Really frustrated by UK weather, emigration suggestions?

[FlyingPanda]

It's never really bothered me before, but this year has just got to me beyond belief. So, assuming I can find something to do for an income, where would be a good place to move to? Needs reliable weather, good aviation scene, nice friendly people and a steady supply of quality food and wine.

Any ideas?

[Bill McCarthy]

The far north.

[Keef]

What languages (other than English) do you speak?

English only: the USA - in parts. Getting in is a faff these days, and you do need to buy ten guns, but the scenery is stunning and the people very friendly. Drawback: some parts are dire, and it's a very long way from anywhere to anywhere else (which makes flying the only practical way to get around. I have many hours of flying there, and love it).

French: France, south of about Troyes. Avoid Paris, avoid the industrial cities. EASA is not taken seriously, landings are free at lunchtime, and with a French bank account you can get a Total fuel card and actually buy Avgas there. Very laid back.

German: Germany outside the industrial cities. Vast expanses of uncontrolled airspace, joined-up ATC (Langen Info, for example) with radar. Friendly people. Everything in good Ordnung.

Italian: talk to Riccardo.

[Rob P]

Sounds much like Oz to me. Though I fear the flying would lack a certain amount of variety.

The food is much better than you might expect, and the wine is OK if you like New World Vin Bland

Rob P

[JoeC]

The far north.

So how's the weather been where your are Bill? I've been trying to get into the circuit and current again for the last month but my local field (grass) has either been closed for circuits due to surface cutting up or just fully closed due to waterlogging. It's been a pretty bad autumn/winter so far.

[AerBabe]

Canada.
Friendly, genuine, stunning scenery, fab food and drink.
No idea what the flying is like first hand, but friends who live and fly there tell me it's not too expensive and very supportive.

[bar shaker]

Ibiza

Not too hot, not too cool, fly to the other islands or mainland, great food and wine, expat community and decent restaurants that are open all year.

I also like the idea of keeping a boat there.

[chevvron]

1) Cyprus (south is OK, never experienced the north)
2) Malta (but lacking airfields)
3) Sardinia (unbelievably laid back; most airfields close to the coast)
4) Calabria region of Italy (Montalbano's Island within easy reach)
5) Corsica (governed by France but they hate the French)

[Monocock]

Having had the worst 6 months of weather I can remember, and seeing the effect it has had on farming in the UK, coupled with the fact that it is messing my flying up badly, I too have recently thought about moving away. I considered Canada or America, both places where cereal farming (large scale) has a future.

However, I've decided to forget even considering it. I've lived away for a few months at a time before (India, Kenya, Australia) and within a few months I've always longed to be back in Blighty.

So, I'd better just stick around and grump while it rains, persistently.

[Bill McCarthy]

Mono has it - go abroad in search for sun and you will crave the seasons, and yes, rain. It's been a glorious day here but a bit windy and now the days are stretching. You may end up with a hosepipe ban soon !

[Plan_B]

Slovenia - ticks the food, wine, people (and language) boxes. GA seems reasonably well accommodated and the weather is usually one thing or the other, none of this clag we get stuck with in the UK

[Pete S]

I fancy south of France in a little village in the Cevennes not too far from a decent sized town but off the tourist track.
Nearby airfield would be a bonus but not essential as I figure I'm in the twilight of my flying life

Peter

[Dominic]

If I had the money, I'd move to Jersey or Guernsey.

[lkamsner]

Sounds much like Oz to me. Though I fear the flying would lack a certain amount of variety.

The food is much better than you might expect, and the wine is OK if you like New World Vin Bland

Rob P

I was in Oz from 2003 -2006 (after emigrating from there to here).. Food was much worse that when I emigrated to Blighty in 1996 (although it may have been the same - just my palette had since experienced more).. But Vins Blands? I managed to persuade my Francophile in-laws on a visit that the local wine was anything but bland... Of course, as with any country, Oz only really exports its rubbish for mainstream consumption..

Flying is very varied - can be dull if you go across the centre, but there are mountain ranges, spectacular coastlines, wineries with airstrips, etc. And of course, many rural communities still rely on GA, so it is reasonably vibrant.. If cereal farming is your thing, there are opportunities in Aus...

But, beware.. there is an element of truth in the old joke - "What's the difference between Aus and a tub of yoghurt? Yoghurt has a culture"..

[GrahamB]

Any ideas?

A lot depends on whether you plan on working or not, and if so, what you plan doing.

We have a house in SE France. The local microclimate almost guarantees 300+ days of sunshine a year, and it's 20 minutes to a vibrant airfield with multiple runways, no landing/parking fees, and some stunning scenery to fly over.

The small town in which the house is situated is busy and workaday, rather than touristy, which actually means that it's alive all year round, and not just during the summer. I'm looking forward to moving there full time at some point in the next few years, as getting any job locally, let alone one that rewards me anything near what I earn now, would be extremely difficult.