Are you considering making the jump to a new country and leaving the UK behind? Between 2019 and 2020, over 400 thousand people left the UK for a new start. Whether you want to experience a new culture, give your kids a more exciting childhood or you’ve been offered a new job role abroad, there are many places to start fresh and experience something new.
When you’ve finally had enough of the rainy weather and lack of sunlight, it only seems right to consider living in a new, warmer place and the experiences that will come with it. At Essex Removals, we’re experienced in overseas removals, whether to mainland Europe or further afield. You can trust us with your move abroad. We’ve helped many families move abroad over the years, from Australia to France.
If you’re considering becoming an expat somewhere new, here are the top 5 destinations that most Brits consider.
Australia
As a part of the commonwealth, it’s easy for UK citizens to get a visa for the sunny land down under and it has been a draw for Brits for hundreds of years. With its warm climate, wide open spaces and chilled culture, it’s easy to see why so many fancy a life in Australia. Many Brits choose big cities such as Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Melbourne or Cairns, but there are plenty of beautiful places to choose from, whether by the sea or inland. Australia is the world’s sixth largest country, so you have plenty of amazing places to choose from.
Aussies generally have a great quality of life, wages are higher, working days are shorter and even the quality of food is better. Pair this with a deep multicultural spirit, a healthy economy and an outstanding healthcare system, it’s no wonder so many people want to up sticks and move to Australia. Australia is also well known for having a laid-back attitude and they don’t take themselves too seriously. Once you move there, you’ll start adopting this attitude yourself, living life with a ‘no worries mate’ motto. In 2022, Australia was ranked number 11 in the World Happiness Report based on statistical data from 149 countries in the past 3 years.
Canada
If you’re more of a fan of a variable climate, Canada experiences cold winters and warm summers, making it the perfect place to partake in various outdoor pursuits. Canada’s ski resorts are world-renowned such as Whistler and Big White. In the summer, Canada is perfect for hiking, camping and canoeing and boasts the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and national parks like Jasper and stunning towns like Banff. You can also get the best of both worlds with incredible cities such as Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Outside of major cities, Canada is very rural and offers an excellent opportunity to raise a family in quiet neighbourhoods.
Of course, with great skiing comes cold temperatures, and some areas of Canada may not experience temperatures above freezing point for several months. You’ll have to be okay with the cold, but if you love the snow and are happy to enjoy time indoors, Canada can be a great choice. Canadian summers are also hot and humid, despite being short, which is what attracts so many expats and tourists. It’s known for its friendly people, neutral politics and peaceful way of living, so it can suit many Brits looking for a change in pace.
South Africa
South Africa is an easy country to settle into, as it is a former British colony, it shares many similarities including the English language. English is widely spoken everywhere, being one of South Africa’s eleven official languages. This means you are easily able to get a job as an English speaker. South Africa is popular among retirees and they typically settle along the coastline. The Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline is picturesque and offers a warm and humid climate with rarely any cold days. Some people who retire but are not yet ready to commit to South Africa full time are called ‘Swallows’ and spend the UK winter in South Africa and come home for the UK summer. You are able to do this without a permit as long as you don’t stay in South Africa for longer than 3 months.
There are over 212,000 British expats living in South Africa offering beautiful mountain ranges, stunning beaches and a relatively low cost of living. You will also have outstanding wildlife in your back garden with South Africa being a prime location for once-in-a-lifetime safari trips. Cape Town is the most popular city among expats and Durban offers the best quality of life.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the often overlooked neighbour of Australia. Sitting just to the south of Australia, New Zealand is a land of rich history, culture and outstanding scenery. It has a more tolerable climate with colder winters and mild summers, which makes it preferable to Australia for some Brits. The country is divided into two islands, the north and south and offers beautiful beaches and awe-inspiring mountain ranges. You can enjoy winter sports at some resorts on both the north and south islands as well as a good quality of life with great schools and excellent healthcare.
New Zealand has friendly people and is known for being laid back, peaceful and relaxing. It is also one of the most efficient and happiest countries in the world. Most expats choose to move to Wellington or Auckland, but there is a vast array of exciting and welcoming towns and cities up and down the country. It is also home to the adventure capital Queenstown which is the ideal base for adventure sports and exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. As an English-speaking country, New Zealand is a familiar place for Brits and is a great place to raise a family.
The United States
Many people wish to make the move across the pond as they aspire to achieve the American dream. As a diverse country, it offers a wide range of cities, small towns, national parks, mountains, beaches and much more. As well, it is an English-speaking country so less of a culture shock than in some areas of Europe. However, it can be difficult to obtain a visa for the United States unless you already have a job offer or sponsor. Some Brits love the thought of retiring to Florida, whereas others want the fast-paced lifestyle that New York City has to offer. The USA isn’t the most popular on the list due to a turbulent political climate but the beauty and ease of life in America is much more appealing.
However, many Brits flock to the States every year to soak up the warm summer, ski in Colorado or experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whatever you prefer, there will be a location in the USA that suits your needs perfectly.
Essex Removals: Overseas Removal Services
Are you thinking of moving abroad? With so much to consider, make it easy for yourself by choosing Essex Removals for your overseas move. We are an experienced team capable of providing a quality removal service for your precious items. We offer worldwide shipping to ensure your belongings get to your new home safely. We can move items of any size, from small household items to cars! If you need overseas European removals, we will do this with road-based removal services. If you’re moving overseas, we utilise sea-based transport options. To give you peace of mind we can even arrange maritime insurance and live tracking, to take the stress out of moving your belongings. So if you’re heading across to Australia, New Zealand, Canada or South Africa – we’re on hand to make your move go smoothly. Get in touch today to find out more about our home removals.
