Re: Current job climate
 

You'll have to investigate each country and city individually. The most important thing is [as you know] work.
Where you can get qualifications in how long.
The other thing is racism; I assume your family is not white. It's bad everywhere, but France is probably the worst. I hear good things from Germany these days [to my surprise], the Netherlands is a mixed bag. They discriminate a lot but will deny it to the death.
There's a lot of construction going on in the Netherlands and Germany. Wages are decent, but the cost of living is high. In the Netherlands, you can start work without speaking Dutch, they work in English a lot.
The UK remains an option; but no one knows what Bexit means. You might get thrown out when they finally leave the EU.

Re: Current job climate
 

But in Germany you really need the language and there are plenty of qualified electricians with Ausbildung etc. In countries like Germany it's all about paperwork/qualifications and very hard for families without any German, unless you have skills nobody with German can do. And like anywhere, every area has it's good and bad bits. If you really like remote, there might be options for Electricians in Scandinavia. Seen a lot of Germans in construction move over, as the money in Germany is not always great either. The UK remains an option and don't forget Ireland;)

Re: Current job climate
 

Ireland is definitely an option - no language difficulties, few anti-migrant issues, good wages (but high cost of living). Best of all, good education. As an electrician, it may be a mixed bag - but at least there's a chance of finding something (in a language you understand) and qualifications may be more acceptable (and/or transferable).

Just don't bring your summer clothes..........;)

Re: Current job climate
 

In Ireland myself and definitely a shortage of electricians here in the West (on waiting list myself for one:-) but might be different in Dublin. High Cost of living is also relative and depends how you live, where you live and how you spend. Compared to UK & Germany, I don't see a huge difference. Apart from alcohol, cigarettes, maybe car insurance + creche (if you have young kids), it's actually not that expensive if you are clever. I certainly can afford a lot more here than back home but again depends on the person. Lidl & Aldi are all here and pretty easy to get cheap quality meat from locals, online shopping available. Also have enough space in the garden and planted apple trees, pear trees, plum trees and all other sorts. Regarding summer, well no different to parts of the UK and Northern Europe. It's not Med but no harsh winters and not as wet/sticky as Trinidad. If you like space, nature, safe environment it's certainly an option away from Dublin. Also easy access to Portugal/Spain too. We often take the ferry from Rosslare and drive down to Spain.

Re: Current job climate
 

What part of Ireland are you? I wondered about Ireland but wondered whether the climate was too similar to England. I hear a real mixed bag, plenty people say the climate in the UK is depressing, and I'm very accustom to sunny blue skies as you can imagine and thought to myself I wasn't sure if I could handle being somewhere that felt dreary.

Love nature and space! It's actually what we're really dreaming of and why we were considering the move in the first place.

Re: Current job climate
 

Yup not white ;) we're mixed a true callaloo as we refer to it here home haha. Husband is Portuguese and Indian mixed and I am spanish (Venezuelan) and Indian mixed.
I did read about Netherlands being very anti immigrants period, didn't even think about the racism as well.
We did consider UK but the weather and brexit, brexit gives me the thought that moving now is the best idea, and doing the registration card as soon as you reach giving you 5 years of rights there I believe was what it was. But weather has been the biggest consideration. However, for a better life I think I would live with it if I had to. Again we just weren't sure of area either. Trying to figure that out from far is super difficult.
I have family in Scotland, but we weren't sure the job climate and again brexit.

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I'm near Galway myself and it's a very open city with plenty of things going on. Also voted European Capital of Culture 2020 but if you are so focused on weather and don't change that thinking, you won't be happy anywhere in Northern Europe. It's oceanic climate and can vary in different parts of the country, but especially on the coast it can rain and suddenly you have blue sky and then it can change again but every area is different with micro climates. You could write books about weather but anywhere in Northern Europe, be it UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, France has oceanic climate and some places get hotter than others. South East of England sees more sun than most parts of Germany over the year but Germany gets more hotter days in summer. I work with people from Spain/Portugal and some complain and others don't. Most enjoy a better work life balance than back home and can afford holidays. Others enjoy the weather and adapt, have different lifestyle than elsewhere. I now hate bigger cities myself and enjoy empty beaches, have a bigger garden that actually gets sun and a covered terrace if it rains. Used to live in apartment without outside space, so it really is what you make of it and can achieve personally. I'm sure Scotland is nice too, if everything else is right.

Re: Current job climate
 

:goodpost:

Re: Current job climate
 

Once I see blue skies and sun I am happy, people describe for example London weather as very dreary, overcast and depressing, and make it seem like it's always cloudy and there are no blue skies, hence my apprehension. I haven't been in years to say I even remember, but I actually loved France's climate so if that also counts as oceanic then I think I will more than adjust and be fine.

How are the winters in Ireland?

Thanks so much for your help :)

Re: Current job climate
 

Hi from the France forum! The climate in France depends on where you live - it isn't oceanic everywhere.
But please don't consider France as a possible destination, even if the climate were perfect.
The norms are different here and your OH would have to re-train in French in order to be able to work. Unfortunately, your own skills are already being offered by qualified French beauticians who are struggling to make a living, as clients are tightening their belts due to the present economic climate. Several salons have closed down in my nearest town....
If you were just a couple, I would say go for it, anywhere in Europe, but with children in tow and no jobs lined up, it would be a hazardous venture.
Good luck with your decision! :)

Re: Current job climate
 

Of course France also has a Mediterranean climate if you go further south, to Marseille for example. Most of France still has an oceanic climate, be it Paris, Bordeaux and so on. I doubt London is dark and dreary all the time and again just depends on your outlook. If you look at stats, London actually has the same amount of sun as Paris and rainy days are roughly the same too. Winters in Ireland can change from area to area but in general it's milder than let's say Frankfurt in Germany due to gulf stream. So far we've hardly seen any rain since October and it's been very different compared to last year but next 2 days look wet and windy. Currently around 11/12 degrees where I am. Summer temps are obviously not as high as inland areas of Germany/France but we get really long days in summer and you know the clouds will break at some point. If people want to complain, there will always be a reason. I just kind of get on with it and enjoy my life, rather than focusing what others say. If it's windy on the beach, I go behind the rock where there's no wind. If I'm having a bbq and there's suddenly a shower, I go under the terrace and continue. If it's cold in the evening, I wear a jacket and light a fire if I want to sit outside LOL.

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The worse the weather, the better the economy it seems.

Re: Current job climate
 

Hi I live in the midlands there is lots of work going on there house building/ unit building and now of course HS2 . There are some nice areas Lincoln/ Staffordshire/Derbyshire all nice areas all reasonable prices to buy or rent lots of different cultures, look on the net at the areas The whole Brexit farce won't be as bad as people make out. There are far worse places, and as for the weather you get good and bad days but the countryside and views in all these places are spectacular.

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Will do! :) Thanks very much. Yes I feel so, but then with everyone not knowing exactly it makes it difficult to make the decision and then wonder if we'll have a permanent place.

Re: Current job climate
 

LOL! Sounds about right, adjust to suit! :)