Hey,

I've decided to move to the EU in early 2009, but haven't been anywhere, I just want a change. I need adventure and fun, but I don't know where to go for it...

Basically, I'm trying to find a good place to enjoy life and hobbies, and meet a good social group of 20-somethings like myself. And of course, become more "worldly", experience different cultures...

I was looking seriously at France, but it seems SO expensive, and from what I've read about Parisians, there is some sort of "Privacy bubble" philosophy, so I get the feeling one is not instantly welcomed, and making friends there might be worse than it is here. But I do enjoy wine, and good food...

I don't really care about making loads of money, I'm more concerned about safety, culture, available hobbies, and fun.

Looking for some advice here...

First of all, for which countries do you have the languages? That's going to be key as far as supporting yourself, as well as gaining that experience you're after. Despite what the guide books tell you, outside the tourist areas, few people actually use whatever English they studied in school - plus you'll have to cope with local merchants, government flunkies and professionals like doctors, dentists and whatever in the local language.

Why do you say France seems "SO expensive"? I take your point about Parisians, but consider the reputation of New Yorkers (those from NYC, not upstate). Big cities tend to be like that around the world.

What job skills do you have? That can make a huge difference in getting a "long-stay" visa, as well as where you're from. Immigration requirements are tightening up everywhere, so consult the websites for some of the European consulates in your home country. They can normally give you a good idea of the visa process.

Anyhow, that's for starters. Other issues will come up, I'm sure as others weigh in here.

Hey,

I guess I should provide more details...

Languages: English and some french.

Job skills: IT, software development

Citizenship: I am in the process of getting EU passport...

I guess you're going to lean towards either France as you speak French, or the UK. As a general rule for reasonable work you're going to need to speak the language of the country you live in.

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For photos of European Cities visit my homepage

Part of the reason I decided on 2009, in addition to getting all documents in order and getting more work experience under my belt, was to have time to learn a language.

My only choices at the moment, realistically, are French or Spanish. I did see some jobs in Spain that didn't require fluency, but I wouldn't go there without knowing at least the basics of the language, so I can survive outside of work

As for the UK, I've never been, but the consensus seems to be that there is lots of alcohol and/or unemployment based violence, and alot of expats seem to be from the UK. If I'm going to be stealing a job from the locals, I'd like to do it while keeping my innards, well, in. But I did here there was a booming IT industry in Ireland.

When you mentioned you were going to get an EU passport, I thought that you ought to give Ireland a shot. (The Irish grandmother ploy is a long-standing method for expats in France to "get legal." <g>)

There certainly are jobs there, and a strong expat community (from a whole range of countries). You're close enough to "the Continent" to do some exploring and practice with your French (or other language), and after a year or two of the expat life, you may have a better idea of where else you'd like to go.

Hmmmm ... well unemployment in the UK is at a low at the moment and the economy has been strong for a while.

As for the violence you speak of, its all relative isn't it! In Spain there are gang mobs in the South mugging people and stories of people being gassed in their homes to effect burglaries. If you type in Crime + country of your choice you will get lots and lots of reports. Yet in Spain since I have been here I have seen no violence and been lucky enough not to experience any real crime. In the UK I lived there for 50 years and never saw any acts of violence, and part of that time was spent in Britains 2nd city, Birmingham.

If you go to a country and go to the roughest areas then you increase your risk of being effected. The press always focus on violence, and of course there is some in the UK as there is anywhere. But to think that you will be overly at risk by going there is a mistake. It is a beautiful country with much to offer, and you have as much danger of being mugged in the back streets of Paris or Barcelona as you do in London or Birmingham

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For photos of European Cities visit my homepage

Congratulations on being eligible for an EU passport, and thus having the option to work and live anywhere you want in the EU.