Would you if you could?... move to Europe, that is.
 

If finances, health, family matters, etc., were not prohibitive, would you strongly consider moving to Europe?

I definitely would, and I will give it more thought the closer I get to retirement (5 years or so). Of course, this assumes my investments retain some value, or one of my kids strikes it rich and decides to be generous to the old man and lady.

Yes. But I would never give up my U.S. citizenship. My dream would be six months in France, six months at home in the US.

In a heartbeat. In fact, I'm looking for someone to help me evaluate the free castles on the Rhine. (Taxes, regulations, etc.)

"I definitely would, and I will give it more thought the closer I get to retirement (5 years or so). Of course, this assumes my investments retain some value, or one of my kids strikes it rich and decides to be generous to the old man and lady."

And assuming of course that you either have an EU passport or can get a visa.

As someone who has lived here for going on two years, I will say that... it isn't that different. At least on a day to day level, you still find much of your time is devoted to going about your business. In many ways, for much of your day, you could really be almost anywhere.

To that end, I would suggest you think about WHY you want to move to Europe. And WHERE in Europe you want to move. Do you want to move to Paris because of something only Paris offers, or is it that you want to move to a world-class city, and New York would do?

Not suggesting one shouldn't do it. Heck, it didn't take much convincing for me to come, and I'm not exactly itching to leave. But, it isn't exactly the sea-change from the US that I had perhaps thought it might be.

Yup, hubby and I (in our early 30's) sold our house in Vancouver, Canada and moved to London last year. I have my british and canadian citizenship (thanks dad!) so it was no problem for us at all. And we LOVE it!

Great question and one I've debated with myself, so to speak. I hope to travel there more often when/if I retire. However, I am concerned the allure of Europe would lessen if I lived there or could travel there more often. Indeed, anecdotal comments I have heard from some who have worked abroad have often been surprisingly unenthusiastic.

I did.

I don't need to.

I've spent many a happy hour trolling French real estate websites, but two things hold me back from moving to Europe (money also, but NoleNomad told us to set finances aside).

For one thing, French libraries don't have much in English and I read a ton, for which I depend on libraries.

Also we wouldn't be part of civic life there the way we can be here.

Oh, one final reason--I'm married to The Anchor. He's not budging.

Also, realistically, it is unlikely I would be able to live/stay near city-centers such as I do when I travel. I suspect suburbs and small towns, whether European or US, have some of the same drawbacks. (Sorry if I'm being to literal. I told you I've thought about this).

Yes. That's why I bought a house in France 17 years ago. It's only a matter of time before I live there full-time. And I do have dual citizenship, so that's not an issue. Health care will probably be the biggest challenge.

And I do agree it's not THAT different, based on my having spent many months there already. Only major difference for me is that in France I'll be living a rural life, as opposed to a city life, and I know I'll need an urban fix now and again.

Hi all,

Yes I would, I am, I am trying to. My condo has been for sale since March, and when it sells, I'm off to settle in Bavaria.

I'm not married, no children, parents have already passed. I have military health insurance and a military pension - I can and I will (now if only someone would buy this place!!).

s

Reversing the question - would I move to the US? No, not even if money, visas health insurances etc were not a problem. I love the US and the people there but
having moved away from my native country once I would not do it again.
It is surprisingly hard to start over, even more so when you are older.
Think about the social network you now have, and try and imagine building up a network like that again, in a country where you may not speak the language well. It is hard to form deep friendships in a foreign language.
Think about your children and grandchildren. With the rising cost of oil it will not be easy for them to come to you or you to go to them. Now I know this is equally true within the US if one of you lives in NY and the other in say LA, but there is not an ocean between you. Do you want to miss the gift that grandchildren are, miss the enjoyment they bring, not watch them grow up?
As travelgourmet says, life here in Europe, apart from the language, is not so different to the US.
Better maybe to travel for three months a year in Europe, so you don't need a visa, than to move, assuming transatlantic travel is still affordable then.

Sure - I lived there for a short time when I was young.
Ideally I would like to spend 6 months of the year in Europe and 6 months in Canada (my home).

Oh, absolutely. We are planning for it. We will be able to retire there very well before the age of 50. Our ideal would be to live on the coast of BC for half the year (we still have family in Canada) and live in Europe (we are looking at Wales, Scotland and Croatia) half the year if we can work it out.

We are at the point that whenever we purchase something we ask ourselves whether it would be somethng we would take to Europe with us. :)

OK, let me take this thread in a bit different direction...

I would love to move to the south of France. Small, small town or semi-rural.

I have a government pension and health care provided. What type of money would it take to buy a small place, something humble? Any ideas on websites where I can search for these properties?

How does health care work when you have BCBS from the USA, but choose to live in France?

I would love to spend a couple of years living in Europe (probably several different places), but permanently, no. I don't live in one of the world's garden spots, but it is home and always will be.

No. Absolutely NOT! I was born in London and I will never return to live in Europe.

I just couldn't imagine NOT living in the USA.

Thin

For those of you who want to move to Europe (like myself) do you feel an attachment to where you are now? The only attachment I have is to my family and I already live several hours from them all, anyway. We also do not have children which definitely makes a huge difference. Other than family I have zero attachment here. I could pick up and move tomorrow without trouble.

When I get to certain places in Europe I feel more rooted and at home than I do here. I lived in Glasgow for nearly a year so really have a good idea of what living overseas is like. Now I would not live in a city but on the outskirts of a small village in a fairly isolated region.