[curlyclaire]

Hello.
I am a single female in my early 40s who has lived in London for most of my life (apart from a couple of short=term working holidays, more of which later), and am now looking initially to find a interim change of scene, with the likely possibility I will not return to London again. This won't be my first time living abroad. I am CELTA qualified and lived in both Italy and Spain as an English teacher, only for 6 months in each country. I do love Spain and see myself returning there in a couple of years and continuing to teach, however I feel that I would like to spend 6 months to a year in somewhere somewhat quieter in Europe before I make the permanent move. Due to some very sad personal circumstances, I feel I need a bit of a working holiday in a very relaxed place where I can find as much peace as possible, and where I can live quite simply but not too frugally. I am limiting myself to Europe as I like being near my family, and I would prefer to live in a sunnier country. I do love Ireland for example, as it's where my folks are, but the cost of living and weather are the last things I need now. Essentially I am looking for an environment where I can get by teaching for a few months, but where I can focus on restoring my somewhat exhausted body and soul! Have been tired of the frenetic pace of life where I am for a long time, and feel if I don't have a permanent and radical change of scene soon I will become very ill. I am thinking of small city or large town near the sea, and I don't drive. Sorry if I come across vague, am open to any sensible suggestions. Thank you.

 

[beppi]

Searching for peace and relaxing do not generally go together with the need to work for a living - if you aren't financially independent enough to forgo the latter, you'll have to compromise on the former, no matter where you go.
In addition, relocating and starting a life in a foreign environment requires efforts and almost invariably includes some worries and stress. In my experience (of living in 6 countries for over a year each and working for shorter periods in several others) the best way of calming down is to remain in a familiar place, where you already know how to get things done, and just remove the aspects that stress you (e.g. work).
You also won't save much in any European place that comes close to what you described - unless you move to Ukraine (they have a beautiful Black Sea coast!).

 

[curlyclaire]

Thanks Beppi for replying.

I understand that at times it's better to remain where you are and do things to aleviate stress, but that isn't the case in my situation. The stress for me is living in a busy capital city, and moving to a quieter residence is something which I just cannot afford. The fact that this is also an incredibly expensive city even in terms of just doing simple things like having a cup of coffee, just overwhelms me. I have demoted myself at work as I didn't want the stress of what I was doing before, but of course the pay off is that I am now earning a lot less. In other places I could get by o.k. on a lowish income, but not here. Hence my intent to move to somewhere where the cost of living is bearable and life is less hectic. I am not a materialist by any means, just want to live in a clean dry place, and would even consider sharing. I have very modest wants and needs, and was hoping for some concrete and helpful replies.

 

[beppi]

In terms of overall cost of living, the cheapest countries in Europe are (in order of increasing costs) Moldova, Macedonia, Kosovo, Armenia, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria.
Of the countries within the EU (where you won't need a visa), Greece is currently a bargain at 25% below UK price levels - and might get cheaper still if they leave the Euro and you continue to earn in Euro or Pounds.
But I really wonder why anybody would forgo the quality of living in a well-developed and orderly place just for some financial savings. Moving abroad will always bring more, not less, stress! (I am speaking from experience, having moved internationally for 13 times - I was always looking for more adventure and new experiences, rather than a quiet life.)

 

[curlyclaire]

Hello. I have lived in Italy and Spain in the past so have some experience of living overseas, and there were aspects of both of those countries which improved my quality of life, if not my bank balance. You may wonder why someone would want to move, I did try and explain above, to do so any more would be pointless. I appreciate the information about specific countries, thanks for that.

 

[baldilocks]

Spain, if you stay away from the costas and large cities, is very reasonable as far as cost of living and peace and quiet are concerned. Three adults and two dogs can manage on about 650€ per month, excluding rent but including running a small MPV (Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo) and we can manage two holidays per year in that figure.

 

[curlyclaire]

Hi Baldi, thank you for your reply. I lived in Huelva in 2012 and was pleased with the low cost of rent and socialising. I would very much like to return to Spain at some point, am just wary at the thought of spending the next 25 years until retirement doing TEFL teaching. I have no material assets to my name and am alone so will be coming with nothing but my CELTA and PGCE teaching certificates and experience. That was fine when I was in my 30s but with age comes the need for security. However I know that finding somewhere tranquil and less frenetic also becomes more important, hope to find the balance one day.

 

[baldilocks]

Hi Baldi, thank you for your reply. I lived in Huelva in 2012 and was pleased with the low cost of rent and socialising. I would very much like to return to Spain at some point, am just wary at the thought of spending the next 25 years until retirement doing TEFL teaching. I have no material assets to my name and am alone so will be coming with nothing but my CELTA and PGCE teaching certificates and experience. That was fine when I was in my 30s but with age comes the need for security. However I know that finding somewhere tranquil and less frenetic also becomes more important, hope to find the balance one day.

One of our wants when finding somewhere to live was peace and tranquility. In this area houses can be had from as little as €10k but they may need some work, but others (providing you don't mind a bit of quirkiness) are not much more expensive. The house round the corner from us was sold recently for 27k, it has five floors and 4 bedrooms (can't remember how many baths - have only been in it twice). I have seen flats to rent from 300p.m.

Where we lived in UK, as you left the town you were in a 60 mph traffic jam - here we can drive all the way to Granada in the rush hour(!) we may see 50 vehicles between home and the outskirts of Granada some 70 km away.

I do know of a private academy (SWMBO works for it) that is likely to be looking for a teacher or two, teaching kids from ages 4 through to 17 - about 4 -5 hours a day starting at about 4 pm for 9 months October to June - net pay is about 1000-1100 p.m. for about 20 hours p.w.

 

[curlyclaire]

Yes, for someone who has the funds to buy a property, sounds like they could do very well in your village. Sadly am not in that position and am resigned to renting, hence one of the reasons I want to get out of London. Of course there is also the overcrowding, relentless traffic and noise, and generally "me, me, me" mentality, which I've lived with for 40 years but is now unbearable. I appreciate what Beppi was saying aboutstability and order, but at this stage of my life I have other wants and needs, and not sure how much more I can convey that.
Because of my experience (as well as my CELTA am also a qualified further ed teacher here in UK) I have had interest in my CV from Spanish academies, and if I do return there I know I can find TEFL work, thank you for letting me know about the job you refer to. Am just weighing up if I should try and gain Qualified Teacher Status here so that I have more opportunities over there, i.e. perhaps working in International or British schools. Anyway, it is good to know that should I gather up the courage and take the plunge, there is one personally recommended little piece of Heaven for me! Thanks again for replying.

 

[martincelina]

Doctors are having a bit of a hard time in some of the European nations, especially in Germany. But you will be welcome in Norway and in the United Kingdom, because they have an enormous shortage of doctors. If you want a calm life in the UK, forego the big cities, and choose a rural community, possibly in Wales or Scotland. Approach the embassies or consulates of the UK and Norway to find out more.
Other countries you may enjoy a lot are Sweden, Finland, and France. Depending on where you are from, you may also find many compatriates there. Greece and Spain, Portugal are also nice, but the language requirements may be more difficult to meet for you unless you speak one of theirs?
Best of luck to you, I am sure you will be welcome.

 

[curlyclaire]

Doctors are having a bit of a hard time in some of the European nations, especially in Germany. But you will be welcome in Norway and in the United Kingdom, because they have an enormous shortage of doctors. If you want a calm life in the UK, forego the big cities, and choose a rural community, possibly in Wales or Scotland. Approach the embassies or consulates of the UK and Norway to find out more.
Other countries you may enjoy a lot are Sweden, Finland, and France. Depending on where you are from, you may also find many compatriates there. Greece and Spain, Portugal are also nice, but the language requirements may be more difficult to meet for you unless you speak one of theirs?
Best of luck to you, I am sure you will be welcome.

Dear Martincelina, thanks for your reply but I wonder if you have read my post at all or have mistaken me for another poster? I am actually from the UK and have lived here for most of my life, and in fact looking for a completely different way of life, as mentioned in my posts. I have also lived in Spain which I mentioned in my posts. Also, I am not sure why you get the impression that I am a Doctor? I am not a Doctor. Never mind, if any non-UK doctors are seeking advice about where to relocated to they might find it in your reply!

 

[macaiwood]

Spain, if you stay away from the costas and large cities, is very reasonable as far as cost of living and peace and quiet are concerned. Three adults and two dogs can manage on about 650€ per month, excluding rent but including running a small MPV (Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo) and we can manage two holidays per year in that figure.

I think that is great.

 

[curlyclaire]

If you want to just relax and stay calm, Bulgaria is country need.

Thanks for your reply. I am an English teacher, do you think there will be opportunities for me in Blugaria, and how about the cost of living?

Look forward to your reply.

CC.

 

[JustinOConnell]

I find that even a change of scenery can be refreshing, even if you have to wind up in a city setting.

 

[baldilocks]

I find that even a change of scenery can be refreshing, even if you have to wind up in a city setting.

Not if you aren't a city person with all that living in one, brings - noise, dirt, traffic, atmospheric pollution, etc. We live in a quiet-ish village and dread having to go to Granada or Jaén for anything. The former, as you are descending to city level from the mountains, you pass through a layer of smog and the visibility drops from 20km to 2km and, instead of clean fresh air you are breathing in pollution. Jaén is nowhere near as bad but there is still much more traffic and noise.

 

[Gluepack]

Quote:
Originally Posted by visabg View Post
If you want to just relax and stay calm, Bulgaria is country need.
Thanks for your reply. I am an English teacher, do you think there will be opportunities for me in Blugaria, and how about the cost of living?

New to this particular forum and can't see where you got the original post or whether you can pm here but...

I am retired and have lived in Bulgaria for seven years and, although I have never looked for employment and I am open to correction, employment opportunities here are generally bad.
Personal circumstances have left me unmotivated to look after my two properties (one renovated) and, if you are looking for somewhere to chill out and aren't too concerned about the type of work, I need someone to do (shared) gardening, weeding, mowing etc. and light property maintenance in order to re-motivate me.
Village environment, close to large town, 30 minute drive from a major city and the coast. Own room. Dog and cat. Interested in museums, art galleries, theater, cinema, opera, etc.

 

[baldilocks]

New to this particular forum and can't see where you got the original post or whether you can pm here but...

I am retired and have lived in Bulgaria for seven years and, although I have never looked for employment and I am open to correction, employment opportunities here are generally bad.
Personal circumstances have left me unmotivated to look after my two properties (one renovated) and, if you are looking for somewhere to chill out and aren't too concerned about the type of work, I need someone to do (shared) gardening, weeding, mowing etc. and light property maintenance in order to re-motivate me.
Village environment, close to large town, 30 minute drive from a major city and the coast. Own room. Dog and cat. Interested in museums, art galleries, theater, cinema, opera, etc.

Hi Gluepack
To get back to the original post, you need to go to the last or first page (depending on your settings - it will be the number furthest on the right in the box above this post and to the right.) then scroll down to #1 (permalink). Unfortunately you need to have more posts (at least 5 I believe) before you have access to the Private Messages.

 

[Gluepack]

No, what I meant was that CurlyClaire quoted a post by visabg but I cannot find that post in the thread.