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I'm thinking of moving to another European country. What are my options?
I currently reside in the United Kingdom. To break things up I've been thinking about moving to another European country for a few years.
The only language I speak is English (I am of course willing to *try* and learn others but this could be a potential issue).
Which countries have the highest population of English speakers? Will there be any visa issues that I'll have to worry about? Can anyone recommend anywhere that's nice and relativity cheap?
Any help is much appreciated.
The only language I speak is English (I am of course willing to *try* and learn others but this could be a potential issue).
Which countries have the highest population of English speakers? Will there be any visa issues that I'll have to worry about? Can anyone recommend anywhere that's nice and relativity cheap?
Any help is much appreciated.
answers (9)
It makes a heck of a lot of difference whether you are a near retiree (pensioner) looking for somewhere pleasant and inexpensive or a youngster looking for opportunity. Age also makes a big difference in how hard learning a language is (younger is better unless you already know a few). All the European countries are beautiful, if you can afford a pleasant life style. It certainly would be best to take a tour and visit them all first.
At any rate, you wouldn't be alone. I've attached a few source sites.
And, have you considered the New World? Aside from the obvious big countries, Grand Cayman is still part of Britain and is a great place. There are quite a few expats there.
At any rate, you wouldn't be alone. I've attached a few source sites.
And, have you considered the New World? Aside from the obvious big countries, Grand Cayman is still part of Britain and is a great place. There are quite a few expats there.
voted helpful: gsmaverick, jellylala, robbrown, morriss003
For a large number of English speakers, Germany or France would be best. These are both considered "tourism" countries - just make sure to stick to the big cities: Berlin, Munich, Paris, Marsielle, etc.
As far as price and convenience is concerned, I'd go with Germany. It's beautiful! Plus, learning German is easy for English-speakers, since English is a Germanic language:
Hause = house
Jeans = jeans
Eis = ice cream
As far as price and convenience is concerned, I'd go with Germany. It's beautiful! Plus, learning German is easy for English-speakers, since English is a Germanic language:
Hause = house
Jeans = jeans
Eis = ice cream
voted helpful: morriss003
voted unhelpful: jellylala
I really have to disagree with you. German may have some similarities, but, the difference in grammar is very difficult for an English speaker. The vocabulary and word formation are also tough.
Although, both languages are Germanic and have some idioms, they are actually very dissimilar. It might be easier to learn the language while in the country, though. But overall, I find German more challenging to learn than even French. The hardest part for me? The pronunciation, believe it or not.
I lived in France for four years. Even in Paris, you're only gonna get the most rudimentary broken English. Yes, French schools teach English from a very young age, but that's not really evident at all when trying to converse in English. There are, however, areas in Paris where different native English speakers tend to congregate. (I hung around with a random group of Irish students for nearly a year) But that will negate any immersion effects and you won't improve your French hardly at all.
On the other hand, while living in France, I managed to get over the border to Geneva, Switzerland a few times. And many of the people actually spoke English. And overall, it seemed to be a really nice, if mellow, place to live.
Germany is another good choice, simply because their educational system is so thorough. When they teach English, they actually teach it. I made a number of German friends while in France and was astonished at how fluently they spoke English, without any accent at all. (Well, a British one. They learn British English)
(Keep in mind, though, that I lived over there about 5 years ago. A lot of things could change in that time.)
On the other hand, while living in France, I managed to get over the border to Geneva, Switzerland a few times. And many of the people actually spoke English. And overall, it seemed to be a really nice, if mellow, place to live.
Germany is another good choice, simply because their educational system is so thorough. When they teach English, they actually teach it. I made a number of German friends while in France and was astonished at how fluently they spoke English, without any accent at all. (Well, a British one. They learn British English)
(Keep in mind, though, that I lived over there about 5 years ago. A lot of things could change in that time.)
source(s):
personal xp
personal xp
voted helpful: jellylala, morriss003
If English is the criteria, here are the top 5:
1. Ireland - 87.06% of the countrymen can speak English
2. Sweden - 71.62% of the countrymen can speak English
3. Denmark - 69.23% of the countrymen can speak English
4. Germany - ranked 6th in "Total English Speakers" and 2nd in Europe after UK - 43.8% of the Germans can speak English
5. France - 3rd in Europe for "Total English Speakers" - 24.82% of the French can speak English
If "cost of living" is also a criteria, Stay as far as possible from these cities (in that order):
London, Oslo, Copenhagen, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Paris, Dublin, Rome, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Helsinki, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Athens.
Consider these cities, which are cheaper:
1. Leipzig, Germany and Eastern European cities (except for Kiev in Ukraine)
2. Hamburg, Germany
3. Zagreb, Croatia
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1. Ireland - 87.06% of the countrymen can speak English
2. Sweden - 71.62% of the countrymen can speak English
3. Denmark - 69.23% of the countrymen can speak English
4. Germany - ranked 6th in "Total English Speakers" and 2nd in Europe after UK - 43.8% of the Germans can speak English
5. France - 3rd in Europe for "Total English Speakers" - 24.82% of the French can speak English
If "cost of living" is also a criteria, Stay as far as possible from these cities (in that order):
London, Oslo, Copenhagen, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Paris, Dublin, Rome, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Helsinki, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Athens.
Consider these cities, which are cheaper:
1. Leipzig, Germany and Eastern European cities (except for Kiev in Ukraine)
2. Hamburg, Germany
3. Zagreb, Croatia
source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_English-speaking_populati...
http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm
http://www.europestring.com/cheapest-and-most-expensive-cities-in-europe/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_English-speaking_populati...
http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm
http://www.europestring.com/cheapest-and-most-expensive-cities-in-europe/
voted helpful: robbrown, morriss003
As the Wikipedia page itself says, the material on the page is questionable in many ways.
I find it pretty unbelievable that only 87% of the population of the Republic of Ireland speak English. The wikipedia page on the Republic says the percentage of English speakers is thought to be almost 100%.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland#Languages
Apart from that, I'm not sure how you sorted the list to get the top 5, as according to the article Holland has nearly 73% English speakers. (Though I find that ubelievable too, having been there many times, and having family members who live there!)
I find it pretty unbelievable that only 87% of the population of the Republic of Ireland speak English. The wikipedia page on the Republic says the percentage of English speakers is thought to be almost 100%.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland#Languages
Apart from that, I'm not sure how you sorted the list to get the top 5, as according to the article Holland has nearly 73% English speakers. (Though I find that ubelievable too, having been there many times, and having family members who live there!)
Netherlands or Holland is also a good choice.
Not all the material on that Wikipedia page is questionable.
Let us know, if you have a better reference.
Even if Ireland claims 100% English speaking knowledge, will others accept "the English spoken in Ireland" as English? ;-)
http://www.essortment.com/all/englishirishhi_rfde.htm
Not all the material on that Wikipedia page is questionable.
Let us know, if you have a better reference.
Even if Ireland claims 100% English speaking knowledge, will others accept "the English spoken in Ireland" as English? ;-)
http://www.essortment.com/all/englishirishhi_rfde.htm
Purely as a romantic (as I am Irish) suggestion:
Ireland. It's very pretty. At least, it is in the pictures. They speak English already, so you won't have to worry about learning a new language. There are both big cities and little rural villages. So, whichever floats your boat.
Also, not sure about actual statistics, but according to my friend that lives in Ireland, they apparently have a low rate of gun related violence. Not even the regular police carry guns.
(EDIT: Added link to a report that includes crime rate info, as well as other useful travel information)
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1145.html
Ireland. It's very pretty. At least, it is in the pictures. They speak English already, so you won't have to worry about learning a new language. There are both big cities and little rural villages. So, whichever floats your boat.
Also, not sure about actual statistics, but according to my friend that lives in Ireland, they apparently have a low rate of gun related violence. Not even the regular police carry guns.
(EDIT: Added link to a report that includes crime rate info, as well as other useful travel information)
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1145.html
voted helpful: robbrown, morriss003
Voted as best: stephenk
The best answer for you will depend on what you're really looking for when you say you want to "break things up", and just how big a change you want.
Are you looking to experience another culture and way of life?
Are you looking for a different climate and lifestyle, but otherwise quite happy to spend your time with expats, living in a pocket of British culture abroad?
Are you looking to gain valuable career experience, or is it more like an extended working vacation?
The criteria you mention (English speakers, nice, relatively cheap, breaking things up) pull in different directions. For example:
- Ireland scores big on English speakers, but is probably the smallest change in culture and climate you could experience.
- Parts of Spain have big British expat communities, but they are a lot more expensive than similar parts of Spain without expats.
- Parts of Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece) have the biggest difference in climate and culture, are nice places to live, and cheaper too. But they have low proportions of English speakers, and the fewest and lowest paying jobs
- Holland and Scandanavia have a lot of people that speak good English, high standards of living, and more good and high paying jobs than most. They are therefore also expensive places to live. And the climate is the same or even colder than the UK! Holland is pretty urbanised, but if you're looking for an outdoorsy lifestyle, Sweden could be worth considering.
On the visa question, if you are a UK citizen, you can live in any EU country, which includes all of the ones I mentioned above, as well as many others such as Portugal, France or Germany.
If you're not an UK or EU citizen, you probably would need some sort of visa if you're going to live and work in another country for several years.
Hopefully this info helps you sort out your thinking on what's important to you, and gets you closer to choosing a country.
Btw, although you said you're looking at Europe, if you are looking for a change of lifestyle in an English speaking environment, there's also Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US to consider. If feeling even more adventurous, it is easier to function as an English speaker in parts of India than in parts of Europe. That would really break things up for you!. You would have more visa issues if going outside the EU though, assuming you are a UK citizen.
If you want more info, feel free to explain more about your situation and about what you're looking for, and I'll see if I can add anything.
Are you looking to experience another culture and way of life?
Are you looking for a different climate and lifestyle, but otherwise quite happy to spend your time with expats, living in a pocket of British culture abroad?
Are you looking to gain valuable career experience, or is it more like an extended working vacation?
The criteria you mention (English speakers, nice, relatively cheap, breaking things up) pull in different directions. For example:
- Ireland scores big on English speakers, but is probably the smallest change in culture and climate you could experience.
- Parts of Spain have big British expat communities, but they are a lot more expensive than similar parts of Spain without expats.
- Parts of Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece) have the biggest difference in climate and culture, are nice places to live, and cheaper too. But they have low proportions of English speakers, and the fewest and lowest paying jobs
- Holland and Scandanavia have a lot of people that speak good English, high standards of living, and more good and high paying jobs than most. They are therefore also expensive places to live. And the climate is the same or even colder than the UK! Holland is pretty urbanised, but if you're looking for an outdoorsy lifestyle, Sweden could be worth considering.
On the visa question, if you are a UK citizen, you can live in any EU country, which includes all of the ones I mentioned above, as well as many others such as Portugal, France or Germany.
If you're not an UK or EU citizen, you probably would need some sort of visa if you're going to live and work in another country for several years.
Hopefully this info helps you sort out your thinking on what's important to you, and gets you closer to choosing a country.
Btw, although you said you're looking at Europe, if you are looking for a change of lifestyle in an English speaking environment, there's also Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US to consider. If feeling even more adventurous, it is easier to function as an English speaker in parts of India than in parts of Europe. That would really break things up for you!. You would have more visa issues if going outside the EU though, assuming you are a UK citizen.
If you want more info, feel free to explain more about your situation and about what you're looking for, and I'll see if I can add anything.
source(s):
Have travelled to many parts of Europe, and have friends and family in several of the countries mentioned.
Have travelled to many parts of Europe, and have friends and family in several of the countries mentioned.
voted helpful: littleghost, morriss003
I would recommend Iceland. The majority of the population speaks English - and a large part quite well.
If you have some savings it would probably be pretty cheap for you to live here.
It's definitely nice in Iceland - clean air, friendly people, beautiful nature scenery all over the country, low crime-rate, etc...
If you have some savings it would probably be pretty cheap for you to live here.
It's definitely nice in Iceland - clean air, friendly people, beautiful nature scenery all over the country, low crime-rate, etc...
source(s):
I'm from Iceland.
I'm from Iceland.
voted helpful: morriss003
Interesting, but does Iceland allow immigrants? Does it have room for them? I don't think it's part of the European Union, so would an Englishman have a lot of bureaucratic stumbling blocks? The only person I've heard of moving to Iceland recently was Bobby Fischer, but he was a special case.
Since the matter of population/English-speakers has been addressed by others, I'll just jump right into my suggestion: The Netherlands.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE:
I lived in Holland for several years. I went in as an English speaker and, after only 1.5 years, was fluent in Dutch because of many similarities between the two languages. But even if it takes you longer than that, most people in Holland speak English, minus some of the older Dutch folk. Children start learning English between the ages of 7 and 9.
http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/holland.gif
I suggest a province somewhere around central Holland where the accents are the least noticeable. The province of Friesland has a particularly harrowing dialect.
Also bear in mind that if you ask someone if he/she speaks English, the response will probably be "a little bit". That's just a case of modesty. The Dutch are taught between 3 and 5 languages before reaching college, so bragging about languages is a bit of a social sin.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
For cheap accommodations, I would suggest one of the smaller villages. The row house rentals are generally well-priced and Holland has a fantastic public transportation system for access to the cities. I lived in a tiny (I'm talking 400 people) village in one of the many farming areas. It only took me 20 minutes by bus and 40-60 minutes by bicycle.
Accommodations and public areas are all nicely kept. The roads are well-maintained and there is a general sense of cleanliness even in less reputable areas. The weather is similar to the UK in winter, but it's absolutely gorgeous in spring/summer; I think it only rained twice during the summer months during my stay.
I was living in Gelderland, which ended up being my favorite province due to its centralized location and proximity to fun attractions/activities. Gelderland is also right snug up to the German border, so when you get tired of the sprawling fields you can drive 1-2 hours and hit forest/hills.
http://www.lookingformessenger.com/states/Gelderland.JPG
(Image is of Gelderland. It isn't contrived at all; I could see views like that around the corner from my house!)
To avoid high prices, steer clear of provinces along the west coast (includes North Holland, South Holland, Zeeland), as well as Utrecht. These are the oldest/most profitable regions of the country.
A few resources for finding accommodations in Gelderland:
- http://www.pararius.com/english/clientHome.php?lvl1=1&lvl2=1
- http://www.sublet.com/supply_details/netherlands-gelderland/gelderland_rentals.asp
- http://www.iha.com/Rental/655/Apartment-flat/Gelderland_1.htm
Additional housing resources:
- http://www.dutchhousing.nl/indexuk.html
- http://www.huislijn.nl/ (in Dutch)
- http://www.directwonen.nl/default.aspx?setlocaleid=1033
VISA INFORMATION:
You do not require a visa if you are a EU/EEA citizen or a family member of a citizen if your stay is under three months. But since you're planning to stay longer, you will probably need a Residence Permit. At the very least, you will need to register with the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND), which is Holland's immigration department.
Some resources on this subject can be found at the UK branch of the Dutch Embassy: http://www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk/passports/index.php?i=26.
There is a residence wizard tool at http://www.ind.nl/EN/verblijfwijzer/.
EMPLOYMENT:
If you're planning to work during your stay, there are plenty of job search sites available (see http://www.movetonetherlands.com/study_work.html for a list). All EU/EEA citizens with a valid Dutch residence permit can legally work in The Netherlands.
CULTURE SHOCK:
On a side note, when moving to a new country it's important to understand culture shock and how to overcome it during a long-term stay. The stages of relocation/culture shock include:
- Honeymoon Phase
- Irritability/Hostility or Disintegration stage
- Adjustment stage
- Adaptation stage
If you go to http://www.movetonetherlands.com/relocation_culture_shock.html, it will provide you with some tips on adjusting specifically to Dutch culture.
The Netherlands is also a good option if you're worried about feeling homesick due to culture shock or you want to visit friends/family. It's close to the UK and a quick channel hopper flight is cheap even in the peak seasons.
Some additional resources you should check out are:
- http://www.nlplanet.com/ (articles about Dutch life and culture)
- http://www.nisnews.nl/ (Dutch news in English)
- http://www.travelpod.com/s/holland (pictures and videos from travelers)
There is an endless bank of information/experience I can share with you. If you choose The Netherlands, just drop me a direct question and I can answer any additional questions you may have. =)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE:
I lived in Holland for several years. I went in as an English speaker and, after only 1.5 years, was fluent in Dutch because of many similarities between the two languages. But even if it takes you longer than that, most people in Holland speak English, minus some of the older Dutch folk. Children start learning English between the ages of 7 and 9.
I suggest a province somewhere around central Holland where the accents are the least noticeable. The province of Friesland has a particularly harrowing dialect.
Also bear in mind that if you ask someone if he/she speaks English, the response will probably be "a little bit". That's just a case of modesty. The Dutch are taught between 3 and 5 languages before reaching college, so bragging about languages is a bit of a social sin.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
For cheap accommodations, I would suggest one of the smaller villages. The row house rentals are generally well-priced and Holland has a fantastic public transportation system for access to the cities. I lived in a tiny (I'm talking 400 people) village in one of the many farming areas. It only took me 20 minutes by bus and 40-60 minutes by bicycle.
Accommodations and public areas are all nicely kept. The roads are well-maintained and there is a general sense of cleanliness even in less reputable areas. The weather is similar to the UK in winter, but it's absolutely gorgeous in spring/summer; I think it only rained twice during the summer months during my stay.
I was living in Gelderland, which ended up being my favorite province due to its centralized location and proximity to fun attractions/activities. Gelderland is also right snug up to the German border, so when you get tired of the sprawling fields you can drive 1-2 hours and hit forest/hills.
(Image is of Gelderland. It isn't contrived at all; I could see views like that around the corner from my house!)
To avoid high prices, steer clear of provinces along the west coast (includes North Holland, South Holland, Zeeland), as well as Utrecht. These are the oldest/most profitable regions of the country.
A few resources for finding accommodations in Gelderland:
- http://www.pararius.com/english/clientHome.php?lvl1=1&lvl2=1
- http://www.sublet.com/supply_details/netherlands-gelderland/gelderland_rentals.asp
- http://www.iha.com/Rental/655/Apartment-flat/Gelderland_1.htm
Additional housing resources:
- http://www.dutchhousing.nl/indexuk.html
- http://www.huislijn.nl/ (in Dutch)
- http://www.directwonen.nl/default.aspx?setlocaleid=1033
VISA INFORMATION:
You do not require a visa if you are a EU/EEA citizen or a family member of a citizen if your stay is under three months. But since you're planning to stay longer, you will probably need a Residence Permit. At the very least, you will need to register with the Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (IND), which is Holland's immigration department.
Some resources on this subject can be found at the UK branch of the Dutch Embassy: http://www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk/passports/index.php?i=26.
There is a residence wizard tool at http://www.ind.nl/EN/verblijfwijzer/.
EMPLOYMENT:
If you're planning to work during your stay, there are plenty of job search sites available (see http://www.movetonetherlands.com/study_work.html for a list). All EU/EEA citizens with a valid Dutch residence permit can legally work in The Netherlands.
CULTURE SHOCK:
On a side note, when moving to a new country it's important to understand culture shock and how to overcome it during a long-term stay. The stages of relocation/culture shock include:
- Honeymoon Phase
- Irritability/Hostility or Disintegration stage
- Adjustment stage
- Adaptation stage
If you go to http://www.movetonetherlands.com/relocation_culture_shock.html, it will provide you with some tips on adjusting specifically to Dutch culture.
The Netherlands is also a good option if you're worried about feeling homesick due to culture shock or you want to visit friends/family. It's close to the UK and a quick channel hopper flight is cheap even in the peak seasons.
Some additional resources you should check out are:
- http://www.nlplanet.com/ (articles about Dutch life and culture)
- http://www.nisnews.nl/ (Dutch news in English)
- http://www.travelpod.com/s/holland (pictures and videos from travelers)
There is an endless bank of information/experience I can share with you. If you choose The Netherlands, just drop me a direct question and I can answer any additional questions you may have. =)
you've already got some good answers, and it is really hard to suggest something without knowing much about you and your lifestyle, however I think it would be helpful for you to see 2009 Quality of Life Index from International Living http://www.il-ireland.com/il/qofl2009/
There is also some good information could be found at British Expats site: http://britishexpats.com/forum/
Hope that helps you to make right decision.
There is also some good information could be found at British Expats site: http://britishexpats.com/forum/
Hope that helps you to make right decision.
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