Latest news with #movingabroad
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Hollywood star's ‘nepo-niece' begs for a job and admits she's unemployed after ‘stupid' decision to move to London
AN A-list Hollywood star's niece is begging for a job after making a "stupid" decision to move from Australia to London. Lucia Hawley, 26, quit her gig as a host of digital show 7Bravo before moving to the UK. 4 She's yet to land a job in Blighty but insists the big life change feels "freeing". She wrote on Substack, "On June 18, I officially made the move to London. On paper, this is a totally stupid decision, and honestly, frightens me (someone hire me pls). 'I am risk-averse, which means my body quite literally rejects the idea of both moving overseas being unemployed.' Lucia, whose auntie is Nicole Kidman, left her boyfriend, Henry, Down Under though spoke glowingly of his unwavering support and the way he has shaped her view of the world. She wrote, 'Saying goodbye to Henry was incredibly difficult (I am traumatized by airport goodbyes). Even harder were the goodbyes to my family — I kissed my little brothers through floods of tears,' 'It is exciting and freeing and kind of what life is all about. I believe home to be a feeling… Having a strong network of people who support you is what truly enables you to navigate the world with confidence and self-assurance.' Bachelor star Bella Varelis has replaced Lucia on 7Bravo, on which she would regularly report from red carpet events and interview famous names. Explaining why she decided to leave the role, Lucia said, "Well, truthfully, the first six months of the year were difficult for me career-wise. "I lacked direction and faced numerous rejections in the pursuit of something better. This period was pretty taxing on my confidence, and I eventually began to feel like there was just simply not much left for me in Sydney (at least for now)." Last year Lucia went viral for getting flustered while chatting to Elvis heartthrob Austin Butler. Nicole Kidman breaks down in tears making emotional tribute to her late parents as she accepts prestigious award The charismatic American fired off a series of questions and asked if they'd met before as she looked familiar. And more recently she was snapped looking annoyed after missing out on an interview with Ariana Grande at the Sydney premiere of Wicked. The TV star, who once had an internship at Vogue Australia, has experience of being on the other side of the carpet rope due to her close relationship with Kidman. Last year she attended the actress's AFI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony in LA and six months later she reportedly spent time at Kidman's Nashville home. An emotional Kidman was presented her AFI award by Meryl Streep, herself a recipient in 2004. Speaking at the ceremony, she said, 'It is a privilege to make films. And glorious to have made films and television with these storytellers who allowed me to run wild and be free and play all of these unconventional women. 'Thank you for making me better at my craft and giving me a place, however temporary, in this world.' 4 4
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
We're a Scottish couple living in Spain... here are the REAL reasons people move back to the UK
A Scottish couple living in Spain has revealed the real reasons people head back to the UK. Barry and Karen Livingstone moved to the sunny shores of Torrevieja in 2020 'after years of dreaming about it'. Following in the footsteps of thousands of Brits, the pair have adapted well to the more laid back Iberian lifestyle and insist it is the 'best move we have ever made'. But now, taking to their popular YouTube channel Scottish Couple In Spain, the Scots have delved into their experience of people heading the opposite way to them and shed light on the main issues that drive them back. Walking their beloved springer spaniel across the Santa Pola promenade, just half an hour drive up the coast from their new home, Barry and Karen started off by insisting there were a variety of reasons Brits realise paradise is not for them. A key factor, though, is money. Often those who head there are dealt the brutal truth that the Spanish dream is not financially sustainable. Karen pointed out that homesickness also plays a part, with many missing their friends and family while out there. Barry admitted that family often piled on some added 'pressure' when it comes to decision-making, especially if a spouse dies. But now, taking to their popular YouTube channel Scottish Couple In Spain, the Scots have delved into their experience of people heading the opposite way to them This has hit particularly close to home for the Scottish couple, who have gone to four funerals since their move five years ago. 'I think some people can find it quite isolating if they've lost a partner,' Karen added. 'That's quite a common one, particularly as there is an older generation of Brits who have been out here for a number of years. It's starting to affect a lot more people now. A large portion of expats in Spain have been there for more than two decades, Barry observed, and many are left unsure whether they want to die and be buried away from home. He claimed that while some of the people heading back to the UK were of working age, most were pensioners. And of the members of their slightly younger age group who moved out with them during Covid, Barry calculated that around half had already gone home. The move also sometimes falls through when health issues emerge and Brits feel uncomfortable with the quality of Spanish hospitals, particularly with the added inconvenience of a language barrier. She said: 'We know many people who have gone home for health reasons because they need more healthcare in their later years and they would rather be back in the UK where things are familiar and everything is easy to understand.' Would they ever rethink things and return home? The weather, which has improved their mental health, as well as the cost of living and a less materialistic population were mentioned as the main positives of living in the country 'Safe to say "no", definitely not in the plans,' Karen said. 'I think we have planned pretty well for the future. We have got good plans in place for retirement, we're quite comfortable with the public health system here - I think it's fantastic.' She added that, in summary, there was nothing at all pushing them back to the UK. Besides, their family and friends prefer it that way, now able to stay with them in sunny Spain during holidays, they joked. The weather, which has improved their mental health, as well as the cost of living and a less materialistic population were mentioned as the main positives of living in the country. As if to prove the point, they then showed a panoramic view of Santa Pola's sandy swathes of beaches, sun-kissed even in November when they filmed the video.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
She ditched New York for Paris at the age of 79 and says it's the best decision she's ever made
(Mary Jane Wilkie, pictured in in Paris in 2024, moved from New York to Paris in 2021 and says she's loves her new life in the French capital. Matthew Holler via CNN Newsource) She first traveled to Paris when she was 21, and nearly six decades later, Mary Jane Wilkie decided that it was finally time to move to the French capital for good. In December 2021, Mary Jane, who was 79 at the time, relocated from New York to Paris to start afresh. She's been living, and working, in the City of Love ever since and has no intention of returning to the US. 'Ultimately, I knew that I didn't want to say on my deathbed, 'I always wanted to move to France but didn't','' Mary Jane tells CNN Travel. 'Once you know what you don't want to say on your deathbed, you know what to do with your life.' No regrets While she grew up in Texas, Mary Jane, who works as an independent contractor, was eager to leave at a young age. 'I have a loving family and all that,' says Mary Jane. 'But there were just other horizons beckoning.' She traveled to France in 1963, spending a year studying at the Sorbonne University in Paris. 'I was confident that I could get a job, and study French,' Mary Jane explains. 'And so I did that.' When she 'found an opportunity in South America,' a destination she'd be been keen to visit for a while, Mary Jane traveled from Lisbon, Portugal to Buenos Aires, Argentina by boat. She went on to live in various Latin American countries, including Bolivia and Paraguay, developing a 'near-native proficiency in Spanish.' Mary Jane eventually ended up in New York, where she began shape note singing, a form of American choral music developed in the early 19th century. 'There are no rehearsals, no performances,' Mary Jane explains. 'We simply meet and sing, and everyone is welcome. 'The sound is not refined, but it's strong, and people either hate it or love it. I'm one of the latter.' Mary Jane was drawn back to Paris around a decade ago after traveling to France for singing opportunities and making many friends there. 'New York City is great,' she says. 'But at different stages of your life you want different things. 'So the fantasy kind of took shape, and I thought, 'Well, I think I'd like to move to France.'' She would travel to France at least twice a year, and spent a lot of time getting to know the European country with her 'singing buddies.' 'I thought, 'Oh my, I kind of like it here,'' she says, adding that she 'wanted more quiet' and felt that New York was 'getting louder.' 'I made friends, and I liked the food.' After returning from an extended trip to the city, Mary Jane decided to bite the bullet and begin the process of relocating from New York to Paris. 'I sold my apartment for a very nice price,' she says. 'Not enough to buy an apartment in Paris. But here we are.' Settling in Rather than retiring, Mary Jane chose to continue working remotely from the French capital, explaining that she enjoys her job as an independent contractor, which involves interviewing job candidates, immensely and has no plans to stop working. 'I've been doing this the longest I've ever done anything,' she says. 'Because I've never been bored… 'Candidates are interesting. They tell me stories, and maybe I'm just nosy. But it's a window into America.' In December 2021, Mary Jane flew to Paris to start a new life. Her family and friends were hugely supportive of her decision. 'I am fortunate to have a family whose members like it when each of us is doing what makes us happy,' she says. However, Mary Jane suffered a setback early on, as her age made renting an apartment much harder. 'There's a law in France that (states that) a landlord cannot evict a tenant aged 80 or over,' she explains. 'So if you're 75 or over, they start to hesitate. That's why I was having a problem… And I couldn't have known that (before).' Thankfully, she was able to rent a one-bedroom apartment. Although her move to Paris happened to coincide with the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought about international border closures and lockdowns across the globe, Mary Jane points out that this didn't impact her experience in a negative way. 'That (the pandemic) gave me time to explore even more and work on my French,' she says, describing how she would watch old French movies and songs. 'Not only the language, but the associations. That's what really makes your life rich.' But Mary Jane's first few months in Paris proved to be tougher than she expected, as although she'd spent a lot of time in the city previously, she found shifting from being a visitor to a resident something of a challenge. 'My metaphor is finding the right laundry detergent,' she adds. 'Because friends would say, 'Are you going to a lot of museums?' 'And I would say, 'No, I'm trying to find the right laundry detergent.' Because when you're a tourist, you don't have to do all those things.' Mary Jane goes on to explain that it took her a little while to figure out where to get many of the food and products that she liked. 'Things aren't where you expect them to be,' she adds. Eventually, she was able to find almost everything she needed, including the right laundry detergent. But there's been at least one thing that she's had to live without — kale. 'I'm very disappointed about that,' she says, explaining that she's only been able to find the leafy green vegetable in Paris a couple of times. 'I love kale, but I found a substitute.' Forming connections Once she had an internet connection and computer set up for work and found a church to her liking, and, Mary Jane says she felt ready to take on Paris. She found it relatively easy to meet people as she's a 'pretty chatty person.' However, Mary Jane says she realized early on that she'd have to adjust her approach slightly when starting conversations with locals. 'I learned if you're going to interact with someone, the first words out of your mouth are 'Bonjour,'' she says, noting that she's found that people in France prefer to exchange pleasantries before being asked a specific question. 'A soldier taught me that when I was in a train station in Lyon and needed the toilet.' While she notes that there are many cultural differences between the US and France, Mary Jane stresses that she hasn't had much trouble adapting. However, she concedes that she finds the customer service in France to be lacking somewhat. 'I have many negative things I can say about America,' she adds. 'But Americans understand customer service. 'The French are a little bit behind. So I just learned to change my expectations. 'They're not going to change for me, so I just realized that they're not going to be as efficient in responding to me as a customer. But that's the way it is. Mary Jane also feels that people in France have different spatial boundaries than those she was accustomed to in New York. 'People looking for something at the supermarket here, would stand more closely than they would in the US,' she says, noting that she experienced this in Latin America also. 'So I just had to adjust my expectations and realize that they weren't creeps. They were just being French people.' Mary Jane loves the Parisian lifestyle and says she's still amazed by how 'pretty' the city is. 'They have their new ugly buildings as well,' she says. 'But they're still nice.' Now 82, Mary Jane notes that many of her new friends in Paris are significantly younger than her, but this hasn't proved to be an issue at all. 'Some of the people I know are my age,' she adds. 'My cheesemonger is about 50, and he's going to introduce me to his grandmother, who is my age. 'And I have some of my other singing buddies who are about 10 years younger than I am. Some of the other singing people are 20 years younger. There's a whole variety.' 'Simple needs' While she hasn't really noticed much of a difference in the cost of living in France, Mary Jane, who lives in Issy-les-Moulineaux, in southwestern Paris, points out that she initially wanted to buy an apartment there, but ultimately couldn't afford it. 'At least not in a neighborhood where I would live,' she adds. 'That was a surprise to me. 'Although apartment ownership is another kind of bureaucratic nightmare. 'So maybe I'll just be a renter… I have simple needs at this point in my life. That's one of the advantages. I have simple needs, and I know what I want.' Mary Jane has a Carte Vitale ID card, which covers most of her medical costs, but admits that she 'avoids doctors like the plague,' unless it's 'for injury or things like that.' She explains that she's been practicing yoga daily for around 30 years and feels that this has helped her physical health tremendously. 'I do it so that I don't end up, like a lot of people my age,' she adds. 'Unable to do anything except sit in front of the television with the remote… And so far, touch wood, I can move. And I can see.' Mary Jane has published a book, 'Bodies Speak Truth: So listen up!' which details the practices she's developed for her health care and physical wellbeing. 'I'm an educator at heart and believe that what I've learned will be useful to others,' she says. 'The book traces how I came to value my own intuition.' When it comes to the language, Mary Jane admits that, while she's still 'stronger in Spanish,' her French has improved, and her confidence has grown over time. Mary Jane tries to practice her French as much as possible, stressing, 'I don't have decades ahead of me to master' the language. 'The phrase, 'She speaks French,' is meaningless, because it says nothing about level,' she says. 'There's reading comprehension. There's listening comprehension. There's talking. There's all these different categories. 'The fact that you can order in a restaurant, do your shopping and take public transportation doesn't mean you can address the Assemblée nationale (one of the houses of the Parliament of France).' Although she still enjoys her job considerably, Mary Jane doesn't work full time anymore, and feels that she has a good work/life balance. 'I get my social security (payments). I worked hard for it,' she says. 'I mean, I'm 82 years old, if I hadn't learned how to balance that by now. I mean, God help me… 'I was telling my client the other day, 'As long as we have our sight and our hearing, we can do this until we drop dead.' So that's the plan.' After nearly four years in France, Mary Jane, who currently has a renewable Carte de Séjour residence permit, feels at home in the European country and plans to apply for French citizenship in a few years time. 'I don't tend to go back to the States,' she says. 'Except, God forbid, (if there's) a death in the family. 'People say, 'Oh, so are you going home for the holidays?' No, home is where I am. I'm here.' Looking back on her decision to move to Paris at the age of 79, Mary Jane says that she doesn't necessarily think of this as a brave move, but a necessary one. 'People say, 'Oh, at your age, it's very courageous to move to France,'' she says. 'But it's not courageous. Courage means that you have fear. You're afraid, but you're able to act anyway. I wasn't afraid.' Article written by Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Telegraph
‘I retired in Canada for a better quality of life – but I do miss British humour'
This is part of a series about retiring abroad: how people have done it and practical advice for anyone who is considering it. Have you retired abroad? We'd like to hear from you – get in touch at: money@ When David Clark-Wilson visited Canada for a work trip in 1994, he never imagined he would end up retiring there. Less than a year after his 11-day visit, he and his wife Judy, along with their daughter Charlotte, then nine, and son Oliver, seven, moved from their home in Woking, Surrey to Vancouver, on Canada's west coast. 'We wanted more space, fewer people, less congestion and less busyness,' he says. 'The schools were good, and there was a nice community. We didn't necessarily think we would stay.' Clark-Wilson worked as a business consultant in England before buying a health and hair company in Canada, and later starting an LED lighting company. 'I was 43, had a lovely family, and the pound was double the Canadian dollar, so we rented a house in the mountains with a pool for about £2,000 a month,' he says. Decades later, he is now 73, and has made the decision to stay put and retire in Vancouver. For Clark-Wilson, the appeal of Canada was instantly obvious: 'It's beautiful. There are mountains, trails and beaches – you can be skiing in the morning and swimming in the ocean by the afternoon.' Having children in school made it easier to make friends, and the family quickly settled into their new life. But then tragedy struck – a year after arriving, Judy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died aged 41. 'Suddenly, I was in a foreign country with two children and no family support. It was a very difficult time,' said Clark-Wilson. However, he decided it was better to stay in Canada than uproot again. Clark-Wilson now lives in West Vancouver, with a large garden overlooking the ocean. He plays table tennis several times a week, and teaches the sport to children. He also plays cricket and is writing a novel. 'The positives of coming here are the space and natural beauty, and the weather is better than England,' he says. Vancouver is eight hours behind England, so planning is important to keep in touch with family back home. 'You get used to speaking with people when you wake up. And my sister and I play a lot of online Scrabble together,' he says. He travels back to England, where his son Oliver now lives, at least once a year. Every two years, he visits Australia, where his daughter Charlotte now lives. 'I do miss British humour and the sense of community in Britain,' says Clark-Wilson. 'The downsides of living here are that you are miles from anywhere, so can be quite isolated – you need to be prepared to travel. 'But the decision about where to retire was more open because my children aren't here. Will I stay in Canada forever? Who knows.' There are an estimated 530,000 British expats living in Canada, about 133,000 of whom are retirees. So what do you need to consider if you're considering joining their ranks? How much tax will you pay? While it is possible to live in Canada for up to six months with a simple Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) – which is a requirement for most people flying to, or even just passing through, a Canadian airport – staying longer requires either a specific visa or sponsorship. If you have family in the country, it may be possible to get sponsorship, but otherwise work-related visas are usually the best option – though this can be problematic for someone who has already retired. Income tax is a two-tier system – the Government sets a federal rate of income tax, which is paid in addition to a rate set by each province. The basic rate of federal income tax is 15pc, paid on earnings up to C$57,375 (£30,725), up to a top rate of 33pc paid on earnings above C$253,414 (£135,700). As for provincial rates, residents of British Columbia, for example, which includes Vancouver, then pay a further 5.06pc on earnings up to C$49,279 (£26,390), up to a top rate of 20.5pc on earnings above C$259,829 (£139,140). There is a reciprocal tax agreement in place between the UK and Canada, so you should not be taxed twice on the same income. Pension problems It is possible to move a personal pension into an overseas scheme while living abroad, but be sure to check the rules carefully. It is often best to take professional advice. Many people opt for an international self-invested personal pension (Sipp), which is effectively the same as a UK Sipp, where your money is left invested and can be drawn down flexibly – but this allows you to do so in multiple countries and currencies. Those who prefer an annuity can get this paid into their Canadian bank account, as long as their provider makes international payments. James Rayburn, of expat financial advisers, Wealth Genesis, says: 'Make sure you get a nil tax (NT) code when you leave the UK to let HMRC know you are no longer a resident, or you may end up paying emergency tax on any pension income. Once you have this code, any money you receive from a UK pension source should be paid gross.' You can claim the UK state pension in Canada but, unlike in many other countries, it will not be uprated each year. Under the triple lock, UK pensioners see their state pension payment increase annually by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5pc. Those living in certain countries, such as France and Spain, still enjoy this annual increase, but others do not. As a result, the amount of state pension you get is frozen at the level when you first claimed it, which effectively means the benefit is worth less in real terms each year as inflation pushes up the cost of living. Interactive Investor, the wealth manager, estimates that about 450,000 British pensioners are affected by this. It calculates that they could miss out on almost £70,000 in state pension income over a 20-year retirement, assuming the state pension increased by 3.7pc a year. Myron Jobson, from Interactive Investor, says: 'Over time, this can seriously erode your spending power. Planning ahead is key – consider topping up any gaps in your national insurance record to maximise what you are entitled to. Deferring your state pension can boost the amount you get, though it still won't get uprated in future years.' Plan ahead Don't forget your other assets. Money in an Isa loses its tax protection once you move it to another country, so is best left untouched until needed, and particularly if you think you might return to the UK in the future. However, as long as you're out of the country, you won't be able to add any more funds to the account. Assets left in the UK will continue to be liable for inheritance tax after you die, so those with property, for example, could consider selling, says Rayburn. 'Other things to consider include life insurance – check it still covers you overseas – and your will,' he says. Some countries have forced heirship rules, which dictate where your assets go when you die. This isn't the case in Canada, but there are similar mandatory support obligations that make disinheriting a spouse or child very difficult, according to the International Bar Association. Also bear in mind that any power of attorney you have in place may not apply in another country, so find out what the equivalent is and apply in good time. 'It can be worth taking advice, but make sure the adviser is regulated, qualified and independent, and check you understand the fees that you are paying,' adds Rayburn. Canada has a public healthcare system, Medicare, but rather than being centrally run, each province is responsible for its own provision. As a result, the extent of cover and the standard of care can vary.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
The 10 most peaceful countries in the world, ranked
Amid global and domestic tensions, some Americans are looking to move abroad. For summer travelers, current tensions also might put pressure on travel plans. These 10 countries are ranked as the most peaceful by the Global Peace Index. Amid international conflicts and domestic tensions, the US might not feel like the safest place to live right now. That's not totally off base: The US is ranked the 128th most peaceful country in the world — behind nations including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India — by the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), which considers factors like societal safety and security, ongoing conflicts, and country militarization. Some Americans have even considered moving overseas, due to factors including crime rates, work-life balance, cost of living, and parenting values. A Gallup poll released in October 2024 showed that 21% of polled Americans expressed a desire to move abroad, up from 17% in 2023 and 10% in 2011. However, Gallup also found the US was the most desired destination for citizens from other countries to move to. In recent days, international peace has gained new importance for those looking to travel or move abroad. After the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, the National Terrorism Advisory System issued a bulletin warning of a "heightened threat environment in the United States." While a ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been declared, it remains to be seen if it will hold. Here are the 10 most peaceful countries in the world, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index. 10. Finland Finland was ranked as the third most peaceful country on the societal safety and security domain of the GPI, which looks at homicide rates, political terror, and violent demonstrations, and perceptions of criminality. As well as being one of the 10 most peaceful places in the world, the country has also consistently been ranked as the happiest country in the world, attracting expats looking for a higher quality of life. 9. Slovenia Slovenia, first lady Melania Trump's home country, ranked as the sixth most peaceful country based on the GPI militarization domain, which looks at factors like military expenditure and weapons exports. The country is often categorized as a hidden gem in Europe for travelers, thanks to its beautiful landscapes. 8. Denmark Denmark is ranked as the world's sixth most peaceful country based on the GPI societal safety and security domain. However, the country did see a relative deterioration in its militarization ranking as it increased its military spending, where it falls near nations like Libya and Trinidad and Tobago. It has been ranked as the country with the best quality of life in the world, which looks at factors like cost of living, job markets, and quality of healthcare. 7. Portugal For Americans looking to move abroad, Portugal has emerged as a recent favorite. A survey of over 116,000 Americans who were interested in moving abroad in 2024 showed the country as the most requested destination, according to Expatsi, a website with resources for Americans looking to relocate. The country was ranked the second most peaceful in the world based on the GPI militarization domain. 6. Singapore Singapore, which was ranked as the second-safest country in the Asia-Pacific region on the GPI ranking, is another popular destination for American expats, including those looking for entrepreneur economies like that of Silicon Valley. The country was ranked in the top five in the societal safety and security and ongoing conflicts domains of the GPI. 5. Switzerland Housing Geneva, the global "Peace Capital," Switzerland ranked in the top 10 most peaceful cities in the ongoing conflicts and societal safety and security GPI domains. Quality of life has been one of the factors driving expats to move there in recent years. 4. Austria Austria has stayed in the top most peaceful countries since the GPI began measuring global peace in 2008. Vienna, Austria's capital, has been ranked as the world's most livable city and one of the best destinations for expats to move. 3. New Zealand New Zealand ranked as the most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region, and received the top ranking in the ongoing conflicts domain. New Zealand transplants have cited its family-friendly towns, natural beauty, and outdoor activities as some of the reasons they love the country. 2. Ireland Ireland ranked within the top five countries in the militarization domain, and the second most peaceful country overall. Ireland, known for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage, has also been a common destination for Americans looking to move. 1. Iceland Iceland, which ranked first across all three domains of the GPI ranking, is the world's safest country despite also being one of the most expensive. For Americans looking to relocate overseas, the country offers the highest level of safety based on global peace, along with breathtaking landscapes. Read the original article on Business Insider
