We have been asked many times, The standard answer is why not?
But I will try and explain. It wont be short
We are both used to dealing with overseas culture, M lived around the world as a youngster, then worked in the military overseas most of the time. I had a job that took me to work allover the place, I could also live anywhere and still do my job.
When we met, you find out its a small world, I worked for the same company as her dad and we knew the same "oldies".
So where do we buy a house? why does it need to be in the UK? so the hunt started. So that's the background.
On our first visit here, after visiting other places. On landing and walking around we just felt comfortable, does that make sense?
Walking around and going for meals/drinks there was never any trouble.(not predominantly a tourist place).
We now live a bit out of the "big boys" town. As we like the space of the country, the views are incredible and the air is clear, we can pretty much ride/drive, bikes, cars or horse
where we like (respecting crops etc) into the forest. we just get on and do what we like.
We personally have never had any issue with "scrotes" some have maybe we have been lucky they are here as much as they are anywhere.
We wave to our neighbors
the local kids say "hello" when they walk past and we are out the front.
The cost of living, Well yes it is low. sometime you have to put up with things like potholes, power cuts, water being cut off. But on the whole you learn to deal with it and things have got better in that respect in the time we have been here. Can we get the stuff we used to get in the UK, No, does it really matter, is it live or death situation? No.
Yes there is still alot of left over red tape from the iron curtain, but you learn to deal with it.
But it also gives. If I wanted a blood test I could go in tomorrow see the Doc, go and get the blood test and results in the afternoon
try that in the UK.
When was the last time your neighbor brought you a jar of honey or a 2L bottle of homemade wine, cos you gave him a few spare roof tiles or dragged him out of the mud
.
The weather still has 4 seasons
. We have just finished our tea and sat outside for 10mins (yep its starting to get nippy) But we watched the Bats, listened to the wolves, jackals and owls while looking at the stars(yes we have ****ty days too
but not many) Summer is proper as is winter.
We have retired early, yes my job helped could we have done it in the UK probably not with the same amount of freedom or house we have.
There are many Brits here and we have a few good friends, we don't live in each others pockets. We actually brought here before BG was in the EU.
Everybody who has visited has loved the place and the speed of life.
To sum it up, we felt/feel comfortable and love the life that we are able live now.
Now with all that said, I don't hate the UK, just perhaps don't like some of how its run or the "you cant do that" "you must do this" Will we ever move back? I would never rule it out. Situations change quick. But not anytime soon
.
J