Where we're thinking of moving to // Sophie Shohet

[@LookNowbySophieShohet]

Dear friends, happy Monday! Our assumptions on various countries mentioned are based on having watched numerous KZbin videos from people who moved. If these assumptions are wrong, please let us know!xx

[@mslml6949]

You like luxury, go live in Milan or Turin

[@MeaGOfficial]

I sent you a dm on instagram about why you should consider Dubai or Abu Dhabi xx

[@mrvgstyle2442]

I don't know what happened to my comment but, I've been to Singapore many times. I loved it and thought of relocating. It is quite expensive. People I know there are millionaires. The cost of living is high. There aren't many attractions as opposed to Japan. After a few years, I hear it can get boring if you don't have family to pass the time. To get a certificate to own a vehicle is over $100,000 USD. Most people who own, have only one vehicle. It's hot and humid which can be so much more miserable during the rainy season. I'm wary about walking near bushes because sometimes reptiles, like pythons will fall from trees or come out of the bush. Other than these reasons and the high cost of housing, Singapore is great but, with the high cost of living, I can't.

[@tiepolo100]

@@mrvgstyle2442 Yes, curiously my comment disappeared too ... and yours seems to have disappeared again!

[@seabreeze4559]

Try Pets Abroad?

[@ladyliddie7721]

As someone who immigrated to Asia from a Western culture, here's some thoughts I have: How strong is your "why"? Do you plan to speak the language? Are you willing to give up your cultural "right vs wrong" for theirs? How willing are you to learn your new self -because being in a new environment and culture WILL change you. What happens when things get tough? Things WILL get hard wherever you are. If you can just fly home whenever you want, is that stopping you from taking roots? If you don't really want to integrate, maybe a summer home somewhere is better? Things are hard wherever you go, and it's easy to think a new place is trouble free. Only because we come without any previous knowledge of that new place's history. Will you struggle like the people there do? Or as long as things are pleasant and fun, you'll stay? I'm not saying you're unaware of these things! And it's all up to what your motives are. Just food for thought! It can be an amazing experience, but it's not easy. Integrating is very different than enjoying only the pleasures of a country's vacation life

[@silkbuttons]

You don’t need the language

[@R_DLF]

Fantastic questions!

[@TheSafetyMarshalPSF]

This is great. And yes if you plan on living there you need to learn the language. If not you will always feel not truly assimilated

[@tiepolo100]

very wise words @ladyliddie ... I left a lengthy response to your message having moved from London to the Country and having lived in the Middle East for 10 years. But it vanished. Wonder what happened ...

[@tiepolo100]

@@silkbuttons maybe not but it certainly helps

[@louloulapetiterenarde8573]

Lisbon, Portugal, has everything: beach , great shops , good weather all year round, history/monuments , it’s 2 and half hours flight from London , friendly people, houses prices have gone up A LOT but still cheaper than London, amazing food.

[@plavaovcica]

I am from Croatia, been to Portugal and I agree. Kinda see Portugal as bigger, more alive Croatia 😂.

[@plavaovcica]

actually lived in Portugal for 2-3 months*.

[@S.Morgenstern]

The locals aren't too happy about prices going up because of expats.

[@louloulapetiterenarde8573]

@@plavaovcicaI’m Portuguese and have been living in the U.K. for 23 years. I’m married to an English man. We will be moving back to Portugal in the near future. 😊

[@lajupeinstyle]

Totally agree- after lived in Lisbon and near Lisbon for a year I would highly recommend (I would move back anytime) - saying it as also lived in London for over two years (native from Hungary)- currently living in Budapest on and off 10 years - that would be my other recommendation

[@kagennotsuki]

I would say spending a month in another country and "living like a local" will probably give you a pretty good idea of whether or not you can honestly live somewhere. Everything is wonderful when you're on vacation for a week, but you will soon discover the things that you do and don't miss within a month or two. Before anything else though, I would find out if you can bring your furbabies with you, what the process is, and so on. That might really impact and/or limit what your choices really are. For example, I could and would happily move to Japan, but the process for bringing cats in can be a bit troublesome (as can finding living arrangements that accept them unless you buy a house), so that is what holds me back at this time. Thanks for the vid as always!

[@Riververchi]

Then someone would have to look after rabbits all that time. Why do people not think about pets????

[@mardiblitz]

Singapore is not cheap. It’s one of the most expensive city in the world

[@silkbuttons]

In correct 100%, where did you even get that from? Try Sydney and Hong Kong.

[@lllllllllarose]

@@silkbuttonsHong Kong has the most UNaffordable housing in the world 😂 are you sure

[@olene184]

it's a millionaire's playground it's a lateral move price wise but the safety wherever u go.. people in Singapore leave their laptops in Starbucks if they have to run across the street to the pharmacy... you don't have to mind your belongings and children are safe to walk about... we can't even imagine that in western societies

[@alexlcw]

Property and vehicles are extremely expensive in Singapore.

[@maureenwebster9599]

Montanonagrow is already limiting tourist to the over crowded island/country. Bringing bunnies anywhere will be difficult and stressful for your bunnies. All the places ypu mentioned are more vacation places. You don't go around wearing labels and designer stuff in most of ypur beach towns. What ypu consider hot in the UK is beyond hotter in other countries. Not going to have shopping. Paying taxes in two places. Expat life is great for a year or two but you miss home. Sounds like ypu said you need a vacay or a second home. I moved to Florida from the mid Atlantic of the US. Summer is unbelievably hot and humid. Tourist season with ancient drivers causes more accidents then I've seen in big cities. If you want to go there it's probably not a secret. Soon will be over run.

[@gaila.6003]

Instead of a permanent move, what if you simply split your time between home and the country of your choice. You can get all the information you need about any country online. You have to really sit down and research. If you begin to narrow down your choices, check online real estate companies in that area. See what things cost to buy or rent. You can get information online about the safest areas, where the shopping is best, things to do, cost of living. I believe some airlines let you take your small pets to your seat. Portugal is supposed to be lovely.

[@Robbie_LeMeow]

Thats what I would do. I would probably downsize my principal home though, then buy another.

[@moodboardloading]

This is what crossed my mind as well!

[@Riververchi]

Then someone would have to look after rabbits all that time. Why do people not think about pets????

[@mikeantonio3163]

I've come back to the UK and I think it's fantastic. The grass is not greener. I've been to 70 countries!

[@eleanorwalmsley635]

Wow, interesting

[@momoyome]

Don’t live in any of those places but my husband and I moved from San Francisco (in the heart of it all) to Wyoming. I miss city life but we travel on weekends maybe once a month or so to get our “fix” of being young in the city. I don’t regret it at all. I have a big house, there’s no crime, there’s no drugs. The worst thing is sometimes cows get out and block a main road. You just have to do it.

[@bnb0510]

Good for you! Wyoming is absolutely beautiful! San Fran is a sh!t hole anymore!

[@Patriot1789]

@@bnb0510 As an American I really find this constant Trumpian trashing of anything that’s not to your own personal liking pretty offensive. Find some language that is more descriptive and doesn’t make you sound so low class. Just because Trump does it, doesn’t make it acceptable. He has a personality disorder and may also be slightly demented as well. There is a reason that much of the rest of the world wants to be here - anywhere in the US - and most of the country is quite nice, especially when compared to many places in the rest of the world.

[@elysejosephs7302]

​@Patriot1789 you don't sound like a patriot. Especially if you can support the current insanity, lawlessness that's been going on in the USA. Thank God for Trump!😊

[@iamelizarosalind]

Im a native Londoner and bought a place an hour outside a few years ago thinking it would be fine …. Worst mistake of my life!! I miss being in London, I miss my friends and my old life. When you are used to an exciting place like London nothing compares xxx

[@tiepolo100]

I did something similar many years ago and it was the biggest mistake of my life too. Traded our apartment in London for a place in Suffolk where we enjoyed taking short breaks. There's a ginormous difference in taking a holiday somewhere and living somewhere. Sadly, while we were in Suffolk the cost of properties in London skyrocketed and we never managed to get back.

[@iamelizarosalind]

@@tiepolo100 ironically my family moved to Suffolk from London!! I wish so badly that I could rewind but I think my only option is to try and accept my mistake and visit London as often as possible

[@fleurbeckwith9280]

I think that's your dream and that's fine. I live in Australia and my dream is to have a second home in the UK. Maybe Wells in Somerset. It probably won't happen but that's fine it's my dream. I don't think you would like the constant heat in Singapore. You will miss London wherever you go as it's the best city in the world. Get a small holiday house somewhere warm but not too far away. 😊

[@kerriedunn2573]

Be aware that in Singapore I think it might be extremely expensive to own a car. I am not too sure on details but I think you need to enter some sort of auction to be able to purchase the 10 year right to just own a car ( the price does not include the car). To own a badic smaller car you are looking at about £55,000 and for something bigger, like an SUV, its about £85,000. Just for the 10 year licence to be able to purchase a car. Also they fit special counters on the cars so everywhere you drive in the city you are charged per km. Something to consider

[@rhondafrazier8205]

Keep you place in England and get a second place. We live in Florida and bought a small home last year in North Carolina and love it. They have different vibes which makes fun! Don’t give up your primary home! ❤️

[@yannip2083]

Where in NC? I am researching NC too. What is it like living in NC compared with FL?

[@rhondafrazier8205]

We have a 2nd home in Raleigh and love it! There are 4 distinct seasons , great restaurants, a lot of very smart people due to the research triangle, outdoorsy.. all round beautiful city. My daughter is a physician at Duke, we got our place because she lives here with her family. Also close to the Northeast corridor as well as the mountains in North Carolina.

[@Justme-x4h]

I totally understand the feeling. We moved from Canada to California. We almost moved to the South of France ( we are French speakers) and I’m glad we didn’t. After 17 yrs living in California, I like the fact that we are still a 5 hrs flight from the family. When something happens, and over the years we had to quickly go to Canada, we were very relieved that it wasn’t a 2 days travel to get there. Plus the cost of it all, tickets are still not too bad. It’s something we don’t always think about but we quickly learn that the further we live, the more complicated it gets.

[@maggiesmama7782]

Stay where you are and take more time away to enjoy your life. That’s the problem. Love you both💖

[@Tellmetheteasis]

Denmark & Norway, high quality of life, can’t be compared to the UK ✅ stunning capital cities, Oslo & Copenhagen ✅ breathtaking nature ✅ live somewhere within an hour of the major cities and you can really score on housing ✅ very family friendly ✅ 2-3 hours back home to the UK ✅ I have lived in both countries, and have been here in Norway for over 10 years, i will never leave. This is my home now. 2.5 hour flight back home to Iceland when i feel like i need to visit.

[@victoria_8817]

Norway is very expensive.

[@mbubbles4808]

We moved from uk to Norway and love it

[@matthewbloomfield9372]

Scandinavia is a tax hell! Way to socialist mindset for my liking

[@patriciad6995]

As a former bunny mom (my two lovely buns passed, both lived 10 years!) I really appreciate your consideration regarding your rabbits! They are family! I’ve only moved with my rabbits in California; it was a 7-8 hour drive in between but since it was a car ride, they got back into the groove of things quickly. I had a friend that moved to the East Coast, and she was able to fly with her rabbit in the cabin beside her! Not sure how this would work internationally, but some airlines will allow your rabbits to be with you, to ease the moving process. Best of luck!

[@lindasvenssonsmith4794]

I live in Sweden and imported a cat from Holland and if they are under a certain size, you can book them in and bring them with you on the flight. Can't remember how much it costed but maybe a few hundred pounds. But if you are going to stay in Europe you can drive yourself. More exiting as well, I think.

[@lisatakeitorleaveit]

Hi guys - I’ve been a Realtor outside NYC for 25 years and like you I need a vibe and need things to do. One thing you didn’t mention as a consideration is healthcare. I know it seems like a negative thing but it’s really important that wherever you go there is accessible good healthcare. You are correct about living somewhere for at least a month doing regular life. If family and friends and staying connected is important how far away as well as how expensive travel is to that place is something to consider. How friendly are the people in that area to foreigners? Other things to consider is banking, tax reprocussions or advantages. I think vacation destinations can get old if you are year round residents. I am always a fan of areas outside a city. Also it’s easy to romanticize places . I need a vibe - a heartbeat - little shops - culture and yea a place to get my Nails done and also like minded people. Best of luck in your endeavor!

[@mayahanmer4511]

Hi guys, My husband and I have just emigrated to New Zealand from Scotland. We've taken our two cats across and the overall journey for them took around two weeks (including quarantine time). It's expensive and unbelievably stressful. But there was no way we could have left them behind. There's a UK based travel agency (Pets Abroad)for pets that I would definitely recommend to go through. They sort out all the paperwork for you and book everything along the way (even transport to the airport). If you're planning on taking your rabbits, be wary of very strict animal import rules. They all vary in every country. The course of vaccination needed for our cats took over six months before they could travel here. And you really don't want to get these things wrong. Hence I'd definitely consult an agency. They do this all the time and have got heaps of experience with all sorts of pets. Good luck with everything 😊

[@yjscoco]

I'm a Singaporean living in Singapore and here's my two cents on some of the questions you had. It's really long but I hope it helps a bit: 1/ Cars: This will probably be the most shocking expense to someone from the UK. Owning a car in Singapore is expensive because you have to bid for a 'Certificate of Entitlement' (CoE) in order to own and use a vehicle in Singapore for 10 years. That's right - only 10 years. Most Singaporeans scrap their cars after 10 years but if you choose to renew the Certificate of Entitlement, you need to re-bid, and this puts you at the mercy of ever-increasing CoE prices. CoE bidding happens every month and prices fluctuate. A brand-new Porsche 911 GT3 (w/o CoE) in Singapore costs approximately GBP 509K. The CoE will cost you approximately GBP 60.8K. 2/ Petrol costs approximately GBP 1.55/l. 3/ Property: The rental market is softening in Singapore so prices have taken a dip from the previous two years. Most Singaporeans live in government-subsidised, what we call 'housing development board' (HDB) flats. I'd assume you'd prefer to live in a private property i.e. a condo apartment here, and would want to live nearer the central district (i.e. Orchard). The average cost of rent for a 2-bedroom condo apartment near the shopping district is about GBP 3,400, but bear in mind that space is limited in SG, and most 2-bedroom condos average at 700-800 sqft. 4/ Food: Eating out in Singapore (at restaurants/cafes) is generally cheaper than in London. I would think the same applies to groceries in Singapore. However, if you're after more 'exotic' produce (by which I mean things like vegetables that are not local to SG, e.g. kale) or even good quality beef, those would cost more in SG. There are however many cheap food options in Singapore, including at the various hawker centres and coffee shops across the island. It just requires you to step out of your comfort zone and get used to local cuisine. 5/ Alcohol: This is definitely more expensive in SG compared to UK. A pint of beer in SG could cost GBP 7 or more. 6/ Safety: Singapore wins this hands-down. I can confirm that we're still a safe city since you last visited in 2019. Snatch-thefts are unheard of, and house break-ins extremely uncommon (although we did recently have a spate of break-ins in an expensive housing enclave, but that is an anomaly). As one other commenter said, you can leave your laptop at a coffee shop and almost 10/10 times you would still come back to it - but please don't take this for granted and still do protect your belongings of course! 7/ Rabbits: Unfortunately Singapore is not as pet-friendly as I would like it to be. There are a couple of vets in Singapore that specialise in taking care of rabbits, but in general the vets here more commonly treat dogs and cats. It's not a deal-breaker because I do hear of vets treating rabbits here, in case you're worried. 8/ Nature: Sophie, you're right that Singapore does have some nature. But I must warn you that living here in the long-term, you might get bored of the 'nature' places we do have. I enjoy Gardens by the Bay as much as you, but can easily finish walking around within an hour or two. There are some places to 'hike' e.g. at Mount Faber, but these are very simple and easy hikes so you might find that opportunities to explore nature are fairly limited. The hot and humid weather here also puts most people off doing much in nature. 9/ Weather: The weather in Singapore is relentless hot and humid throughout the year. Pros are you can wear summer clothing all year long and there's no need to specially purchase clothes for the different seasons. Temperatures average at 31 degC, humidity at 83-85%. There's some respite during the monsoon season (which used to be towards the end of the year) but climate change has meant that the monsoon seasons are shorter and not as predictable. 10/ Proximity to other countries: One of our national past time is visiting neighbouring Malaysia, particularly Johor Bahru. You can drive down to Malaysia or take a train ride there. Many expats also like Singapore due to its proximity to other Southeast Asian countries for travel. 11/ Culture: Singaporeans are used to expats and we all speak English at a native standard - although I must say we don't have either an American/UK accent, most Singaporeans write and speak English well. There's also no visible discrimination towards expats, especially those coming from Western countries. In recent years, we've seen many Chinese / Indian immigrants so it's understandable that a portion of the SG population may have some unsavoury remarks for expats of certain countries, but I would say the English are not an expat group that needs to worry about this.

[@aggie092]

Have you considered Poland (Warsaw specifically)? it’s 2.5h direct flight from London, very modern, similar vibe to London as it’s a capital city. Plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops, even Hermes is here🙈 food prices are similar to UK but in general cos of living is a bit cheaper. I would say it’s much safer than London and also it’s great for traveling around EU. There are mountains on the south and sea on the north so it’s great for summer/winter holidays :) I know few Brits living here and they seem to be very happy 😊

[@heatherrose6108]

I’ve considered Poland! I’m from Canada, we should do a home exchange ;)

[@sbpinki]

Was just in Warsaw last weekend ❤ fantastic 😊 definitely want to go back to Poland and explore the country ❤

[@mgrace90]

I immigrated 11 years ago. 1. Stay in an apartment/house set up and live like a local. Join various groups to get local advice and tips. 2. Check weather patterns. Year round. 3. I have a spare room, lol. However if Singapore is too far...I am as well in South Korea. 4. Know that even the new place will become "normal". The biggest thing to remember is that it will never be "like home". Home will be where you make it.

[@adastra5214]

I moved and travelled with my beautiful Bunny by car, around 12 hours drive, she was in her cage on passenger seat and all went well. She might have saved us both when I stopped close to a gas station for a little rest during night time, I fell asleep a little and she woke me up by doing noises super agitated, when i opened my eyes and looked around to see why she was scared and allerting me, a huge cargo truck was stoping very slowly and silently right behind me with its lights off. Need not to say, I started my engine in a fraction of a second and drove into the highway at full speed for a few hundred kilometers. I believed she saved my life that night. I never took her on a plane, but having worked in aviation, small animals are allowed in the cabin if inside their little carrrier, some airlines up to 4 kg, others up to 6kg. My advice is to always let the rabbits have you close and in their visual area, so they know you are there and everything is ok. Another advice never take them off the carrier, if not people see them and everyone want to pet them, which makes them nervous. I would also advise to never send rabbits in the hold, is a scary environment, sounds, etc, and it would be a traumatizing experience for such a sensitive animal such as oir beloved bunnies.

[@dva5610]

Singapore is no joke. It’s going to cost you around 2 million USD to purchase a condo

[@lizzi7128]

New Zealand the same! It's WILLLLDDD. Apartments on my street newly built and that are simply tiny - are priced at 1.5 - 2 million. I like in a nice suburb but nothing to write home about. This is pretty standard,

[@sapphirecamui6447]

My brain just stopped the function of thinking reading your comment. Damn! Sellers have lost their common sense.

[@lilarbh]

Hi Sophie and David. How about Switzerland? It's a very beautiful and a really safe country, and easy to hub back to London whenever you need to. The down side is maybe it is a bit expensive, especially for basics like groceries, and it can be a bit boring as every thing closes early, and nothing is open in the weekend. However, if it's safety you are craving, you will have nothing to worry about there. You will be able to wear your valuable items every day and every where. Salaries are very high there and almost every body is well off and happy, and flaunting expensive cars and designer items. Swiss people are also generally sweet and very polite and well mannered. I've seen many Americans who have settled there and are very happy. My second option would be Germany, only because the majority of Swiss are originally from Germany, so I assume they will be similar. Personally, if it was me, I'd stay in the UK. Just find a safer city, maybe in Ireland or Scotland. Best wishes

[@martinen4017]

Honestly Portugal would be a good compromise, Porto for exemple is a nice City with a beach nearby + you stay close to family

[@skurinski]

Porto isnt really a beach town though, its quite windy. For beach life I'd choose Algarve

[@R0BYN1989]

Lisbon could be an alternative. 45 minutes to Cascais for beach, an hour to Sintra for the gardens, palace and amazing microclimate, lots of expats in the city with several tech companies’ offices there.

[@dealman3312]

Porto is pretty cold like San Francisco no? I know a lot of digital nomads looking to live cheap were moving there

[@CarlaSampaio88]

@@skurinskiPorto is a shit hole with same crime and danger as uk!

[@CarlaSampaio88]

@@R0BYN1989Lisbon also welcomed so much people and businesses aren’t amazing as use to be then high taxes! Golden visa now is in centre of Portugal! Lisbon is also filled with violent environments now! Algarve indeed! I’m a pure Portuguese 🇵🇹 rather be in London any day!

[@Eileen3007]

It might be difficult moving from London Sophie, and like David says, the last thing you’d want, is t get bored. There are some lovely places in England such as the Cotswolds, where you’d enjoy peace & quiet also have the comfort of knowing London is a train ride away? I suppose it’s all about compromise. Luv E x❤

[@SSN718]

Out of the countries you mentioned, if you want a fast pace and option most similar to London, I think Singapore would be a great fit. English is one of their official languages, and they have a huge expat community. The cost of living is high, but it shouldn't be such a big adjustment coming from London. Business opportunities, favorable tax, networking, and safety are other pros. Some of the Mediterranean countries could work too if you are ok with a slower pace of life, more bureaucracy, and plan on adapting to the culture, and learning the language of the country. In terms of capital gains taxes, Croatia, Malta, and Greece are good options and have a lower cost of living. The best way to get to know a country is to rent a place for a few months, create a routine, try to make friends and get to know the culture, and then make a decision as to whether it is a good choice for you longterm.

[@TeresaLeandro]

Dear Sophie, I’m teaching Portuguese to two English ladies. One has been here for two years, the first year she lived in Algarve and she gave up, it’s far from Lisbon (although we are a very small country), and she bought a house here (Torres Novas, one hour from Lisbon, where I lived all my life, I moved almost two years ago) and she is living here. Friends and family come to visit all the time. My other student has been here for a year and she’s loving it. She also bought a house and in our last lesson she told me she and her husband will apply to Portuguese citizenship. They are loving life here.

[@lrsco]

I’m single, will be 60 yrs old in December and serious about a permanent move to the Algarve!

[@TeresaLeandro]

@@lrsco You will be very welcome. 😊

[@Michelle-iz5bh]

I find it interesting you can say the whole of the UK has changed drastically. From someone who lives in the middle of England, life here hasn’t changed drastically at all. Maybe your opinion is based on living in London. If you think moving out of London will be a wrench moving abroad will be hard. Like I’ve always been told, “wherever you go, there you are”. Don’t expect a big move to change your life like you expect.

[@rachelmarvellous-marmoset706]

I adore the respect and love you have for your rabbits 🐇 ❤️

[@Vjestica7]

Hi Sophie, native Croatian here that now lives in Germany for the last 7 years. Croatia, Montenegro and most of the southern countries are great for vacation, for living not so much. There is a reason these countries are having huge amount of young people leaving to go to work to western countries (corruption, big unemployment rate, low salaries, huge waiting lines for doctors appointment unless you go private). Seaside is nice but outside from the summer season it is quite dead so the best place to live would be the capital Zagreb. Also Slavic languages are extremely hard to learn. I would recommend, if you consider to move to the southern countries, to use them as a second home for few months in a year and for the rest of the year to have main location in some of the western countries. I am not sure which country to recommend, my husband is Irish and we are thinking about leaving Germany (to Switzerland or Ireland) as it is becoming worse and worse here, both economically and regarding safety. We live in Munich which is still in sort of bubble and doing much better compared to the rest of Germany and I would recommend it to people that want to come to Germany. It is very expensive, but it is for now the safest city in Germany, very clean, close to the mountains and it has huge airport from which you can fly anywhere. Also almost everyone speak English here.

[@Nixreads]

Hi Sophie, here are a few things I would consider (coming from someone who emigrated as well): 1. Climate: spending a few months somewhere is a great idea, if it’s a country where summer & winter vary a lot in temperature, I would highly recommend splitting the stay to experience both extreme seasons 2. Language: thinking about which language you feel is achievable for you to learn and dedicate time to (which is a must when living in a new country permanently IMO) 3. Laws & social benefits: research ing before where your taxes go to, can you access social benefits you find important, what are your rights (especially as a woman) xx

[@mellyholly]

I’ve lived abroad in many different countries. Including Japan, ireland, Australia, and a couple of others for shorter times. Currently living in Australia again for the last few years(Sydney, had lived here before too) my husband goes to Singapore for work sometimes and I have also visited. It’s very expensive for rent… Will be in Australia for the foreseeable although I miss living in london. It’s a nice lifestyle. It is very far to go visit family back home and that’s a major downside. I also lived in Dublin for many years and loved it there. If I was to return to Europe I think I would move back to Dublin. The only thing that concerns me with living abroad is the break in pensions. It’s something I’m going to have to get serious about and weigh up what I need to do in the future. The problem is that I don’t know which country I will eventually retire in so it’s hard to make permanent plans…

[@olivegrove2615]

Apparently, Dublin is no longer safe for women & girls. I don't see these two moving, a 40 minute drive is too far for them, and Rabbits pick up highly contagious diseases. The Rabbits won't be accepted anywhere, and if they travel with them they the Rabbits won't survive. I had Rabbits for years in NSW and had to give them up because the family moved to Queensland as they're banned in Queensland.

[@MultiElodiee]

Dublin réal estate prices are crazy. It’s more expensive than London.

[@cherisemoss7854]

Why not the Cotswolds?

[@marlenematthews8280]

Sophie, you and David seem like lovely, thoughtful people and I appreciate that so much, thank you. I'm an American. I'm sure people globally, especially our friends in the UK, know what we are going through with our presidential election days away, kindness seems hard to find here. Keep doing what you do and making KZbin a happier place.

[@ethalminiellis3032]

Hi both of my sons live abroad. They have married girls from the countries they now live in. Both have learnt the language and work, they have thrown themselves into the culture of these countries. That's the secret you must become a local. Good luck with your chosen country.

[@karenb8170]

Hi Sophie, As a former expat I would suggest you search for expat forums or chats for the countries you are interested in to find accurate up to date information. When you visit Singapore, ask in Tanglin Mall and Tanglin Shopping Centre for "The Finder", the expat magazine.

[@suzieplum05]

Hi Sophie and David. Im sure that you dont remember me now but I lived in St Louis USA for twenty years. I returned back home to Northern Ireland mid pandemic 2020. I did enjoy USA life but for me and my cancer history , healthcare was not affordable. I had a choice .. healthcare or a roof over my head. USA is so huge that every state has different laws , house prices , and different cultures. I would say that no matter where you decide to live , dont make the mistake of generalizing about the life there. It can be so different depending on the city or State. As for going and staying in the country for a time.. I would say yes , that is very wise. ..again because it gives you a chance to check out the different areas. I am now currently looking at homes to buy in France. What I have been doing that has been so helpful is actually going to Google maps . I get the co ordinates of the home and then when I find it on the G Map I get so much info about the area right there. ! If I feel like its a good choice I zoom into the town on the map and go to "street view".. then I can "drive " around the areas without leaving my kitchen and coffee ! :) .

[@theashleybclay]

I find this so interesting because this conversation sounds very much the same as what my friends and I say to each other about America. I do love this country so much. It's just changing into a place that I don't recognize growing up in.

[@meganh7742]

Yes! Funny how timely this vlog is for me. I’ve been researching the EU, in particular the south of France. It’s shocking to me how inexpensive life is there but quality is high!

[@theashleybclay]

@@meganh7742 Yes! It’s all about perspective as well. After traveling to more countries, it changed me in so many ways. My eyes have been so opened in a wonderful way.

[@meganh7742]

@@theashleybclay Sounds like we are on the same level! I wish I could travel full time, lol. Work pays the bills though for now. Haha

[@theashleybclay]

@@meganh7742 I totally sympathize. Saving my pennies to return to France one of these days.

[@masha22092000r]

Sophie, as someone who moved countries in 2016, there are several things you need to consider IMO: 1. You said once you don't read/watch the news. You have to start doing that in regards to countries you wish to move to. It might change your list. Cyprus and Greece are currently being used by the US military to discourage Iran from attacking Israel and/or shoot down missiles/drones that Hezbollah launches towards Israel. Are you OK with going to the beach and seeing an aircraft carrier? Or in case of Cyprus - having a theoretical possibility of a terrorist drone showing up above your head in case a full-on war blows up in the Middle East? Mexico has a cartel war going on lretty much indefinitely. It's generally much less safe than Central London. 2. Can you keep your job with your UK salary after the move? Or will you have to start anew? Montenegro, Croatia and Portugal have much lower salaries than what you are used to. Same for Cyprus and Greece. In my country (you didn't list it so it's irrelevant) marketing is not a well-earning profession anymore because it's oversaturated. BTW Spain is prone to economic issues and Barcelona is not much safer than London these days. 3. Singapore is so much more expensive than the UK. It's one of the most expensive cities in the world. Buying a flat will be a challenge - and it will probably be much smaller than what you have in the UK. It also has a very different political system than what you are used to. With some very strict laws. 4. Have you thought about retirement? Medical/personal emergencies? What kind of welfare do these countries offer (I know for a fact that in Croatia it's very little)? Your current savings might be enough to retire in Montenegro but definitely not in Singapore. What's the general level of medical care in those countries? The NHS is a British thing, other countries have different systems. Will you pay more for private care (how much?) or rely on the state services? It's all research, research, research...

[@seabreeze4559]

which singapore laws are strict?

[@masha22092000r]

​@@seabreeze4559 First thing that comes to mind is public behavior. The fines for stuff like spitting on the pavement are quite high & are enforced. Also caning (hitting someone with a cane) is a form of legal punishment for stuff like vandalism there.

[@rabbitsnapit]

Been a long time subbies of your other channel here watching from Singapore. Singapore’s living cost is expensive, but it’s is SAFE and things just work. Public transport is great, clean, safe and extensive! It’s a regional hub, the airport is great for traveling around. Food is amazing and the expat community here is huge. But for me, the safety and convenience are top notch here in Singapore. Also, it’s a great place for entrepreneurs!

[@bubblemummy1]

Hi Sophie, I'm half Maltese, and have loads of family that still live there. There is plenty to do there, loads of lovely places to eat, lots of nightlife. My aunty lives there and goes out every night, all dressed up and looking wonderful. She has a British boyfriend and they come to live in the UK (Kent) for a few weeks several times a year, and she hates it as there is nothing to do. However, Malta has changed, it's crazy busy and too lively for me! It's also expensive, food is expensive but it is a beautiful country, with very friendly people. I miss it, but the roads are mayhem. Shopping wise, there are some nice shops, but my aunty has a daughter who lives in Paris, and her other daughter owns a travelling fair, bizarrely, so travels around Italy, and my aunty does her designer shopping when visiting her daughters in Paris and Italy.

[@juls9325]

Hey Sophie, did you consider to consult a relocation consultant? I don't have any experience with that service but I came across that profession recently. And did you thought about switzerland? Geneva for example? I'm not living there but because there are living a lot of high profile people the service like haisdresser and so on is probably at point, too.

[@nataliat6492]

I adore London, my husband the country, so we moved to Hitchin in Hertfordshire and it was the best decision ever- quiet but vibrant, 30 mins away from London, beautiful. I wouldn't swap London for the world.

[@katyhallx1]

Have you considered Italy?

[@susanbaker2796]

Very close to Croatia....

[@BrigitteWeber]

Sophie, I have lived in Asia for 20 years, in Hong Kong, Japan, Bali and Malaysia. I love Asia, the people and the lifesyle. How many days did you stay in Singapore? I recommend staying 1 month and see how you feel. I have many friends in Singapore and when I visit for more than 3 days I get Island fever! I prefer to have variety and to be able to drive and explore places more than just one hour away. I don't think you need much more than 2 hours to circumnavigate Singapire. Fom Singapore though you can easily fly out every weekend to explore other regions. There are high end restaurants, clubs, gyms, and some nature reservoirs to go to during the week. Shopping luxury is more expensive in Asia due to import tax. Just some inputs from my own experience❤

[@lindasvenssonsmith4794]

I agree about the islands it can get boring . It's better to go for the mainland.

[@abbyvanhoose3997]

It's definitely great to stay and see how really living the area is a must. You could buy the best home reasonably not much to interest some,but we find enough,20-40 minutes to alot more museums shows. Good luck!❤❤❤

[@user-hu3px9dc7h]

I'm a local Japanese. Obviously there are language barriers, but Tokyo is very convenient in terms of shopping and getting your nails done. There are luxury boutiques everywhere. Public transport is very organized and living cost is much more cheaper than the UK. Both of you don't look Japanese so the working culture should be fine as well.

[@leticiatfoliveira]

I’m Brazilian and I’ve been living abroad for almost 8 years now, moving every couple of years or so to a different country accompanying my husband. Out of the 3 countries we’ve lived/been living, only 1 was “easier” or “quicker” to fly back to Brazil; but we realised that once we have a new life and get settled, we won’t fly back “home” as often as we thought we would because home is now wherever we are. Of course we miss our family and friends, but it’s the life we’ve chosen and we try to make the best out of it, exploring different corners of the world whenever we can. Usually we fly back to Brazil once a year, and our parents visit us about once a year as well. About the places you’ve mentioned, I’ve never been to Singapore, but a friend that I met at the UN and actually used to live in the London has always told me it’s crazy expensive there. But I have been to Greece, Croatia, and Cyprus, and I find that the city that could offer slightly similar options to London in terms of everyday life is Athens - but then again, I don’t know if its the most safe city. I really liked Croatia, but I don’t recall any luxury shops for example. Cyprus has little to do even when on holiday - I liked it, but it really was just a beach holiday. It seems you had an unpleasant experience in Portugal, but it is really a wonderful country - specially if you find that being close to the UK is a must. Overall, I believe that nowhere is perfect, and you’ll always have to compromise if you decide to move out of your country of origin. For me and my husband, the key is trying to figure out what is most important for us at that given moment, and try to be reallocated to that specific place we believe will suit best our needs.

[@vw2470]

I’ve immigrated and lived an average of 4-5yrs in various countries in Africa, Asia, US, Canada and now living in UK for a year. We plan to eventually relocate to Spain. Each place I gained residency and lived, studied and/or worked and also bought property. Here’s my advise: 1. Stay in a place for 3-6mos. Discover how easy it is to build a new community, friends and support system. No one is an island. Some places are harder to make friends than others. Do not over look the power of community. Many Expats do not realize that moving can be lonely when you do not have family & friends around. 2. Hire an immigration lawyer who will be able to answer most of your questions. 3. Meet with local Estate Agents, they will give you the true info of where best to live and cost of affordability. Hope this is helpful.

[@vw2470]

Last thing to add: when you stay at a place, visit at their less desirable time. It’s easy to romanticize a place when you visit in the summer then realize how miserable the winters are. We stayed in UK for 3mos in winter and 3mos in summer then made the move.

[@Carlos-nu6ik]

Good luck in Spain. As someone who is a Spaniard learn Spanish, truly do cause if not you will find it difficult to build a community of people around you. And the country is beautiful. And the people (in my experience) open minded.

[@vw2470]

@@Carlos-nu6ik Thankfully, I speak Spanish too 😊

[@vw2470]

Agreed! We stayed in UK for 3mos in the summer then returned and stayed for 2mos in Dec-Jan. Very different experiences.

[@avandyke143]

We moved to the country, north of Dallas. The country is definitely not boring. It’s peaceful. We bought 10 acres and built a farm home. I work remotely full time in risk management and I have honey bees! 🐝 We want to start a large garden next year and I would also like to have chickens for eggs…but not 100% about that. We have several wineries and fun shops. It’s only an hour or so drive to all of the shopping, museums, and botanical gardens, etc in Dallas or Fort Worth. Cost of living is low. Texas is a one party consent state, so you can video and vlog with no problem. My daughter and son in law travel a lot and LOVE Barcelona. I think they would move there if it weren’t for family and their jobs.

[@ezrmia]

Sophie please read this - I would be very, very careful with Cyprus. Generally, it is a stable place despite the division. However, Iran aligned entities in the Middle East in Lebanon and Syria specifically, have directly threatened Cyprus many times over the years for having relations with Israel. Recently, Hez said it would strike Cyprus directly if they opened their airspace and bases to Israeli craft. Unfortunately, the location of Cyprus is close to a very hot conflict zone. ...As far as the other places, Greece, Portugal and Spain are prone to economic issues but they are far more safe and stable these days. I have family in Portugal and Spain. They love it. Half-expat/half local couples and they love it. Greece I know is becoming a haven for expats as well. As far as the rest of the Balkans, I have also heard great things. Far less conflict prone these days than the 90s. Croatia and Montenegro are both beautiful. Make sure to read extensively about laws, rights (free speech, etc.) on every place though - the US State Dept and UK Home Office (perhaps F&C Office) will have extensive detail on laws, rights and other restrictions. Please make sure to always consider regional tensions and alliance info as well.

[@SusanMiddleton1]

And health care.

[@heidiheidi0]

Cyprus is perfectly safe and your comment is ridiculous.

[@ezrmia]

@@heidiheidi0 Again, I said “generally it is a stable place” - however, with Middle East regional tension, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere that is under threat. It’s a pretty basic need.

[@Elio-f1r]

What did you expect? That you would allow your airspace to be used for attacks on our nation and that we would just stand by and watch? That would make you complicit and effectively draw you into the conflict, turning you into a threat to our country. So stay in your lane and no one will come after you.

[@hhelina]

​@@heidiheidi0Cyprus is literally half occupied and in a frozen conflict m8

[@Lori1976]

I visited the UK in the 90s. It was so cool to me! Great vibe. Croatia. Thats my first choice. It's laid back, access to nature, cities, beautiful beaches. Montenegro is really beautiful as well but there isn't much to do. It is a bit cheaper than Croatia - thats the upside. A close friend of moved to Denmark, they took their dogs on the plane with them - put them under their seats.

[@susanbaker2796]

Agree. Croatia. Access to cities....you will need that more than you know coming from London.

[@lilylillux]

❤❤❤

[@PriHL]

If you were in the UK in the 90s, the country is nothing like it anymore, would strongly recommend against moving here. The vibe can be great but can be awful as well the deeper you get to know the real country, not only tourist friendly areas.

[@lilylillux]

@@PriHL To be honest, isn't it that way with any country? There isn't any perfect country in the world. It all depends on what you want and feel you like as a person. Meaning, it may have been super in your teens, but when you get older and more mature, you outgrow what you loved then... maybe... I just always saw it like that. Someone blends in for life, while others have to move and try something different. But you will definitely find downsides to every country.

[@Missy182]

I really appreciated this video. It’s so great to hear you & David’s thoughts and aspirations about moving. You have so much support & im sure which ever county you choose you’ll make it your home ❤

[@gaynorwitts372]

hi, this was so interesting to watch, we moved to Melbourne, Australia from the uk. Its always hard decision but we decided that the worst that could happen is that we wouldn’t settle and then could always come home again. In fact we love it here, so much so that we became citizens. It is far which is tricky sometimes but in fact it’s only 24 hours and i can be in the uk if need be. Of course in covid that wasn’t possible and that gave us issues with a death in our immediate family we couldn’t come back for but that was an extreme time in the world wherever you live. Each time i come back to the uk I feel sad about some of the challenges there, I believe we are all enriched by new life experiences and moving gave us a ton of them. We are so happy we did it, nowhere is perfect I don’t think, but finding a place that feels right to live in is huge and for us Australia is now home Thanks for including us in your thinking process ❤

[@meganh7742]

Oh the dream! As an American I don’t think it’s easy at all to move to Oz but we sure would love to!! Melbourne is amazing❤

[@Vikalicious5]

Croatian here who grew up in NY and is currently here! I am thinking of moving there as soon as I can because it is so safe and to answer your question you can do all those basic things you want (also a short flight to go back to visit your fam).

[@nit.blue99]

Singapore has high cost of living. I highly recommend you come and visit Thailand, bustling city, good food, great beaches, cost of living is less than Singapore. There’s a huge expat community as well, lots of shopping options. I emigrated from US after marriage and have been here almost 20yrs. Also from here, you can jet off to other parts of Asia and explore. You can easily rent Airbnb’s or service apts which will offer cleaning services as well. Try living abroad in Asia for 1 month and see. Hair, nails, beauty services are inexpensive here too. 😊

[@matthewbloomfield9372]

Cannot recommend Italy enough. Amazing culture, scenery, food, fashion and Italians are amazingly friendly.

[@Breanna.HouseOfCorgis]

What about Monaco? In between France and Italy. Close to UK to visit family. You'd have the beach, shopping, restaurants, museums, etc. Pleanty of relaxing for David and things to do for you Sophie.

[@xoluciaxo_3721]

@@Breanna.HouseOfCorgis Isn't Monaco crazy expensive to live in (even for them)

[@Breanna.HouseOfCorgis]

@@xoluciaxo_3721 I believe housing is high yes

[@Krishnalondon12345]

Sophie I understand. I can't wear a channel bag in the London tube or train. I carry it inside in a Tesco bag or Sainsbury's on tube and then I take out the channel bag when I get to my destination e.g a high end restaurant. I don't know how to drive no car. I do the same for watch n jewellery. Dubai abhudhabi and so is Portugal and Monaco is excellent. Japan too. Good luck

[@SukiKG]

There's a YT channel called Nomad Capitalist that has a lot of good videos. Their focus is moving in order to pay less in tax but you learn quite a lot of other stuff from their videos also.

[@catherinezilber7677]

For the rabbits: ask your vet because it varies by the country you are going to. They will be the experts or know who to ask. It sounds like you want to be warm and would be happy being in a small city or have easy access to a larger city. Bermuda has a large town and is any easy flight to the US (it's off the coast of North Carolina) to big cities like Washington, DC or Atlanta. Of course, there are hurricanes. Croatia has proper cities like Zagreb and there is a lot of culture etc. and Split is coastal. Plymouth is a reasonably sized city and you could live coastally and Bath is cute too. It's like you are looking for the equivalent in the US of living on Hilton Head Island and being very close to the cities of Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA or living on Siesta Key or Long Boat Key in Florida and the city of Sarasota is a bridge away and Tampa, a large city, is an hour away. I would recommend going for 3-4 weeks multiple times to experience different seasons. And stay in different neighborhoods each time.

[@somuchdesignwithhanne]

Sor tricky to decide where to move to. My husband and I have been debating this for 8 years now, we live in London. The fact is nowhere is like London and moving out or away, is a major decision. So hard, we have considered English countryside within reach of London and also abroad. At this point considering whether we need to try places out by staying there a month or two, such a hard decision. Some of our friends lived in Singapore for several years and they loved it. Hope you get some good insights from your followers. 💕

[@TeresaatHome]

Hi Sophie, I love your videos. I was born and raised in Sao Paulo/Brazil, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. I have been living in Zürich/Switzerland for 40 years, one of the safest cities in the world. Not only is safety good here, but so is everything else, from taxes, culture, technology, quality of life, hospitals, etc. No wonder so many millionaires come to live here. Singapore is called the Switzerland of Asia. You can vlog in the streets, but not all shops allow it. Switzerland is in the centre of Europe and you can drive to France, Italy, Germany and Austria in a few hours. If you come by train from London, your bunnies won't suffer from the journey. Besides, the temperatures in Zurich are much milder than in London. Winters are getting shorter and temperatures are rising over the years. Think about it. Big hugs to you and David.😍😍😍

[@flonotflow]

Maybe it's time to "Escape to The Country!" I love that show and I could totally see you guys getting away from London to a different area. I've always said if money were no object, I'd move to Yorkshire, not too far from York. I totally agree with you in regards to the bunnies, we've discussed the same issue with our dogs and I just can't see us flying them somewhere that wouldn't stress them out completely. I think you'd enjoy Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but winter is just ugh...

[@annajovanoski4145]

Hi loves ❤I know it’s far but Western Australia (Perth) ✔️ all your boxes…beautiful weather…gorgeous beaches…very safe…have a look & lots off English people that have migrated from England to Perth..good luck ❤❤

[@justathought274]

And spiders galore 😂

[@hannkg7715]

I would second this. Or they may like Sydney which is just a bigger better Perth.

[@lizzi7128]

​@@hannkg7715but expensive!!

[@PriyaMalhi-ir7bu]

I’d recommend getting an airbnb in your top 2/3 places and trying it out for 2/3 months. I did that in LA last year, the first two was so fun & then month 3 just completely got me down & I missed the UK. It was too far for friends and family & a lot of cultural differences even though we speak the same language. Have you both considered France or Portugal?

[@adriana7144]

My folks live in Malta and I like it but it’s way over crowded now in the towns and pretty grim in summer when there is a heavy tourist presence. I’ve been researching the same as you and the one that comes up over and over again is Portugal - safe, clean, good cheap, accessible healthcare, good weather, low cost of living compared to the UK. I loved Lisbon when I visited. I plan to visit other areas too and if I like it I will move.

[@Emmdae]

Hi Sophie! Love your videos. So I’ve travelled around Europe quite a bit, my two cents: Don’t move to an island-Malta, Cyprus, Bahamas, and baleares are great for holiday but if you’re as active as you say…you’ll run out of things to do quickly. Montenegro is lovely but there are literally two large cities. That’s it. Another great holiday destination unless you have close ties to the culture/region.

[@georginabreeze1655]

IMHO- Moving abroad can be very isolating and very challenging. I’ve lived in Germany which was great fun but I’d still think very carefully about such a huge move in future. You definitely need the language skills too but also do you have a plan for what job you’d do? Tourist areas become very different off- season- very quiet, few young people. Also, many countries have very different tax laws- do your research! Your pets would be fine but what about you. I’d think of moving elsewhere in the UK first. Sounds like you want some green countryside but easy access to big city. We’ve moved to the Cotswolds and where we live is rural like France, but we’re near Bath, Bristol and Swindon so plenty to do. Perhaps you just want a change from London. Good luck!

[@melissarathke3209]

We are taking a trip to Panama City, Panama next month. It’s supposed to be very affordable and it’s very warm!

[@juliadecadenet]

I live in Central London most of the time and my local supermarket is Selfridges. It’s actually quiet in the evenings and weekends and you can walk the dogs peacefully and enjoy every designer store in your pyjamas. Ps. You can fly small pets in the cabin with you. ( depending the airline)

[@chantelleolivi3]

For somewhere that would suit your lifestyle of regular travel, luxury shopping, new restaurants plus beaches and walks and activities, Hong Kong is amazing and there is constantly something new happening. There isn’t a huge language barrier here if you don’t speak Cantonese at first. I worried initially about the long flights but you do get used to it quite quickly. I moved out from the uk two and a half years ago and it’s expensive to live but tax is low and I personally find it’s been worth it for how safe you feel in the city. I would also say there are still seasons here which I miss whenever I’m in Singapore

[@user-mp5ww2bt7q]

There is NO way in hell, you guys understand the Property Price, of Singapore. Your nice house on the outskirts of London, wouldn’t even pay for a studio flat in Singapore, so being realistic, is a hugly important part of the research, that you need to do.

[@shaughnessymurley5512]

And let’s talk about the cost of car ownership in Singapore. Yeesh!

[@sandraankenbrand]

100%

[@sandraankenbrand]

​@@shaughnessymurley5512while you don't really need a car...

[@shaughnessymurley5512]

@@sandraankenbrand their love of Porsche might disagree.

[@sams3015]

I forget you post here sometimes….always a peasant surprise when you pop up. So no pressure, it’s a bonus for us when you post here

[@vivamoose]

I moved to Cyprus from the UK last year. It’s taken as long to adjust to living here. There’s a saying here, “siga siga”, which means “slowly slowly” haha. It’s a very laid back, Mediterranean way of life. It also depends where you live - Limassol is the most developed due to the Russian businesses, Paphos is full of retired Brits, Nicosia is the capital, it’s divided so interesting in terms of history and culture but there’s no beaches. There’s not loads to do here, but I don’t mind it. There’s bars, traditional taverns, shopping malls, villages, mountains and beaches. There’s a lot of nature parks near me as well. Living here has made me go out in nature a lot more than I did in the UK, and I’m also spending a lot less money. The cost of living is good, though local wages are very low. Everyone is friendly and most speak English fluently, though it does help to learn basic Greek. The summers are HOT but I used August as an opportunity to go back to the UK for a few weeks. Also, everywhere is air-conned! You do acclimatise as well. October - May time is perfect weather for me, just when it hits high-30s is when it gets intense! It’s also extremely safe here. I walk around at night and I’ve not once felt unsafe, a far cry from London after dark. I’m aware some people in the comments have concerns about the escalating tensions in the Middle East but the Greek side of Cyprus is an EU state. There’s also British air bases on the island being used by Americans too, nothing’s going to happen!

[@stephaniechan4926]

Sophie, I watched your video regarding crimes in London, I live currently in San Francisco, Ca and have been traveling through Europe to see if I can find a place to live for 2 years. I just finished 3 weeks in Spain, a bit too small for me- shopping, entertainment etc. looking forward to your research.

[@madeleinbronner3943]

I live in Naples,Florida. I love it. It’s very quaint, clean, safe.

[@joeyl695]

Could you charter a plane just for the actual move with your pets?

[@superdupergrrl]

Prague! I've been here for 30 years. No place better for chilling and also having a vibrant cultural life. Also you can take short cheap flights to any number of European capitals.

[@hopew6979]

You can take your bunnies in the cabin with you. It depends on the airline so you need to contact the airlines ahead of time. For some airlines you can only take animals in the cabin with you on certain flights, so gotta check first. And you can have your bunnies in carriers and put them under the seats. Your idea of spending a few months in places to see what it's like to live there and not live as a tourist is great. Definitely should do this! What about Italy, Spain, or Portugal? Croatia is a good choice too. Close to the UK, there are things to do, and you can still have a quiet life without being too far away from city life. I'd recommend the US but it varies so much depending on the place and it's a huge country but maybe the Northwest, West Coast, or MidWest states would tick your boxes. I've never lived in Singapore but my friends that live there say it can be boring and there's not much to do besides shopping. There are lots of activities if you're there for a short time but if you live there then it gets boring. Allegedly. It depends on the area for Mexico...some places there are safe while others are scary and not safe. The US State Dept has warnings for Americans to not visit certain states in Mexico.

[@sandraankenbrand]

Its not the airline... it's quarantine in the country of destination

[@sandraankenbrand]

And the US is far more dangerous than London

[@hopew6979]

@@sandraankenbrand Oh I see, that makes sense.

[@dkayok]

What an amazing opportunity to explore. First, if you are much of a city person, that is really important. I live in the US in the west. I used to vacation for weeks at a time in Scotland (Edinburgh) and around Europe esp Spain. I lived in Germany for 2 years. It is very hard to replace the feel of an old established city where you can walk around, go to cafes, go to parks, go to the theatre, see the ocean, be a few hours from another country so that you have a completely different experience within a few hours drive. I think someplace in Europe can be less London-like but still culturally focused to provide a rich everyday life. When I lived in Germany (mostly Wurzburg) I was surrounded by culture and beauty, Germany has tons of holidays and everyone travels everywhere. I think of Madrid, Barcelona, too. Most places will be less intense than London, but there are still lots of european cities that offer interesting things to do on a regular basis with easy access back to UK for visits or to all the other countries that are only a train or car ride away. Depending on where you locate and your resources, it might be possible to have a nice city home with a seaside or country cottage, but you don't really need to. We were brand new in northern Germany and there was a week long holiday. We were staying at a college for language school. We didn't know what to do and everyone said oh most of us are going to Paris - here's a list of affordable hotels. In a days ride in a pretty crappy car we were in Paris and spent a week. As an American, I could drive a day and be basically where I was. Suddenly I was surrounded daily by such beauty in the cities we lived in and we explored other countries on holiday. Also, probably not Mexico. Too far away, lots of things controlled by the cartels and while not everywhere, yes some places you might feel better with guards. Also, look up projected climate change data for places you are interested in. Some places are going to be perhaps quite different as time goes.

[@FloorSugar]

Cyprus is incredibly sleepy 😂 not sure you would enjoy long term. Thessaloniki in Greece is lovely (2nd biggest city), buzzy atmosphere with lots to do, great weather, all sorts of great shopping and great lifestyle! Definitely consider as opposed to Athens. Only a 3ish hour flight.

[@jheng8648]

As a city girl myself, it really is difficult to find somewhere on par with London (other than NYC, Tokyo, HK - but they all tend to have similar "challenges" to London, being large cities; and Asia may be safer but further and language/cultural difference). Singapore - expensive (esp car and property). Not that much to do long term within SG. Difficult to gain entry for residence Malta/Montenegro/Croatia - not many things to do Lisbon - Quite small (nowhere like London) but could be a compromise. Likewise, maybe somewhere like Madrid and Dubai (will need to work around aome cultural points). No easy win. Everywhere has its pros and cons. For me, i still love London (although i agree it's not entirely what it used to be)

[@jeanettenfreeland1408]

What about Scotland or Ireland

[@Beebee192-j7i]

Ireland is a very expensive place and it's a very racist place. I hate visiting my family and my town, the hate is so depressing.

[@princessjulia5646]

Have you thought about Jersey ? Or is it too near. X

[@janinevincent2070]

Have you considered Vancouver Canada?

[@mariatheodoulou9130]

Hi Guys I moved from London to Cyprus 30 years ago . I Live in Limassol and I dont regret it , you can do all the things that you mentioned . So many people move here for tax reasons , they follow something similar to the British law system . We drive on the same side of the road . Apart from the beaches , theres also skiing in the mountains in the winter . If you dont want to stay in a hotel , my friend has a bnb here. If you decide to visit I would gladly show you both the island.

[@lindasvenssonsmith4794]

My friend has her own reel estate company their, she's Swedish and worked there for many years now. I think you should rent a house and stay for a few months to see what it's like.

[@nikkistan1]

Great topic - best to try a place out in both hot and cold seasons. As you age how is the healthcare system? How is climate change affecting that location- flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, dust storm etc

[@GaGaObession]

I agree, the UK is not a happy place atm :( it’s a sad country atm - we have a lot of work to do

[@GaGaObession]

a lot of people are wanting to move abroad for a better quality of life really!

[@Olga-xy7ry]

Hi, I have been to Malta a few times and its lovely for holidays, but everything needs to be imported! You would get annoyed after a few weeks, they can’t grow many veg there or not on a big enough scale. We have recently moved from Oxford to Brighton just because we wanted a change and I am very surprised how our quality of life has improved. It sounds like you love a beach: maybe just to try out this lifestyle try to move to a UK seaside town for a year. Doesn’t need to be the most expensive one, but literally anywhere by the sea. We are now thinking about moving to Newcastle to try it out as well since the value for what you get is amazing there, also by the sea!

[@lilylillux]

Hi Sophie. When you mentioned Croatia I got instantly excited. I'm Croatian. Left, as a toddler, with my parents to Sydney, and then came back at 13yo and been living here since then (1998.) I live on an island, and I love it here! I don't miss Australia at all. BUT I came back here as a teenager, went to school, gained A LOT of friends. Married, kids... so I really love it here! But, if I were in my 30's or 40's and thinking of moving here from London.... dang, I don't think I would. As lovely as it is, I don't think it would beat the life in London. Maaybe if you come to live in Zagreb and get a summer house on the coast you could be happy. We have a lot of people coming to Croatia. I met a lot of people actually coming to live on the island and they love it. But then again, young native's are running away to other european countries to find work. So, I guess it depends on what will make you happy. You'll have to think hard and smart, and research for what's important to you. P.S. No luxury shopping here, you can only rely on the internet for that 😂

[@zeljkabozic]

We have some like Pierre Cardain luxury or so in Zagreb hhh but not others. We shop in malls with Zara and H& M Lots but of caffes etc to rest after hair, nails and body done. We travel to cost during summer although we have river here too if you want a bath hh. Enough museums to go to too. We all talk our aquard english. I have read that retirement people hurry to Split on the cost too asnit is similar to Zagreb but with near beaches. Good luck with choice!

[@traceyb3946]

You would love Naples Florida, I emigrated when I was 13 from the UK and have basically grown up here. It’s absolutely beautiful, lots of shopping, social things to do and beautiful beaches. It’s a very high end city, not over built like Miami. It does get very hot in the summer but it’s beautiful in the winter. It takes about 8-10 hours to fly to London direct and we have our own international airport just up the road and private airport to jump over to Miami. Healthcare is not cheap here but I would assume you would use private anyway in the UK. You should take a look at some KZbin videos on the area. Best of luck in your search.

[@cps525i7]

What about the south of France?

[@Carlos-nu6ik]

Sophie check out Madrid (Spain) it’s full of life and the offer of things to do is endless. Now, I’m just a student at university I don’t know how business friendly it is.

[@Matt-rw9py]

Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot) in Poland is a great place to go. You’ve got a beach, 4-5 months of hot, sunny weather, great parties, pubs and restaurants, a lot of people speak English, very safe, clean, a lot of things to do, a lot of facilities such as sports facilities, beauty salons, etc, etc, great quality of everything, high living standards for couples, companies desperate for new staff, cheap and short flights to the UK, etc, etc. You also get great winter in Poland that you can spend skiing in the mountains. Autumn and spring are beautiful too. Big cities are very vibrant, especially Tricity. Many places to visit and if you sell your property in the UK, you’ll be able to afford a very comfy, high-quality real estate in Poland. I mean you could check it yourself.

[@Matt-rw9py]

And the pace is much less in my opinion. Family and free time are valued much more.

[@mariafoo2065]

Yes do go to Singapore for a change but be prepared for hot and humid year round. I am a Singaporean and yes I do agree that it has been expensive now even for us locals. Give us a try and see whether you are comfortable to stay here. Transport is easy and reasonable. Sentosa island is lovely.❤❤😊

[@svatisingh1]

I moved to England from Sydney Australia, and I love England, but for a time, I thought about moving to Singapore, as it's closer to my home. I adore Singapore and Sophie, I think you would love it. Not so sure if David would love it though... Rather than live there, you could just do every English winter in Singapore instead - so 3 months every year, make great vlogs, do viewer meet and greets, build your business, but then return to the UK. There is a European vlogger in Singapore who does luxury shopping videos, you might want to reach out to her, she goes by the name @BlackandGoldStyle - I think I would like it, but after a year or two, I would probably get bored and miss England. Wherever I go, I miss England now. That's just how it is for me. I miss Sydney too. Sydney is stunning (too expensive for me though).

[@BureauKat]

Have you considered the U.S.? I live in Arlington VA which is just on the edge of Washington DC. I’ve been looking to move to a small town and I know that the mid-Atlantic is chock full of lovely historic towns where the cost of housing is lower than in the metro areas. I’m guessing you’d be working from home (I.e., commute is a nonissue). What I love about where I live is that I am about 2.5 hours to the ocean and 2 hours to the mountains. One thing with living on an island is that everything needs to be brought in so this can make it more expensive (e.g., Hawaii, Malta, Puerto Rico). There will always be trade-offs. Another thing to think about is language and the need to learn the local tongue.

[@toko_ribbon]

For UK passport: Croatia, Italy, Portugal come to mind! Still far enough and affordable enough to get a different vibe. But close enough you can easily fly home to visit. As someone who has lived abroad in Asia 6 + yrs, I definitely do *not* recommend Singapore or any countries in Asia in general. The culture shock to westerners is too extreme and to afford same living you are enjoying now, will cost you much much more. There’s also a lot of xenophobia…. It takes at least 2-3 years just to feel comfortable and grow thick skin. And the red tape will drive you mad

[@FatimaSantos-kv9vi]

Hi Sophie, I have immigrated from Canada to Portugal 30 years ago,and I love it..Being Portuguese makes it easier, but it is a very safe country and affordable country. I have the best of both world living in the south of Portugal ‘Algarve”. I also have a beach front apartment 40 minutes from home in Spain in Isla Canela , Ayamonte. Living in the Algarve the English language is very popular. There is a lot of British that chose Portugal as there country. Being so close to Spain makes us enjoy the two cultures. I say I have the best of both worlds. The only downside is we don’t have the Chanel stores so close. The closes is in Malaga which is 3 hours from my beach apartment. The prices are better in Spain for apartments but I prefer living in Portugal for the food and activities. I will be visiting London on the 26th for 4day for the first time. I will take your recommendation not to bring luxury goods and to be careful. I want to go to the outlet you go too. Let me know what I absolutely need to see. Good luck in your move. I think you would love the south of Portugal.