Tldr; I love my job, hate the Netherlands, want to move somewhere warmer but where and how?
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What I could also do, instead of buying a van, is take short city trips by plane during long weekends all over Europe and try different places.
But that would limit me to big cities. While I think I might prefer smaller cities or even the countryside. But still with an expat vibe. And good coffee places. And quiet. But also lively. Sigh. 🤦🏼♀️
11/n
@Gina you mentioned Australia, but perhaps New Zealand?
The other day I checked the democracy index 2025, and it cross-ref'ed to another list measuring countries on a host of safety, freedom, human rights criteria. Perhaps there are more such lists with things you do not readily think of, e.g. on laws, regulations, pension, etc.
Here's that list in case it is useful: https://freedomforallamericans.org/safest-countries-in-the-world/
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@jannem idk there were plenty of places in Australia that fit the description, like Gerringong and Wollingong. For contrast, Sydney was waaay too busy for me.
@Gina
Yep, different idea of "countryside" 😁 -
What I could also do, instead of buying a van, is take short city trips by plane during long weekends all over Europe and try different places.
But that would limit me to big cities. While I think I might prefer smaller cities or even the countryside. But still with an expat vibe. And good coffee places. And quiet. But also lively. Sigh. 🤦🏼♀️
11/n
@Gina I wonder about foreign languages and how that gets into the equation. I'm not sure if I had suggested this before but maybe worth looking into the English-speaking island of Malta? Fantastic weather and I think large expat community? Best of luck Gina!
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@Gina you mentioned Australia, but perhaps New Zealand?
The other day I checked the democracy index 2025, and it cross-ref'ed to another list measuring countries on a host of safety, freedom, human rights criteria. Perhaps there are more such lists with things you do not readily think of, e.g. on laws, regulations, pension, etc.
Here's that list in case it is useful: https://freedomforallamericans.org/safest-countries-in-the-world/
@smallcircles New Zealand would be an interesting option, esp the north island. Unfortunately it has the same housing problem as Australia. I'm not moving to the other side of the world just to be poor there.
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@Gina
Yep, different idea of "countryside" 😁@jannem I do wonder how it would be to live in places like Japan. You live in the countryside there, right?
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@Gina I wonder about foreign languages and how that gets into the equation. I'm not sure if I had suggested this before but maybe worth looking into the English-speaking island of Malta? Fantastic weather and I think large expat community? Best of luck Gina!
@_elena I'll happily learn a new language or alphabet for the right place.
Oh gosh I can't begin to explain how much I hate Malta. Went there on a friendship ending girls trip years ago 😂
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@smallcircles New Zealand would be an interesting option, esp the north island. Unfortunately it has the same housing problem as Australia. I'm not moving to the other side of the world just to be poor there.
@Gina ah yes, that is true. I have family living there, but they emigrated from NL long ago, at the height of the Cold War and going the safest country to be in, in case of a nuclear war. They are now long-time house owners with big overvalue. 😅
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@Gina I wonder about foreign languages and how that gets into the equation. I'm not sure if I had suggested this before but maybe worth looking into the English-speaking island of Malta? Fantastic weather and I think large expat community? Best of luck Gina!
@Gina addendum: are you looking into staying in Europe or far off places are being evaluated too? A dear Canadian friend who's an entrepreneur has gone many times to Aruba (in the Caribbeans) and she LOVED it. The official language is Dutch... just putting that out there...
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@_elena I'll happily learn a new language or alphabet for the right place.
Oh gosh I can't begin to explain how much I hate Malta. Went there on a friendship ending girls trip years ago 😂
@Gina oh no! sorry to hear that! ok let's strike off Malta then
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@teacher_rick ben ik geweest, vond ik vreselijk. Super veel lastig gevallen, veel te masculiene cultuur, en veel armoede.
Gedeelde smart is halve smart 🫶
@Gina Andere suggestie dan; wmb beetje een verborgen parel (maar ook wel vergane glorie): San Remo - Italië
Vlakbij Nice en Genua voor 🚅🛫
Monaco op een steenworp.
Fietsen langs de Middellandse Zee; bergen als achterland (Ligurië - Bloemenriviera)
Prima eetcultuur (toeristische restaurants mijden). Strand, zee, zon.Mijn puberkids waren erg enthousiast (en ik ook wel). Ook vanwege het winkelaanbod.
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The saga continues. 🥲
We've established that I need to move abroad. I still don't know where to. And I have two cats to bring along.
The problem is that buying a campervan will easily erase 1/3rd to 1/2 of my savings. And I need those savings to buy a house or start a business. It would be much cheaper if I just knew where I wanted to live and moved there, but noooo. 🙄
I'm worried about spending all my money on travelling and then not having any left to move.
9/n
@Gina my personal response is don’t be afraid of spending money. Of course be responsible and budget, but not doing something you want to do (campervanning) just because you might spend savings is a mistake. You can try a low risk version. Rent a van instead of buying one, take a week long trip somewhere to see if you like it, do experiments, and going for longer trips if you and your cats end up enjoying it. I wish i could go over to europe for a longer stay.
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@AccordingtoWouter yeah but I'd need someone to look after my cats. Also I hate the Netherlands, I don't want to be here a second longer. 😂
@Gina I understand you, Gina. I have also moved countries and lived abroad for long periods of time. I have learned one thing: other countries have their issues too. And much of what I read in your topics (except for the weather) also exists in other countries. And in some cases, it is even worse organised. I just wanted to share that with you (and yes, I know it sounds pessimistic). The proverbial greener grass.
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@Gina addendum: are you looking into staying in Europe or far off places are being evaluated too? A dear Canadian friend who's an entrepreneur has gone many times to Aruba (in the Caribbeans) and she LOVED it. The official language is Dutch... just putting that out there...
@_elena open to other places too. I actually visited Curaçao in september last year, with the same purpose. Hated it 😅 It felt too small, boring, and filled with a certain subset of Dutch people I could live without.
Love the suggestions btw, thank you for brainstorming with me 😁
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@Gina I understand you, Gina. I have also moved countries and lived abroad for long periods of time. I have learned one thing: other countries have their issues too. And much of what I read in your topics (except for the weather) also exists in other countries. And in some cases, it is even worse organised. I just wanted to share that with you (and yes, I know it sounds pessimistic). The proverbial greener grass.
@AccordingtoWouter absolutely, and I'm a big believer of "where ever you go, there you are."
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@Gina ah yes, that is true. I have family living there, but they emigrated from NL long ago, at the height of the Cold War and going the safest country to be in, in case of a nuclear war. They are now long-time house owners with big overvalue. 😅
Do you want to go for bustling city life, or quiet rural life? I was attracted by those TV programs of Floortje Dessing "Alone on the World", for instance the edition where she visited a family living in the Belise jungle. Surrounded by Nature, though not far from road and city. Those examples are a bit extreme, of course, but the general idea for the non die-hard hobbyist "lonely planeters" is fine.
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@teacher_rick ben ik geweest, vond ik vreselijk. Super veel lastig gevallen, veel te masculiene cultuur, en veel armoede.
Gedeelde smart is halve smart 🫶
@Gina oh, jammer dat je dat zo hebt ervaren. Ik had de kans om in ‘n onderwijsproject daar te stappen - door situatie gezin hier in NL niet gedaan, maar het zit nog wel in mijn achterhoofd.
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Do you want to go for bustling city life, or quiet rural life? I was attracted by those TV programs of Floortje Dessing "Alone on the World", for instance the edition where she visited a family living in the Belise jungle. Surrounded by Nature, though not far from road and city. Those examples are a bit extreme, of course, but the general idea for the non die-hard hobbyist "lonely planeters" is fine.
@Gina Chili is also rural galore, beautiful nature. Speak Spanish fluently (if you don't already), 2nd largest language, always handy.
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What I could also do, instead of buying a van, is take short city trips by plane during long weekends all over Europe and try different places.
But that would limit me to big cities. While I think I might prefer smaller cities or even the countryside. But still with an expat vibe. And good coffee places. And quiet. But also lively. Sigh. 🤦🏼♀️
11/n
@Gina perhaps Trieste would be a good option?
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@Gina I understand you, Gina. I have also moved countries and lived abroad for long periods of time. I have learned one thing: other countries have their issues too. And much of what I read in your topics (except for the weather) also exists in other countries. And in some cases, it is even worse organised. I just wanted to share that with you (and yes, I know it sounds pessimistic). The proverbial greener grass.
@Gina I think the south of France could be a good choice for you. Cities such as Toulon, Fréjus, Cannes or Nice. Larger but not too large, good weather, good food. Close by beaches. Or further inland and smaller towns such as Draguignan, Grasse (famous for its perfumery).
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@Gina Chili is also rural galore, beautiful nature. Speak Spanish fluently (if you don't already), 2nd largest language, always handy.
On that safety list btw, there are some surprising positions.
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@ziphi oh damn it it exported with transparent background. Might be invisible if you're looking at the image in dark mode.
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@ziphi not an artist but
#challengeAccepted
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@Gina haha got it 😂
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@Brendanjones what are you still doing here?!? 😭
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@django @nlnet @dansup The FEP for GTS-style comment controls will be coming from me. 👋 Hopefully in the next few weeks. If you scroll down my replies on my profile you can find scattered remarks on progress and remaining work items. There is a Matrix chat - if you want an invite to it, let me know!
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> Cosa fate con l'olio che avanza dei sottoli,
e niente, avevo letto «sottotitoli» e mi stavo chiedendo che cosa ti fossi fumato 8-D
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@roy Nice work!
