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redshift

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My parents have such a room in their house. They also have a regular greenhouse in their backyard. They do get warmer but the surroundings are still bleak, even when it's sunny. Sun is very low in this part of Europe during winter so even when it's a sunny day, often it doesn't even go high enough above the horizon to be above the tree line for more than an hour or two a day.

Yeah, not sure how well they work in houses. I'm in a high-rise/tower, so it's the 'winter garden' case. If you can find a glass tower in your country somewhere with a sunroom/balcony on a high enough floor, it might have the same effect and catch more sunlight. They work quite nicely in the summer as well.
 
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sojeer

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In my case, I love sunny and warm weather because it lets me comfortably enjoy the outdoors and engage in my favorite sports.
This is it. It’s difficult for me to go out of the house when it is miserable outside. Feels like some places are not suitable at all.

You mentioned @MTF a grey Polish winters a few posts ago, where all we can see is only a greyish shade in front of our eyes (I’m pretty sure it looks the same elsewhere, for example in Germany).
I remeber them well. Too well… I moved from Poland to Ireland and need to say that it is better. Ireland is greener during this time and days are a few hours longer. That helps. And in Dublin it’s not raining that bad (but on the west side? Oh boy… :D).
Now I’m taking a lot of vitamin D and using SAD lamps. It looks like it helps for a mood.

But saying that, I realised that all of these things won’t help, won’t matter in what I want the most. Sunny climate, warm sea and palms over my head.
I’m working towards moving to a warmer place. I’m still having my parents and friends living somewhere else but I decided to pursuit my dream life, not theirs
 
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MTF

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But saying that, I realised that all of these things won’t help, won’t matter in what I want the most. Sunny climate, warm sea and palms over my head.
I’m working towards moving to a warmer place. I’m still having my parents and friends living somewhere else but I decided to pursuit my dream life, not theirs

Any idea where?
 

sojeer

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Any idea where?
For Europe Canary Islands are good enough for me. Eventually southern Europe (I’ve already tried a few times Spain and Portugal in winter, it’s not so warm but maybe it will be alright).
Never been in Mexico or South America so I would like to check these directions as well.
 
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frazer

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I live in a cold country and each year suffer for up to 6 months because of the low temperatures, lack of sunlight, short days, and people with permanent scowls on their faces. I'm starting to wonder if it wouldn't be better to leave everything I have here and move elsewhere where I wouldn't live with anxiety, frustration, and stress for a half of a year.

To anyone who has moved from a cold, dark or wet climate to a warm, sunny and dry climate - has it made you noticeably happier and greatly improved your quality of life?

If you have family and close friends back in your cold state/country, do the benefits of living in a sunny and warm place still outweigh the cons of missing them and essentially having to build a new life from scratch?
I believe happiness is a choice. That said, I'm moving to Mallorca next year (from Manchester, England) because I believe it easier to make that choice in amenable circustances and I for one always feel better in a warm sunny and tranquil environment.
 

Paul David

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I believe happiness is a choice. That said, I'm moving to Mallorca next year (from Manchester, England) because I believe it easier to make that choice in amenable circustances and I for one always feel better in a warm sunny and tranquil environment.

I don’t think it’s as easy as saying happiness is a choice. Some people naturally feel better waking up in the sun, and when it’s pissing down and miserable you’d basically be faking trying to kid yourself you’re happy.

Congrats on the move. I live 50 mins from
Manchester. Did you get a visa for Spain?
 

Two Dog

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David Fitz

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My goal for 2023 is to start an online business and move to Spain or Portugal.

I can't stand the Irish winters. I hate that it's always dark, wet, damp and rainy for 6 months. Life is very short, I want to be enjoying my life a lot more and just don't get that here in Ireland.
 

Mammoth

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It has made me happier. I don’t spend every day in the sun, but pretty much every day of the year if I want to I can walk 50 meters to the pool and lay in the sun for 20 minutes. It’s also nice to just look outside and see the sun.

I spent a few years in south Viet Nam and ended up moving back to Canada. The Fraser Valley outside Vancouver rains almost year round and sometimes you wouldn’t see the sun for months. It really sucked going back there.

It would be hard to move back to somewhere like that again. But where I’m at isn’t perfect either. The Caribbean is like living in a steam room. In the summer sometimes you have to shower five times in a day.

Nowhere is perfect. There’s always going to be something that bugs you. But I’d definitely trade being sweaty for being cold and wet most of the year. I got mild frostbite on my fingertips when I lived in Alberta and even when it gets down to 10 degrees or so I feel it in my nerves.

I’m considering moving to Guadalajara at some point. There’s actually seasons there but it never gets too cold.

So if you can/want to move somewhere sunny and warm, just do it.
 

MTF

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My goal for 2023 is to start an online business and move to Spain or Portugal.

I can't stand the Irish winters. I hate that it's always dark, wet, damp and rainy for 6 months. Life is very short, I want to be enjoying my life a lot more and just don't get that here in Ireland.

Good luck. I vastly prefer Spain over Portugal as a country. Climate-wise, southern Spain is a little warmer than the Algarve. There's more to do and it's much nicer nature-wise. It's a shame that both countries are so socialistic.

I myself booked my trip to Australia/New Zealand/Oceania for this winter (leaving in January).
 
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MTF

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It has made me happier. I don’t spend every day in the sun, but pretty much every day of the year if I want to I can walk 50 meters to the pool and lay in the sun for 20 minutes. It’s also nice to just look outside and see the sun.

This little thing is one of the foundations of well-being for many people.

It would be hard to move back to somewhere like that again. But where I’m at isn’t perfect either. The Caribbean is like living in a steam room. In the summer sometimes you have to shower five times in a day. Nowhere is perfect. There’s always going to be something that bugs you.

Climate-wise, I've been to some places with pretty much perfect weather, or as close to perfect as possible. For example, some places in the Caribbean (such as Barbados) have reliable trade winds year round that cool you down and you don't sweat so much. Even with high temperatures, they don't feel oppressively hot.

But I’d definitely trade being sweaty for being cold and wet most of the year.

I definitely prefer hot and sweaty over cold, too. It always triggers me when people say that cold weather is better because you can always put on more clothes but you can't do anything when it's hot lol.
 

David Fitz

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Good luck. I vastly prefer Spain over Portugal as a country. Climate-wise, southern Spain is a little warmer than the Algarve. There's more to do and it's much nicer nature-wise. It's a shame that both countries are so socialistic.

I myself booked my trip to Australia/New Zealand/Oceania for this winter (leaving in January).

Good man. I lived in Oz for a few years. Great place, great lifestyle. The weather makes a huge difference on your lifestyle.
 

MTF

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Good man. I lived in Oz for a few years. Great place, great lifestyle. The weather makes a huge difference on your lifestyle.

If that's not a secret, why did you move to Ireland then?

I visited Noosa/Sunshine Coast twice. I loved the climate there, the chilled out lifestyle, the beautiful coast and the friendly people. It was probably the only place in the world where I instantly felt as if I was at home.

I have a huge nostalgia for Australia despite all the crazy stuff that happened there during the pandemic. I'm listening to Thundamentals as I'm writing this post lol (my favorite Australian group).

As a potential place to live year round Noosa may be a little too cool during the winter, though during Australian winter there's glorious summer in Europe so it would work perfectly for splitting time between Europe and Australia.

This time I'm going through Perth to see a little of Western Australia and then on to New Zealand. I also want to use it as a base for visiting some exotic countries in the Pacific that I've always wanted to see (like the Cook Islands).

Still over a month before I leave but I already feel a bit more alive as each week I'm finding it harder and harder to deal with cold, gray weather.
 
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David Fitz

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If that's not a secret, why did you move to Ireland then?

I visited Noosa/Sunshine Coast twice. I loved the climate there, the chilled out lifestyle, the beautiful coast and the friendly people. It was probably the only place in the world where I instantly felt as if I was at home.

I have a huge nostalgia for Australia despite all the crazy stuff that happened there during the pandemic. I'm listening to Thundamentals as I'm writing this post lol (my favorite Australian group).

As a potential place to live year round Noosa may be a little too cool during the winter, though during Australian winter there's glorious summer in Europe so it would work perfectly for splitting time between Europe and Australia.

This time I'm going through Perth to see a little of Western Australia and then on to New Zealand. I also want to use it as a base for visiting some exotic countries in the Pacific that I've always wanted to see (like the Cook Islands).

Still over a month before I leave but I already feel a bit more alive as each week I'm finding it harder and harder to deal with cold, gray weather.

I lived in Perth for about 3 years. Lot of sunshine there. At least 8 or 9 months of sunshine.

I left because my visa ran out and I over stayed my welcome as I didn't want to return to Ireland. Ireland was still effected from the 2008 recession so I didn't want to go home . If I could of stayed I would have but some part of me is glad I didn't stay because the whole covid thing over there was disgraceful.
 

Shono

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I lived in Perth for about 3 years. Lot of sunshine there. At least 8 or 9 months of sunshine.

I left because my visa ran out and I over stayed my welcome as I didn't want to return to Ireland. Ireland was still effected from the 2008 recession so I didn't want to go home . If I could of stayed I would have but some part of me is glad I didn't stay because the whole covid thing over there was disgraceful.
im from canada
 

KindlyCutTheCrap

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I lived in Perth for about 3 years. Lot of sunshine there. At least 8 or 9 months of sunshine.

I left because my visa ran out and I over stayed my welcome as I didn't want to return to Ireland. Ireland was still effected from the 2008 recession so I didn't want to go home . If I could of stayed I would have but some part of me is glad I didn't stay because the whole covid thing over there was disgraceful.
Ah, that's why the stats find the main cohort of illegal immigrants in Australia are Brits & Irish who outstay their visas :)
 
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David Fitz

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Finally making the move in January. Starting in Algarve, Portugal. I was told there's an NHR scheme where you can pay very little tax. I'm taking a bit of a risk as I'm stopping my cleaning business and starting my digital marketing agency.
 

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I think I commented here before about how positive my move to Phoenix was.

Well, I've just moved to a colder place again and I'm finding it to be positive as well.

I joined a group of guys who jump in the lake every morning 630am. Last Thursday it was 18F outside when we got in.

It's been nice watching the leaves fall and the seasons change. I also love running in the cold and rain.

Looking forward to a long snowy season. I just discovered what "snow bikes" are. :)
 

Nomads

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Finally making the move in January. Starting in Algarve, Portugal. I was told there's an NHR scheme where you can pay very little tax. I'm taking a bit of a risk as I'm stopping my cleaning business and starting my digital marketing agency.
I live in the Algarve right now and it is a fantastic place having come from the freezing depths of Canada. Walking around in shorts & a t-shirt (during the day only) in November is quite a game changer.

I do want to give you a heads-up that the NHR is supposed to end by 2024. The Portuguese government has completely flipped the script on foreigners and the country is not overly beneficial for them anymore. The government was under immense pressure from the local Portuguese to end the "housing crisis" here. They've chosen to ignore many other failures in the government and direct the blame towards remote worker/digital nomad types. Unfortunately without the NHR tax rates are terrible and hard to justify as you do not get much benefit from the high taxation.

If you are somehow able to get your residency in 2023 and apply for the NHR you will apparently retain it for 10 years. Take this all as you will, the government is known to flip-flop on this stuff a lot, but this is the way it seems to be going.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
 
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David Fitz

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I live in the Algarve right now and it is a fantastic place having come from the freezing depths of Canada. Walking around in shorts & a t-shirt (during the day only) in November is quite a game changer.

I do want to give you a heads-up that the NHR is supposed to end by 2024. The Portuguese government has completely flipped the script on foreigners and the country is not overly beneficial for them anymore. The government was under immense pressure from the local Portuguese to end the "housing crisis" here. They've chosen to ignore many other failures in the government and direct the blame towards remote worker/digital nomad types. Unfortunately without the NHR tax rates are terrible and hard to justify as you do not get much benefit from the high taxation.

If you are somehow able to get your residency in 2023 and apply for the NHR you will apparently retain it for 10 years. Take this all as you will, the government is known to flip-flop on this stuff a lot, but this is the way it seems to be going.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Thanks. Thats the sort of lifestyle I'm looking for.

I've heard all that but I'm hoping they won't go ahead with it. If not I'm just going to have to move around every 6 months between Portugal and Spain and keep the business in Ireland.

I don't think foreigners are to blame for a housing a crisis. We have one here in Ireland aswell and it seems to be all over Europe.
 

Nomads

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Thanks. Thats the sort of lifestyle I'm looking for.

I've heard all that but I'm hoping they won't go ahead with it. If not I'm just going to have to move around every 6 months between Portugal and Spain and keep the business in Ireland.

I don't think foreigners are to blame for a housing a crisis. We have one here in Ireland aswell and it seems to be all over Europe.
An important note about the lifestyle in the Algarve - the place is retirement central, especially during the winter. Before I moved here I thought it was an exaggeration, but it is very true. Everywhere I go during this time of year I am one of (if not the) youngest people there, and I am not even that young. Doesn't bother me as I'm engaged and settled down, but some people aren't the biggest fan of it.

Would definitely look into Spain. I've heard they have a favourable tax regime in place, or they intend to put one in place. It seems they are interested in capitalizing on the money that Portugal is pushing away.

The housing crisis is everywhere, it was the same in Canada too. I think Portugal has just been particularly affected due to the terrible wages & rapid rise to fame in the "digital nomad" world.
 

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I will definitely say that being under the sun will definitely make you more motivated and energized. Even if you don't have access to sunlight, vitamin d supplements or a sunlight lamp can definitely help.
 
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David Fitz

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An important note about the lifestyle in the Algarve - the place is retirement central, especially during the winter. Before I moved here I thought it was an exaggeration, but it is very true. Everywhere I go during this time of year I am one of (if not the) youngest people there, and I am not even that young. Doesn't bother me as I'm engaged and settled down, but some people aren't the biggest fan of it.

Would definitely look into Spain. I've heard they have a favourable tax regime in place, or they intend to put one in place. It seems they are interested in capitalizing on the money that Portugal is pushing away.

The housing crisis is everywhere, it was the same in Canada too. I think Portugal has just been particularly affected due to the terrible wages & rapid rise to fame in the "digital nomad" world.

We're still not sure where we're going to move to yet. It's a toss between Spain and Portugal.

Spain seems like a better economy and where things happen in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and even Marbella/Malaga.
 

Paul David

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We're still not sure where we're going to move to yet. It's a toss between Spain and Portugal.

Spain seems like a better economy and where things happen in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and even Marbella/Malaga.
yes my preference is Spain. Although its on hold for now due to children's ages.
 

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We're still not sure where we're going to move to yet. It's a toss between Spain and Portugal.

Spain seems like a better economy and where things happen in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and even Marbella/Malaga.

I'd probably have taken Spain as well for the economic benefits, larger population and warmer sea/weather overall. Portugal was our only option coming from Canada since my fiancee could get her citizenship by descent.

Portugal has a lot happening especially in Lisbon/Porto. The Algarve is thriving all over from April - October. The main cities such as Portimao, Lagos, and Faro all still have a lot to do even in the winter, but you need to get involved locally to find the good spots.

The big bonus Portugal has is safety. It's shocking how peaceful and safe it feels vs Canada where you need to watch your every step nowadays. I believe it is the second (?) safest country in the world at the moment.
 
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MTF

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Spain is way better than Portugal. It's a much bigger country with better infrastructure. Spanish is way easier to learn. The country is way more diverse geographically and culturally. People are super friendly and mostly chill.

You can spend summers on the cooler northern coast and winters in the south or in the Canary Islands.

The biggest disadvantage are the squatters. You need to know what you're doing if you want to own property there.
 

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David Fitz

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Spain is way better than Portugal. It's a much bigger country with better infrastructure. Spanish is way easier to learn. The country is way more diverse geographically and culturally. People are super friendly and mostly chill.

You can spend summers on the cooler northern coast and winters in the south or in the Canary Islands.

The biggest disadvantage are the squatters. You need to know what you're doing if you want to own property there.

Are you living in Spain or did you live there?

I've always felt Spain was more advanced than Portugal.

My plan b would be to start a cleaning business in one of those countries and Spain seems like a better place to do that because of the over all population and infrastructure.
 

MTF

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Are you living in Spain or did you live there?

I've always felt Spain was more advanced than Portugal.

My plan b would be to start a cleaning business in one of those countries and Spain seems like a better place to do that because of the over all population and infrastructure.

I've been to Spain at least 15 times all over the country and cumulatively spent there at least six months.

Lived may be an overstatement for some but I spent six weeks living in southern Spain and about two months hopping between all the Canary Islands.

I think you could do extremely well offering cleaning services in Marbella or anywhere on Costa del Sol.
 

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