The odds on odds are that as of this Spring I’ll be able to live anywhere in the world I want. No guarantee, but things are shaping up that way (no promises).
So, if you could live anywhere, on roughly 2200$/month (USD), where would you live? I’m not thinking USA or Canada, since those are self obvious.
And, we’d be able to afford a house in the 150K (CDN) range, so the area would require houses in that type of range (for us to buy at some point).
#1 by Dennis Pallett - November 22nd, 2004 at 15:07
Australia, no doubts about it.
In fact, I’m considering going to university in Oz. I love Oz. It’s (almost) always great weather, the beaches are superb, well-updated on IT (better than my current country) and it’s simply great.
#2 by Jeremy C. Wright - November 22nd, 2004 at 15:30
Then the question becomes “what area?”
I was looking at Oz and NZ and both were very attractive (if expensive to move to), but I don’t know the area well enough to know where to look for houses.
Wanna buy a massive house together?
(ps: this is exactly the kind of thing I’m likely to do, so don’t jokingly say yes, lol)
#3 by momasita - November 22nd, 2004 at 15:42
Well it sounds like you have a real dilemma there sir. If housing was the only concern it would be quite simple actually. Other things that could be considered however are where you want your children to grow up, if you want them to know their Grandparents and ofcourse how well you want them to know them. I know that when individuals have worked their whole lives, and have raised their children, they would like to do some of the things they have always dreamed of. Some of these things may be travelling to places of their choosing. Although I know that most people want to know their Grandchildren, as it is supposed to be one of the blessings that return to you in your old age, they do not want to spend every extra penny they have travelling to places that they HAVE to go to see their precious Grandkids. Just some food for thought there Jer and Shannon. And P.S. I LOVE YOU GUYS and look forward to seeing you and your little ones in December
#4 by Peter T Davis - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:04
I’m planning to move to Europe, for the same reasons. What happened to your goal of working for Microsoft?
#5 by Jeremy C. Wright - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:22
It’s also been a dream to work independently. Hard to do both
#6 by Vinnie Garcia - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:24
He’s a fancy journalist now. Didn’t you get the memo?
If I could live anywhere in the world other than the US or Canada it would probably be either Melbourne (Aus) or somewhere in Spain. I’ve heard Spain is expensive though, and I don’t think you speak the language J.
#7 by Jeremy C. Wright - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:33
I was actually fluent in Spanish in Grade 12
Rusty now, but not bad.
I think the top places on our list (outside of North America) are Aus / New Zealand or France / Germany.
Though, personally a little hideaway in the Caymans wouldn’t be bad
#8 by Brian Mork - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:35
Ireland. Without a doubt. You get all the benefits of an English speaking country, quick access to Europe. a booming tech industry, and some of the best alcohol in the world. And it’s all VERY affordable.
#9 by Jeff Clark - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:44
Definitely NOT Stillwater, Oklahoma. Unless you’re into transient college towns with asshole cops.
I think if I had the oppurtunity to move anywhere, I’d make the move towards Italy or Spain. I don’t speak the language, but that could be part of the fun of moving there. Plus [I don't THINK] they are really known for their great IT, so maybe you could use that and start a mini overseas Jeremysoft or something!
#10 by Jeremy C. Wright - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:45
Brian, do you know any good Irish realty sites?
#11 by momasita - November 22nd, 2004 at 17:59
Well. I guess I’ve never seen Ireland
#12 by Vinnie Garcia - November 22nd, 2004 at 18:06
That rules out my birthplace then (Gainesville, Florida). The real estate is very affordable though, and it’s only a 90 minute drive to Disney. Your kids would love it J
#13 by Darren - November 22nd, 2004 at 19:11
Popular Irish reality sites:
myhome.ie
http://www.sherryfitz.ie/
http://www.gunneproperty.com/
I’m going to write about this on your own site, but CAN $150K will buy you a closet in Dublin. In the bad part of town. There’s always Galway, Cork or the middle of nowhere, though. If you’re serious about Ireland, I can give you lots of advice, having lived there for two years.
#14 by Jeremy C. Wright - November 22nd, 2004 at 19:18
Yeah, no real houses in our price range in Ireland. Or Italy. So, Spain, Germany, France, Australia is what it’s looking like
#15 by Norlinda - November 22nd, 2004 at 20:04
What about the Nordic countries? Being an Edmontonian that really wouldn’t be that far a stretch weather-wise (unless of course you want to escape the weather.) Found this Swedish real estate site–houses average in the USD 120,000. http://www.era.com/eraworldwide/sweden.html
#16 by Roger Johansson - November 24th, 2004 at 00:38
The kind of money you mention rules out Sweden, at least if you’d like to live anywhere near one of the larger cities. 150 K CAD will get you a tiny one room apartment somewhere in the suburbs. The figure mentioned by Norlinda is probably an average for the whole country. Of course, if you want to live in a small town or in the countryside, you could get a house for that price.
#17 by Martin-Éric - November 29th, 2004 at 10:18
I think it depends on how long you plan to spend time in the target country.
When it comes to the European Union and other countries participating in the Schengen treaty - as long as you only mean to spend a couple of years to add some international background on your CV and never settle down there - sending out a few CVs in response to selected job offers is all you need to land yourself a work permit. However, if the authorities sense as much as a vague shade of an intent to settle down, you’ll never forever banned.
I myself moved to Europe nearly 7 years ago and recently came to the conclusion that now is simply not a good time to be in EU, unless you were born on the territory. Otherwise, being a foreigner in EU is currently as bad as being one in Canada and is moving towards the United-States situation. Indeed not good. As such, I’m also thinking about somewhere to relocate.