Yes I’m not sure what Ted’s points would be, I do know that my wife and I qualified until we were 50. I also have a friend who is a bricklayer and went out in his late 40s - he engaged a professional immigration company to help and Oz was desperate for bricklayers at that time.

Ted, I’ve just reread your OP and I must say I don’t really dream of ‘settling down’ anywhere.

I like living in different places for a few years at a time. I find it exciting to discover new places, not just On a holiday or travelling basis but a living basis - then move on. That way I always have a positive outlook on those places and, indeed, everywhere I live. It’s amazing the amount of people I talk to, who have only lived in one place, that are negative about where they live. Then I tell them all the positive things and the great places to go in the area.

If you haven’t got dependants and transferable skills, give it a try.

At 41 as a qualified motorcycle tech I could still make it to Aus/NZ/Canada and apply for residency after five years. However I'd have to be sponsored to make the points at my age. I think the age cut off is 45/46 in Aus to be sponsored (basically hired by an Aussie bike shop to keep my visa).

And there is the cut !! I'd have to be employed. On their clock. With their rules. A six day week 9am-6pm main dealer technician. I'd be worse off than I am now. I'd be in the sunshine but I'd be a performing monkey in a cage.

I am currently self employed. Running my own shop and contracting for another dealer three days a week. I'm my own boss and I choose when I work or not.

That is something which stops me looking for any points based immigration system. They are just looking for cattle to milk.

Some absolutely excellent replies here. I have read every one carefully.

:thumbup1:

Yep you're dead right Ted, especially if you chose to go to AUS, there plenty of horror stories of people getting treated like dogshit from the sponsoring employers & that`s because until you get your residency he has you by the balls & there is nothing you can do about it.

I went down the Kiwi road & they treat you with respect.

Mezo.

Let my say it very very simplified:

"You need cash and have to be able to buy a local company, there you can employ yourself".

This way works in most countries more or less. Has to be worked out in detail for each country, because the details count. In some countrys you can only own a part of a company as foreigner, as example.

So you can avoid the sponsoring stuff. Even if you have the cash, you had to think through in detail. You need time for get a feeling about local prices for buying a company and to do a business plan who calulate local habbits.

You need more help as at home, at home you know the steps for another employe as example.

If you was able to run your own business at home, you will be able to run it in another country. But you need more time (to learn local rules) or more money to buy the expertise.

In Aus/NZ/Canada you shouldnt have to fight the language barrier (if you dont start in the french canadien part).

Out of my memories you should even have a better life and work/life balance there.

Many ways to go. I like the funny part - who also is able to show a part of the reality:

How expensive is a big mac?
https://de.statista.com/statistik/da...einen-big-mac/

How long do we have to work for a big mac?
https://www.statista.com/statistics/...-working-time/

Just shows a part of the reality, because most here at HuBB dont work at the minimum payment per hour...

Surfy

Whoever wrote that passage in the bible must have been a motorcycle rider. The concept still holds true today- as soon as I put on the rainsuit, the rain stops. :smartass:

That works here in OZ as well, Asians buy businesses like cafe`s for say $100k & are eligible for a visa, business has to have been trading for x amount of years & it must employ two or three Aussies (i forget the exact details).

Mezo.

Where to settle finally
 

Can I put in a plug for an island nation down the bottom of the world-'Stralia! The centre can get a bit hot but most people live on the coast or a short way inland from the coast. It has the tropical climate in the north, cooler temps on an island not far off the mainland called 'Tassie" and moderate temperatures along the coast. Budgie smugglers (better known as swimming costumes for the male of the species) are recommended as summers are long and the beaches beckon. Females -bring your costumes also. The cost of living is moderate by European standards except for house ownership-quite expensive! Exotic animals abound such as the Hairy-nosed wombat, the Tasmanian devil, the numbat, the kangaroo, potaroo (I know what you're thinking but we do have them), echidna and the Platypus (one of only two egg-laying marsupials in the world) for all you animal buffs!
Road rules are usually quick to adapt to for most. Some motorists however see the STOP sign as merely a suggestion but that behaviour is frowned upon by the rest of the motoring community. Playing in the middle of the road is also frowned upon but now and again we see a snake or two catching a few rays on the road, with the usual result forthcoming unfortunately. Stay upright folks.