As the UK slowly puts the coldest months of the year behind it, many residents look to the rest of the world and picture a much more welcoming climate. Now, if you’re going to leave your home country to live somewhere else, you’re going to want to get it right the first time. The process will always be complex, so you won’t want to move and then realise that the new country isn’t up to scratch.
Luckily, there are many metrics that you can use to determine the best countries in the world to live in, and the dark and cold months can be a great opportunity to go visit. Flights and hotel prices are generally lower, and you’ll get to see the country at its least inviting. If it’s great during these months, it’ll be even better in the spring and summer! Here’s what you should consider when looking into a change of scenery.
Getting Going Quickly and Smoothly
Without jumping too far ahead, many of the top-ranked places to live in the world across all the most important metrics are in Europe, and specifically, within the European Union. As a UK resident, this can present some issues on paper. One of the many new rules sustained by the passing of the Brexit vote was the removal of free movement rights in the EU.
So, it’s important to extensively review national immigration laws of anywhere you may want to live, even if it’s just to the east of the continent. Living in the EU as a UK resident is still possible, but the hoops you need to jump through in some countries may be dealbreakers for some. If all looks to be doable, and you’ve confirmed the finer points with a local expert, you can prepare to jump across the borders.
With any International move, it’s important to get your ducks in a row ahead of time. Property chains can be killers to these moves, delaying your point of arrival and property purchase that can result in you missing out on your dream home. For some, turning to a cash house buyer can alleviate some of these issues. By utilising the guaranteed purchase on any property offer, a seller can avoid the hassle of the normal moving process and be mobile as soon as is required.
Countries to Target For a Life Overseas
According to the stats and findings published by the world population review, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland rank as the best places to live under the scores of the Human Development Report, while Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark offer the highest standards of living. Between these two lists, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway are the countries that appear in the top ten of both.
Perhaps the only knock on Danish living is the cost of living. It’s not a particularly cheap place to live if you gravitate to the urban centres. Switzerland is similarly quite expensive to live in, while Sweden and Norway offer cheaper options while enjoying very similarly high living standards and development opportunities. An alternative option would be Canada, which is far cheaper than its European counterparts and is English-speaking beyond Quebec.
If you’re looking to depart the British Isles and settle down in one of the best countries in the world, consider the nearby countries of Scandinavia, Switzerland, and or even the far-flung lands of Canada. While the weather may still be cold in these countries during the winter, arguably, the surroundings make it more tolerable.