| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 12:21 - May 7 with 4025 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
Bear with me through what is going to be a pretty scattered post but I just need to try to get my thoughts out of my head somehow.
You might remember that I have posted in the past about being disillusioned with life in the UK, and the appeal of moving elsewhere (potentially somewhere in Europe) once I complete my [healthcare profession] degree in 2021.
The main reasons that I've mentioned for this are a desire to find a more open and sociable society where it is possible to meet more people and have more social opportunities. I think within the Western world the UK must be up there as one of the most unsociable societies; strangers are treated with suspicion and the population as a whole is pretty reserved and closed off. I can only see this getting worse once we come out of all of this and return to 'normal'.
We have a mainstream media which at the moment is thriving on creating fear in the population, and I can see this scarring society for years to come, with the more impressionable population scared to go outside and interact with anyone they don't know.
Things aren't going to return to a recognisable normal for a long time, and I feel that certain locations are going to carry memories of a life lost, and of social activities which don't exist anymore as they once used to.
I am also not particularly excited about working in a under-funded NHS, where you are essentially working for the establishment (particularly if this is still a Convservative gov). My 'love' for UK politics is currently at an all-time low and I don't feel in any way represented.
I guess what I am saying is that the effects of C-19 are possibly the cherry on the cake for me with regards to wanting to start afresh and build a new life somewhere else, with new people, new places etc. I just don't know anymore where my goals and motivations in life fit in or work here.
I'm not deluded into thinking that anywhere is going to be a perfect utopia, but all of this just feels like the depression on top of the depression for me with regards to the idea of staying in the UK.
Bit of a rant without much structure I know (my thoughts aren't exactly black and white at the moment), but does this make sense on any level or am I being a weirdo? |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:26 - May 7 with 708 views | TractorWood |
I've been lucky and got to work abroad a bit. Singapore is amazing. I've maybe spent 8/9 weeks there. Great quality of life, amazing access to the rest of Asia, no language barrier but a huge melting pot and probably the safest place on earth.
Tough to get a job though for all of these reasons. |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:36 - May 7 with 700 views | Guthrum |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 15:21 - May 7 by ThisIsMyUsername |
If Europe, then Bucharest, Budapest and Prague are three cities I would like to visit when possible to see if they might offer the type of thing I'd be looking for.
(I'm not sure whether I could easily practice my exact future profession in those places without knowing the local language. Something to research further).
Elsewhere, I loved Vancouver when I went. Europe would be my first choice at this stage though. [Post edited 7 May 2020 15:27]
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My mate went to teach English in Olomouc, in the east of the Czech Republic. At the start, he spoke no more than a few very basic phrases, but managed ok for two years, then went off to do the same in Lithuania.
Nice city. Not so big and touristy as Prague. |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:43 - May 7 with 698 views | BarcaBlue |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:26 - May 7 by manchego |
I'm very interested in Catalunya. I'm looking to leave the UK within 5 years. (I have an EU passport)
Where are you ?
I'm looking at somewhere around Girona - good for mountains and sea and cycling. Barcelona is lovely but I don't want to live there.
Any tips ?
To the OP:
I've lived in France and New York. If I could have lived in more places I would have.
You won't regret any move abroad as long as you give the new place and the new people a chance.
"Adapt or Die" as they say.
Also I think this country is fckd |
I'm in the province in Lleida, 100 km west of Barcelona, in a village, population 16. Used to live just outside Barcelona but prefer the rural life. When I was there used to drive up to the Girona region a lot and considered moving there - it's got everything, great climate, mountains, good beaches, nice villages etc.
I know a lot of pro cyclists live in the area as it's got a bit of everything for them. If I was to move from here it would be to the Pyrenees, and after that the north of Girona. Property prices are reasonable outside the cities and I imagine they'll plummet over the next 6 months.
I never go to Barcelona, haven't been for years (except for a few footie matches and airport trips)
I would happily recommend the north of Girona and if you were looking for an alternative to compare, it would have to be Asturias, similar countryside etc but cheaper (and possibly less well connected). |  | | |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 18:04 - May 7 with 692 views | bluelagos |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:43 - May 7 by BarcaBlue |
I'm in the province in Lleida, 100 km west of Barcelona, in a village, population 16. Used to live just outside Barcelona but prefer the rural life. When I was there used to drive up to the Girona region a lot and considered moving there - it's got everything, great climate, mountains, good beaches, nice villages etc.
I know a lot of pro cyclists live in the area as it's got a bit of everything for them. If I was to move from here it would be to the Pyrenees, and after that the north of Girona. Property prices are reasonable outside the cities and I imagine they'll plummet over the next 6 months.
I never go to Barcelona, haven't been for years (except for a few footie matches and airport trips)
I would happily recommend the north of Girona and if you were looking for an alternative to compare, it would have to be Asturias, similar countryside etc but cheaper (and possibly less well connected). |
Tell you what, Bilbao and San Sebastian would be on my list if I were looking to move to Spain. Stunning cities although maybe a bit colder than Barca. |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 18:33 - May 7 with 682 views | WeWereZombies |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:36 - May 7 by Guthrum |
My mate went to teach English in Olomouc, in the east of the Czech Republic. At the start, he spoke no more than a few very basic phrases, but managed ok for two years, then went off to do the same in Lithuania.
Nice city. Not so big and touristy as Prague. |
I've stayed a couple of nights in Olomouc, don't know if it is still the same but back then (thirteen years ago) many British medical students went to study there because they could do their qualifications at much less cost. So it is well provided for in terms of bars... |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 18:44 - May 7 with 670 views | WeWereZombies |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 16:26 - May 7 by BrixtonBlue |
I read your second sentence as, "Then I had a bit of a windfall and realised that I could buy Scotland."
I thought blimey, that's some windfall! |
If you had the money I suppose you could buy Scotland - but you would never own it. | |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 18:49 - May 7 with 664 views | jeera |
I'd say the answer is fairly straightforward in a way.
If you paid for your degree then why wouldn't you be off like a shot to explore new places?
You'll be allowed back if want to return at any time.
If it's been paid for by the NHS/taxpayer then you owe a few years work here to settle the score.
Yes, you probably are a bit weird but that's not relevant here. |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 19:17 - May 7 with 644 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 18:49 - May 7 by jeera |
I'd say the answer is fairly straightforward in a way.
If you paid for your degree then why wouldn't you be off like a shot to explore new places?
You'll be allowed back if want to return at any time.
If it's been paid for by the NHS/taxpayer then you owe a few years work here to settle the score.
Yes, you probably are a bit weird but that's not relevant here. |
Chance would be a fine thing.
I worked out earlier on an online calculator that after two years working in the NHS, when I would just hit the threshold to pay it back, I would start paying £3 a month. | |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 19:20 - May 7 with 635 views | giant_stow |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:43 - May 7 by BarcaBlue |
I'm in the province in Lleida, 100 km west of Barcelona, in a village, population 16. Used to live just outside Barcelona but prefer the rural life. When I was there used to drive up to the Girona region a lot and considered moving there - it's got everything, great climate, mountains, good beaches, nice villages etc.
I know a lot of pro cyclists live in the area as it's got a bit of everything for them. If I was to move from here it would be to the Pyrenees, and after that the north of Girona. Property prices are reasonable outside the cities and I imagine they'll plummet over the next 6 months.
I never go to Barcelona, haven't been for years (except for a few footie matches and airport trips)
I would happily recommend the north of Girona and if you were looking for an alternative to compare, it would have to be Asturias, similar countryside etc but cheaper (and possibly less well connected). |
Ever been to Amelies les Bain just over the border mr? that whole area (St Laurant and Ceret) are where mrs ullaa's dad used to live (God rest his soul) so know it well and absolutely love it. |  |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 19:29 - May 7 with 619 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
Please note that I sincerely appreciate and give attention to every response offering me advice, even though I don't reply to them all individually.
This board has a great group of people on it. | |
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 21:42 - May 7 with 587 views | BarcaBlue |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 19:20 - May 7 by giant_stow |
Ever been to Amelies les Bain just over the border mr? that whole area (St Laurant and Ceret) are where mrs ullaa's dad used to live (God rest his soul) so know it well and absolutely love it. |
Having been brought up in Suffolk, I learnt early-doors not to cross a border ;--)
I have been to the area around Arles and Foix though, and it is a beautiful place it has to be said. On a very clear day I can see Canigó from here. It's somewhere else I'd be happy to live along with Bagnêres de Luchon a bit further west. [Post edited 7 May 2020 21:52]
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| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 17:33 - May 8 with 530 views | Eireannach_gorm |
| Am I being silly? Personal effects of C-19 on 18:44 - May 7 by WeWereZombies |
If you had the money I suppose you could buy Scotland - but you would never own it. |
You may not be a Celt but you're getting the hang of it. |  | | |
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