I’m not running from the law
Just really fed up with all the PC and BS here in the UK
I know this question is like asking where can I can a burger, but I’d just like a few ideas
I’ll have a fixed income (like most pensioners) but have a few savings put by
Somewhere with as little hassle getting permits and visas as possible and a half decent standard of living
Some of the places I have looked at need visas and proof of money in the bank (not really a problem, Thailand, and you cant own property out there ) some countries want money up front for insurance, in case you use the medical facilities (OZ, NZ)
The US only lets you stay for a max of 6 months
I don’t really fancy France, I don’t speak the lingo, same as Spain (and the brits tend to just hang around in bars and form their own cliques)
So just throw a few suggestions in the ring and we’ll see what turns up
Thanks Max, I do live in the south (London)
The wife comes from the North, so dont really fancy going back up there
Cynic,
How much paperwork to fill out ? whats the coist of living like ? last time I went it was quite high
Kris
Both the US and Oz are out of the equation, due to that fact
Can anyone let me know how much paperwork is involved with each country suggested ?
AND why people have enjoyed each country they have moved to ?
ANYONE can email me as well 
Pillsbury,
Whats in the virgin Islands then ?
jbrook68
I have looked at Thailand, you need a multple entry Visa, and 800,000 Bht in the bank, you have to repoert to immigration every 3 months and prove you have the money in a Thai bank (you dont get any intrest either)
You cant6 own property their either, if you have a Thai wife/girl friend it is split 49/51 in the Thai’s favour
Only thing you can maybe own is a condo, and thats assuming the majority of owners are Thai
Its not all that good when you dig into it
For obvious reasons, it will be easier to move to an EU country. My parents retired to Spain and really enjoyed it - loads of Brits there esp. on the Costa Blanca north of Alicante is stunning once you get past Benidorm, amazing mountain scenery and great traditional villages with the big city lights not far off. The £ will go a long way there. They moved back to the UK as they are getting on, developed some serious health problems and had to hire a translator at each hospital visit which was working out expensive for them. You will find that in any foreign language speaking country you go to I would imagine. I moved to New Zealand, pretty place but the same BS and PC crap as in the UK and climate isn’t much better. If I were you, I’d take a look at Portugal/Spain/Greek Islands - take a month out to do a proper tour of your chosen spots of interest to live in.
What is the best country for a Brit to retire to ?
8 Responses
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August 11th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Where do you live? If near a large metropolitan area or in the south, could you maybe just move north? If your major gripes are things like immigration, overcrowding or crime, a move to a smaller town to the north, even into Scotland may do the trick. No papers to fill out, no language barrier.
Spain can work, if you learn a little of the language and separate yourself from the Brit riff raff. There’s nothing like the warm sun!!
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August 11th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I know of some that went to Cyprus, they love it there.
No ideas on the details though. It is a couple and she used to work with myu mother-in-law and they still are in touch. They originally chose Cypress because their son had moved there. They did buy a house there.
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August 11th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
i wouldn’t go to oz or America atm
there tightening down on who they let in because of the credit crunch
Greece
beautiful
or Italy alot of people have moved there
and have loved it!
why wouldn’t you love it there
there is nice weather
cheap housing
you can get a 4 bedroomed over there for a 2 over here!
it is cheap for food petrol etc!
References :
August 11th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I go to Madeira every Spring (have done for 30 years) and if I were retiring abroad, that’s where I would choose.
Mild climate, lovely people (they are England’s oldest allies), everyone speaks some English so you would have no problems there.
It’s part of the European Community so no hassle in moving there.
Cost of everyday living a little lower than UK, housing on a par, outside of Funchal, the Capital. Good public transport - we always use local buses.
Good health facilities and a large hospital just outside of Funchal - serious cases needing specialist care are flown to Lisbon. The English enclave is in the sunniest area in the South-West, but there are quite a few ex-Pats all over the Island.
In latter years, we usually stay in a Town called Canico which half way between the airport and Funchal, but catch a bus, taxi or coach to outlying parts. Only hired a car once and it spent most of its time in the hotel car park because local transport is so cheap and much more fun!
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August 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Come to Malaysia. Many retirees from Britain, Japan, Korea and Taiwan are here. There is a Malaysia, My Second Home Programme specially for foreigners who wish to live here. Langkawi and Penang are two well-known places for many retirees here. Many Malaysians speak English, so you can be quite comfortable here.
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August 11th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
how about the british virgin islands?
References :
August 11th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
For obvious reasons, it will be easier to move to an EU country. My parents retired to Spain and really enjoyed it - loads of Brits there esp. on the Costa Blanca north of Alicante is stunning once you get past Benidorm, amazing mountain scenery and great traditional villages with the big city lights not far off. The £ will go a long way there. They moved back to the UK as they are getting on, developed some serious health problems and had to hire a translator at each hospital visit which was working out expensive for them. You will find that in any foreign language speaking country you go to I would imagine. I moved to New Zealand, pretty place but the same BS and PC crap as in the UK and climate isn’t much better. If I were you, I’d take a look at Portugal/Spain/Greek Islands - take a month out to do a proper tour of your chosen spots of interest to live in.
References :
Life
August 11th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Thailand if you have the money for long visa and you will get very little hassle from anybody
easy life everything far cheaper then home and you can buy most of the same things you can buy in the uk even in the far north east of thailand there is a city in issan called udon thani check it out
References :
http://www.udonthani.co.uk/