life in the UAE. The France specific issues are not show-stoppers but need careful consideration I think.

My desire to relocate is not so much on disillusionment with the UK (albeit there is a lot I'm not happy with - but similar issues affect everywhere), more a case of I'm not SURE it offers me what I want out of life now. Previously I thought ALL I wanted was a sunnier clime, good food, wine and good heritage and culture. I'm not sure though of those ingredients alone are enough now. To fulfil them, France would be ideal, albeit I think somewhere south of the Loire would be needed to benefit from better weather. So I considered Aquitane, Languedoc and Provence. All still viable of course. I also considered Spain and Italy, but I'm just not sure there is as much there as I'd like given that I don't think it's just warmer that I'm after.

Much about the UAE I did not enjoy. Stifling heat for 7 months of the year (50+ often and very high humidity), the cost of most things there (except tat, some food and spices), a somewhat restrictive life style and, at times, the squalor in the backstreets which is far removed from the shots of the beach and its promenade (the Corniche) that the brochures and magazines are full of!!! I did however like a few things there, some of which I miss here. The weather during the winter months, the fact that it was sunny a lot, being able to nip to a very well equipped gym and health complex on foot and being able to pop out for a drink or meal at any number of multi-cultural restaurants or bars in a variety of settings (inside/outside/beach etc etc). May all sound a bit odd but thinking about it now I'm not sure that even France offers ALL of those in the same way at least, unless it is for mega bucks near St Tropez, and even then, there is not such a great variety.

This got me contemplating other locations as potential options with a significant determining factor being the viability of it all, thus ruling out, by and large, places like Canada, USA, Australia etc etc as I have no plans to work (albeit I might if the right thing came along but then of course it's a different ball game and visa requirements vary considerably) and retirement visa options are limited or non-existant. Like I say, France, Spain and Italy are still options but I am now more actively considering:

1) Malaysia: Benefits of the MM2H visa, variety of food and cultures, cosmopolitan, good standard of living and lower costs. Cons include: concerns over area stability, yet to research services and availability/standard, more tropical climate, cost of cars etc. Considering Penang.

2) Phillipines: Similar option but more Phillipine from what I gather than the greater diversity of Malaysia.

3) South Africa: Good visa option. Real concerns over high crime/risk and the numbers of SAs who leave (for the same reasons).

4) Thailand: Again OK but it seems less advanced/sophisticated that 1 & 2 above and there are more concerns over stability.

There are also more general considerations which apply to all, some which are easier to deal with dependant on how close the point of relocation is. They include:

a) Stay there for ever or return as old age creeps in

b) Sell up the house here or keep a base either by keeping it and renting out, investing in a smaller foothold or whatever.

c) Ship all the belongings out, put them in storage or sell off?

d) Medical and other services in other countries.


So, sorry for the long rambling posts. I have been and will be reading as many threads as I can here but any pointers with regard to things I may have missed or other things to consider greatly appreciated. At the moment Malaysia is I think in number one spot, probably with France and Italy as a second above the Phillipines etc.

Hi,
As mentioned on the other European forums, you'd need to organise private health insurance here until you reach official retirement age.
Also, if you haven't got payslips or pension slips, you won't find it easy to rent anywhere here. Agents/landlords like to see proof of a regular income, as money in the bank one day may not be there the next....
As suggested by the other forums, why not take an extended holiday (at least in Europe!) to get a feel of all the regions?

P.S. As for warmer weather south of the Loire, we're in the third Arctic winter running in the Languedoc. Mild winters in the south of France are a myth...

Welcome to the Forum, Personally and this is very much my opinion spend 6 months in each of the mentioned countries if you can start with France and work your way out then see how you feel.


The summers are getting milder

I agree
Here in Toulouse I have always found the winters colder than in the uk. The difference to me is the quicker return to warmer days in spring and the slower return to colder ones (sometimes!) in the autumn. Summers are generally hotter.
Multi cultural restos do exist but I find that the french in the south have VERY conservative palates and even chinese food for example is very bland.
Good luck with your search !

The Indian around the corner from the Crown Plaza is not too bad, Although I think they may have changed hands or the chef. We spent last week end in Toulouse bloody hectic with all the sales shoppers.

Have you considered places like Romania or Hungary? They are nice, the cheapest EU countries and things are on an upward trend with services.

Since they are in the EU, you get all the facilities and benefits from staying inside the Union, most people there can speak more than decent English.

Thanks for the replies. I'll sure consider renting, regular income is not so much of a worry, happy to pay up front too.

IF I did go to Europe I think it would be France, maybe Spain or Italy if the weather needed to be warmer. I don't so much mind cold winters, just drab summers which come late and go early. Bit concerned that as the weather gets hotter so does the tourist influx of course. Not bothered per se but probably wouldn't chose to live in a popular tourist spot there anymore that I suppose I'd like to live in Windermere or Brighton here. That said, 18-30s don't hit the UK coastline much!!!

I doubt I'd consider Romania and Bulgaria and such like as to me it's back from France in terms of the things I want that maybe France no longer provides.

Wow, you have too many choices! If it were me, I'd take a back pack and just travel around until you fall in love.....

However, here are some thoughts: (I'm in the Luberon and this is how I see things).....Yes, winters are cold but here they are usually clear and sunny and by February the almond blossom is bursting. We've had a a bit of rain in recent winters but this makes up for more than a decade of dry winters. So, I'd say it's a wonderful climate. As for culture there is everything from history to concerts to theatre to VO films in Aix. ... for multicultural cuisine we have everything here - and it's not bland! We even have a decent curry house nearby!

Clearly I think I am in paradise!

But one consideration you have not mentioned is language. Unless you intend to move to an expat enclave somewhere you will have to speak the lingo to some degree, even if it's only to deal with officialdom. Are you willing to learn a language? If not, that will inform you choice. You would certainly miss out on all that France (and Spain and Italy) has to offer if you make no effort to integrate.

Also, are you tied to the Uk in any way by friends or family? Might you ever need to go back, and how often ... or suddenly?

Healthcare is also an issue, of course. Not the paying for it, so much, as the delivery.

Good luck. What an exciting adventure you have before you!

Have you considered Croatia (Europe)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/co...es/1097128.stm
and Morocco?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_ea...les/791867.stm
Many French are now emigrating to Morocco which would provide many of the more "exotic" (to the average European) possibilities such as souk, spicy meals, weather etc.
Perhaps worth investigating??

I admit the above profiles don't look too inviting, but one needs to dig deeper to get the current facts!

Morocco & Croatia would certainly be two countries I would consider

Morocco is loverly cycled across it a couple of times, With the exception of Tangiers everyone I met was really nice even got invited in to strangers homes to have meals.

Sounds great, I was actually thinking of biking it - I wouldn't have the puff to cycle it

It was a while ago, Last bit of Freedom prior to working for BT

Racaille,
You realize that now you'll be inundated with Brit Expats!

It's downright 'orrible where I am.........

Im all for using the expats around here as speed bumps Mind you we were in Mirepoix doing some shopping a few weeks ago, You could hear more English people than French at the market.