European alternatives to the UK
May 10th 2012, 2:19 am
#16
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
Sweden's winning thus far.
May 10th 2012, 2:48 am
#17
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17859560
Just saw this on Malmo by coincidence - looks like a happening place!
Just saw this on Malmo by coincidence - looks like a happening place!
May 10th 2012, 3:00 am
#18
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
Say you missed many aspects of the UK, but didn't want to move back to the UK specifically, but could find many of the things you missed in other EU nations (e.g. football, countryside, real beer, free healthcare, less individualistic policies), which European country would you choose (I have lived in the US since 2003)? I would prefer to stick to Germanic countries as I find Germanic languages easier to learn and the culture isn't all that different from the UK. On my list so far:
Germany
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
The Netherlands
Iceland
Which of the above would you pick and why? I would love feedback from anyone who has lived in any of these countries. I have only been to Germany & the Netherlands, but could see either quite easily becoming "home".
What's also important to me is to live somewhere where the British aren't disliked or ridiculed. I want a climate similar to the UK's, but colder and darker is fine. I am a tad socialist too and believe in income equality and all that jazz. I like football and would get into any local team to make friends.
I'm an EU citizen, prepared to learn a new language and soon to be divorced from my American wife. No kids, no friends here, so there's really no point in me staying, but I do not want to return to the UK (given it much thought).
Germany
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
The Netherlands
Iceland
Which of the above would you pick and why? I would love feedback from anyone who has lived in any of these countries. I have only been to Germany & the Netherlands, but could see either quite easily becoming "home".
What's also important to me is to live somewhere where the British aren't disliked or ridiculed. I want a climate similar to the UK's, but colder and darker is fine. I am a tad socialist too and believe in income equality and all that jazz. I like football and would get into any local team to make friends.
I'm an EU citizen, prepared to learn a new language and soon to be divorced from my American wife. No kids, no friends here, so there's really no point in me staying, but I do not want to return to the UK (given it much thought).
I wouldn't try Denmark again the language is difficult and a bit parochial well at least where I lived.
Germany is a country I am seriously considering returning to..
May 10th 2012, 3:04 am
#19
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
You might find German easier to learn, but you've still got the problem that Germany, Austria and Switzerland have fierce local dialects. Not so bad if you move to Berlin or Vienna, but if you hanker after the rural life, be aware that it will be like learning a whole new language.
I've never lived in any of the German speaking countries, but I do spend a fair bit of time in Vienna and have friends there. I wouldn't want to live there. One reason is the continental climate. Winters are not as bad as Alberta, where I am now, but they are still bl**dy cold. Secondly, unlike Germany, Austria was never forced to examine its history. There are still too many unreconstructed types for my liking, and you can find yourself having some startlingly odd conversations with people who think anti-semitism is normal.
Germany is fine, if you can cope with having neighbours who complain if you don't clean your car, because it's bringing the neighbourhood down. The fact is, they are a bit Germanic in Germany.
However, we have considered moving to Berlin, or the Rhine valley (despite its challenging dialect).
As for Sweden Norway Denmark and Iceland they are all too cold. Also, Norway and Iceland are not members of the EU.
French may be more difficult to learn, but having done so you'll probably have less difficulty understanding and being understood in rural areas, than any of the German speaking countries.
I've never lived in any of the German speaking countries, but I do spend a fair bit of time in Vienna and have friends there. I wouldn't want to live there. One reason is the continental climate. Winters are not as bad as Alberta, where I am now, but they are still bl**dy cold. Secondly, unlike Germany, Austria was never forced to examine its history. There are still too many unreconstructed types for my liking, and you can find yourself having some startlingly odd conversations with people who think anti-semitism is normal.
Germany is fine, if you can cope with having neighbours who complain if you don't clean your car, because it's bringing the neighbourhood down. The fact is, they are a bit Germanic in Germany.
However, we have considered moving to Berlin, or the Rhine valley (despite its challenging dialect).
As for Sweden Norway Denmark and Iceland they are all too cold. Also, Norway and Iceland are not members of the EU.
French may be more difficult to learn, but having done so you'll probably have less difficulty understanding and being understood in rural areas, than any of the German speaking countries.
May 10th 2012, 3:09 am
#20
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
I tele-commuted for a German employer and had quite a few visits there.
While I liked the country for visits I wouldn't want to live there. I felt I was never on the same wave length of mind-set at work. At work they often seemed disapproving of me / my actions for reasons that were never made clear and they couldn't make the effort to explain. I always felt it was their way or the highway. After three years I still did not reach a feeling of ease.
A few experiences of life in Germany stand out, minor in nature, but still they influence how I feel;
At a light controlled pedestrian crossing you absolutely must wait for the light to show you have right to cross. Even if there is zero traffic you should not cross if the light is not for you. Cops will take a dim view.
At a street music event in Cologne someone asked in a friendly way if I was Canadian (mix of Brit and US accent overlaying my limited German) and when I fessed to being Brit I was sneered at.
While I liked the country for visits I wouldn't want to live there. I felt I was never on the same wave length of mind-set at work. At work they often seemed disapproving of me / my actions for reasons that were never made clear and they couldn't make the effort to explain. I always felt it was their way or the highway. After three years I still did not reach a feeling of ease.
A few experiences of life in Germany stand out, minor in nature, but still they influence how I feel;
At a light controlled pedestrian crossing you absolutely must wait for the light to show you have right to cross. Even if there is zero traffic you should not cross if the light is not for you. Cops will take a dim view.
At a street music event in Cologne someone asked in a friendly way if I was Canadian (mix of Brit and US accent overlaying my limited German) and when I fessed to being Brit I was sneered at.
As for being sneered at and being a Brit just consider for a moment the sneers a German can get in UK. All relating to a long ago event. Actually you know where you stand with Germans rather refreshing...
May 10th 2012, 3:09 am
#21
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
France is awesome and a second home in many ways (maybe because I've been there so many times that it's as familiar as the UK), but I am bloody useless with Romance languages. I have a definite Germanic tongue!
May 10th 2012, 3:11 am
#22
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
I would out of respect. I enjoy football in general. I could easily get into an another league, but you are correct about the EPL being popular.
As a Brit, have you lived in Sweden? I haven't even been there.
Germany seems a bit out of the question.
I would love feedback from any Brits who have lived in any of the Nordic countries.
As a Brit, have you lived in Sweden? I haven't even been there.
Germany seems a bit out of the question.
I would love feedback from any Brits who have lived in any of the Nordic countries.
May 10th 2012, 3:26 am
#23
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
With Danish even living with a woman could not manage. At work, few could understand much I said just couldn't get the correct intonation.
Netherlands is fine if you can afford Amsterdam but most the places outside are rather conservative. Rotterdam sounds fine but have only spend days there.
Dutch is not so difficult for me learning Afrikaans to a certain level when young.
Heard about Slovenia recently being a good place others say Hungary around the lake. I even thought of Malta,where I quite like but perhaps an island would feel restricting?
There's always Eastbourne if it all gets too much....
May 10th 2012, 5:46 am
#24
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
I think Germany is getting a bad rap in this thread. I don't think they are anti-British. I would certainly consider living there.
May 10th 2012, 5:52 am
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
I just want a relatively quiet, low key place where Brits are accepted. Unfortunately we have not done ourselves any favours on the continent, in terms of relations with other countries. I wouldn't blame the Germans if many of them didn't like us. There's a lot that I admire about Germany.
May 10th 2012, 9:12 am
#26
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
Right now it's a tossup between Germany & Sweden. Heads or tails? I can't speak Swedish, but I can understand some of it from listening to Swedish radio. It seems like it'd be a bit easier than German to learn.
I just want a relatively quiet, low key place where Brits are accepted. Unfortunately we have not done ourselves any favours on the continent, in terms of relations with other countries. I wouldn't blame the Germans if many of them didn't like us. There's a lot that I admire about Germany.
I just want a relatively quiet, low key place where Brits are accepted. Unfortunately we have not done ourselves any favours on the continent, in terms of relations with other countries. I wouldn't blame the Germans if many of them didn't like us. There's a lot that I admire about Germany.
May 10th 2012, 9:35 am
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
I know and like Germany quite well - especially Southern Germany and the Hunsruck area west of the Rhine....have been over there several times.
One amusing difference I have seen between the Germans and the British is the way pedestrians in Germany standing at a lights controlled crossing and waiting for the lights to change with the green man indicating that it is safe to cross....they do that even when there is no sign of any traffic approaching from either direction....the green man has to flash first before they step out onto the crossing.
Not so in the UK - whether the green man is flashing or not if there are no vehicles approaching in the near distance many people make a dash for it on the crossing anyway.....I know that's the case because I do that myself.
One amusing difference I have seen between the Germans and the British is the way pedestrians in Germany standing at a lights controlled crossing and waiting for the lights to change with the green man indicating that it is safe to cross....they do that even when there is no sign of any traffic approaching from either direction....the green man has to flash first before they step out onto the crossing.
Not so in the UK - whether the green man is flashing or not if there are no vehicles approaching in the near distance many people make a dash for it on the crossing anyway.....I know that's the case because I do that myself.
May 10th 2012, 12:47 pm
#28
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
A few words.
My idea would be to enroll in a language school here in the US and spend as long as it takes becoming fluent in my chosen language.
I've been to Germany twice and liked it, but like the UK, it has wide regional differences. I would opt for northern Germany, maybe Cologne or Hamburg. I also need to visit Sweden and spend 2 weeks there too.
My idea would be to enroll in a language school here in the US and spend as long as it takes becoming fluent in my chosen language.
I've been to Germany twice and liked it, but like the UK, it has wide regional differences. I would opt for northern Germany, maybe Cologne or Hamburg. I also need to visit Sweden and spend 2 weeks there too.
May 10th 2012, 2:02 pm
#29
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
A few words.
My idea would be to enroll in a language school here in the US and spend as long as it takes becoming fluent in my chosen language.
I've been to Germany twice and liked it, but like the UK, it has wide regional differences. I would opt for northern Germany, maybe Cologne or Hamburg. I also need to visit Sweden and spend 2 weeks there too.
My idea would be to enroll in a language school here in the US and spend as long as it takes becoming fluent in my chosen language.
I've been to Germany twice and liked it, but like the UK, it has wide regional differences. I would opt for northern Germany, maybe Cologne or Hamburg. I also need to visit Sweden and spend 2 weeks there too.
May 10th 2012, 9:24 pm
#30
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Re: European alternatives to the UK
Agreed. I have German friends and haven't found any Germans that are anti-British. They are anti some countries, but Britain isn't one of them.
