Best country in Europe to live in

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by buriramboy

Bullshit, cost of living in many parts of Southern Europe are comparable to the likes of Phuket and Pattaya. Don't believe me or think runners post is made up then go do your own research and see for yourself. Look at wages in Greece, many Thais earn more than the average Greek, look at property prices in Spain, you'll get a damn site more for your buck than you will in Phuket. Food and Utilities are cheap, hell if you're into whoring even whores are cheaper in Greece than Thailand at the moment.

The only two things Phuket has over Madeira is wide availability of paid for sex, and cheap spicy street food.

Take a nice Thai woman to live on Madeira who can cook Thai food, and Madeira is better than Phuket in every single respect for a sensible European man - climate, infrastructure, housing, scenery, stability, safety, ease of residency, work legality, beers and wines, and short flights home and to cool places.

I think that is similar to what BB is planning, and I don't blame him one bit.

**chassamui** · 14-02-2015, 08:47 AM

By using Phuket and Pattaya as your Thai benchmarks, you are comparing apples and oranges:

The minimum wage in Thailand is EURO215, less tha half the minimum wage in Madeira. All commodities and utilities in Madeira are based on local incomes so they will be approximately 50% higher than Thailand.
Phuket and Pattaya represent the high end of Thai prices and incomes, but only a very small proportion of the population overall. Despite urbanisation and industry. 38% of the population still work in agriculture.

You have cherry picked 2 high end locations in Thailand and compared them with Madeira overall. Are you a politician?
Madeira as I said before, is likely a very nice place to live, but it is still twice as expensive as Thailand. Selective statistics will not change that.

**johpam** · 14-02-2015, 10:04 AM

Denmark and I would live on the island of Bornholm

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 01:15 PM

^^ Er, to correct you, I used only Phuket. Madeira is an island tourist resort which makes a large chunk of its income from tourism, as is Phuket. It therefore makes perfect sense to compare Madeira with Phuket, not with Nakhon Nowhere.

I have stayed in both recently, and as one of many comparitors, the very similar 4* hotel I utilised in Funchal was cheaper than the 4* hotel I utilised in Phuket. I am quite sure that I could achieve an equivalent standard of living on Madeira that I could on Phuket with the same retirement income, and it vastly outweighs Phuket for the quality of life I seek.

Sorry but I will not be taking lectures from someone who thinks Portugal has an identically high cost of living to the UK or Germany.

**Seekingasylum** · 14-02-2015, 01:42 PM

Living in Menorca is quite a good compromise.

Civilised people, a pleasant blend of beaches and towns, a pleasant climate with low power demand, terrific cuisine and very cheap to travel to and from.

And, most of all, no chickenheads to fuck everything up.

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 01:57 PM

True, but it lacks Madeira's more balanced climate. The Med can be fairly cold in the winter and gets scorched in the summer. Menorca probably has a higher cost of living too, but that is only a guess.

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 02:20 PM

Have just checked on climates

Menorca January average high - 14C
Madeira January average high - 19.7C

Menorca August average high - 28.9C
Madeira August average high - 26.4C

Menorca has 30% more summer sun than Madeira, and Madeira 20% more winter sun than Menorca.

**Seekingasylum** · 14-02-2015, 02:26 PM

The thing is, Madeira is truly isolated and eventually you will develop " stir crazy " syndrome - think of the addled, frazzled alcoholics in Samui and you'll get the idea. Also, the food is dreadful like most Portuguese stuff.

Menorca has lower costs and a long term rental can be had in most categories of accommodation between £280 and £1000 per month. Important things like wine and beer are cheap and despite the cooler winter climate you are unlikely to encounter frosts,and the need for central heating.

I like the island because it is very family orientated and never promoted the youth culture travel market which is a godsend given most young folk these days are generally quite ghastly. The towns, Mahon and Ceutadella(?), are very pleasant to wander about and provide an urban contrast to beach/ rustic life in which one's interest may be piqued.

The beauty is, one can leave it at any time if the need for change becomes pressing without the hassle of a longish flight.

I see from the forecast that tomorrow the temp. will be 16c and sunshine all day.

I rather think I shall have a word with the wing man later today and see what she thinks. Actually, the prospect of returning to civilisation and living in an environment without fucking idiots and the smell of shit is really quite enticing.

**chassamui** · 14-02-2015, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by runner

Sorry but I will not be taking lectures from someone who thinks Portugal has an identically high cost of living to the UK or Germany.

Yet you seem only too happy to tell me what I'm thinking?
The Fact is all the essentials are more expensive. Groceries, beer accommodation, transport and communications. all of which are absolute essentials. When I decide to migrate to a country, It is highly unlikely I will be living in 4* Hotels.

Madeira has without doubt a much better quality of life to anywhere in Thailand. My only point is, Madeira is considerably more expensive for the essentials of a long term residency. Claiming otherwise is just burying your head in the sand.

For the benefit of BB. You jumped into a discussion about the cost of living in Thailand and Madeira. Nothing to do with Greece or Spain. State your preferences by all means, just let go of the wrong end of the sick. Thanks.

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 03:10 PM

^ So do you think the below or don't you? Make your mind up

Originally Posted by chassamui

Even taking into account Phuket mafia and rip off expat issues, Madeira is the same as anywhere else in western europe.

I gave the hotel example as a general example, as hotel costs are based on the cost of property and the cost of labour. Madeira has cheaper property than Phuket, and Phuket has cheaper labour. Overall though, Madeira was cheaper when I paid for that one comparable, and would be to rent an apartment and buy western groceries.

Things like beer and wine are not cheaper in Phuket, sorry to have to correct you again. I'm speaking from recent first hand experience. Are you? As for visa costs, Madeira has none. Ditto with medical insurance. And as for flying home to see loved ones, this is vastly cheaper from Madeira.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I can have an equivalent standard of living in Madeira as in Phuket for the same cost, and a far better quality of life. If you could not, that is your business, but I am in a far better position to know whether I can than you are.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

The thing is, Madeira is truly isolated and eventually you will develop " stir crazy " syndrome - think of the addled, frazzled alcoholics in Samui and you'll get the idea. Also, the food is dreadful like most Portuguese stuff.

Menorca has lower costs and a long term rental can be had in most categories of accommodation between £280 and £1000 per month. Important things like wine and beer are cheap and despite the cooler winter climate you are unlikely to encounter frosts,and the need for central heating.

I like the island because it is very family orientated and never promoted the youth culture travel market which is a godsend given most young folk these days are generally quite ghastly. The towns, Mahon and Ceutadella(?), are very pleasant to wander about and provide an urban contrast to beach/ rustic life in which one's interest may be piqued.

The beauty is, one can leave it at any time if the need for change becomes pressing without the hassle of a longish flight.

I see from the forecast that tomorrow the temp. will be 16c and sunshine all day.

I rather think I shall have a word with the wing man later today and see what she thinks. Actually, the prospect of returning to civilisation and living in an environment without fucking idiots and the smell of shit is really quite enticing.

I won't be spending 12 months of the year on the island, and will be taking several long visits per year to mainland Europe and the UK. I doubt the Samui brigade get out often, other than a 24 hour visa run. I'll be cooking myself, so the local cuisine is mostly immaterial.

Good luck if you plan to move. I'm not dead set on Madeira yet. It's a plan that's five years down the road.

**buriramboy** · 14-02-2015, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by chassamui

Originally Posted by runner

Sorry but I will not be taking lectures from someone who thinks Portugal has an identically high cost of living to the UK or Germany.

Yet you seem only too happy to tell me what I'm thinking?
The Fact is all the essentials are more expensive. Groceries, beer accommodation, transport and communications. all of which are absolute essentials. When I decide to migrate to a country, It is highly unlikely I will be living in 4* Hotels.

Madeira has without doubt a much better quality of life to anywhere in Thailand. My only point is, Madeira is considerably more expensive for the essentials of a long term residency. Claiming otherwise is just burying your head in the sand.

For the benefit of BB. You jumped into a discussion about the cost of living in Thailand and Madeira. Nothing to do with Greece or Spain. State your preferences by all means, just let go of the wrong end of the sick. Thanks.

You stated that the cost of living in Thailand is not comparable with anywhere in Europe and I was just pointing out that you are wrong. Phuket and Pattaya are always going to be used for price comparisons as that is where most expats reside.

**Neverna** · 14-02-2015, 03:47 PM

So Smeg works for the Madeira Marketing Board now? <yawn>.

Obviously the choice of the best country in Europe to live in comes down to personal preferences and how much money one has. For me, the UK wins. I'm happy to visit the rest for short visits and holidays.

**buriramboy** · 14-02-2015, 04:04 PM

At the end of the day you can live cheaply anywhere in the world just depends how you want to live, on an average month in the UK I spend next to fuk all but that's down to me rarely going out as the bars and excuses for restaurants here are shit, yes housing and utilities are more expensive in the UK than Thailand but I still spend less in the UK than I did in Thailand now this is obviously down to me not being out most nights of the week and eating out most of the time as did in Thailand.

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 04:21 PM

Precisely. You could live dirt cheaply in some farming village in the middle of nowhere in rural Portugal, or live it up on the other coast in cosmopolitan Barcelona.

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Actually, the prospect of returning to civilisation and living in an environment without fucking idiots and the smell of shit is really quite enticing.

It's difficult to argue with that lol

**steevee** · 14-02-2015, 07:11 PM

Where's the cheapest golf in central to southern EU?

**runner** · 14-02-2015, 07:27 PM

Algarve - Portugal - Best In Region Golf Courses

**Lancelot** · 14-02-2015, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by runner

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Actually, the prospect of returning to civilisation and living in an environment without fucking idiots and the smell of shit is really quite enticing.

It's difficult to argue with that lol

Have to agree, it is nice to walk on the side walk with out dodging motor bike taxis and venders blocking the way.

Ever noticed the hoards of plump rats feasting on the street garbage on lower Sukumvit?

You get what you pay for.

Portugal is my choice.

**Troy** · 14-02-2015, 09:50 PM

Best to live in is a difficult question for me...

To work in? Southern Germany (Bavaria) made the decision 15 years ago and never looked back. I don't speak the language due to respect for my Mother but understand more than I let on.

France, Brittany or Normandy would be my ideal choices; food is glorious, simple or exotic and the clothes suit my wife far better...we shop in France, whilst working in Germany.

Austria, well Vienna for just about everything apart from work. A glorious city that was largely unaffected by either World War...and the Opera house is just superb.

Verona..how my wife would love me to find a good job close by. Although 4 hours away is not so bad. Never disappoints and have spent some of my happiest moments there.

England is my home though and I miss it like I miss my Mother...the green grass of home is all I can say....Will probably never return to live but will miss, and dream, those sweet memories until I die...

**Luigi** · 14-02-2015, 10:08 PM

I have property in San Remo that I enjoy going back to every now and again. We left there when I was 3 and moved to Sydney for 15 years until I went to university in the UK.

I love Sydney, I love San Remo, I love Thailand, same as I love many other places, all for different reasons.

The UK isn't really one of them though.

**Seaserpent** · 15-02-2015, 01:54 AM

Italy for the food and culture, Sweden or Norway for the best life in the long run.

**rickschoppers** · 15-02-2015, 01:34 PM

It might be better to ask where is the best food and entertainment for the lowest cost? This may be a topic for another thread, as would best climates in the world. To find a country that has a low cost of living is like asking which country do you feel most comfortable in. It is very subjective which lends itself to personal preference and opens numerous debates.

To argue about which country is best to live in does not accomplish anything other than showing personal preferences vary and are very diverse.

**Seekingasylum** · 15-02-2015, 01:41 PM

Hence this thread Rick. Err, that's the point of it: to elicit a variety of answers providing insights into reasoning.

If it were a mathematical equation then who'd give a flying fuck?

**rickschoppers** · 15-02-2015, 01:59 PM

OK, but it does seem that many members wander from the main topic quite a bit. Maybe that is how it works as well. In that case I will continue to read all the lively debates.

**runner** · 15-02-2015, 02:42 PM

Most people choose to live somewhere because of the standard of living and quality of life available. Those things are derived from aspects such as costs, climate, sense of security and belonging, pastimes, food, earning potential, and social life.

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