Kickass places to live?

[Doggcow]

So, I've been doing the job hunting thing for about a year now, still not having too much luck. Given that I'm 24, have a degree, some funds, and absolutely nothing tying me down, I'm considering on adventuring for the next few years.

I've essentially lived in the Seattle Area all my life, and while I love the pale ladies (I really do) I want to do something exciting with my life.

I've been considering Europe quite extensively as well.

No holds barred. Those that have traveled lots, I would love to hear your opinion.

Also tips on jobs/living in said places would help quite a bit. My lease is up in August, hoping to have a nice solid plan by then.

[Miss I.]

Well a few questions for you in terms of what are you looking to do exactly? Are you looking just to travel or do you want to settle down with a job in one place for a bit? Just curious. I love living in England, except the weather is not the greatest, but it's kind of similar to Seattle's weather in many regards. It does lack real mountains like Rainier of course. But then again, England is a good base to travel to other European countries from that do have gorgeous mountains. England and the UK in general are gorgeous too, it's just different. I came from Denver and am fundamentally a SoCal and SoAz baby, but love the differences.

As far as my job I basically am with the same company I was before I left, but am on a temporary assignment to their UK branch, but will return in a year. I can't really help you much in that regard, but the UK does do a lot of job fairs. There are a lot of exPat Americans in London, many in the financial sector so that's one way to go if that's your background. Whatever you do if you decide to live in a foreign country, it would be best to already have your job and Visa or it could be tough. But I suppose that's a bit obvious. You might try hitting up any of the actual UK natives if the UK is your probable destination. I think we also have some German members on the board who might be able to help. My hope is to get another foreign assignment to Germany next. It's an amazing place.

Good luck whatever or wherever you end up. You only live once and I highly recommend trying foreign travels for those who are able. I only wish I'd done it when I was younger.

[elsid13]

Dude, go for it but have plan what you want to do and be prepared for **** happening. Remember if head to Europe to work you will need a work visa if plan to make some money.

[Requiem]

Steven, lets take Germany by storm. Holland preferably. I can be your translator for German and Miss I. can take us around England.

Lots of UKers skiing up in CO right now. Great people and they tip like ballers and always say, "Cheers mate!"

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Miss I.

Well a few questions for you in terms of what are you looking to do exactly? Are you looking just to travel or do you want to settle down with a job in one place for a bit? Just curious. I love living in England, except the weather is not the greatest, but it's kind of similar to Seattle's weather in many regards. It does lack real mountains like Rainier of course. But then again, England is a good base to travel to other European countries from that do have gorgeous mountains. England and the UK in general are gorgeous too, it's just different. I came from Denver and am fundamentally a SoCal and SoAz baby, but love the differences.

As far as my job I basically am with the same company I was before I left, but am on a temporary assignment to their UK branch, but will return in a year. I can't really help you much in that regard, but the UK does do a lot of job fairs. There are a lot of exPat Americans in London, many in the financial sector so that's one way to go if that's your background. Whatever you do if you decide to live in a foreign country, it would be best to already have your job and Visa or it could be tough. But I suppose that's a bit obvious. You might try hitting up any of the actual UK natives if the UK is your probable destination. I think we also have some German members on the board who might be able to help. My hope is to get another foreign assignment to Germany next. It's an amazing place.

Good luck whatever or wherever you end up. You only live once and I highly recommend trying foreign travels for those who are able. I only wish I'd done it when I was younger.

Well given the state of my job search right now, I don't really mind bouncing around and just traveling.

I'm not worried about a family or debt at the moment, so something career wise would be awesome, but I'm fine with living paycheck to paycheck (since I'm doing that here anyway).

My pseudo-plan so far (Since I just started considering this last week) is to leave my car and all of my stuff here in the states, and leave with just my dog, cash, and a suitcase of clothes/whathaveyou. I've heard hostels can be quite affordable by the night/week, so that was my initial plan, if I didn't have something lined up for living. I assume I'll just be traveling most of the time, so my feet will get a good workout and I don't really need much else. Worst case scenario I see (Barring hostel III of course), I come back with a few grand in debt and I'm the same place I was last year, no biggy.

Oh I think I forgot to note, hotness of the women should be on the grading scale as well

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Steven, lets take Germany by storm. Holland preferably. I can be your translator for German and Miss I. can take us around England.

Lots of UKers skiing up in CO right now. Great people and they tip like ballers and always say, "Cheers mate!"

I'm down. My lease is up in August, hoping to have a plan in place by then. Given no one gets pregnant.

[Miss I.]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

Well given the state of my job search right now, I don't really mind bouncing around and just traveling.

I'm not worried about a family or debt at the moment, so something career wise would be awesome, but I'm fine with living paycheck to paycheck (since I'm doing that here anyway).

My pseudo-plan so far (Since I just started considering this last week) is to leave my car and all of my stuff here in the states, and leave with just my dog, cash, and a suitcase of clothes/whathaveyou. I've heard hostels can be quite affordable by the night/week, so that was my initial plan, if I didn't have something lined up for living. I assume I'll just be traveling most of the time, so my feet will get a good workout and I don't really need much else. Worst case scenario I see (Barring hostel III of course), I come back with a few grand in debt and I'm the same place I was last year, no biggy.

Oh I think I forgot to note, hotness of the women should be on the grading scale as well

Well if you do get a job, you do need to have a work visa. You can't stay for long without one. Not sure how it all works because my job set that up. Regarding the dog, you need to look into that because it can be quite a process bringing an animal over, there is a required quarantine time and you should be sure the dog is healthy enough for the whole thing.

Regarding money, while your credit and debit cards will work over here most of the time, they do a chip and pin system in their cards and some places won't take anything that doesn't have that, but to be honest usually they will, but you have to tell them you are using a swipe card and that you don't have chip and pin. If you have Bank of America, they have a sister bank over here, called Barclays that won't charge you to withdraw money, though of course it will likely charge you exchange from dollars to whatever currency you are using. Right now the dollar is weak against both the British pound and the Euro. I'd suggest some sites like oanda.com for information on exchanges, etc and you might be able to work something out with your bank. You will need to tell them you are going to be over here or they may prevent you from using your cards.

As for hotness, well, UK girls are uh probably more like American girls in general, some are lovely, some are not. They do have larger breasts than the rest of europe on average apparently and they do like having naked chicks on page 6 of the Sun or something like that. I work with horndogs I swear... The UK is getting heavier in the same way the US is, but again younger girls in their 20s are still pretty petite usually and dress like hookers so there's that.

French women by and large are probably the prettiest, but one must not discount the Swedish ladies either. But if you are in a major city like London or Paris it's a big mix of cultures anyway.

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Miss I.

Well if you do get a job, you do need to have a work visa. You can't stay for long without one. Not sure how it all works because my job set that up. Regarding the dog, you need to look into that because it can be quite a process bringing an animal over, there is a required quarantine time and you should be sure the dog is healthy enough for the whole thing.

Regarding money, while your credit and debit cards will work over here most of the time, they do a chip and pin system in their cards and some places won't take anything that doesn't have that, but to be honest usually they will, but you have to tell them you are using a swipe card and that you don't have chip and pin. If you have Bank of America, they have a sister bank over here, called Barclays that won't charge you to withdraw money, though of course it will likely charge you exchange from dollars to whatever currency you are using. Right now the dollar is weak against both the British pound and the Euro. I'd suggest some sites like oanda.com for information on exchanges, etc and you might be able to work something out with your bank. You will need to tell them you are going to be over here or they may prevent you from using your cards.

As for hotness, well, UK girls are uh probably more like American girls in general, some are lovely, some are not. They do have larger breasts than the rest of europe on average apparently and they do like having naked chicks on page 6 of the Sun or something like that. I work with horndogs I swear... The UK is getting heavier in the same way the US is, but again younger girls in their 20s are still pretty petite usually and dress like hookers so there's that.

French women by and large are probably the prettiest, but one must not discount the Swedish ladies either. But if you are in a major city like London or Paris it's a big mix of cultures anyway.

Ok I'm in.

[Bronco Yoda]

Maybe try cruise ship employment. Good way to travel and see where you might want to land.

JMO but if you're from Seattle, I'd go for something warmer and cheerier than the U.K.

[Meck77]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

and leave with just my dog, cash, and a suitcase of clothes/whathaveyou. I've heard hostels can be quite affordable by the night/week, so that was my initial plan, if I didn't have something lined up for living. I assume I'll just be traveling most of the time, so my feet will get a good workout and I don't really need much else. Worst case scenario I see (Barring hostel III of course), I come back with a few grand in debt and I'm the same place I was last year, no biggy.

Oh I think I forgot to note, hotness of the women should be on the grading scale as well

I did this twice in europe as a younger lad. Two full summers. Had the advantage of having family in multiple countries out there. I certainly understand the friendship of a dog but I just can't see how realistic that really would be. That pooch would cost you a lot in extra fees and really limit your ability to travel freely. Just something to consider.

If you can swing it do it now because that type of freedom will be harder to find later.

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Bronco Yoda

Maybe try cruise ship employment. Good way to travel and see where you might want to land.

JMO but if you're from Seattle, I'd go for something warmer and cheerier than the U.K.

I honestly quite like the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Florida for about 6 years and it wasn't as much my speed.

I also like the scene girls, they're yum.

I think in the long run I'll probably end up back over here, if no career pops up.

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Meck77

I did this twice in europe as a younger lad. Two full summers. Had the advantage of having family in multiple countries out there. I certainly understand the friendship of a dog but I just can't see how realistic that really would be. That pooch would cost you a lot in extra fees and really limit your ability to travel freely. Just something to consider.

If you can swing it do it now because that type of freedom will be harder to find later.

Yeah, one thing I'm not budging on is my dog. He is my responsibility and I love that little guy more than anything on the planet. He's a stellar wingman too. He's super easy living-wise too, chill, doesn't destroy ****, never makes noise. But he's definitely sticking with me, no question about that. I've even had a few girls try to run him out; yes, I do love him more than you, later!

[Miss I.]

oh yeah one other thing to consider this summer is the Olympics in London. This place is going to be a madhouse and quite expensive so while I highly recommend doing the European tour, be aware of that. And yes the UK is less sun soaked then doing stuff in the Med, but it's a gorgeous country and if you hit things like Scotland and Ireland right (say in May) the weather is better and days longer.

Europe also has mad vacation times. I work with the Belgian and they basically shut down for country wide vacation the last 2 weeks of July. Basically July through August everyone's on vacation.

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Miss I.

oh yeah one other thing to consider this summer is the Olympics in London. This place is going to be a madhouse and quite expensive so while I highly recommend doing the European tour, be aware of that. And yes the UK is less sun soaked then doing stuff in the Med, but it's a gorgeous country and if you hit things like Scotland and Ireland right (say in May) the weather is better and days longer.

Europe also has mad vacation times. I work with the Belgian and they basically shut down for country wide vacation the last 2 weeks of July. Basically July through August everyone's on vacation.

Oh ****, that'll probably cost like infinity dollars then. Guess I'll target somewhere else initially.

Or Req could come up with something, and then I may end up totally bailing on him again. <3

I did just find a cute valentine though, gotta chase that whole hopeless romantic thing for a bit, so fair warning if I can't talk her into it too buddy!

[Requiem]

Lets teach English overseas and get some hotties.

[lonestar]

FWIW a general rule is the Brits have lousy teeth, your Dog could be quarantined for months.. You also may have a quarantine from country to country also..

Unless you know your going to stay leave him in the states with parents or some one as a loaner.. It will be real expensive to transport him to europe also airline charge an arm and a leg..

Lots of countries will not give you a Work visa unless you have a job before you come over.. Something you would want to contact those countries you plan on visit ask about visas and your dog there are consulates throughout the US and I'd think many would have them in SEA..

You may want to look at Canada the eastern part if your looking for speaking french..

western part if your looking for America north..

the cost of living in Europe it also on the moon, so long term you could be in trouble.

Not so sure that hostels will take dogs either. something you may want to check out..

Australia or New Zealand could be a new frontier for you, kind of the best of old Europe and America.

[alkemical]

My buddy is just getting back from Antarctica.

[Meck77]

Originally Posted by lonestar

FWIW a general rule is the Brits have lousy teeth, your Dog could be quarantined for months.. You also may have a quarantine from country to country also..

Unless you know your going to stay leave him in the states with parents or some one as a loaner.. It will be real expensive to transport him to europe also airline charge an arm and a leg..

Lots of countries will not give you a Work visa unless you have a job before you come over.. Something you would want to contact those countries you plan on visit ask about visas and your dog there are consulates throughout the US and I'd think many would have them in SEA..

You may want to look at Canada the eastern part if your looking for speaking french..

western part if your looking for America north..

the cost of living in Europe it also on the moon, so long term you could be in trouble.

Not so sure that hostels will take dogs either. something you may want to check out..

Australia or New Zealand could be a new frontier for you, kind of the best of old Europe and America.

I heard it's about $2,000 to get a dog to Australia. Very long quarantine process also. I really like my dog also. So much I wouldn't dare shove his ass in with freight in the belly of a jumbo jet for the 30 or so hrs of flight time from the west coast of the USA to Europe and back.

Dogcow do what you gotta do man. Good luck!

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Meck77

I heard it's about $2,000 to get a dog to Australia. Very long quarantine process also. I really like my dog also. So much I wouldn't dare shove his ass in with freight in the belly of a jumbo jet for the 30 or so hrs of flight time from the west coast of the USA to Europe and back.

Dogcow do what you gotta do man. Good luck!

I -think- I could swing a walk on with him. He's small enough to fit in a bag on my lap, doesn't struggle or make noise or anything. Not super small though (25lbs abut 2 feet long)but I'd just b**** until they let me/find a flight that would. Yes, that's another factor as well.

[lonestar]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

I -think- I could swing a walk on with him. He's small enough to fit in a bag on my lap, doesn't struggle or make noise or anything. Not super small though (25lbs abut 2 feet long)but I'd just b**** until they let me/find a flight that would. Yes, that's another factor as well.

most airlines either will not allow or discourage in cabin pets on long flights.

to big a distraction for the other passengers, if they do it is still a huge expense of a kennel in the cabin.. Most dogs larger than a terrier 12 inches tall are not allowed in the cabin.. they are supposed to be able to stand up and turn around in their kennel..
That said I have a Weimaraner that can get pretty small when she curls up into the small doggie bed.. about 24" square.
I doubt seriously that they would allow your pup in the cabin from what you say size wise and they monitor those flights very well.


plus all the extra paper work you need to bring one in to/from a foreign flight.
.

Since you have to go through customs when you get there and it is a sterile area (no contact with outside world) that means perhaps another 1-3 hours before your pup can take a leak or crap.

Airlines get fined for not following the countries rules so they are very vigilant.





Many years ago when I moved to up state New York from Denver it was about $800.00 to ship my Saint Bernard.

[Bronco Yoda]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

Yeah, one thing I'm not budging on is my dog. He is my responsibility and I love that little guy more than anything on the planet. He's a stellar wingman too. He's super easy living-wise too, chill, doesn't destroy ****, never makes noise. But he's definitely sticking with me, no question about that. I've even had a few girls try to run him out; yes, I do love him more than you, later!

I'm a dog ownder. I feel ya.... but you're only young once. It speeds by so fast.

This is your time to walkabout.

Seize the damn moment!!!!!!!

Don't let a dog dictate your life man.

[Miss I.]

Originally Posted by Doggcow

I -think- I could swing a walk on with him. He's small enough to fit in a bag on my lap, doesn't struggle or make noise or anything. Not super small though (25lbs abut 2 feet long)but I'd just b**** until they let me/find a flight that would. Yes, that's another factor as well.

some stuff I found on bringing pets if you want to do this, you really need to read it and do it

http://london.usembassy.gov/ukpets.html

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/pet/public/en_gb

http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv..._pet/index.jsp

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Miss I.

French women by and large are probably the prettiest, but one must not discount the Swedish ladies either.

I take it you've never been to Italy or Spain?

Oh well - eye of the beholder, I guess.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

I take it you've never been to Italy or Spain?

Oh well - eye of the beholder, I guess.

I was sitting at a table at an outdoor cafe near the Forum in Roma, when a taxi pulled up and four women got out, tall, Italian, dressed like only European women dress...

they were so amazing I almost fell over.

[Doggcow]

Originally Posted by Bronco Yoda

I'm a dog ownder. I feel ya.... but you're only young once. It speeds by so fast.

This is your time to walkabout.

Seize the damn moment!!!!!!!

Don't let a dog dictate your life man.

He's my responsibility. No way in hell am I giving him up, or going anywhere without him. I decided to let him dictate my life, when I brought him into it.

Plus he's like 60% of my game, man.

So, I think Europe is pretty much off the table because of that. Guess I'll stick with the US.